Somehow, the perennial debate on whether it's better to live on the East or West side of our tiny island always seem to get people up in arms.

In spite of the fact that the MRT line separating both sides is but a mere 57km long.

Even my simple claim that west is best for supper-eating folks elicited some very strong sentiments from my colleagues — of which, the best comment came from our chief editor who said I was spreading fake news.

Here are some choice quotes:

"West side got actual food places?",

"I thought it was just a barren wasteland with some industrial buildings, factories and industrial waste processing plants (i.e. sewage)"

"(I) thought its just one giant park for birds and wildlife," to which the response was "that's why one stall sell instant noodles also become famous". 

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys ?.

While the East side has its fair share of late night eats that open past 1am, here's a list of places for night owls who are sian of the go-to supper spots like Al-Azhar's prata, hotpot at Haidilao or even McDonalds (save the last one for desperate times).

And just so you'll be able to eat waaay past bedtime (because what is indigestion right?), we've QC-ed (quality check) this list to ensure it only includes makan places that open LATE, up till at least 3am.

BOON LAY POWER NASI LEMAK

On the topic of friendly rivalries, whether NTU or NUS has better food is also another point of contention.

Every NTU student has either heard of or tried the Boon Lay Power nasi lemak that's a hit among West-siders because it's both affordable and worth every calorie-laden bite.

Fret not if you're not living in the west, they have other outlets located at Causeway point and Novena and Yung Sheng Road.

Where: #01-06, 221 Boon Lay Place Market and Food Centre, Singapore 642221
Opening hours: 6am to 3am

S11 EATING HOUSE (JURONG WEST)

Another hit among NTU students is the S11 Eating House beside Nanyang Community Club that's fondly referred to as 'extension'.

If you happen to stop by, the fried oyster omelette, fish bee hoon soup and sambal chicken fried rice are all highly-raved about.

If I were you, I'd try to avoid the peak exam season where the seats will be filled up with hungry muggers, unless you decide to just dabao.

Where: Blk 964 Jurong West St 91, Singapore 640964
Opening hours: Open 24 hours

BAI LI XIANG ECONOMIC BEE HOON

Perhaps calling this one "Ah Lian bee hoon" will ring a few bells - after all, this stall has a reputation for being manned by a fierce and unfriendly lady who has recently gone MIA.

Fortunately, the standard of food served did not go down with her gone and is still said to taste pretty good.

When I gave it a try during my days as an NTU student, I did find the food a tad too oily for my preferences but the chilli was definitely the highlight of this store.

Where: 651 Jurong West Street 63, 179 Kopitiam, Singapore 640651
Opening hours: 6pm to 11am

FONG SENG NASI LEMAK

For NTU students who hold Power nasi lemak close to their hearts, NUS students have their equivalent — Fong Seng.

A five to ten minutes' walk away from the campus, the stall is perpetually crowded with students who live in halls since it's conveniently nearby and open till the wee hours.

A colleague who's an NUS-alumna highly recommends the chicken wings, and I think the otah looks pretty yummy as well.

Where: 22 Clementi Rd, Singapore 129757
Opening hours: 6am to 4am

MAHAN NASI PADANG

Although this is one stall I've been patronising since my childhood, opening hours were extended to 24-hours in the last few years.

As a child, I'd drop by for breakfast; but in my twenties, I always turned to this place for their hearty bee hoon soto after hitting the clubs.

For first-timers, my picks would definitely be the begedil (potato patties) and the ayam merah (chicken in spicy tomato sauce).

Where: #01-155, 325 Clementi Avenue 5 Singapore 120325
Opening hours: 24 hours

FEI SIONG BA CHOR MEE

Situated next door to Mahan, Fei Siong Teochew noodles is also one of my late-night comfort food choices, especially when everything else is closed and I'm too lazy to venture too far from my house.

Conveniently open 24 hours a day, the laksa broth is highly raved about by my family members for supper, but I prefer not to sin to the nth degree and usually stick to dry ba chor mee.

Where: #01-155, 325 Clementi Avenue 5 Singapore 120325
Opening hours: 24 hours

SENG HUAT LAKSA @ CCK 302 FOODHOUSE

Another 24-hour coffeeshop stall to satisfy your noodle cravings, Seng Huat has withstood the test of time, seeing as it was established a few decades ago.

While I've not had the chance to try it, online accounts laud the robust laksa gravy and the springiness of the dry Teochew noodles.

And if you're having an early supper, give the ngoh hiang prawn cracker and fried noodles a try (it closes at midnight) - it's rare to find a store selling bee hoon open so late so it must be a testament to how good the food is.

Where: 7 Choa Chu Kang Loop, Singapore 689675
Opening hours: 24 hours

JW 491 FROG PORRIDGE

Although the thought of eating a bullfrog kind of makes me lose my appetite, the health nut in me sings with joy.

Frog meat is high in protein yet low in fat, and JW 491 frog porridge has often been lauded for theirs.

Wallet-friendly and delicious to boot, this place is a great option for supper if you happen to be in the west.

Where: 491 Jurong West Avenue 1 Singapore 640491

Operating hours: 5:30pm to 3am

JOO SENG TEOCHEW PORRIDGE

If the thought of eating an amphibian makes you gag, here's one place where you can have your pick of dishes to accompany a warm velvety bowl of porridge.

I often think of Teochew porridge as good old comfort food for the soul, and when it comes to variety of side-dishes to accompany the plain porridge, Joo Seng does it well with an assortment of over 30 dishes for you to choose from.

Where: 14 Cheong Chin Nam Road Singapore 599738
Opening hours: 9.30am to 4am

TIME FOR THAI

Along the busy Cheong Chin Nam road and a stone's throw away from the famed Al-Azhar prata place is a Thai joint that made me do a Google search on what delicious is in Thai.

FYI, it's aroi mak mak. And if you're craving some hot and spicy dishes, Time for Thai is a halal-certified eatery so go ahead and jio your Muslim friends down for this one.

I recommend the Tom Yum soup and stuffed chicken wings, and it helps my broke self that this place is pretty affordable as well.

Where: 15 Cheong Chin Nam Road Singapore 599739
Opening hours: 11am to 3am

G7 SINMA CLAYPOT FROG PORRIDGE

By now, you should know that Cheong Chin Nam is THE place to be if you're stuck in the west area in the wee hours of the night.

A no-frills place where customers nom away on wooden chairs and tables, G7 Sinma is another claypot place known for their frog leg porridge and seafood.

Customers have the option of choosing between spicy and non-spicy frogs, though from what we've read online, spicy is the way to go.

Where: 5 Cheong Chin Nam Rd, Singapore 599730
Opening hours: 12pm to 3am

BONUS: HAI XIAN ZHU ZHOU KOKA NOODLES

If you're someone who's active on the clubbing scene, you'll no doubt have heard of someone suggesting the legendary Koka noodles for some nourishment after you "eh wak-ed" the night away.

There's an assortment of porridge and noodles to choose from and you're allowed to pick your preferred broth (seafood, pork, tom yum, spicy) and type of noodle (Koka, ee mian, ban mian etc) when placing your order.

Unlike the other places on our list, Hai Xian Zhu Zhou's opening hours strikes us as a little odd, since they open REALLY late at night till the late afternoon.

Just nice if you're going for supper with your friends after the clubs close their doors at 4am. Not so nice if you're suddenly hit with hunger pangs around midnight but as you can tell from the list, there are plenty of options available anyway.

Where: 163A Gangsa Rd, Singapore 671163
Opening hours: 4am to 2.30pm 

If we missed out your favourite supper spot and you think it deserves a place on this list, let us know!

READ ALSO: 1am supper spots in the East that are not Geylang, Simpang Bedok and Fengshan Market

joeylee@asiaone.com

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