The sandwich: sustainable, hardy, personal. All you need is some bread, some filling, and the ability to put one between the other and another to eat it. Whether you’re looking for sweet, savoury or spicy, there exists somewhere a perfect sandwich just for you. Nowadays, there’s a plethora of choices available apart from the usual ham and cheese, and ever-changing trends with sandos, breakfast sandwiches and the need for vegan options, making narrowing the choice down much harder. One thing is for sure—we need generous fillings, perfectly-toasted bread and full-bodied flavour, and it’s not as easy as you think to get that balance right. Here are the sandwiches in Singapore that have dazzled us the most, for your enjoyment.
Park Bench Deli
Park Bench Deli is the place to go to in Singapore if you’re after a diner experience and a sandwich brimming with fresh ingredients. Founded in 2015 by Andrei Soen, Park Bench Deli’s recent renovation features a trendy blue and white tiled storefront, a larger seating capacity and new items on the menu. From a breakfast sandwich made of thick, soft white bread and a crunchy spam patty, Swiss cheese and an omelette, to an after-work reward of hot honey chicken coated in brown honey, baby romaine in a sesame potato bun, you’re definitely spoilt for choice here. And in the event you’re after a sweet number to finish it all off, their lemon ricotta hotcakes are easily the fluffiest we’ve ever had—a real dream, in our opinion.
Park Bench Deli, 179 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068627
For inquiries & orders: 6815 4600 / [email protected]
Baristart
We might not be able to jump on a plane to Japan just yet, but fortunately, you can find a little slice of Hokkaido here in Singapore in the form of Baristart’s delicious selection of sandwiches. Their sandwiches are made from ingredients directly imported from the Northernmost prefecture of Japan, or inspired by Japanese meals.
The “real” sandwiches available are the Chicken Teriyaki Sando, packed with tender chicken that melts in your mouth in a sweet, tangy teriyaki sauce; the Tonkatsu Sando, with a juicy, crunchy Hokkaido pork loin cutlet; and the Spicy Maguro Sando, filled with fiery marinated tuna. However, for a point of difference, try the Fruit Sando: a dessert sandwich made of strawberries and kiwis smothered in between slices of pillowy white bread and a thick, sweet cream. A Sentosa-only special, it makes the trip down there all worthwhile.
Baristart is located at Tras Street and Sentosa.
For inquiries & orders: 6904 3186 / 6970 0631
ONDA
Were you one of many who felt a twinge of sadness when Park Bench Deli re-opened, and their beloved cubano sandwich was nowhere in sight? The reason why has materialised: Soen has opened up a dedicated cubano shop at 21 Lor Telok. This trendy hole-in-the-wall, quick service restaurant will serve up that cubano you’ve been waiting for—filled with sweet ham, lechon, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. If you like options, there’s also the house-smoked beef hot dogs and crunchy fried chicharron.
What’s more, ONDA is the first of a series of new sister eateries that focuses on the food culture of the most popular sandwiches available at the original deli. Watch this space.
ONDA, 21 Lor Telok, Singapore 049033
Korio
Messy and jam-packed with cheeses, sauces and all manner of toppings, Korio sandwiches are amongst the most popular in Singapore. A cosy enclave located in Amoy Street, Korio specialises in sandos and doughnuts, with certain items available on specific days. Whilst Korio is more of a takeaway joint (or a quick-fix at one of their casual tables outside), it more than makes up for it with its decadent sandwiches. The breakfast sandwich is a must-try, loaded with a rich sauce gribiche (a cold egg sauce in French cuisine) and fried spam, in between a soft brioche bun, whilst their croque monsieur is a delicacy of drooling cheese in between thin slices of ham. Be quick though—they routinely run out of goods before midday, even with online ordering.
Korio, 135 Amoy Street, #01-03, Singapore, 049964
For inquiries & orders: 9771 6491
Sarnies
Where Park Bench Deli has the States, Sarnies has Australia—serving up brunch classics from Down Under and a strong cup of in-house roasted coffee. With its wooden slat tables, whitewashed walls and hanging lightbulbs, it has all the atmosphere of a hipster joint straight out of Sydney or Melbourne. The team behind Sarnies is passionate about the high-quality products that make up their sandwiches, with free-range chicken, grass-fed beef and home cursed bacon all major parts of their menu.
They are certainly adventurous too, looking to disassemble and remake old classics, like the ham and cheese toast. Their version is revamped with mortadella, provolone dolce and giardineria alongside a baguette, smoked ham and red cheddar. Or maybe you’re after something vegetarian: their grilled aubergine sandwich features roasted capsicum, feta cheese and hummus for a light-hearted delight. Otherwise, their Club Tempeh sandwich, with marinated tempeh, braised mushrooms and guacamole, is one of a kind.
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
For inquiries & orders: 8284 2146 / [email protected]
Sando
Much like Baristart, Sando brings Japan to Singapore, thanks to three friends who were inspired by the gourmet sandwiches they had in Japan. Whilst Sando serves all the goodies of Japanese restaurants (like gyoza and teriyaki, as well as soba and rice bowls), their sandwiches are by far the most extensive, with a variety of breakfast, lunch and vegetarian sandwiches available to order.
Available through bundles and pre-orders, the sandwiches at Sando are all influenced by Japanese meals and dishes, such as the Tamago Sando, featuring the Japanese omelette with bonito flakes and mayonnaise, and a classic egg mayo sandwich and the Spam-Wich. Also call for their Katsu Sando, with succulent panko-breaded pork and duck fat confit onions—perhaps you’ll find yourself missing Tokyo a tad less.
Sando, 438C Alexandra Road, Alexandra Technopark The Hub, #01-04/04A, Singapore 119976
For inquiries & orders: 9771 0388
