When someone says Cai Png (菜饭), your mind probably goes straight to a hawker stall aunty scooping your favourite stir-fries onto a mountain of rice. But at Hundred Grains, they’ve flipped the script with a self service economy rice concept that’s both fun and a little risky—for your wallet, at least. We popped by their VivoCity outlet for lunch to see what all the hype was about. Here’s how it went.
How Hundred Grains Cai Png Self Service Works
At Hundred Grains, it’s DIY cai png time. Instead of pointing at dishes behind a glass panel, you grab a tray and start serving yourself buffet-style from a wide spread of hot and cold dishes. There’s braised meats, stir-fried veggies, fried goodies, and even cold appetisers.
The price? $3.18 for every 100 grams of food you take, minimum 200 grams. Rice, porridge, and even drinks are free flow, so carb lovers can rejoice. But here’s the catch—you’ll pay based on weight (minus the rice), so heavy items like deep-fried stuff or gravy-laden dishes can sneakily add up. We learned this the hard way.
What We Tried at Hundred Grains VivoCity
Here’s what went onto our tray in an excited, first-time frenzy:
- 🐷 Braised Pork Belly – Melty, tender, and perfectly savoury. No regrets here.
- 🐟 Fish with Pickled Cabbage in Golden Soup – Comforting and tangy, perfect with rice.
- 🍗 Chong Qing Spicy Chicken – Crispy, spicy, and dangerously addictive.
- 🥦 Stir-Fried Broccoli – Light and refreshing amidst the heavier items.
- 🍅 Tomato Scrambled Eggs – Simple homestyle goodness.
- 🌱 Cold Tossed Black Fungus – A cool, crunchy side to balance the heat.
- 🍠 Sweet Potato Balls & Spring Roll – Delicious, but heavier than we realised.
By the end, we clocked a whopping $20 for two trays. Honestly, we were shocked. Turns out, "a little of everything" isn’t such a good idea when the scale is involved.
Tips for Surviving the Hundred Grains Self Service Cai Png
🍽 Pick Smart, Not Heavy
Avoid weighty items like fried sweet potato balls or dishes drowning in gravy. Go for lighter proteins and vegetables if you’re watching your budget.
🍚 Max Out the Free Flow Rice
With unlimited white rice, brown rice, and porridge, you can fill up without breaking the bank.
🕛 Time Your Visit
Weekday lunch crowds at VivoCity can get intense. The vibes are a bit chaotic, but the staff remain friendly and helpful throughout.
The Vibe at Hundred Grains VivoCity
Expect a bustling, no-frills dining space with a constant flow of hungry diners. It’s a perfect pitstop if you’re shopping at VivoCity and want a quick, hearty meal. Service is casual but pleasant—the staff patiently explained how the self service worked to clueless first-timers like us.
Verdict: Fun, Filling, but Watch That Scale
Hundred Grains makes cai png more interactive, and it’s a blast for indecisive eaters. With so many dishes to choose from, you’ll be tempted to pile on a bit of everything—but trust us, restraint is key unless you’re ready for a $20 lunch.
Would we go back? Yes, but smarter. Next time we’ll skip the heavy hitters and lean into the free flow rice and drinks.
Hundred Grains @ Vivo Opening Hours and Location
Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, B2-23F Vivo City, Singapore 098585
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