With companies tightening their belts by cutting lunch budget and the implementation of social distancing due to COVID-19, this means no fancy luncheon or self service buffet, at least not in the near future. However, lower budget doesn't mean you need to compromise on quality.
To make lunch easy on the pocket, we've curated a list of 10 restaurant-grade bento box menus that are under $10.
1. Spicy Turnip Minced Pork Bento from Soup Restaurant
Bento price
$8.80
We know that a less than $10 bento box from Soup Restaurant might sound a little implausible as their prices are a little steep in-house but here, you can relish the spicy turnip minced pork bento at just $8.80.
The spicy turnip minced pork is a rendition of their popular dish - steamed minced pork with water chestnut. The pork is painstakingly hand-chopped so you can taste the texture and flavours of the meat. This simple dish goes exceptionally well with a steaming bowl of rice, stir-fried long bean and hard boil chili egg, which gives a little spicy kick to the overall flavour profile of the bento.
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2. Soya Sauce Chicken Bento from A-One Claypot
Bento price
$8.80
A-One Claypot believes in offering their customers the best with using premium ingredients while not cutting back on quantity. Their bento boxes are packed chockfull of liao that is more generous than your favourite economical rice stall.
A must-order from their menu - the signature soya sauce chicken. The chicken is slowly simmered with soy sauce so the meat can fully absorb the savoury sauce. The bento also includes stir-fried bitter gourd with egg and oyster sauce broccoli so you can get all your fibre needs for the day.
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3. Chicken with Green Chili Box from Ayam Penyet President
Bento price
$7.90
Most people will usually go for the ayam penyet with sambal chili paste. If you would like to try something different, the chicken with green chili is a good choice.
Don't underestimate this green chili sambal as it's different from the colour you're used to seeing, it still packs a spicy punch! Ayam Penyet President's version of green chili sambal is topped with fried anchovies for that extra crunch.
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4. Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken Bento from Papparich
Bento price
$9.35
You can now enjoy restaurant-style local favourites without stepping out of office. Papparich's nasi lemak rice is infused with the richness of coconut milk. It is accompanied by a juicy chicken leg that is as big as our fist and spicy sambal sauce.
Also, selected bento boxes are cheaper compared to their in-house menu and this offer is only exclusive to Catersmith!
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5. Ikan Tempra Rice Box from IVINS
Bento price
$10
Peranakan food can be quite expensive due to the tedious preparation and the amount of time involved. However, IVINS's bento boxes are very value for money as it has 4 dishes along with rice.
The traditional ikan tempra uses whole fish but to cater to office crowd, IVINS uses fish fillet so it's fuss-free and easier to consume from your desk. The crispy fish fillet is bathed in a flavoursome dark sauce with cut chili. The bento box also includes ngoh hiang (another protein dish!) so you're getting more bang for your buck.
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6. Nasi Campur with Beef Rendang from Tambuah Mas
Bento price
$8
Dining in at Tambuah Mas can sometimes be an expensive affair so this is your chance to try the food at an affordable price. Their recipes have also stood the test of time as it is passed through generations so you definitely will not be disappointed.
The beef rendang is stewed in spices and coconut milk till tender so every bite of meat melts in your mouth. The bento is accompanied with sayur lodeh, that has been left to slowly bubble so the vegetables and beancurd can soak up the coconut gravy and tahu goreng.
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7. Chicken Rice Bento from Wee Nam Kee
Bento price
$7
You can't say that you've been to Wee Nam Kee if you have not tried their chicken rice.
The poached chicken is succulent with a thin layer of congealed fats between the meat and skin. The main star of the chicken rice actually lies in the rice which will make or break the whole experience, the rice should be filled with the fragrance of garlic and shallot, fluffy without being overly oily.
Besides chicken rice, the restaurant also serves local tzechar favourites such as pork ribs king and curry pork.
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8. Signature Beef Noodle from Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles
Bento price
$8.70
Have been wanting to treat your Muslim colleagues to a traditional China Chinese meal? You now can as Tongue Tip is halal-certified.
Tongue Tip's beef noodles broth is simmered with over 15 spices for at least 10 hours. Their noodles are also hand made and cooked upon order and are chewy in texture.
Concerned that your noodles will arrive soggy? Not to worry, the noodles and soup are packed separately and will be delivered piping hot so you don't miss out on the dining-in experience.
Get your bento box here
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9. Butter Chicken Bento from Curry & Tandoor
Bento price
$8
The butter chicken is a popular dish to order every time you visit Indian eateries. Curry & Tandoor's butter chicken is cooked in a smooth buttery and rich tomato gravy. Pair it with mixed vegetable jalfrezi which has a medley of nutritious vegetables, end it on a sweet note with the gulab jamun dessert and you're good to power through the busy day.
Curry & Tandoors also serves International, Malay bento boxes if you're looking for more variety to satisfy your fussy colleagues.
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10. Spicy Chicken Don from OMOOMO
Bento price
$7.50
This is great to order if you're looking for something other than local food for your Muslim colleagues.
OMOOMO is halal-certified and we understand that it's a mean feat trying to find halal Korean food in Singapore. They're also the brainchild of Seoul Yummy so if you've been wanting to try but is turned away by the lack of halal certification, check out OMOOMO!
For a taste of Korean BBQ which everyone missed during the circuit breaker, order the spicy chicken don. You get the classic spicy gochujang chicken on rice with a side salad for just $7.50. It's a lot less than a trip to the Korean BBQ restaurant, but definitely more satisfying than the food court style Korean food.
Get your bento box here
View the full range of affordable range of affordable menus here.
