A healthy diet is paramount to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. More often than not, eating healthy equates eating salads and quinoa. But that does not mean that the hawker fare Singaporeans love and know cannot provide us with the necessary nutrients and vitamins that we need too. You see, as long as we are conscious about picking healthier choices, those are baby steps to achieving a healthier lifestyle—slowly but surely.
Hawker food is the epicenter of Singaporean culture. But there is a common notion that hawker foods are not as healthy. As such, those of us in search of healthier options tend to give in to salad and grain bowls—which often take a massive toll on our wallets.
There are actually healthier options available in hawker centres that are generally lower in calories and some are even prepared with healthier oil or wholegrain ingredients.
Rejoice, for we now have 8 Healthier Hawker Food in Singapore Under S$5 for when you are broke but still want to eat healthier. Remember to look out for the Healthier Choice Symbol when placing your orders!
FATTY CHEONG – WANTON MEE
When it comes to roast and barbecued pork, Fatty Cheong, located at the ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre remains an institution. With most of their offerings featuring fatty cuts of meat slathered in a gooey dark sauce, we can see why people would not typically associate them with being a healthier choice—but we stand corrected.
We got their Wanton Mee (S$3.50) that we noticed was listed as a healthier choice. Remember? It may not be healthy through and through, but as long as it is healthier (and there is a worse option), we are good.
Underneath the thick and dark gravy hid springy yellow noodles as well as thick, lean cuts of barbecued pork. The absence of fat, which made the texture less oily, made us feel so much better about our waistlines.
6 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-120 ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre
Singapore 150006
Tel: +65 9882 4849
(Closed on Thursdays)
Mon to Sun: 11am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown
ROS MUSLIM FOOD STALL – SOTO AYAM
Boasting a huge bowl of soup packed full of lean shredded chicken breast and rice cakes, the Soto Ayam (S$3) is one of the heartiest yet lightest alternatives around. The soup itself is considerably clear, as opposed to many of its other counterparts that come with a layer of oil floating on the top.
The broth brimmed with spices and comforting chicken flavour and the chicken itself was lean and fork tender. For something that is light but definitely not short on flavour, this is a great healthier choice.
6 Jalan Bukit Merah
ABC Brickworks Market Food Centre #01-05
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown
SOON LEE STEW BEEF – STEW BEEF NOODLES
The Stew Beef Noodles (S$4) at Soon Lee Stew Beef is just the thing to get you by on a rainy day. For only S$4, what you get is a generous plate of tender beef brisket that sits atop springy yellow noodles, which is topped with a ladle-full of their homemade beef and herb-infused gravy.
For a bit of texture and some added flavour, chunks of soft carrot and daikon are also added. We also liked that the gravy was tasty without being overly salty.
120 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-16 Alexandra Village Food Centre
Singapore 150120
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown
LIAN KEE – MINCED MEAT NOODLES
One can never really go wrong with a tasty bowl of minced meat noodles. Encompassing the essential components of sweet, salty, sour and umami, the minced meat noodles (S$3) at Lian Kee over at Alexandra Village Food Centre is done just the way we like it with a few minor tweaks to ensure that it stays relatively healthy.
For one, the ingredients used are fresh and the chef takes his time per bowl to ensure that every order is cooked properly with minimal oil—hence the long wait.
120 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-50 Alexandra Village Food Centre
Singapore 150120
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 7.30am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown
JIN DING XIANG PIG’S ORGAN SOUP CLAYPOT
Ang Mo Kio Market & Food Centre is filled with many food options and one of the more popular stalls is Jin Ding Xiang Pig’s Organ Soup Claypot. Specialising in a variety of pork and mutton herbal soups, their Bak Kut Teh (Pork Bone Soup, S$5) carries the Healthier Choice Symbol and it is lower in calories.
The pork fell off the bone so easily and was extremely lean with little to no fats, making it a healthier option compared to their other dishes.
However, the broth was the ultimate winner. Packed with spices and intense herbal flavours, it was a joy to slurp up. For just a mere $5, we had a very satisfying meal that didn’t guilt-trip us too much.
Ang Mo Kio Market & Food Centre
Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #01-45
Singapore 560724
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio
AL ZAMIRA RESTAURANT
With a myriad of prata (S$1), biryani (S$5) and set options, this Indian Muslim stall does not fall short in providing great variety for its customers.
The Plain Thosai (S$1.50), however, deserves special mention for surprisingly being a healthier yet tasty alternative. For the aforementioned price, the crisp texture of the thosai and generous servings of accompanying gravy make for a superb deal indeed.
Apparently, eating healthy does not necessitate lavish spending after all.
724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #01-04
Singapore 560724
(Closed on Sun)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio
YUNOS N FAMILY
This corner stall within the bustling Ang Mo Kio Market and Centre offers a vast selection of hearty Malay hawker fare at very reasonable prices.
The menu includes the famous Mee Soto (S$3), Mee Rebus (S$3), Gado Gado (S$3) and Satay (S$0.60/stick). You also have the option of customizing your meals with their readily available add-ons.
The broth of their highly raved Mee Soto is well-flavoured and the portion of springy yellow noodles is decent. This affordable bowl of goodness also has a lower calorie count, which means less guilt while indulging in it.
724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #01-01
Singapore 560724
(Closed on Sun)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio
HOCK LAM STREET POPULAR BEEF KWAY TEOW
Hock Lam Street Popular Beef Kway Teow is also on our list of go-to when we crave hawker food but still need to toe the line of being healthy.
There is a variety of noodles as well as beef cuts from different parts of the cow. On a budget but still want something less sinful? You will be pleased to know that their Sliced Beef Noodles (S$5) option on their menu bears the Healthier Choice Symbol and it is lower in calories.
Dig into this delicious bowl of goodness served with a generous amount of sliced beef, bean sprouts and kway teow. This for less than 500 calories and reasonably priced at S$5? Count us in!
51 Old Airport Road, #01-22
Singapore 390051
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 8.30pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Dakota
This post is brought to you by Health Promotion Board, Singapore.