Hot & Spicy Lovers, You Are In For A Treat! 10 Tongue-Tinglers At Kopitiam

1. Mala Hotpot, (Prices may vary depending on the choice of ingredients)

Stall: Tian Fu Yuan Mala Xiang Guo

You just can’t miss that sneeze-inducing scent wafting from a giant bowl of Mala Hotpot. You know the drill. Choose your fave ingredients from Tian Fu Yuan Mala Xiang Guo’s wide selection, and your spice level. We always get their crunchy lotus root, juicy beef slices and tofu skin to soak up all the flavours. Now wait for it to be freshly cooked and tossed in a piquant sauce and peanuts, and tuck in!

Eat it at:

1. Kopitiam @ Tampines Mall
2. Kopitiam Corner @ Yew Tee Square
3. Kopitiam @ Vista Point

2. Spicy Sotong/Squid, $4.80

Stall: Nasi Padang

We’re fussy about our sotong because they sometimes come overcooked and chewy. Not at this stall. The fresh sotong rings are cooked just right so it’s tender while retaining some bite, with onions and chilli slices in a sweet-spicy sauce. Eat it with fluffy white rice, topped with shallots. Perfect one-dish meal to scratch that spice itch. 

Eat it at:

Kopitiam @ National University Hospital

3. Curry Chicken Drumstick, $6.50

Stall: Da Mei Curry Kitchen

We love a robust curry, especially one that uses a home-made recipe perfected over 20 years. Da Mei Curry Kitchen’s version has a secret blend of spices, resulting in a rich gravy that coats every bit of the tender chicken drumstick and chunky potatoes. Enjoy it with fluffy white rice, noodles or bread. We say go for their warm toasty bread so you can sop up every last drop of that liquid gold.

Eat it at:

Kopitiam Food Hall @Jurong Point

4. Signature Grilled Fish Set Meal, $15.80

Stall: Mala Hotpot

This one is a head-turner. As you carry it to your table, its tantalising smell will draw all eyes. You get half a fried sea bass with carrot slices, golden mushroom, Chinese cabbage, and big tau gay, served steaming hot over a flame, bubbling like a fiery flavour bomb. Get an extra bowl of rice because you wouldn’t want to waste all that good sauce.

Eat it at:

Kopitiam @ Hougang 1

5. Kimchi Chicken Ramen, $6.50

Stall: Korean & Japanese

If you’re a kimchi fan, you will relish this bowl of hearty Kimchi Chicken Ramen. The spicy and sour soup with chicken makes this appetite teaser a great lunch, dinner or supper. Slurp up every mouthful as you watch your fave K-drama. Masisseoyo!  

Eat it at:

Kopitiam Corner @ 678 Admiralty Place

6. Hotplate Spicy Yong Tau Foo + Rice, $6.80

Stall: Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo

We may have grown up eating Koo Kee’s signature handcrafted YTF in soup or drizzled with fermented beancurd sauce, but we’re no purist when it comes to good food. Our new fave is their Hotplate Spicy Yong Tau Foo, smothered in egg and a turbo-charged house-made sauce, served sizzling on a hot plate. Pair it with a bowl of white rice. It’s also available with Mee Tai Mak. Comes with a bowl of their soup slow brewed with soy bean and ikan bilis.

Eat it at:

1. Kopitiam @ Paya Lebar quarter
2. Kopitiam @ Northpoint
3. Kopitiam @ Jurong point
4. Kopitiam @ Tampines Mall
5. 275D Kopitiam City
6. Kopitiam @ Compass one (2 stalls)
7. Kopitiam @ Hougang 1
8. Kopitiam Corner @ Punggol 108
9. Kopitiam @ Tiong Bahru Plaza

7. Laksa, $5

Stall: Xiang Chi Mian

Craving for a steaming hot bowl of Laksa? Xiang Chi Mian serves up this hawker fave with a difference. They use a rich pork broth as their base, which lends their laksa a tinge of sweetness that balances the spice and lemak notes nicely. Also try their comforting Bak Chor Mee and Fishball Noodles, if you’re in the mood for something lighter.

Eat it at:

1. Kopitiam @ FairPrice Hub
2. Kopitiam Corner @ 152 Bedok South
3. Kopitiam Corner @ Punggol Place 273C
4. Kopitiam Corner @ 735 Pasir Ris

8. Sea Snails in Spicy Creamy Coconut Gravy, $7.50/$9.50

Stall: Hjh Maimunah

This Nasi Padang bigwig, established since the 1990’s, needs no introduction. Hjh Maimunah has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand rating since 2016 and was featured on the late celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain’s TV show. Boasting two restaurant outlets and seven mini outlets, including the one at Kopitiam @ Tampines Mall, their star dishes include their Sea snails in spicy creamy coconut gravy. There’s no way to eat this elegantly so go on, suck on the mollusks smothered in its addictive sauce. We won’t judge.    

Eat it at:

Kopitiam @ Tampines Mall

9. Special Podi Idly, $8.00 for 4pcs

Stall: Rathana Bhavan Indian Vegetarian

Rathana Bhavan boasts an extensive menu of over 200 vegetarian dishes and one of their most popular items is the Special Podi Idly. This traditional South Indian dish is meticulously prepared using fresh ingredients; they prioritise local suppliers to ensure maximum freshness. Fluffy steamed rice cakes are generously coated with their house-made spice mix, which is a nice balance of aromatic spices, roasted lentils and sesame. We love the interplay of soft texture and vibrant savoury, tangy, and mildly spicy flavours.

Eat it at:

Kopitiam @ North Point City

10. Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup, $10.50

Stall: OBBA Jjajang Express

Another banger from the OBBA Jjajang chain, which has won a place in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. We love their Korean spicy Seafood Ramen, which comes with a generous portion of chewy noods with kimchi soup. We counted four meaty mussels in our bowl. Piquant, filling, and warms our soul.

Eat it at:

Kopitiam Corner @ 450 Clementi

Kopitiam Food Lovers’ Lucky Spin:  “Spin & Win” Promotion

Just spend $8 in a single receipt, for a chance at their digital ‘Spin & Win’ wheel. We’ve got attractive prizes like $4 eCash Vouchers and Free Hot Kopi/Teh up for grabs! Promotion valid till Nov 10, 2024.