Jalan Benaan Kapal Hawker Centre – Cheapest Coffee in Singapore!

Back in 2019, there were some news articles reporting on possibly Singapore’s cheapest kopi-o — just 50 cents each, at Food Paradise Food Court in Sengkang. Located in a small hawker centre with only around 10 stalls at Jalan Benaan Kepal, is another contender. Kopi-o from the nameless stall used to be priced at 40 cents, but after the increase in prices of milk and coffee, the uncle has bumped up the price by just 10 cents. What amazes me is that despite the stall’s 54 years of history, uncle has barely hiked up the prices. Even with others pushing up their prices accordingly to market changes and inflation, uncle has kept prices incredibly, and surprisingly, affordable.

The friendly uncle wakes up in the wee hours of the morning (around 4 am) and reaches the stall at 615. He gets the eggs and coffee ready to serve his first customers from as early as 7 in the morning. It’s a one-man show here, and uncle opens shop every day, Monday to Sunday, without fail. While there are 2 coffee stalls in the hawker centre (one on each end), it is clear that uncle’s is more popular with its constant flow of regulars and longer queues.

A kopi, toast and egg set is priced affordably at $2.40. Each toast is grilled over charcoal, and a nice smokiness is apparent in every bite. I usually like to dip my toast in eggs, but the eggs here were on the less runny side.

Do not expect uncle’s very inexpensive teh and kopi to be extremely aromatic, but you can definitely expect a pretty good standard. I found the beverages to be quite fragrant.

Come by for your morning cuppa before you head off for work, and keep a lookout for the large tree right beside the stall! The uncle planted it right as he started the stall, and the tree has been “watching over him” for 54 years (and counting!)