With 8 dishes, aim for approximately 43.8g per dish per guest.
How Much Food to Cater for a Buffet in Singapore
Updated June 2026 · 8 min read · Covers: corporate lunches, birthday parties, weddings, school events
The Golden Rule: 300–400g of cooked food per adult
For a standard buffet in Singapore, plan for 300–350g per pax for a light lunch and 380–400g for a full dinner. Always add a 10% buffer — guests eat more than expected at free-flow events, and running out of food is the one thing you can't fix on the day.
Portion breakdown by food category
| Category | Per Pax (g) | 50 Pax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice / Carbs | 110g | 5.5 kg | Local events lean heavier on rice |
| Meat / Protein | 150g | 7.5 kg | Most popular dish — don't underorder |
| Vegetables | 80g | 4 kg | Often underestimated |
| Noodles / Sides | 60g | 3 kg | Optional if rice is heavy |
| Desserts | 50g | 2.5 kg | Kueh, fruits, puddings |
How many dishes do you need?
A good rule of thumb: 1 dish per 8–10 pax. For 50 guests, 6–8 dishes is the standard — typically 2 meats, 1 rice, 1 noodle, 2 vegetables, and 1 dessert. Corporate events often add a soup. If you have dietary requirements (halal, vegetarian), factor in dedicated dishes rather than relying on substitutions.
How much does catering cost in Singapore?
Budget S$14–24 per pax for a local buffet in Singapore. Mini buffets (30–50 pax) typically start from S$18/pax. Full setups with chafers, tongs, and serving staff start from S$22/pax. Premium or fusion menus run S$28–40/pax. Delivery fees are separate and typically range from S$60–120 depending on distance and order size.
Common mistakes when catering in Singapore
1. Underordering rice for local and Malay buffets — rice consumption is higher than Western catering norms. 2. Forgetting vegetarian guests — aim for at least 1 dedicated veg dish per 10 pax. 3. No buffer stock — order 10% more than your headcount. 4. Booking too late — most caterers in Singapore need 3–7 days notice minimum, and popular ones book out weeks ahead for weekends.