Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Hot Dog

Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Hot Dog

Hot Dog

Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2023 (across 23 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.

Also Known As:
Hot Dog, Hot Dog Bun, Dachshund Sausage Bun,
Hot Dog Classic, Hot Dog Original, Chicago Dog,
Chili Dog, Beef Chili Dog, Coney Island Dog, Coney Dog,
Sauerkraut Dog, Pickled Cabbage Dog, New York Dog

Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $1 - $20

List in alphabetical order - click the links to jump to entry

1. A&W Restaurants
2. Botak Jones / Original Botak Jones
3. Brotzeit
4. IKEA
5. Joji’s Diner
6. Jollibee
7. MOS Burger
8. SIMPLEburger Inc.
9. Three Buns
~~Jumbadog~~
~~Big Dawg~~
~~Best Fries Forever~~
~~Billy Bombers~~
~~Bongo Burgers~~
~~Bratwurst Shop~~
~~Fung Kee Hotdogs~~
~~JWHotdog~~
~~Lil Papa's Wieners Beerstro~~
~~Purple Mustard~~
~~Rock & Ash~~

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Description:
The Hot Dog is a Singaporean American dish that consists of a sausage between sliced bread, often garnished with a variety of toppings, condiments, and sauces. Also known as Hot Dog Bun, or Dachshund Sausage Bun, the Hot Dog is usually priced around SGD $1 to $20 per serving. Sadly, speciality Hot Dog stores in Singapore don't survive too long, as demand tends to be low.

A typical Hot Dog base comprises a sausage, made from either chicken, pork, or beef, that's boiled or grilled, resulting in a snappy juicy texture with meaty savoury salty herbal spice flavour. It's sandwiched between fluffy soft hot dog buns with bready sweet flavour. From here, there are several common variations. The Hot Dog Classic (also known as Hot Dog Original, or Chicago Dog) is loaded with some or all of the following toppings; thick tomato ketchup with vegetal sweet flavour, creamy mild American mustard with tangy zesty sour spicy flavour, soft caramelised white onions with smoky vegetal sweet earthy flavour, crisp diced raw white onions with vegetal sweet earthy flavour, juicy pickled gherkins with vegetal sour sweet earthy flavour, juicy dill pickles with vegetal sour sweet herbal flavour, crisp fresh lettuce with vegetal sweet flavour, juicy diced tomato with vegetal sweet flavour, or creamy mayonnaise with milky sweet flavour.

Another common variation of Hot Dog is the Chili Dog (also known as Beef Chili Dog, Coney Island Dog, or Coney Dog). So named because its primary garnish is a thick chunky meat chili con carne stew with robust smoky meaty salty sweet savoury earthy spice flavour; usually made from a blend of minced beef, salt, garlic powder, cumin powder, black pepper, white pepper, red chili powder, paprika, diced white onions, diced tomato, and marjoram, with optional kidney beans or cayenne pepper. Loaded together with the chili con carne stew, is some or all of the following toppings; creamy mild American mustard with tangy zesty sour spicy flavour, crisp diced raw white onions with vegetal sweet earthy flavour, thin pepper sauce with tangy zesty sour spice herbal flavour, or gooey cheddar cheese with cheesy salty flavour.

Yet another popular variation of Hot Dog is the Sauerkraut Dog (also known as Pickled Cabbage Dog, or New York Dog). So named as its primary garnish is a juicy crisp sauerkraut with vegetal sour earthy sweet flavour; usually made from finely chopped white cabbage layered with salt, then left to ferment, with optional red apples, green apples, cranberries, beetroot, or caraway seeds. Loaded together with the sauerkraut, is some or all of the following toppings; creamy mild American mustard with tangy zesty sour spicy flavour, thick barbecue sauce with smoky meaty sour savoury flavour, soft avocado with vegetal earthy sweet flavour, or juicy jalapeno peppers with vegetal spice sweet sour flavour. Beyond these, there are a multitude of customisation options for a Hot Dog, from the type of sausage, to the selection of toppings, condiments, or sauces.

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1. A&W Restaurants
@ Jewel Changi Airport, 78 Airport Boulevard #B2-209
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 8am – 12am, Fri - Sat 8am – 1am

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $6.60) @ A&W Restaurants.

This fast food chain (named after founders Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright since June 1919) made its return to the shores of Singapore in April 2019, after being away for over 16 years.

Their iconic coney dog is their version of a chili dog, with a choice of either chicken or beef sausage, topped with either chicken or beef chili con carne sauce, and diced white onions, within a hot dog bun.

Has soft juicy crisp tender textures, and bready meaty salty savoury vegetal sweet flavour.

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2. Botak Jones / Original Botak Jones
~~@ 325 Clementi Avenue 5 #01-129~~ – Branch Closed

@ 118 Depot Lane
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 3pm (Lunch), 5pm – 9pm (Dinner)

Taken in 2009

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

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Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $11.50, $15.50) @ Botak Jones / Original Botak Jones.

Founded in 2003 by Bernard 'Botak' Allen Utchenik, this casual western chain has made several comebacks from their peak in 2009.

Served within fluffy soft buns with bready sweet flavour, their 22 centimetre chicken sausage is snappy and juicy with meaty salty sweet flavour and no fillers.

Dressed with crisp white onions with vegetal sweet flavour, and creamy mustard for a sharp spicy sour kick.

Or, dressed with chunky minced beef chili with crisp diced white onions, carrying meaty salty savoury vegetal sweet spice flavour.

Served with crunchy chilled coleslaw with vegetal milky sweet flavour, and hot crisp cajun spiced potato fries with starchy sweet spice salty flavour.

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3. Brotzeit
@ VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk #01-149
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 11pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $20) @ Brotzeit.

Some may not know that Brotzeit is a Singaporean brand, opening its 1st outlet in July 2006, and since then has grown to 10 outlets in 5 countries.

Their German Bavarian rendition has a crisp toasted sourdough bun with bready sour earthy flavour, and a long snappy juicy käsekrainer pork and cheese sausage with meaty savoury spice cheesy salty flavour.

A light pickled gherkin relish with vegetal sour sweet flavour, creamy mayonnaise with milky sweet notes, and crispy fried shallots with vegetal earthy salty sweet flavour, complete this.

Sliced red chili lend an Asian twist and a mild spicy kick.

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4. IKEA
@ 60 Tampines North Drive 2
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 10am – 10pm, Fri - Sat 10am – 11pm

@ 317 Alexandra Road
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 10am – 10pm, Fri - Sat 10am – 11pm

Taken in 2010

Taken in 2017

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $1) @ IKEA.

Founded by Ingvar Kamprad in 1943 in Agunnaryd village, Ljungby municipality, Kronoberg county, Småland province, Sweden, this furniture retail giant opened in Singapore in 1978.

True to their philosophy of decent quality at lower prices, their rendition is the cheapest snack you can find, holding at SGD $1 for a good number of years.

It's not premium or gourmet, but the frankfurter chicken sausage has a gentle springy tender texture with mild meaty sweet savoury flavour, sandwiched within soft buns with bready sweet flavour.

Complete with tomato ketchup and mustard for vegetal spicy sour sweet flavour.

Crucially, this 'hot dog' mentality of pricing to create good value, would carry over to how the brand designs other small household goods, from mugs to lamps.

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5. Joji’s Diner
@ 534 Upper Serangoon Road
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $11.90) @ Joji’s Diner.

This American styled diner opened in March 2021, and are known for their over-the-top dishes served in large hearty portions.

Their chili dog star is the snappy juicy pork sausage, sandwiched between fluffy brioche hotdog buns.

Generously covered with tender juicy minced beef chili con carne, crisp diced white onions, crunchy diced pickled gherkins, creamy yellow mustard, and black pepper.

Bite into this messy hotdog, and you get a satisfying burst of smoky meaty savoury salty sour peppery spicy vegetal sweet flavour.

Served with medium cut potato fries, thick and fluffy soft with good starchy salty sweet flavour.

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6. Jollibee
@ Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road #06-48A
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 9pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $4.25) @ Jollibee.

Established by Tony Tan Caktiong in January 1978 in Quezon City, Philippines, this fast food brand returned to Singapore in March 2013.

This popular Filipino American comfort staple has a tender mildly seasoned beef sausage within soft buns, dressed with soft grated cheddar cheese, creamy tomato ketchup, and thick house special sauce.

Carries a decent bready sweet meaty savoury cheesy salty flavour, with a tad of tangy zesty sour spice notes.

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7. MOS Burger
@ Junction 8, 9 Bishan Place #01-19
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 11pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $4.30, $4.70) @ MOS Burger.

Named after the initials for "Mountain, Ocean, Sun", this fast food brand was founded in Narimasu, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan, in June 1972. It first opened in Singapore in May 1993.

Likely the most accessible option for hot dogs, their rendition has a decent soft bun with bready sweet flavour and a snappy crunchy chicken sausage with meaty smoky savoury salty flavour.

The original version is garnished with crisp white onions, thick tomato ketchup, and grainy mustard, for vegetal sweet tangy sour spice flavour.

The chili version is garnished with chunky minced beef chili con carne, and juicy sliced jalapeno peppers, for meaty savoury spicy flavour.

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8. SIMPLEburger Inc.
~~@ myVillage, 1 Maju Avenue #01-11~~ – Branch Closed

@ National Aerated Water Co., 1177 Serangoon Road #02-01
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11am – 10pm, Sat - Sun 8:30am – 10pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $9, $11.50) @ SIMPLEburger Inc..

Established in September 2019 and operated under the iSteaks brand, this casual diner offers a good range of customisation options.

The base is a fluffy bun, juicy chicken and cheese sausage, crisp lettuce, and toppings of grated cheddar cheese. Combined, this has bready sweet vegetal smoky meaty savoury cheesy salty flavour.

To this is added crisp fried white onions with vegetal salty sweet flavour.

Or, a chunky minced beef chili con carne with meaty savoury salty sweet flavour.

Or any of the other toppings you like.

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9. Three Buns
@ 36 Keong Saik Road
Opening Hours: Daily 12pm – 9pm

@ 60 Robertson Quay
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 5pm – 10pm, Fri 12pm – 10pm, Sat 10am – 10pm, Sun 10am – 8:30pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Dog (SGD $15, $16) @ Three Buns.

Opened in June 2014, this place is operated under the Potato Head Folk (officially the PTT Family) group, the lifestyle brand founded by Ronald Akili.

The base is a soft toasted buttered bun with smoky bready buttery sweet flavour, and your choice of either chicken or beef sausage, snappy juicy long with smoky meaty salty savoury flavour.

Then creamy miso paste infused mustard, thick tomato ketchup, and crispy fried white onions, lend a burst of vegetal sweet sour earthy savoury salty flavour.

Or, chunky hot minced beef chili con carne, thick sour cream, soft smoked cheddar cheese, thin hot pepper sauce, and juicy watermelon relish, resulting in meaty savoury salty spice milky sour cheesy fruity sweet flavour. . A lot going on, but it's delicious.

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- ~~Jumbadog~~ – Permanently Closed
~~@ NEWest, 1 West Coast Drive #01-107~~

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

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Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Hot Dog (SGD $13.90, $15.80, $17.80) @ Jumbadog.

Operating from November 2020 till May 2023, Jumbadog was a casual American style diner eatery specialising in foot-long 'jumbo' hot dogs.

Their innovative range of international ingredients and flavours, along with the option to build-your-own hot dog, gets them an honourable mention here.

The base is a fluffy soft long brioche bread with buttery bready sweet flavour, and your choice of foot-long sausage (chicken, beef, pork, chicken cheese, or mixed) with smoky meaty salty savoury sweet flavour.

First has toppings of crisp red onions, juicy pickled gherkins, thick tomato ketchup, and creamy mustard, with vegetal tangy sour sweet earthy spice flavour.

Second has tender minced beef chili con carne, crisp red onions, and thick cheese sauce, with vegetal sweet meaty savoury salty spice herbal cheesy flavour.

Third has juicy sauerkraut pickled cabbage, and creamy mustard, with vegetal sour tangy sweet spice flavour.

Fourth has thin truffle oil, tender sautéed button mushrooms, crumbly minced hard boiled chicken eggs, and rich cream cheese, with vegetal earthy savoury eggy sweet milky flavour.

Fifth has flaky mala peppercorn spice powder, juicy sauerkraut pickled cabbage, juicy pickled jalapenos, crisp spring onions, and creamy sesame sauce, with spicy salty vegetal sour tangy sweet nutty flavour.

Sixth has tender sautéed caramelised white onions, juicy pickled gherkins, thick sour cream, crisp spring onions, and thick cheese sauce, with vegetal earthy sweet sour milky herbal cheesy flavour.

Seventh has crisp dried seaweed flakes, juicy corn kernels, wispy bonito skipjack tuna fish flakes, juicy flying fish roe, creamy mayonnaise, and sticky octopus sauce, with vegetal earthy fishy salty briny milky savoury flavour.