NUS Food Adventures: Bismillah Biryani & PÖONSTI, located in UTown and Kent Ridge, Singapore

Two meals, two corners of campus, one curiosity-satisfied team: We kicked off this round of foodie adventures with high hopes... and NUS, of all places, ended up delivering two very different but delightful meals (with pretty good price points).

From Michelin-Bib biryani in UTown to a modern cafe lunch hidden inside the Shaw Alumni House, here are some interesting NUS food Gwen and Tricia uncovered.

Stop 1: Bismillah Biryani @ UTown

By Gwen

Bismillah Biryani is no stranger to Singapore’s dining scene... a nine-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner (including 2025) and a name often whispered when someone asks, “Where to find proper dum biryani ah?”

Their UTown outlet sits at Stephen Riady Centre, basically next to the iconic NUS logo every graduate, freshman, and tourist has queued to pose with. Strangely enough, despite walking past it a hundred times when my old office was here, I never once caved… even with all those shiny Michelin Bib stickers screaming at me.

On a quiet Tuesday, 11:30 AM, vacation season: no queues, no chaos. The universe had clearly booked this slot for me.

Self-order kiosks greeted me at the entrance — a blessing for students who have no time for chit-chat or the emotional labour of decision paralysis. Lunch sets popped up immediately. Insanely good value.

Indoor seating was a little dim, so I sat outdoors, sharing the space with students in camp tees, a couple of tourists, and visiting exchange kids trying their best not to look lost.

The speed was ridiculously fast... almost suspiciously so. I barely stepped out to put my phone down and my buzzer buzzed like it missed me. Peak-hour NUS chaos clearly trained this outlet well. I ordered a Chicken Dum Biryani Set ($6.50). Dum biryani is all about patience: marinated meat + half cooked basmati rice + sealed pot + slow steam. At Bismillah, founder Arif Salahuddin's signature style avoids oiliness and gravy.

The rice looked more muted than the usual bright orange-yellow biryani, but it was still aromatic. It had a generous handful of crispy shallots, and the raita (a white bowl of yoghurt) did its job of moistening the rice. Maybe it was my sky-high expectations, I anticipated a bit more punch than what was served... The chicken had gentle flavours and is aromatic without being oily. Some breast pieces were drier, easily fixed with a spoonful of raita. I paired my biryani with bandung, which was refreshingly comforting. The warm spices of the rice and chicken is perfectly matched with the cold sweet milkiness of the bandung!

Overall thoughts:

• At $6.50, this set is honestly a steal for NUS, especially when it comes from a Michelin-recognised establishment.

• Perfect for students, staff, or literally anyone craving a premium biryani without the premium price tag.

• Fast, consistent, and campus-convenient: ideal for quick lunches, post-tutorial refuels, or even tourists wandering UTown.

• Also: I’ve been seeing the famous Tiffin Lady (iykyk) eat raita on TikTok, so I was extra excited to finally judge it myself. And yes, it passed the vibe check.

📍 2 College Ave W, #01-04, Singapore 138607

Stop 2: POONSTI @ Shaw Foundation Alumni House

By Tricia

While Gwen explored the buzz of UTown, I ventured to the opposite end of NUS: the Shaw Foundation Alumni House. PÖONSTI sits inside the building itself, which took me a moment to figure out (campus navigation is an adventure in its own right).

But once I stepped in, the space immediately felt warm and grounded. Wood accents, hints of orange, and a modern-industrial blend gave the cafe a comforting charm. Upbeat Christmas music floated in the background... yet another reminder that the year is wrapping up! A small detail I also appreciated (and found quite curious): the QR code printed directly on the buzzer. Thoughtful, practical, and very student-friendly.

Everything on the menu looked substantial, which made choosing a little difficult. They also offer a $6 top-up for a set (mini salad + drink), which is a great deal, especially for a cafe/restaurant setting! After scanning the options, I went for something reliably hearty: Pork Katsu Rosti ($18)!

The first impression? Portion size. This plate was generous. It came with crispy Iberico pork loin katsu, japanese curry, pickled cabbage, rosti (of course) and sour cream. There was also a mini salad with dressing + breadcrumb dusting.

The katsu was tender inside and crisp outside, very enjoyable. The rosti matched the katsu’s crispiness, so every bite had a satisfying crunch. Pickled cabbage added brightness and texture, balancing the richness.The sour cream had a gentle creaminess without overwhelming the plate.The mini salad was cooling and light, with breadcrumbs for texture.

It was a big meal... almost too filling! I washed it down with a Fizzy Honey Lemonade. The drink was light, bright, and mildly sweet from the honey, topped with soda and a lemon slice. It's definitely the kind of drink you’d want on a warm day while taking a breather between classes.

Overall thoughts:

What struck me most was how balanced the meal felt. The Fizzy Honey Lemonade paired beautifully with the heavier elements of the Pork Katsu Rosti, keeping everything refreshing.

For the portion size and quality, this is pretty good value! Especially in a campus setting.

A great spot for:

• students or staff wanting a proper, hearty lunch

• visitors exploring a quieter corner of NUS

• anyone craving cafe comfort without fighting UTown crowds
  

📍 NUS Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 01-02, 11 Kent Ridge Drive