We have all been there. It is past 8:00 PM, the neon signs in the major commercial malls are blinking shut, and your group chat is locked in a fierce debate about where to eat. If you are anywhere near the Bencoolen or Bugis district, the collective stomach growls usually lead to the same predictable fast-food chains.
But if you turn the corner into Sunshine Plaza, you will find an entirely different universe. Beneath its slightly dated exterior lies a thriving, night-owl food sanctuary. From sizzling Thai street grills and mountain-sized local kebab platters to DIY Japanese hot plates and artisanal gelato, here are seven fantastic spots to hit up for your next late-night squad hangout.
1. Yak Kin Mookata
If your idea of a perfect night includes the aroma of sizzling fat and the clinking of chilled drinks, Yak Kin Mookata is an absolute must-visit. Their standard Mookata set is incredibly generous, easily satisfying two to three ravenous adults with deeply flavourful, perfectly marinated meats.
INSIDER PRO-TIP:
Do not miss out on their $10 Lala Hotpot. It comes loaded with a staggering 1 kg of fresh clams resting in a light, highly drinkable broth. It is expertly balanced—not overly oily or salty—meaning you won’t leave feeling desperately dehydrated.
Even better, ordering the Mookata set unlocks exclusive discounts on the Lala soup and their $1.99 fresh oysters, which are shockingly massive and sweet. If you aren’t in the mood to grill, their cooked menu features a stellar Sliced Fish Soup, Hot Plate Basil Chicken Rice, and a deeply satisfying Marinated Salmon.
- Vibe Check: Choose the outdoor seating to soak up the evening breeze and street-side atmosphere, or head indoors if your group absolutely requires air-conditioning.
Yak Kin Mookata
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-17, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily: 12 AM – 6 AM, 6 PM – 12 AM
2. Zenso Thai
Zenso Thai is a humble, homely dining spot that regularly acts as a culinary lifesaver for late-night cravings. If you want a casual, satisfying meal prepared by a remarkably friendly team, this relaxed joint should be high on your list.
The menu is a playground of classics. Their Pad Thai is intensely savoury, and the Chicken Kway Teow comes packed with beautifully crunchy vegetables. For side dishes, the Pandan Chicken is an absolute triumph—fragrant, succulent, and perfectly charred. Pair that with their crispy, deeply flavourful prawn cakes and a rich, refreshing Thai Milk Tea to round out the experience.
- Vibe Check: It feels exactly like a cozy, family-run eatery in Bangkok, staying open long after other kitchens have closed down.
Zenso Thai
Location: 91, #01-16 Bencoolen St, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11 AM – 10:30 PM
3. Thai Gold Food
An authentic stalwart of Sunshine Plaza, Thai Gold Food has been operating for ages, and a single bite explains exactly why they continue to thrive to this day.
Every dish here is freshly prepared to order and arrives in satisfyingly large portions, and first-timers should immediately target their legendary Garlic Pork and any of their signature fried rice dishes.
Another undeniable crowd-favourite is the BBQ Pork—spectacularly tender, juicy, and caramelised beautifully. If your squad loves a hit of spice, their Tom Yum soup packs a delightfully tangy punch, which matches perfectly with their top-notch green curries and curried clams. Save a little room at the end for their perfectly balanced Mango Sticky Rice.
Thai Gold Food
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-14/22 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11 AM – 11 PM
4. EPIKebabs
Kebab-ing since 2012, this proudly homegrown Singaporean brand is on a mission to reinvent the humble wrap. They are completely unapologetic about their food: you are guaranteed the most actual kebab meat for your dollar in the local industry. That means absolutely zero vegetable stuffing to pad out the weight.
Everything here is handmade daily using premium cuts tossed in a top-secret marinade consisting of 12 herbs and spices. Their sauces, hummus, and falafels are also crafted entirely from scratch every single morning.
- What to Order: While the classic rolls are great, go for their innovative crossovers. Try the Indomeeat (a brilliant marriage of instant Indomie noodles and heavily piled kebab meat), the Kebab John (their spin on the local roti john), or the massive Kebab Party Platter to share with the whole table.
EPIKebabs
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-55, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11 AM – 9 PM
5. Deli’s Kitchen
For those who want premium Japanese dining experiences without the exorbitant price tags or the stuffy atmosphere, Deli’s Kitchen delivers. Specialising in Japanese grilled delights and comforting, rice-based main courses, their menu features everything from thick katsu bowls to Korean-infused teishokus (just note that they don’t serve sushi or sashimi).
Their absolute standout is the Gyukatsu—a dish notoriously difficult to find done well in Singapore on a budget. You are served thick, juicy, medium-rare beef coated in a beautifully light, crispy tempura batter.
Upon request, the staff will provide a mini personal stove at your table. This allows you to sear the beef to your exact likeness before dipping it into their sharp, house-made wasabi sauce.
If it hasn’t already sold out for the day, grab the Roast Beef Omurice drenched in a decadent demi-glace sauce. As a massive bonus, their dishes come loaded with a generous, vibrant variety of fresh greens including zucchini, beetroot, and purple cabbage.
Deli’s Kitchen
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-54 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
6. UOUO (魚王魚王)
Do not let UOUO’s modest 3.5-star Google rating deter you; this izakaya-style hidden gem is a spectacular place to wind down a hectic week. They specialise in high-quality seafood dishes that won’t break the bank, largely because their fish is air-flown directly to the restaurant twice a week.
The undisputed crown jewel here is the Sashimi Platter, boasting incredibly thick, glistening cuts of Maguro, Toro, and Madai. The kitchen is highly accommodating, allowing you to completely customise the platter to your liking (perfect if you want to skip the squid or prawns).
If you need comfort food, their punchy Tenka Ichigeki Ramen features a smooth, lightly milky tonkotsu-seafood blended broth. It comes topped with a single, massive, Jiro-style slab of deeply marinated pork belly that melts in the mouth.
- Insider Tactics: Go with a group of friends and order alcoholic drinks to instantly unlock heavily discounted menu items. Once you finish your sashimi, you can ask the staff to take the remaining fish bones and brew them into a deeply comforting, soul-warming seafood soup.
UOUO
Location: 91, 01-18 Bencoolen St, #19/20 SunShine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10:30 PM | Saturday-Sunday: 12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
7. Freshio Gelato
No late-night food crawl is complete without dessert, and Freshio Gelato provides the ultimate sweet conclusion. Step inside this bright, welcoming oasis—adorned with adorable astronaut decor—and you will instantly be greeted by enthusiastic staff handing out incredibly hefty samples of their signature creations.
Their Pancake gelato is an absolute revelation, perfectly capturing the intense, maple-syrup sweetness of a fresh stack of hotcakes. If you prefer a timeless classic, their French Vanilla uses authentic vanilla bean paste, entirely avoiding the artificial flavouring found elsewhere.
- The Game Changer: While their fluffy waffles are delicious, you should absolutely order their unique Gelato Panini. It places a cold scoop of your choice inside a warm, freshly pressed sandwich, resulting in a sensational hot-and-cold contrast. The space is relatively small and intimate, making it the perfect, quiet alcove to recap the night’s gossip with your friends.
Freshio
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-60 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Thursday-Tuesday: 12 PM – 10 PM | Closed on Wednesdays
Final Thoughts
Next time the clock strikes 9:00 PM and your squad is staring blankly at each other in the Bugis area, steer them away from the usual mega-malls. Sunshine Plaza might wear its age on its sleeve, but the culinary gems hidden within its walls offer a level of character, generosity, and authentic flavour that generic franchise chains simply cannot replicate.
So, gather your favourite people, skip the standard fast-food drive-through, and give this night-owl sanctuary the legendary food trail it deserves.