The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the F&B industry hard. Firstly, it was the social distancing measures and banning of dine-ins. Now, as part of the extended Circuit Breaker measures to bring down rising Covid-19 numbers, Singaporean-favourite bubble tea kiosks & dessert shops have been classified as non-essential services and shuttered.
While stricter measures will help us with our battle against the coronavirus, it’s admittedly tough for F&B businesses to stop operating completely. Even with government’s subsidies, businesses often have to bear overhead costs such as rent or face other challenges such as inventory depreciation, especially with perishables. According to CNA, more than four in five eateries are at risk of closing down their business if the situation does not abate.
Local F&Bs in particular, are often small-scaled businesses set up by Singaporean entrepreneurs which directly rely on the Singapore community to survive. Whether our favorite local F&B brands will still remain standing post-Covid era will be entirely up to us, and here we’ve put together a list of 10 local F&B brands that you can support and keep alive during this crucial period.
1. Candour Coffee
Gotta love a good cuppa to get WFH mornings started. Stock up on some cold brewed coffee and you’ll thank yourself later when you need that energy boost in the afternoons. If you are not an avid coffee drinker, they also have decadent tea flavours available such as Matcha Latte, Hojicha Latte and Earl Grey Lavender Latte.
For this extended Circuit Breaker, they are also collaborating with a local omakase restaurant which offers fragrant, freshly-baked bread and pastries (including earl grey madeleines – yum). Perfect for breakfast or teatime as you hustle through your work day at home.
Price: $6.50 (300 ml, serves 2!).
Ordering and discounts (if any): Order through IG DM. Buy 6 bottles to unlock free islandwide delivery.
2. WokHey
This F&B brand serves up piping hot Chinese zhichar in the form of Egg Fried Rice (similar to Ding Tai Fung’s) or Ramen and Udon alternatives, with vegetable and meat toppings you can choose from. Their dishes give us a familiar feeling of home-cooked food and has quickly risen to become a Singapore favorite. A comfort food that definitely keeps your tummy filled through these long, arduous WFH days!
Price: $8.30 for the Fresh Udon with Chicken, prices starts from $6.50+.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Dabao at their food stalls located in heartland malls; delivery via Foodpanda.
3. Cedele
Cedele Café was first started as a small bakery along East Coast Road, and has now expanded rapidly to where it is today. For this CB period, they are having 15% off bento and family sets so you can enjoy good food (and health) with the whole family.
Price: Depends on your order.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Delivery available via Cedele’s website. Islandwide delivery available at $10. Unlock free same-day, islandwide delivery with a min order of $60. For online orders, take 15% off bento and family sets with promo code “BENTO15”.
4. Plain Vanilla
Plain Vanilla is well-known for their moist and fluffy cupcakes that are perfect for celebrations or just to treat yo’self. The beloved Singaporean bakery also offer meal options such as pasta, sandwiches and savoury deli too.
Price: $24 for a box of 6 cupcakes; brunch menu starts from $15.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Order directly on Plain Vanilla’s website; also available via food deliveries such as Grabfood, FoodPanda.
5. The Populus Coffee & Food Co
Pamper your tastebuds and treat yo’self with their signature Butter Rum Banana French Toast ($19) or Grass Fed Beef Ragu Linguine ($17). It’ll be sure to spice up any work day and keep you well-fuelled and satisfied throughout the day. They also have healthier options available like their nourishing grain bowls!
Price: Depends on your order. Grain bowls starts from $16.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Order online directly at Populus’ website. Delivery is $8 for a min. order of $20. Unlock free delivery if you are located in their delivery zone with a min. spend of $50. For takeaway orders, call +65 6635 8420 to pre-order.
6. Tiong Bahru Bakery
Of course, we can’t miss out on our fav local-grown French bakery – who is obsessed with their ultra-crispy, buttery Plain Croissants and addictive Kouign-Amann?! Obviously we are. It’s perfect for breakfast or for an afternoon tea-time treat. They are also offering savoury, hot food throughout this Circuit Breaker period.
Price: $3.50 for a plain croissant, lunch menu starts from $16.50+.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Dabao or order via Oddle for takeaways (except at Funan outlet); available on all major delivery platforms GrabFood, FoodPanda, Deliveroo.
7. SPRMRKT
If you’re feeling like you’ve been putting on weight at home, opt for healthier, guilt-free meal options instead of oily, high carb content meals. SPRMRKT gives us just that – wholesome yet yummy eats for that WFH lyf. They also have meal subscription plans with menus specially planned and cooked by their chefs.
Price: Brunch menu starts from $12+, lunch menu starts from $22+.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Order directly via Whatsapp or phonecall at their various outlets to enjoy 15% off all menu items. Islandwide delivery is available for $10. Also available on all major delivery platforms GrabFood, FoodPanda and Deliveroo.
8. Founder Bak Kut Teh
We love indulging in a bowl of fragrant and undeniably gratifying bowl of bak kut teh especially on a cold, rainy WFH days. As Singaporeans, we’re all too familiar with this bowl of peppery, savoury soup with tender pork meat that melts from the bone. If you’ve a bak kut teh or soup craving, this will surely hit the spot.
Price: $10.49+ for a bowl of Founder Popularity Bak Kut Teh.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Pre-order via Whatsapp or phonecall at least one day in advance for home delivery. Free islandwide delivery when you order directly with them with a min. spend of $30. Also available on all major delivery platforms GrabFood, FoodPanda and Deliveroo. Take 10% off if you self pick-up at their Hotel Boss outlet.
9. Keng Eng Kee (KEK) Seafood
Born and bred in Singapore, Keng Eng Kee is a well-loved brand that was even patronised by British Celebrity Chef James Martin and the late Anthony Bourdain! Their Chinese zhichar and chilli crab is bound to satisfy seafood cravings and more.
Price: Depends on your order. Family Special Sets starts from $39+.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Order directly via Keng Eng Kee’s Oodle. $5 islandwide delivery, with $50 min. spend is available. Spend above $58 to redeem a free soup of the day (U.P. $9) and if it’s your first order, use the promo code ‘KEK10’ upon checkout for 10% off your order (min. spend $50 apply).
10. Hawker stalls
We’re also not forgetting our Singaporean hawkers, who stand on their feet the entire day cooking up a storm to feed the majority of Singapore. Now, it’s time for us to give back. Most of these stalls also do not have a website or any online social media presence, so this pandemic is definitely extremely difficult for them to navigate.
To order or find out more about your favorite hawker stall, check out Hawker United – Dabao 2020 – a Facebook Group set up by a Singaporean to help hawker vendors promote their stalls a bit more easily. Lend them your support and your meal can very well save them from bankruptcy.
Price: Depends on your order. Generally, prices starts from $5.
Ordering and discounts (if any): Dabao from various hawker stalls; check if they provide delivery via Hawker United’s Facebook.
“Here are also other initiatives you can check out to help #savefnbsg”
1. ChopAndSave
Buy a gift card and use them later
2. myTreat!
An initiative that allows you to show kindness and purchase a meal for someone while supporting your local F&B
A non-profit site that allow you to order meals from Singapore’s top restaurants and get them delivered to your home
4. Belanja Eat
A pay-it-forward initiative for hawker meals, where you can ‘belanja’ food for people in need. If you require a free meal, you can check out the participating hawkers.
Support your top restaurants by buying a ticket which you can use later on.
The local bars were among the first few affected by the closure of entertainment venues. Support these bars by purchasing takeaway cocktails through this non-profit site.
The ach editorial team is based in Singapore and we’re here to give you real tips and resources on how to lead a life that is #BusybutWell. Holistic well-being for the mind, body and spirit is the name of the game. Join our exclusive ach club for a dose of well-being straight to your inbox weekly.
[…] brands we’ve partnered up with: Cedele, Wafuken, YOLO and join the #savefnbsg movement to support other local F&Bs. We have a slew of partnerships (and promo codes) coming up, so remember to become an After Clinic […]