Best Things to Eat in Tanjong Pagar: Korean Food & Cafe Guide

As an avid cafe hopper, I find myself in Tanjong Pagar a lot. This neighbourhood is packed with all kinds of gems. From cosy cafes to authentic Korean restaurants that make you feel like you’ve just stepped into Seoul. Every time I’m here, I end up discovering something new and delicious. So if you’re planning to eat your way around Tanjong Pagar, here’s my little guide on where to start.

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Korean food

Tonshou

Originating from Busan, South Korea, Tonshou is said to be the world’s first charcoal-grilled tonkatsu restaurant. I couldn’t stop thinking about the tonkatsu I had while I was in Korea, so I had to give this a try. Although it’s on the pricier side, I think it’s worth it for the quality. Each piece of tonkatsu was super tender and flavourful, almost identical to the one I had in Korea. The chilled corn soup that came with the meal was creamy and refreshing, adding a nice balance to the richness of the meat.

Address: 51 Tras St, Singapore 078990

Hankang Pocha

Claiming to be the most affordable Korean pocha, Hangkang Pocha serves up all the Korean comfort dishes you can think of, tteokbokki, army stew, jjajangmyeon and pancakes. When my friends and I went, we ordered the army stew and the kimchi pancake. The stew came loaded with ingredients and easily fed the five of us, while the pancake was crispy and delicious.

Address: 50 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088471

Hwang Sil Korean Chinese Restaurant

Hwang Sil Korean Chinese Restaurant has been serving Korean–Chinese food since 2016, with all the familiar dishes like tangsuyuk, jjajangmyeon and jjampong. We tried the jjajangmyeon and jjampong, and both tasted really authentic, comforting, and savoury. Just what you’d expect from a proper Korean eatery.

Address: 38 Maxwell Rd, #01-05, Singapore 069116

Seoul Noodle Shop

A speciality shop for hand-made Korean noodles, offering dishes like knife-cut noodles, gukbap and dakgalbi (spicy grilled chicken). I’ve yet to try their noodles, but I really enjoy their dakgalbi paired with the potato pancake, so flavourful and satisfying.

Address: 99 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 078520

Myung Ga II

If you’re looking for authentic and affordable Korean food in the city, Myung Ga II is a solid choice. They’ve got comforting dishes like kimbap, generous tonkatsu, and cold naengmyeon. Perfect for a casual meal.

Address: 28 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088451

Gogi Buffet Korean BBQ

An affordable K-BBQ buffet that’s great value for money. There’s a good variety of meats, chicken, beef, and pork. While it’s not the highest-quality cut of meat, it’s definitely worth it for the price. Perfect for when you’re craving barbecue with friends without breaking the bank.

Address: 22 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088445

Cafes and desserts

Champion Bolo Bun

The world’s first bolo bun concept store, Champion Bolo Bun, bakes its buns fresh every 15 minutes. I tried the classic bolo bun with Champion’s milk tea, and it was honestly the best bolo bun I’ve ever eaten. The bun was soft and fluffy, and the melty butter paired perfectly with it. The milk tea reminded me of what I had in Hong Kong, smooth and rich with a stronger tea flavour than most you find in Singapore.

Address: 92 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088513

Kora Bakehouse

A quiet little cafe tucked away from the main road, serving matcha drinks and bakes. When I went, they had a 1-for-1 promotion (not sure if they still do, but worth checking!). I tried their Supernova Matcha, a mix of mango and strawberry matcha. It had such a unique, refreshing taste. The matcha itself was high quality too, rich without being too bitter.

Address: 10 Anson Rd, #01-03, Singapore 079903

The Populus

The Populus serves a delicious range of contemporary dishes inspired by global flavours, alongside their own seasonal speciality coffees. I tried the crabmeat and butter pasta with truffle fries, both well-balanced in flavour and not overly rich. It’s the kind of place you go when you want cafe food that feels a bit more refined.

Address: 146 Neil Rd, Singapore 088875

Ice & Time

An artisanal Japanese kakigori (shaved ice) cafe that makes its desserts from pure natural spring water. We walked past and decided to pop in. We got the Mango Enchantment Kakigori, kind of like bingsu, milky, icy and subtly sweet. The mango flavour wasn’t too sour, and the whole thing was super refreshing. It was also pretty quiet on a Saturday night, so it’s a nice spot to sit and chill after dinner.

Address: 44 Craig Rd, Singapore 089682

TSUJIRI Premium Tanjong Pagar (Bakery)

A Japanese cafe with matcha originating from Uji, Kyoto, since 1860. They serve freshly made matcha desserts and drinks. From ice cream and cakes to lattes, it makes it a great place to hang out with friends or wind down after a meal.

Address: 94 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088515

Kyo Kohee

A speciality coffee and matcha house that uses ceremonial-grade matcha imported from Japan. I tried their Tada-Ko Matcha Latte and it’s genuinely one of the best matchas I’ve had in Singapore, smooth, rich and perfectly balanced. The price is steep, but it’s worth the occasional treat.

Address: 112 Robinson Rd, #01-01, Singapore 068902

Fieldnotes

A local cake shop inspired by nature, Fieldnotes offers beautifully made cakes featuring fruits, herbs, teas and cacao. After trying their pistachio praline cake and loving how light and fluffy it was, I couldn’t resist getting a whole seasonal Shine Muscat cake for my birthday, too. Definitely one for dessert lovers.

Address: 41 Neil Rd, Singapore 088824

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Final tips

Some of these places are incredibly popular and attract long queues daily. To avoid disappointment, check if they take reservations. If not, try to go earlier, especially on weekends, to beat the crowd. Happy eating!