By Choo Zi Xuan (25S03E), Isaac Tay (25S06L), Sophie Chong (25A01A)
In an era of skyrocketing prices and GST hikes, becoming a victim of inflation feels inevitable. Eating within the constraints of a limited allowance, therefore, becomes increasingly difficult. To avoid sacrificing your social life and insatiable appetite for outrageous prices, we sought to find 7 affordable meals and dining spots for under $7. Star Vista is located at Buona Vista – a few MRT stops away from Marymount, making it a popular hang-out spot after school and a good alternative from the usual Junction 8. After scouring through endless menus and deals, we settled on the food options below:
#1: Bingz Sesame Cold Noodles
For lovers of traditional Chinese cold noodles, or liangpi, this was a comforting meal that helped satisfy my cravings. Having ordered takeaway, the dish came in professional packaging, with vacuum-sealed sauce packets for the customer to assemble themselves and prevent leakage. Despite the daunting bag of chilli sauce, the dish itself was not particularly spicy and was mellowed by the sesame sauce. However, the lack of spice did cause the dish to feel a little lacking in flavour – although, this comes from someone who loves adding additional spice and salt to all meals.
All in all, our ratings are as follows:
Price: $6.59
Taste: 4/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
#2: Bingz The Signature Pork Crispy Burger
If you’re looking for a satisfying and flavorful bite, this crispy burger, or roujiamo, certainly ticks all the boxes. The outer pastry is flaky and crumbly, with a subtle, fragrant flavour. Yet, it was not oily and did not give a greasy feeling even after a few bites. As for the filling, the shredded pork is tender and juicy, with just the right amount of fat for flavour. The meat was nicely seasoned as well, not too salty to be overwhelming. The portion size is not too big, and is more suitable for a light meal.
Overall, this crispy burger delivered exactly what I expected: a hearty, tasty meat-filled pastry. Though a little messy to eat, it is definitely worth trying!
To sum up, here are our ratings:
Price: $5.59
Taste: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
#3: Afternoon Tea at Caffè Affogato
Altogether, this meal unfortunately did not fall under $7. However, individually, each component was under $7 and you could easily have a satisfying dessert here to conclude your meal!
To start off, we had a Pryce Mandarin Pu Erh tea which was $6.50, and an additional $1 for iced.
Admittedly, the price does feel excessive for a cup of tea, but the brand and quality helps justify its hefty price. The tea offers a dark aroma with a Pu Erh base and additional Mandarin accents, which add a deep woody flavour to the drink. Although some of the brand’s tea can be found online in Singapore, this particular flavour is unavailable – it was only listed on Amazon and is out of stock as of December. The same brand is also served on Singapore Airlines and other leading hotel chains, with the tea having won the U.K. Great Taste Awards in 2020. However, this was, ultimately, just a cup of tea – without additional tea-appreciation expertise, this simply seems like an above average drink.
Taking into consideration the exclusivity of the brand and the one complimentary refill offered, these were our final thoughts on the tea:
Price: $6.50
Taste: 3/5 (This was not ultimately our cup of tea.)
Value for money: 2.5/5
For a sweeter treat, we opted for the range of gelato the cafe offered. Each scoop was $5.50 and add-ons cost an extra $1.
Dark Espresso with chocolate pearl toppings (left) and Malty Cookie Dough with plain streusel topping (right).
Beyond the pictured flavours, we also tried the Mango Sorbet with a waffle cone and the Milk and Honey flavour with brownie chunks. In general, the sorbets all had a good balance of flavour but none were particularly special. While the add-ons provided a change in texture or flavour, they were not necessary additions and may not have been worth the $1 up-charge.
Overall, these were our ratings:
Price: $5.50 (+ $1 for add-ons)
Taste: 3.5/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
#4: Yew Kee Specialties Kway Chap Set
This kway chap set is definitely a steal, especially considering the generous portion of ingredients. For the price, you get a hearty mix of braised pig skin, pig intestine, pork, tofu, fish cake and an egg. The broth was rich, with a deep savoury taste that made every bite satisfying. However, the kway chap noodles itself fell short of expectations as it did not have the ideal “qq” (chewy) and silky texture, and tore apart quite easily when picked up with chopsticks. Though a minor flaw, it did take away from the experience.
All things considered, here are our ratings:
Price: $6 (+ $0.30 for takeaway)
Taste: 4.5/5
Value for money: 5/5
#5: Yew Kee Specialties Roasted Meat Char Siew Rice
At $6, this Roasted Meat Char Siew rice is a decent meal, though the portion of meat felt a bit small compared to the amount of ingredients that came with the Kway Chap set mentioned above. The rice was coated in soy sauce, which gave it a savoury flavor that paired well with the meat without becoming too salty or greasy while eating. The char siew was the standout here— tender and flavourful. The roasted meat, however, was a bit underwhelming. While it was not totally disappointing, it did feel a little dry at times, though not a deal-breaker.
Overall, it was a solid meal, just a little light on the meat for the price. Keeping that in mind, here are our ratings:
Price: $6 (+ $0.30 for takeaway)
Taste: 4/5
Value for money: 3/5
#6: Pontian Wanton Noodles Specialty Wanton Noodles
For those seeking comfort food, you can never go wrong with a local taste. Pontian Wanton Noodles offers a classic rendition of wanton noodles we are oh so familiar with. No matter where you are, this dish will always remind you of home. The extra flavor of the soy sauce makes the noodles taste even better, and at the same time ensure the noodles aren’t too dry. It’s also one of the more affordable options at Star Vista, definitely giving you your money’s worth.
Price: $5.50 (+ $0.30 for takeaway)
Taste: 4/5
Value for money: 4/5
#7: EAT Chicken Curry Rice
Yet another local food we can always rely on for a safe and affordable option. For those worried about the spice, don’t worry! The curry is sweet and delectable with no hint of spice. The chicken is also crispy, making it a perfect combination with the curry rice. The vegetables are pretty standard, but the egg that comes with the chicken curry rice makes sure that you’re left satisfied after the meal.
Price: $5 (+$0.30 for takeaway)
Taste: 3.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
In conclusion, these gems in the Star Vista offer a wide range of food options, from cafes to local delights. And if you’re up to the budget, the mall also has much more for you to try! Some of the pricier (but worth checking out) contenders include Gyushi, Supergreen, Ajisen and PastaGo (coming soon!). For the full list of restaurants, check it out here. If you find the time on GAP Days to treat yourself to a nice lunch, why not take a 5-stop direct MRT ride from Marymount to Buona Vista, and visit the Star Vista sometime?
