Sumptuous eats at a fraction of restaurant prices, right here at NTU

by Tan Zi Jie / Photos by Hillary Tan

If perfection could fit between a pair of chopsticks, this would be it. Freshly steamed to order, a basket of these tasty soup dumplings will lift even the dullest of spirits.

Delicate pleated dumpling skin, flavourful broth, juicy meat and generous (DIY) portions of sweet vinegar and ginger slices? Green flags everywhere.

Not to mention that these morsels are only half the price of their doppelgangers in Din Tai Fung.

“The dumplings are very good quality for the price. I really like their fried lamian (wheat noodles) too.”

SIMON JENSEN

CIVIL ENGINEERING, ON EXCHANGE FROM DENMARK

The beef bowl in this café is a colourful departure from the gyudon in a typical Japanese restaurant.

Apart from the thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a mildly sweet sauce and fluffy short-grain rice, you can tuck into an onsen egg, edamame, purple pickles and a smattering of nori seaweed strips. Each bite is well balanced with every ingredient working harmoniously.

Cosy and minimalist, this alumni-owned café is a popular spot to unwind with friends over an iced matcha latte or catch up on readings.   

“The well-seasoned beef has a good umami flavour. It goes great with the yolk that just oozes out from the soft egg. The edamame provides a nutty texture while the pickles are a nice palate cleanser.”

DARREN CHAN

ACCOUNTANCY & BUSINESS   

Pasta options are plentiful on campus. What sets this dish apart is its secret sauce – a concoction of beef bolognese spiced with cream and topped with sausage slices and mozzarella cheese – on flat linguine noodles.

All mains come with a free drink here. The slightly bitter iced lemon tea helps to cut the richness of the pasta.

Another hot favourite is the café’s 220g steak and mash ($11.90), with the sirloin beef done the way you like it.

The café frequently runs short-term promos. For example, you can get a free brownie with a main, re-order discounts (up to 10% off), exam week sets and more. No wonder then that it’s packed during peak hours – plan your trip with care.

“The pasta is creamy and savoury with a light tang; there’s a good balance of cheesy and meaty flavours.”

YANG XUNSHENG

RECENT MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GRAD

Sometimes all you need is a nourishing bowl of ramen. Enter this humble stall that gives Ippudo a run for their money.

The spicy ramen’s base is a full-bodied tonkotsu broth topped with fragrant Japanese chilli oil. The ramen noodles are al dente and delightfully springy, pairing well with the thick slices of smoky glazed char siu, which are equal parts lean and fatty.

Slurping up the entire bowl of ramen with its crunchy slivers of black fungus is easy, as the broth is savoury without being too salty or oily.

Other notable dishes here (each under $7) include the Japanese curries and the chicken chop dry ramen, which boasts a sizeable piece of fried katsu, an egg and fragrant chilli minced meat sauce.

“The ramen noodles from this stall are nice and springy.

On some days when I’m tired or didn’t do well on my quiz, having yummy food like this invigorates me.”

AIDAN LING

RENAISSANCE ENGINEERING PROGRAMME

Treat yourself to a leisurely meal in this cosy nook of a cafe. Overlooking an expanse of green, the eatery is a relaxing respite from the hustle and bustle of NTU’s academic complexes.

Aunty June’s mixed fruit tartlet boasts a juicy array of fresh fruits like kiwi, blueberries and strawberry on a light, creamy custard. The homemade tart crust is buttery and slightly nutty with a good bite.

Reminiscent of fancy high tea, their seasonal cakes come in interesting flavours like ondeh ondeh and yuzu osmanthus. Other popular items include the chunky banana cake ($2.50), cream puffs and quiches.

“The fruits are really fresh. The pack of two tarts is attractively priced.

Since the tart is not too sweet compared to a slice of cake, I don’t feel guilty after eating it.”

SUJASHA GHOSH

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Looking for a post-lunch treat? Say hello to The Tea Party’s brownie.

This dense, fudgy square can easily cost two or three times more in a swanky café.

Finicky pastry lovers may be pleased to find that the chocolate used is dark and doesn’t taste like “cheap chocolate”. The crackly top layer adds welcome texture.

The café offers a $5 teatime set of a brownie or scone with a coffee. Pro tip: Let the brownie, which is served chilled, warm up to room temperature for a truly heavenly experience.

“The brownie is delicious with a scoop of ice cream on top. The portion size is just right as dessert after a meal.”

CHEN SZEYI

SOCIAL SCIENCES

This story was published in the Sep-Oct 2023 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.