A Singaporean's cheatsheet to closing time discounts
PHOTO: Instagram/jackieshao
PUBLISHED ONFebruary 15, 2020 6:30 AMByRuth Lum
Singaporeans are known to be CONSTANTLY EATING.
A regular 3-meals-a-day type of lifestyle simply doesn't cut it for us. We've got to have all the in-between snacking, tea breaks, and most importantly - SUPPER!
Some might have the appetite for a late-night piping-hot bowl of mee pok, a plate of spicy mee goreng, or even a prata or two. While others might crave more atas options like sinfully DECADENT chocolate cake or sushi bentos from some premium supermarket.
But hey, did you know that you can have all of 'expensive' these at a half price or even more if you're really lucky or know where and when to look?
Specially curated for the kiamsiap (Hokkien for stingy or penny-pincher) in you, I present…
TL;DR: A SINGAPOREAN'S CHEATSHEET TO CLOSING-TIME DISCOUNTS!
I mean, who doesn't love a good discount?
Here are some of my favourite go-tos whenever I'm on my way home from work, or just want a little something for supper:
| Food | Discount | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets | ||
| Sushi Sets, Various Supermarkets | 10-15% off | After 8.45pm |
| Rotisserie Chicken @ Supermarket Delis | 50% off | After 9pm |
| Discounted meats and poultry | 50% off wagyu steak (if you're lucky) | After 8pm |
| Bakery | ||
| Prima Deli cakes at 50% off (for 'expiring soon') | 50% off (for 'expiring soon' or closing) | After 8.30pm |
| Bread Shop discounts at heartland neighbourhoods | 1-for-1 / 50% off | Half an hour to an hour before closing time |
| Crystal Jade My Bread, Suntec City | 20% off bread | After 7.30pm |
| Jollibean | Buy 1 get 1 free Mee Chiang Kueh and Round Maru Pancake | 1 hour before closing. Better discounts at Lavender MRT |
| Restaurants | ||
| Beauty in the Pot | 20% off hotpot ingredients | After 10.30pm |
| P.S Cafe | 50% off sliced cakes | From 9pm(Paragon, Palais Renaissance, Raffles City), 9.30pm(Tiong Bahru), 10pm(Harding, One Fullerton, Ann Siang Hill, Martin Road) |
| Hotels | ||
| Shophouse By Shangri-La | 25% off any pastry, bread and salads | After 7pm (closes at 8pm) |
| The Deli, Goodwood Park Hotel | 50% off takeaway sliced cakes | After 8pm |
| Mezza9, Grand Hyatt | 50% off all cakes | After 8.30pm |
| Tuxedo Café & Pâtisserie, Carlton Hotel | 50% off breads and pastries, 30% off sliced cakes | After 7pm |
| Lobby Lounge, Crown Plaza Hotel | 1-for-1 sliced cakes | After 8pm |
SUPERMARKET DISCOUNTED MEATS AND POULTRY - MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OFF MEATS
Discount: 50 per cent off meats after 9pm
As seen in the photo, some selection of wagyu steaks get a good discount of more than 50 per cent after 8pm!
Do take note that the timings are sometimes a bit erratic, but you should always try your luck about an hour before supermarkets like Cold Storage, Jason's, and NTUC's Finest close!
PS.CAFE SLICED CAKES - 50 PER CENT OFF SLICED CAKES
Discount: 50 per cent off sliced cakes after 9pm, 9.30pm, or 10pm (depending on which outlet you visit)
No. of Outlets: 8 islandwide
This one's REALLY GOOD.
I recently had the privilege of enjoying this decadent Double Chocolate Blackout Cake. And the true enjoyment came when we called for the bill and paid HALF the price we were expecting to pay.
So not only was the cake superb, we spent under $10 for what would have normally been a rather pricey cake (usual price is $16 a slice!)
THE LINE, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL - 25 PER CENT OFF PASTRIES, BREADS, AND SALADS
Discount: 25 per cent off any pastries, bread, and salads after 7pm (Closes at 8pm)
Address: 22 Orange Grove Rd, Lower Lobby, Tower Wing, Singapore 258350
Everyone knows about the legendary buffets at The Line. But did you know that you can get 25 per cent off pastries, breads, and salads?
That's a pretty good deal for those of us who would like a taste of what The Line has to offer, but don't want to plonk down substantial change for the buffet.
PRIMA DELI CAKES - 50 PER CENT OFF CAKES
Discount: 50 per cent off whole cakes after 8pm (subject to cakes' best before dates)
No. of Outlets in Singapore:
- 11 in the West
- 17 in the North
- 4 in the Central and South
- 16 In the East
If you're REALLY lucky, there might be a whole D24 Durian King cake that they're trying to clear. And that's always good news for those of us looking for a treat at a wickedly low price.
BEAUTY IN THE POT - 20 PER CENT OFF HOT POT INGREDIENTS
Discount: 20 per cent off ingredients after 10.30pm
No. of Outlets: 6 islandwide
20 per cent off hotpot ingredients after 10.30pm. Nuff' said.
CLOSING NOTE
Yes, discounts could make you happier than the actual thing you're buying on discount.
But if you're leaning more on the side of health-consciousness, do take note that most of these closing-time deals are in place because the food item has been left for sale through the day, sometimes even for over a day.
So always exercise discretion when trying to save money at the same time!
Happy feasting without feeling the burn in your wallet!
This article was first published in Seedly.