Zi char (from the Hokkien for "cook and fry") is Singapore's beloved style of casual, cooked-to-order Chinese food, served in coffee shops and no-frills restaurants across the island. Expect wok-hei classics like sambal kang kong, cereal prawns, claypot dishes and chilli crab at largely wallet-friendly prices, with a handful of spots earning Michelin recognition. This guide rounds up notable, currently-open zi char places spread across Singapore's neighbourhoods and price ranges.
Last verified: September 2026. Hours and prices can change — we re-check our guides regularly, but do confirm before a special trip.
- Keng Eng Kee Seafood
- J.B. Ah Meng Restaurant
- Kok Sen Restaurant
- Two Chefs Eating Place
- Por Kee Eating House 1996
- New Ubin Seafood
- Sin Hoi Sai Eating House
- Long Ji Zi Char
- Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant
- Chuan Kee Seafood
- Zheng Zichar
- Kai Xin Crabs
- Jiak Modern Tzechar
- Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant
- George Town Tze Char and Craft Beer
- Yang Ming Seafood
The list
Keng Eng Kee Seafood Zi char / Cantonese seafood · $$
Michelin Plate zi char institution that began in Alexandra Village, known for coffee pork ribs and moonlight hor fun; several outlets islandwide.
- Cuisine: Zi char / Cantonese seafood
- Price: $$ · Signature Moonlight Hor Fun from $10.80; Coffee Pork Ribs from $19.80
- Must-try: Coffee Pork Ribs, Signature Moonlight Hor Fun, Chilli Crab
- Where: 1A Tampines Street 92, #01-K2, SAFRA Tampines, Singapore 528882
- Area: Tampines
- Nearest MRT: Tampines West
- Hours: Daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm
- Halal: No
J.B. Ah Meng Restaurant Zi char / seafood · $$
Late-night Geylang favourite famed for its smoky wok-hei San Lou bee hoon and a longtime haunt of local chefs.
- Cuisine: Zi char / seafood
- Price: $$ · San Lou Meehoon from $9; White Pepper Crab at market price
- Must-try: San Lou Bee Hoon, White Pepper Crab, Fried Garlic Chilli Clams
- Where: 534 Geylang Road, Singapore 389490
- Area: Geylang
- Nearest MRT: Aljunied
- Hours: Tue-Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 5pm-1:30am
- Halal: No
Kok Sen Restaurant Zi char / Cantonese · $$
Michelin Bib Gourmand old-school zi char on Keong Saik Road, celebrated for its big prawn hor fun and claypot yong tau foo.
- Cuisine: Zi char / Cantonese
- Price: $$ · Big Prawn Hor Fun from $20; Prawn Paste Chicken from $15
- Must-try: Big Prawn Hor Fun, Claypot Yong Tau Foo, Prawn Paste Chicken
- Where: 4 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089137
- Area: Keong Saik
- Nearest MRT: Outram Park
- Hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-2:15pm, 5pm-9:15pm
- Halal: No
Two Chefs Eating Place Zi char · $$
Heartland institution whose crispy butter pork ribs draw regular crowds; also operates a Sin Ming outlet.
- Cuisine: Zi char
- Price: $$ · Butter Ribs from $12; Seafood Claypot from $28
- Must-try: Butter Pork Ribs, Cereal Chicken, Golden Mushroom Beancurd
- Where: 116 Commonwealth Crescent, #01-129, Singapore 140116
- Area: Commonwealth
- Nearest MRT: Commonwealth
- Hours: Daily 11am-2:15pm, 5pm-11pm
- Halal: No
Por Kee Eating House 1996 Zi char · $$
Tiong Bahru zi char stalwart known for its sweet-savoury champagne pork ribs and hot plate beancurd.
- Cuisine: Zi char
- Price: $$ · Champagne Short Rib $24; Hot Plate Beancurd $14
- Must-try: Champagne Pork Ribs, Hot Plate Beancurd, Thai-style Steamed Fish
- Where: 69 Seng Poh Lane, #01-02, Singapore 160069
- Area: Tiong Bahru
- Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru
- Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10:45pm
- Halal: No
New Ubin Seafood Modern Singaporean zi char / seafood · $$$
Modern 'truly Singaporean' zi char famous for USDA ribeye paired with its heart-attack fried rice; several outlets islandwide.
- Cuisine: Modern Singaporean zi char / seafood
- Price: $$$ · USDA ribeye and crab dishes are premium; heritage sets from $12++
- Must-try: USDA Ribeye with Heart Attack Fried Rice, Sea Hum Char Kway Teow, Chilli Crab
- Where: 30 Victoria Street, #02-01B/C, CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
- Area: City Hall / CHIJMES
- Nearest MRT: City Hall
- Halal: No
Sin Hoi Sai Eating House Zi char / seafood · $$
Long-running Katong zi char open into the early hours, a go-to for marmite chicken and late-night suppers.
- Cuisine: Zi char / seafood
- Price: $$ · Marmite Chicken from $10; Butter Prawns from $20
- Must-try: Marmite Chicken, Butter Prawns, Sambal Kang Kong
- Where: 187 East Coast Road, Singapore 428893
- Area: Katong / East Coast
- Nearest MRT: Marine Parade
- Hours: Daily 4pm-3am
- Halal: No
Long Ji Zi Char Zi char / seafood · $$
Dinner-only Outram zi char popular for its crab bee hoon and creamy wasabi prawns.
- Cuisine: Zi char / seafood
- Price: $$ · Wasabi Prawns from $22; Kum Heong Clams from $17
- Must-try: Crab Bee Hoon, Wasabi Prawns, Kum Heong Clams
- Where: 253 Outram Road, Singapore 169049
- Area: Outram
- Nearest MRT: Outram Park
- Hours: Daily 5pm-10:30pm
- Halal: No
Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant Zi char / seafood · $$$
Old-school seafood zi char set in a colonial bungalow, a nostalgic dinner spot in the east.
- Cuisine: Zi char / seafood
- Price: $$$ · Black Pork around $30; Sweet & Sour Sliced Fish around $16
- Must-try: Sweet & Sour Sliced Fish, Deep Fried Baby Squid, Prawn Rolls
- Where: 462 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 466508
- Area: Upper East Coast
- Hours: Daily 5pm-11pm
- Halal: No
Chuan Kee Seafood Zi char / seafood · $
Wallet-friendly Toa Payoh coffee-shop zi char loved for its fragrant wok-hei fried rice; also at Lower Delta Road.
- Cuisine: Zi char / seafood
- Price: $ · Fried rice and noodles from about $5-$6
- Must-try: Tom Yam Fried Rice, Salted Fish Fried Rice, Claypot Noodle
- Where: Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, #01-264, Singapore 310019
- Area: Toa Payoh
- Nearest MRT: Braddell
- Hours: Daily 11:30am-10:30pm
- Halal: No
Zheng Zichar Zi char · $$
Seaside zi char at Changi known for its peppery claypot tang hoon with prawns.
- Cuisine: Zi char
- Price: $$ · Claypot White Pepper Tang Hoon with Prawn $32; Butter Pork $14
- Must-try: Claypot White Pepper Szechuan Tang Hoon with Prawn, Butter Pork, Deep Fried Eggplant with Chicken Floss
- Where: 11 Changi Coast Walk, NSRCC Sea Sports Centre, Singapore 499740
- Area: Changi Coast
- Hours: Daily 12pm-9pm
- Halal: No
Kai Xin Crabs Zi char / crab specialist · $$
Heartland crab-focused zi char in MacPherson offering generous portions at fair prices.
- Cuisine: Zi char / crab specialist
- Price: $$ · Sri Lankan crabs from $38; Curry Fish Head $28
- Must-try: Sri Lankan Crab, Curry Fish Head, Salted Egg Chicken
- Where: 76 Circuit Road, #01-18, Singapore 370076
- Area: MacPherson
- Nearest MRT: Mattar
- Hours: Daily 11am-9:30pm
- Halal: No
Jiak Modern Tzechar Modern zi char · $$
Halal-certified modern tze char at HillV2 with dishes like slipper lobster black bee hoon and curry fish head.
- Cuisine: Modern zi char
- Price: $$ · Signature Curry Fish Head $25; Oats Sotong from $14
- Must-try: Signature Curry Fish Head, Slipper Lobster Black Bee Hoon, Hotplate Black Pepper Beef
- Where: 4 Hillview Rise, #02-04, HillV2, Singapore 667979
- Area: Hillview
- Nearest MRT: Hillview
- Hours: Daily 11:30am-9:30pm
- Halal: Halal-certified (MUIS-listed; checked Nov 2026)
Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant Halal zi char / seafood · $$
Halal-certified waterfront zi char in the north serving crab, curry fish head and yam ring.
- Cuisine: Halal zi char / seafood
- Price: $$ · Lemon Thai Steamed Fish Head from $25; Curry Fish Head $25
- Must-try: Curry Fish Head, Salted Egg Crab, Yam Ring with Seafood
- Where: 6A Admiralty Road, Singapore 757445
- Area: Sembawang / Woodlands (north waterfront)
- Hours: Daily 12pm-11:30pm
- Halal: Halal-certified
George Town Tze Char and Craft Beer Zi char / Penang-Nonya · $$
Riverside zi char pairing Penang-Nonya dishes with local craft beer, open late by the Singapore River.
- Cuisine: Zi char / Penang-Nonya
- Price: $$ · Buah Keluak Chicken $25; Nonya Steamed Live Fish from $55; craft beer from $12
- Must-try: Buah Keluak Chicken, Nonya Steamed Live Fish, Craft Beer Pairings
- Where: 81 Boat Quay, Singapore 049869
- Area: Boat Quay
- Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay
- Hours: Daily 12pm-3am
- Halal: No
Yang Ming Seafood Zi char / seafood · $$
Popular multi-outlet zi char known for its crab stewed bee hoon; branches at Ubi, Bishan and VivoCity.
- Cuisine: Zi char / seafood
- Price: $$ · Crab dishes at market price; most non-crab dishes under $30
- Must-try: Crab Stewed Bee Hoon, Claypot Crab with Thick Bee Hoon, Cereal Prawn
- Area: Ubi / Bishan / VivoCity
- Halal: No
At a glance: compare every spot
| Spot | Cuisine | Price | Area | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keng Eng Kee Seafood | Zi char / Cantonese seafood | $$ | Tampines | No |
| J.B. Ah Meng Restaurant | Zi char / seafood | $$ | Geylang | No |
| Kok Sen Restaurant | Zi char / Cantonese | $$ | Keong Saik | No |
| Two Chefs Eating Place | Zi char | $$ | Commonwealth | No |
| Por Kee Eating House 1996 | Zi char | $$ | Tiong Bahru | No |
| New Ubin Seafood | Modern Singaporean zi char / seafood | $$$ | City Hall / CHIJMES | No |
| Sin Hoi Sai Eating House | Zi char / seafood | $$ | Katong / East Coast | No |
| Long Ji Zi Char | Zi char / seafood | $$ | Outram | No |
| Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant | Zi char / seafood | $$$ | Upper East Coast | No |
| Chuan Kee Seafood | Zi char / seafood | $ | Toa Payoh | No |
| Zheng Zichar | Zi char | $$ | Changi Coast | No |
| Kai Xin Crabs | Zi char / crab specialist | $$ | MacPherson | No |
| Jiak Modern Tzechar | Modern zi char | $$ | Hillview | Halal-certified |
| Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant | Halal zi char / seafood | $$ | Sembawang / Woodlands (north waterfront) | Halal-certified |
| George Town Tze Char and Craft Beer | Zi char / Penang-Nonya | $$ | Boat Quay | No |
| Yang Ming Seafood | Zi char / seafood | $$ | Ubi / Bishan / VivoCity | No |
Your questions answered
What exactly is zi char?
Zi char (also spelled tze char), from the Hokkien for 'cook and fry', refers to casual, cooked-to-order Chinese food stalls and restaurants in Singapore. They serve a wide range of affordable, home-style dishes – rice, noodles, vegetables, meat and seafood – meant to be shared, usually in coffee shops or no-frills eateries.
How much does a zi char meal cost?
Zi char is generally affordable: individual dishes often run from around S$8 to S$30 and are shared among a group, so a meal for four can be very reasonable. Live seafood such as crab, prawns and steamed fish is usually charged at market price, which can push a bill higher, so ask the price before ordering.
Are there halal or halal-certified zi char options?
Yes, though they are the exception. Spots like Jiak Modern Tzechar and Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant are halal-certified. Most traditional zi char eateries are not halal and often serve pork and alcohol, so always confirm current certification directly with the venue before visiting.
Which areas in Singapore are best for zi char?
Great zi char is spread island-wide rather than concentrated in one place. Standout neighbourhoods include Geylang, Keong Saik and Outram, Tiong Bahru, Commonwealth, Katong and the East Coast, Toa Payoh and MacPherson in the heartlands, plus waterfront and coastal spots in the north and at Changi.
Do I need to make reservations or expect queues?
Popular spots such as Kok Sen and J.B. Ah Meng can have long waits at peak dinner times, and many places take reservations for larger groups – call ahead where you can. Note that several zi char eateries open only for dinner and some are cash-friendly, and hours can change, so it's best to confirm before you go.
What are the best zi char restaurants in Singapore to try?
Top zi char picks in Singapore (also spelt tze char or zhi char) start with Kok Sen Restaurant on Keong Saik Road, a Michelin Bib Gourmand holder, for big prawn hor fun. Keng Eng Kee Seafood, listed in the Michelin Guide, is known for coffee pork ribs and moonlight hor fun. Also try J.B. Ah Meng in Geylang for San Lou bee hoon, Two Chefs Eating Place in Commonwealth for butter pork ribs, and Por Kee Eating House 1996 in Tiong Bahru for champagne pork ribs.
Which zi char places in Singapore are open late for supper?
Sin Hoi Sai Eating House at 187 East Coast Road in Katong is open daily from 4pm to 3am. George Town Tze Char and Craft Beer at 81 Boat Quay also serves until 3am daily. J.B. Ah Meng at 534 Geylang Road opens from 5pm to 2am Tuesday to Saturday, and until 1:30am on Sundays. Most other zi char spots in this guide close between 9pm and 11pm, so check hours before visiting.
Where is the best zi char in the east of Singapore?
In the east, Keng Eng Kee Seafood has an outlet at SAFRA Tampines (1A Tampines Street 92), and Sin Hoi Sai Eating House is on East Coast Road in Katong. Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant serves old-school seafood in a colonial bungalow on Upper East Coast Road. Further out, Zheng Zichar at NSRCC Sea Sports Centre on Changi Coast Walk is known for claypot white pepper tang hoon with prawn. Kai Xin Crabs is on Circuit Road in MacPherson.
Which zi char restaurants in Singapore have Michelin recognition?
Two places in this guide have Michelin recognition. Kok Sen Restaurant at 4 Keong Saik Road holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand and is known for big prawn hor fun and claypot yong tau foo. Keng Eng Kee Seafood, which began in Alexandra Village in Bukit Merah, is listed in the Michelin Guide and is known for coffee pork ribs and moonlight hor fun; it also has an outlet at SAFRA Tampines. Michelin selections are revised every year, so check the current guide.
Where can I find cheap zi char in Singapore?
Chuan Kee Seafood at Lorong 7 Toa Payoh (#01-264, near Braddell MRT) is the cheapest zi char in this guide. Its fried rice and noodles, including tom yam fried rice and salted fish fried rice, cost about $5 to $6. Two Chefs Eating Place in Commonwealth has butter pork ribs from $12, and Sin Hoi Sai in Katong does marmite chicken from $10. Seafood charged at market price will push the bill up.
Where can I find good zi char in the west of Singapore?
Two Chefs Eating Place at 116 Commonwealth Crescent (#01-129, near Commonwealth MRT) is known for crispy butter pork ribs and cereal chicken, and has a second outlet in Sin Ming. Jiak Modern Tzechar at HillV2 (4 Hillview Rise, #02-04, near Hillview MRT) is halal-certified and serves slipper lobster black bee hoon and curry fish head. To the south, Yang Ming Seafood has a VivoCity branch known for crab stewed bee hoon.