The Old Malaya Cafe

Sometimes it's hard to draw the line between Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine, but The Old Malaya Cafe makes it clear by specialising in the signature dishes of different Malaysian towns.

Sample Penang's famous assam laksa (sour seafood soup), handmade Pontian noodles, and even Melaka style chicken rice balls with fresh chilli. The cuisine is almost the real deal and, with most dishes in the S$3-5 range, far cheaper than a bus ticket north. The cafe counteracts its sterile shopping mall location with an old-school coffee shop decor that includes small wooden tables and antiques on the walls. Cash only.