The CBD of Singapore isn’t exactly the cheapest place to live in. Food, for example, can take up most of your budget. That is if you’re not careful.

So long as you know where to look for it, you’ll find that there’s plenty of delicious and affordable food available in Tanjong Pagar.

Below, you’ll find a list of restaurants with good food for you to choose from that serves the office-people during lunchtime that you can indulge in for cheap prices.

1. Hanare @ Tanjong Pagar Rd

Skip the extremely long lines at Teppei and head on over to Hanare instead.

For $13.50, you can get one of Hanare’s daily lunchtime specials that come with as many as four yummy side dishes.

Not bad considering you’ll get to eat your meal peacefully in an air-conditioned setting.

2. Takumen Powered by Ramen

If you’re willing to trade in that air-conditioned setting for some outdoor dining, you can head on over to Takumen. But do avoid the main outlet at Circular Road, as it can get pretty chaotic when it comes to lunchtime. Takumen’s other branch at the Lau Pa Sat Festival Market is less crowded and just as cheap, with tempura friend on the spot which is just under a dollar just waiting to get gobbled up.

For less than $10 at Takumen, you’ll walk away happy and satisfied.

3. Pepper Bowl at Tanjong Pagar MRT

So long as you’re willing to put in the legwork to walk to-and-fro your office, the Pepper Bowl found near the Tanjong Pagar MRT is a godsend for those looking to eat big on a small budget.

Serving up black pepper beef that’s been stir-fried with the fragrance of wok hei for a mere $5, or a serving of their Spring Onion Beef Rice for just the same price, Pepper Bowl is a great alternative in Tanjong Pagar where you can squeeze the most out of every buck you have.

4. Fill-a-Pita

A good alternative to the cheap but scrumptious kebabs served over at Pasar Malams, the Fill-a-Pita over at 3 Pickering Street in China Square Central just within the CBD serves Koshari Rice for $5.

Fill-a-Pita’s Koshari Rice consists of brown rice, pasta, Mediterranean garlic yoghurt sauce, and juicy tomatoes as toppings. Additional pocket-friendly orders also include pita bread for $2 baba ganoush for $4 and a bowl of tabbouleh for $3.

5. Zhong Guo Xiao La Mian

For a much-needed lunch energy booster, Zhong Guo Xiao La Mian’s Spicy Wantons at only $6 for ten entire pieces is exactly what you need.

You can find this tasty street food at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre.

6. Hakata Ikkousha Ramen

If Tanjong Pagar is the best place to eat ramen in all of Singapore, then the Hakkata Ikkousha Ramen is the best of them all.

A bit expensive at $12.00, their Tonkotsu dish has a creamy broth that’s also complemented by sliced cha shu as well as noodles. For a bit more at $13.50, you can try the spicy God Fire Ramen that’s great for getting over that mid-day slump.

While pricey, you do get to have an unlimited supply of hard boiled eggs per bowl of ramen, which is great if you’re looking to fill yourself up before a long afternoon at work.

As you can see, you don’t need to go far away from the International Plaza in Tanjong Pagar to eat well for a reasonable price.