13 Cheap Mookata Buffets & Set Meals in Singapore (2020)

With sizzling meat and seafood on lard-drenched hot plates, mookata (i.e. Thai BBQ) is the stuff sinful dreams are made of. And thanks to its popularity in Singapore, you can find cheap mookata with prices from $10 (set meal) or $17.90 (buffet) per person.

Most mookata eateries are outdoors – very few of them are at malls, with the exception of the famous Golden Mile mookata places. Most of them are at coffee shops, or are their own stores in heartland centrals. The Thai BBQ is generally not expensive, and if you just randomly Google for a mookata place near you, you can probably find one that’s about $25 to $30+ per pax. But although cheaper than fancy restaurants, that’s actually expensive for mookata!

If you’re looking to bust your calorie quota but not your budget, here’s a list of restaurants to enjoy cheap mookata buffets and set meals.

 

Cheapest mookata buffets in Singapore

Restaurant	Lunch buffet price	Dinner buffet price
Charcoal Thai	$15.95 (weekday) / $20.95 (weekend)	$20.95 (weekday) / $23.95 (weekend)
Aroy Mak Mookata	$19.80 (standard) / $29.80 (premium)	$19.80 (standard) / $29.80 (premium)
Sedap Thai (halal)	$20 (excludes seafood)	$20 (excludes seafood)
Bangkok Street Mookata (Upp Thomson)	$22.80 (weekday) / $26.80 (weekend)	$22.80 (weekday) / $26.80 (weekend)
Ladyboy Mookata	$25.90	$25.90
Siam Square Mookata	$29	$29
Cheese Story Mookata	$29.90 (Mon – Thu) / $32.90 (Fri – Sun, PH, eve of PH)	$29.90 (Mon – Thu) / $32.90 (Fri – Sun, PH, eve of PH)
Y Cube Mookata	$29.90+ (Mon – Thu) / $32.90 (Fri – Sun, PH, eve of PH)	$29.90+ (Mon – Thu) / $32.90 (Fri – Sun, PH, eve of PH)
Mookata Thai BBQ (Aroy Jing Jing)	$29.90++ (Mon- Thurs) / $32.90++ (Fri- Sun, PH, eve of PH)	$29.90++ (Mon- Thurs) / $32.90++ (Fri- Sun, PH, eve of PH)

Charcoal Thai Mookata

One of the few cheap mookata places located at a mall, Charcoal Thai is also one of the few to serve lunchtime mookata. Of course, their lunch buffet is much cheaper than the dinner one, with prices starting at $15.95 on weekdays. But unless you work nearby, you’re unlikely to benefit much from this pricing.

On weekends, the lunch price is $20.95, which is the same as their weekday dinner price, so you might as well head down after work. It’s still relatively affordable, especially for an all-you-can-eat buffet with no time limit. Free-flow drinks are an additional $3.50, and you can swap out your soup to surround your barbecue plate with melted cheese dip instead ($19.95). Charcoal Thai also has set meals (see below, or the full menu here).

Address:
Clementi – 321 Clementi Ave 3, #02-08, 321 Clementi, Singapore 129905

Price: $15.95 – $23.95 (+ $3.50 for free-flow drinks)

 

Aroy Mak Mookata

Aroy Mak Mookata is located in Macpherson and serves dinner only (it is a ban mian store in the day!). The $19.80 buffet spread includes over 50 dishes for you to choose from, but do note that it does not include beverages (soft drinks are $1 to $2).

There is also a premium buffet ($29.80), which includes the more expensive cuts like wagyu beef, kurobuta pork and slipper lobsters. Order those and you’ll definitely eat your money’s worth. I’ve heard great reviews of the Thai chilli sauces and milk tea, so be sure to try those.

Address: 476 Macpherson Road, Singapore 368191

Price: $19.80 – $29.80

 

Sedap Thai Mookata – halal mookata

Sedap Thai calls itself the first halal mookata, but first or not, that’s good news for all Muslim foodies! Traditionally, mookata uses lard to oil the hot plates, which is not halal. Sedap Thai’s mookata buffet is also very worth it at $20 per pax, but it excludes seafood.

If you want to add seafood, it is quite expensive at $5 per plate. You may see the menu here. They also allow ala carte orders – each plate is $1.80 to $3, with the exception of seafood.

Address: 166 Jalan Besar, Food Centre #01-08, Singapore 208877

Price: $20 (excludes seafood)

 

Bangkok Street Mookata

The Bangkok Street Mookata chain actually has 7 outlets across Singapore, but the one at Upper Thomson (Jalan Kuras) is slightly different: It is an air-conditioned shophouse restaurant near Casuarina road (where to famous prata is!), hence the prices are more expensive. It is, however, the only one in the chain to offer buffets. Prices are reasonable at $22.80 on weekdays and $26.80 on weekends. Queues are almost always long, so make sure you call up or reserve a table online.

I’ve tried several outlets (Ang Mo Kio, Jurong, Upper Thomson and Toa Payoh) and I find that all outlets taste about the same. And personally, Bangkok Street Mookata is my favourite in this list, mostly because I think it tastes the best – so its affordable price tag is a bonus! I find that it is surprisingly cheaper to order the dishes ala carte though – so read more about that below.

Address: Upper Thomson – 14 Jalan Kuras Singapore 577728

Price: $22.80 (weekdays) / $26.80 (weekends)

 

Ladyboy Mookata

Ladyboy Mookata is wildly popular for its flavoured cheese dips, which include the signature Ladyboy cheese, mozzarella cheese and even truffle oil cheese. Many celebrity food bloggers have reviewed this restaurant and given raving reviews of the taste and freshness of the ingredients too. (I’m planning dinner there as I write this!)

$29.90 (Mon – Thu) / $32.90 (Fri – Sun, PH, PH eve) is slightly expensive, but it includes quite a generous spread of meat, seafood and even drinks. And the free-flow drinks are not just your run-of-the-mill sodas, they’re homemade Thai milk tea, Thai green tea and Thai lime tea. Ladyboy Mookata is located at the supper district of Geylang, and opens late until 2am daily.

Address: 644 Lor 40, Geylang Road Singapore 389574

Price: $29.90 (Mon – Thu) / $32.90 (Fri – Sun, PH, PH eve)

Make a reservation at Ladyboy Mookata:

 

Siam Square Mookata

Siam Square Mookata calls themselves one of the pioneers of mookata in Singapore, and judging by how popular they are, I might even believe them. They currently have 9 outlets across the island, and although they have a store at Golden Mile Tower (the first place people think of when they hear mookata), their flagship store is actually at Havelock Road.

What most customers love about this place is their “secret recipe chilli sauce” that comes in varying levels of spiciness. The marinades are also supposed to be authentic Thai-style, so if you find that a mouthful of this brings you back to Bangkok, don’t be too surprised. $29 is expensive for regular mookata, but the extensive spread of ingredients do include premium meats and seafood like scallops, prawns, mussels and abalone slices.

Address and opening hours: The 10 outlets have different operating hours, please check Siam Square Mookata’s website for the addresses and latest hours.

Price: $29

 

Cheese Story Mookata

Like the others in this price range, Cheese Story Mookata has a decent spread of meats, seafood and desserts and includes drinks. The weekend dinners are quite expensive at $32.90, but at least prices are nett. It is also the only mookata that’s open 24 hours daily! (If you have sudden cravings at 4am, you know where to go.)

The unique thing about this mookata place is that they don’t use lard to oil the hot plates. It’s apparently non-stick and should be easy to cook on without the added step of greasing. The reviews regarding this are mixed, but I suppose it’s easier to cook fatty meats like pork belly than lean ones like chicken fillets. It also offers the ever-popular cheese mookata dips.

Address: 5001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Complex #02-01, Singapore 199588

Price: $29.90 (Monday – Thursday) / $32.90 ( Friday – Sunday , eve of PH & PH)

 

Y Cube Mookata

Y Cube Mookata is open from noon to 6am the next day, which is as good as 24-7 lah. (If you’re thinking of having mookata during their closed hours (i.e. for breakfast) then you really need to rethink your diet…)

Y Cube Mookata is $29.90+ on Mondays to Thursdays, which means it is technically over $30 (it’s $32 after GST), making it really quite expensive. It’s got the seafood (like crabs, prawns, clams and more), ice cream and drinks included. I’m including it here because late-night (after 2am) mookata places are hard to find.

Address: 5001 Beach Rd, #02-45 Golden Mile Complex, 199588

Price: $29.90+ (Monday – Thursday) / $32.90+ (Friday – Sunday, eve of PH & PH)

 

Mookata Thai BBQ (Aroy Jing Jing) 

As of Dec 2018, Mookata Thai BBQ and Aroy Jing Jing have official merged into 3 outlets at Katong, Yishun (ORTO) and Bugis (opening hours vary slightly due to their location). The outlets at ORTO – the recreational complex with fishing and prawning ponds – and Katong are only open for lunch on weekends (dinner is available daily). The one at Bugis Junction follows the mall hours.

Prices are usually on the steep side – it’s $29.90++ (Mon- Thurs) / $32.90++ (Fri- Sun, PH, eve of PH) for both lunch and dinner. This is the price for the full buffet that’s inclusive of seafood. If you aren’t a fan of shellfish, you can opt for the more affordable basic mookata buffet ($23.90++ (Mon- Thurs) / $27.90++ (Fri- Sun, PH, eve of PH).

Address:
Bugis Junction – 200 Victoria Street #02-53, Singapore 188021
ORTO – 81 Lor Chencharu #01-04, Singapore 769198
Katong – 103 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428797

Price: $29.90++ (Mon to Thu) / $32.90++ (Fri to Sun, PH, eve of PH)

 

Cheap mookata restaurants in Singapore

If you’re a small eater, sometimes there’s no need for all-you-can-eat mookata buffets. Set meals (or even just ordering a la carte) may be the more cost-effective option, especially if it doesn’t take that much to fill you up.

Here are some cheap mookata set meals and a la carte restaurants.

Restaurant	Price per set meal	A la carte price per plate
Siam Square Mookata	–	$1.80++
Sedap Thai (halal)	$20 for 2 pax	$1.80 to $5
Bangkok Street Mookata	$22 for 2 pax	$1.50 onwards
888 Mookata	$26 for 2 pax	–
Secrets Of Thai Taste Mookata	$32.80 for 2 to 4 pax	–
Thai Hao Chi Mookata	$39.90 for 2 to 3 pax	–
Huay Kwang Thai Mookata	$39.90 for 2 to 3 pax / $69.90 for 4 to 5 pax	–
Charcoal Thai	$39.95 for 2 pax	–

 

Siam Square Mookata

If you’re not into the fancy seafood and don’t intend to pig out on meats, I recommend just going ala carte at Siam Square Mookata. The buffet is priced at $29 because it includes drinks, dessert and seafood like prawns, clams and mussels.

Address: There are 10 outlets so please check Siam Square Mookata’s website for the addresses and latest hours.

Price: S$1.80++

 

Sedap Thai Mookata (halal mookata!)

The Sedap Thai buffet is pretty affordable at $20 per pax, but it excludes seafood. I do think the buffet is still worth it, but if you want to eat more seafood and order less meat, I recommend getting the 2 pax platter ($20, so $10 per pax) and then topping up with whatever other dishes you like. The meats are $2.50 to $3 per plate, while the other stuff (like hot dogs and etc) are $1.80 to $2.

Address: 166 Jalan Besar, Food Centre #01-08, Singapore 208877

Price: 2 pax set meal – $20 / 4 pax set meal – $40 / a la carte – $1.80 – $3 per plate, except for seafood ($5).

 

Bangkok Street Mookata

Aha! So this is the actual Bangkok Street Mookata that I’m such a fan of. I’ve actually ordered the buffet ($22.80 – $26.80, see above), the 2 pax set meal ($22, so $11 per pax) and realised that it’s the most value for money when I order ala carte! The chicken and pork is only $1.90 – $2.20 per plate, while the beef is $2.90.

I typically pay about $12 per meal, and that’s when I stuff myself senseless, so I can’t justify paying more than twice the price for a buffet at the Jalan Kuras outlet. The queues are always insanely long, but you can book a table online.

Address: There are 8 outlets – check Bangkok Street Mookata’s website for the latest addresses and hours.

Price: 2 pax set meal – $22, 4 pax set meal – $39 / a la carte – $1.50 onwards

 

888 Mookata

If you’re bringing your mum and dad for their first mookata experience, they may like 888 Mookata – not because of the super huat name, but because they may rub shoulders with the two local celebrity founders of the place, Chew Chor Meng and Dennis Chew! The 2 pax set is $26 (so $13 per pax), which is relatively affordable. It’s even more worth it if you dine in groups of 4 ($45, so $11.25 per pax).

Address: 212 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530212

Price: 2 pax set meal – $26 / 4 pax set meal – $45

 

1_345 Secrets of Thai Taste Mookata

Located at an industrial estate at Bukit Batok, 1_345 Secrets of Thai Mookata is honestly quite ulu – and that’s coming from a west-sider. However, if you’re willing to drive there, I’d say it’s quite worth it – the set meal is $32.80 but feeds up to 4 people. Even if you have hearty appetites and split it among 3 friends, that’s still only $11 per pax.

Address: 25 Bukit Batok Crescent #01-01, Singapore 658066

Price: 2 – 4 pax set meal – $32.80

 

Thai Hao Chi Mookata

Thai Hao Chi Mookata just celebrated its 5th anniversary, and has been in the industry for half a decade. It’s one of the first few mookata joints I tried and got me hooked on it.

The chicken soup here has no MSG, so go ahead and drink your fill. It also uses traditional charcoal stoves, giving the barbecued meats that smokey wok hei. The website says the $39.90 set meal feeds 2 to 3 pax, but I think it’s more suitable for 2. My friend and I wiped it clean, and I’m not a particularly big eater (at least I don’t think so).

Address: 908 Upper Thomson Road (Springleaf) Singapore 787111

Price: 2 – 3 pax set meal – $39.90

 

Huay Kwang Thai Mookata   

Now this is really quite pricey, with its original prices being $39.90 for the 2 – 3 pax set meal and $69.90 for the 4 – 5 pax set. Thankfully, there’s currently a promotion for $10 off the 2 – 3 pax set and $20 off the 4 – 5 pax set meals ($29.90 and $49.90 respectively). It isn’t stated when the promotion is until, so it’s better to call them up to check for the latest prices.

Huay Kwang Thai Mookata also just opened an outlet at Golden Mile Complex, but that one is way more expensive as it focuses on premium cuts of imported meats (think wagyu beef and kurobuta pork).

Address: 246 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574370

Price: 2 – 3 pax set meal – $39.90 / 4 – 5 pax set meal – $69.90

 

Charcoal Thai Mookata

Charcoal Thai Mookata’s 2 pax set meal is $39.95 (so almost $20 per pax), which is just almost a dollar cheaper than their weekday dinner buffet, which is $20.95. It’s only cheaper than the weekend dinner buffet price ($23.95).

Address: 321 Clementi Ave 3, #02-08, 321 Clementi, Singapore 129905

Price: 2 pax set meal – $39.95

 

Bonus: best dining credit cards in Singapore

If you want to stretch your dollar, be prepared to go all the way. Make sure you bring along the right credit card to pay the bill!

Here are some popular dining credit cards for cash back. (Because rewards and air miles are nice, but nothing is as good as money… To me, anyway.)

 

Do you have a cheap mookata place to recommend? Share it with us in the comments below!