NTU Breakfast Set Showdown!

I consider myself a permanent resident of Nanyang Tech University (NTU), having spent a considerable amount of time residing and studying there. NTU may seem cut off and isolated from the outside world, but thankfully there are several canteens and cafes dotted around the campus to feed the hungry student population.

Breakfast is an important meal to start the day right, and definitely an important meal before our daily routines begin (COFFEEEEEEE!). Most NTU canteens serve the usual Singapore style kaya toast, hard boiled egg and coffee sets at really student friendly prices. You should be able to purchase such a breakfast set for under $2! So here is a list of canteen breakfasts I have tried several times so far in the year:

Canteen 9- CHOICE!

You get to choose different variations of toast and coffee breakfast sets here- the options are clearly stated on their menu banner above the stall. I just went for the usual traditional set with bread, two eggs and coffee- Set A I think ($1.80). The auntie behind the counter will ask how you want your eggs done (semi runny or hard boiled), which is nice because other stalls don't usually bother to ask. The eggs came out as requested- semi runny just the way I liked it. The bread were those thin crispy wafer kind of toasted bread similar to Ya Kun, with some kaya spread inside. The bread here is toasted over those open grill so it's as traditional as it gets. And they serve 3 pieces (Even more bang per buck for students!) The bread may come off a bit like a cookie, and it's really a matter of whether you love it or hate the texture. The coffee was really good here, aromatic, full bodied traditional coffee served in a rather retro koi print ceramic cup.

Canteen 11- Kaya Spread!

I've patronised this stall a couple of times and found that the auntie's mood fluctuates with the crowd; the longer the queue, the more curt her replies become. She becomes more cheerier when there are less people or there happens to be a really handsome guy waiting in line. The eggs here are not consistent- sometimes they are over boiled, sometimes they come out runny just the way I like it. I was later told that you can actually request for how you want your eggs done, just tell the auntie. I ordered iced milk tea to replace the usual cup of coffee for an additional 30 cents, but the coffee here is decent nonetheless. The bread served here is the regular toasted bread, but this stall probably serves out the best kaya spread- they use the nonya honey kaya kind and they don't scrimp on it. This is probably the highlight of this $1.80 toast set. Look out for their special scrambled eggs sets which is served like a western breakfast set if you want something different.

Canteen 13- Hard Boiled Eggs

I was a little disappointed when I cracked open the eggs and found that the egg whites refused to flow out- they have been cooked for too long already. Like Canteen 11, I'm guessing you need to request for semi cooked eggs if not the default option is completely cooked. The bread served here is also the traditional toasted brown bread kind with its nice crispy texture. Wished they were more generous with the kaya spread though. Coffee was pretty strong, served in a nice traditional cup too! This breakfast set also costs an affordable $1.80!

NIE Canteen- Not the best coffee...

Runny eggs are the default options here, and so far I didn't need to request for my eggs to be less well done and they usually turn out the way I like them! The bread served here is the regular toasted crispy white bread kind and yes, they could also be less stingy with the kaya. The coffee is served in an army style red plastic mug but unfortuately is a let down; it is a little too diluted although it does have some coffee flavour infused into it. I guess you shouldn't expect too much from a $1.80 set meal.