During trying times like these, do continue to support our local hawkers by getting takeouts or ordering local hawker food from delivery apps such as Deliveroo and Foodpanda.

Here are 5 hawker centres in Singapore where you can order your favourite local dishes from and have them delivered to your doorstep.

Photo Credit: Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice on Facebook & @paulasjunk14

#1 MAXWELL HAWKER FOOD CENTRE

Loved by both tourists and locals alike, Maxwell Hawker Food Centre is one of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore and there are many famous hawker stalls that have long queues every day.

If you’re a chicken rice lover, you will be glad to know that Ah Tai Hainaese Chicken Rice is available to order on Foodpanda. The Steamed Chicken Rice is a hit. Besides chicken rice, there are other stalls to check out, including Rojak, Popiah & Cockle, a Michelin-Recommended stall; and the crowd-favourite Jin Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon.

Available for food delivery on Foodpanda.

Maxwell Food Centre
1 Kadayanallur St
Singapore 069184
Open Daily: 8am – 2am (stall hours might differ)

#2 CHOMP CHOMP FOOD CENTRE

Arguably one of the most popular supper spots in Singapore, Chomp Chomp Food Centre is in the heart of Serangoon Gardens. Some of the hawker stalls at Chomp Chomp you can order via Foodpanda include Traditional Hai Nam Fang Yuan Satay, AMK 409 Fried Carrot Cake, and even desserts from Ding Hao Sugarcane & Desserts!

If you’re a fan of barbecued food, Chomp Chomp has an array of choices, but our favourite remains the Large Sambal Stingray from Lucy BBQ Seafood on Deliveroo.

Available on Foodpanda and Deliveroo.

Chomp Chomp Food Centre
20 Kensington Park Rd
Singapore 557269
Open Daily: 4pm – 12.30am (stall hours might differ)

Read our guide on the best dishes at Chomp Chomp Food Centre.

#3 OLD AIRPORT ROAD FOOD CENTRE

This hawker centre was voted “Best Hawker Centre In Singapore” last year when 96.3 HAO FM launched its “The Search for Singapore’s Best Hawker Centre” campaign, garnering the most votes and twice as many votes as its nearest competition.

You will be overjoyed to know that Michelin-Recommended stall Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee is available for delivery on both Foodpanda and Deliveroo, starting at S$5.90. Other options from Foodpanda include Fried Carrot Cake, Albert Street Prawn Noodle, and Xin Bee Congee.

Available on Foodpanda and Deliveroo.

Old Airport Road Food Centre
51 Old Airport Rd
Singapore 390051
Open Daily: 6am – 11pm (stall hours might differ)

Read our guide on the best eats at Old Airport Road Food Centre.

#4 YISHUN PARK FOOD CENTRE

One of the newer hawker centres in the hawker scene, Yishun Park Food Centre was opened in 2017. A modern take on the traditional hawker centres, the founders wanted to attract the younger generation and encourage them to support local hawkers.

Be sure to order the Atas Wing Meal from Ah Tan Crispy Chicken Har Cheong Gai, which is available on both Foodpanda and Deliveroo. Deliveroo also has options such as Thunder Tea Rice from Ah Lock Tofu, and Beef Brisket Noodles from One Mouth Noodle. Foodpanda has Belgian Chocolate Pancakes from Munchi Delights and Century Egg and Lean Meat Congee from Li Fang Congee.

Available on Foodpanda and Deliveroo.

Yishun Park Food Centre
51 Yishun Ave 11
Singapore 768867
Open Daily: 6am – 10pm (stall hours might differ)

Photo Credit: @jennysggoh

#5 BUKIT PANJANG HAWKER CENTRE

This hawker centre is one of the newest in the hawker scene as well, opened by NTUC Foodfare back in 2018. Selling tasty, delectable food at affordable prices, its no wonder everyone who dines here is spoilt for choice.

Hawker favourites include Prawn Noodle from Zai Lai Prawn Noodle, Fishball Noodle from You Xiang Teochew Noodles, Chicken Rice from Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, and Fried Carrot Cake from Father & Son’s Fried Carrot Cake And Char Kuey Teow.

Available on Foodpanda.

Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market
2 Bukit Panjang Ring Rd
Singapore 679947
Open Daily: 6am – 10pm (stall hours might differ)

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles is an all-time favourite of ours all these years and if you haven’t tried it, you’re indeed missing out in life.

Hawker food is of ultimate comfort to us, and what makes it even better is seeing young people run the stalls. It is a dying trade, sadly, for being a hawker means very long working hours and physically-taxing duties.

Perhaps, that’s what made Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles a stand-out; the couple running the stall is only 30 years young! And they’ve totally nailed the well-loved fried prawn noodles. We’ll go out on a limb and say that this is the best Hokkien Mee in Singapore.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles, like many other good hawker stalls, sit unassuming within a coffee shop in Serangoon North, and they only operate in the day. Be there early or be sorry.

The stall owner, Terence, has more than 10 years of experience with fried prawn noodles. He was an apprentice in his teenage years, and he worked really hard to master the art of frying prawn noodles. Finally, after years of hard work, he set up his own stall: Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles.

If you are more inclined to the wet fried prawn noodles, you’d absolutely love his rendition. Terence gets up early every day for the prep work, including preparing the fabulous prawn broth that makes his noodles so damn good.

There are only two pricing: S$4 and S$5. Each portion comes with a generous serving of fresh prawns, cuttlefish, slices of pork belly and a sprinkle of pork lard. On the side is their homemade chilli—one of the best sambal belachan we’ve tried. Or perhaps, the best.

The wok hei is evident. Combined with the robust stock gravy, every mouthful is a burst of flavours in your mouth, and trust us, one plate just won’t do! If you fancy a little bit of tanginess, squeeze a lime (provided on the side) all over then mix them all in with the chilli.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles is indeed one of the gems of Singapore’s hawker scene and it is one that has won our loyalty over the years with its consistency.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles
153 Serangoon North Ave 1, #01-512
Singapore 550153
Nearest Station: Serangoon

A fit, well-balanced lifestyle is all the rage right now — as we become increasingly particular about consuming healthier food options, hawker stalls have also doled out more nutritious dining choices in their menus to encourage us to eat healthily.

Gone are the days of salt-laden or greasy hawker food, as these hawkers are serving low-calorie food choices and using healthier ingredients such as healthier cooking oils, wholegrains as well as lower-sugar drinks.

For the uninitiated, eating more wholegrains are full of nutrients and aids in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes and certain cancers. Those who have been feasting during the festive season will be happy to know that wholegrains may help you to manage your weight as they provide bulk to the diet. This promotes the feeling of fullness and helps reduce the risk of overeating!

These healthier meal options will be here to stay, as they are part of the stall’s permanent core menu offerings. Diners can expect various hawker stalls serving different items — from savoury snacks such as toasts or Min Jiang Kueh to the well-loved Hainanese Chicken Rice — to be actively participating in the Healthier Dining Programme.

Here are five different hawker stalls in Singapore that have rolled out wholegrain options in their menu!

XIANG JI HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

Fans of chicken rice rejoice! You will be happy to know that the renowned Xiang Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice at Haig Road Market & Food Centre has included wholegrains in their rice. Not only will you be opting for a healthier alternative as compared to the usual, white rice chicken rice, but you will also still be able to enjoy this classic Singaporean favourite with less guilt.

The owners behind Xiang Ji have subtly mixed both brown and white rice together, while still managing to retain the familiar, gingery savouriness in the rice. Taste-wise, we were not able to tell much of a difference. Their grains were slightly more chewy, but remain light on the palate!

It was not oily either, and together with their tender chicken, the chicken rice was truly a delightful and filling meal.

Xiang Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice
14 Haig Road
#01-34 Haig Road Market & Cooked Food Centre
Singapore 430014
Tel: +65 9753 5837
Tues to Sun: 8am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

CONGEE DELIGHTS

Serving comfort food, Congee Delights is yet another hawker stall incorporating healthier ingredients in their porridge. The friendly aunty serves two different crowds each day: the health-conscious office crowd who opt for more nutritious brown rice in their porridge and those who go for the normal white rice.

She faithfully cooks up two huge pots of porridge in the morning, one being wholegrain rice, while the other is the usual white rice. This is because she wanted to cater to her growing pool of consumers who are looking for a healthier version of the popular comfort food.  

The best thing about Congee Delights is that you get to order any of her porridges on the menu and opt for your choice of rice base! We preferred the mixture of wholegrain and white rice, as it gave the porridge a much fluffier, nutty taste. It was also thicker and gave us a textural contrast of both different types of grains.

If you’re looking to start incorporating wholegrains into your meals but don’t know how, do give aunty’s mixed porridge a try!

Congee Delights
6 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-45 ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre
Singapore 150006
Tel: +65 9423 3120
Nearest Station: Queenstown

TIONG BAHRU TEOCHEW KUEH

The famed Tiong Bahru Teochew Kueh should be your next place to visit if you are looking for kuehs that are flavourful, yet healthy. The folks behind this 45-year-old stall meticulously hand make each and every kueh in the morning, making sure to use wholegrains in all of their traditional treats.

Their Png Kueh, Black Bean Kueh and Glutinous Rice are the best sellers. Among all their kuehs, these three kuehs use Temasek Grain fragrant brown rice in their recipes. Temasek Rice is a special breed of wholegrain rice that Tiong Bahru Teochew Kueh uses; not only is it fragrant and sticky, it is also high in dietary fibre – 1 serving of Temasek Rice is said to contain 92 percent of daily wholegrain requirement (source: Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory Limited).

The star of the show is their Glutinous Rice, which among the three speciality kuehs, has the highest percentage of Temasek brown rice used. This allowed the dish to be naturally fragrant, while its savouriness was further enhanced by the use of hae bee (spicy dried shrimps) and pepper. The peanuts were also crunchy, pairing well with the soft rice.

The well-seasoned Png Kueh was also extremely toothsome, as the skin was soft and chewy with just the right amount of thickness. It also contains a generous filling of peanuts and fluffy Temasek brown rice, and the latter stood out — it had a natural fragrance that enhanced the seasoning and flavours in the kueh.

Tiong Bahru Teochew Kueh
30 Seng Poh Road
#02-02 Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre
Singapore 168898
Tel: +65 9150 9076
Daily: 7:30 – 2pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

RED BAKE

Introducing Red Bake, a tiny bakery nestled in the bustling Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre. Here, they serve affordable buns and toasts, and have also adopted the healthy dining programme initiative and included the use of wholegrain flour in a selected range of breads.

Their freshly baked wholegrain breads are usually sold out by early morning, but we managed to snag the last wholegrain piece in their bakery: The Egg Mayo and Ham Toast! We enjoyed how the bread, paired together with the soft mayo, had a comforting, textural mouthfeel. It also had a pleasant, fragrant wheat flavour.

Red Bake
69 Geylang Bahru
#01-56 Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre
Singapore 330069
Tel: +65 6364 3669
Daily: 6am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Geylang Bahru

TIONG BAHRU MIAN JIAN KUEH

Last but not least, we tried out a crowd-favourite pancake stall, Tiong Bahru Min Jiang Kueh. Here, they serve a variety of different-flavoured pancakes, such as peanut and coconut. The stall owner has also been using wholegrain flour to bake her pancakes, which gives the wholegrain pancake a distinctive colour compared to pancakes baked with normal flour.

We chose the Peanut Min Jiang Kueh with wholegrain flour, which came in a slightly purplish hue. Filled with self-roasted ground peanuts, the pancake was thick and fluffy. It has a crispy crust, while the middle was soft and slightly chewy; it felt as if we were biting into a pillow full of goodness!

We particularly enjoyed her pancakes, which also came in a satisfying portion. Not to mention, her prices were affordable as well! This is definitely a min jiang kueh stall we will be back to visit.

Tiong Bahru Mian Jian Kueh
30 Seng Poh Road
#02-34 Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre
Singapore 168898
Tel: +65 9834 6495
Weds to Sun: 6am – 2pm
(Closed on Mon & Tues)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

In collaboration with Health Promotion Board, many hawker stalls island-wide have participated in the Healthier Dining Programme: an initiative that encourages store owners to incorporate nutritional ingredients in their menu, so that it becomes much more accessible and pervasive for everyone to consume a healthy meal while dining out.

So, the next time you decide to opt for a healthier option, definitely check these hawker stalls out with these Healthier Dining Programme labels. Tasty food can be healthier too!

This post was brought to you by Health Promotion Board Singapore.

You may have tried many different renditions of Bak Kut Tehs in Singapore – ones with herbal soup bases or ones with spicy white pepper stock. Well, for those who love this homey, heart-warming clay pot of soup, we have great news for you – Restoran Kota Zheng Zong Claypot Bak Kut Teh has opened in Singapore at Holland Village!

This popular Johor Bahru-based restaurant started from humble roots, beginning as a mere push-cart. With over 40 years of experience and cooking their special herbal Bak Kut Teh over a charcoal flame, they are undoubtedly one of the best Bak Kut Teh restaurants in Malaysia.

We had a taste of their dishes including their Signature Claypot Bak Kut Teh, Braised Pork Leg and their White Pepper Pig’s Maw Soup. Check out what are the dishes you can look forward to at the new Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh Singapore.

The broth at Kota Zeng Zong Bak Kut Teh is made with a secret blend of 18 spices and Chinese herbs, boiled for over an hour with offal including pork belly, tripe, tendons, ribs and innards. Once the pork is added, the broth is simmered for another hour to imbue the soup with umami from the meat.

Each part of the pork is removed from the main broth so it can be portioned out and added into each individual clay pot to order.

SIGNATURE CLAYPOT BAK KUT TEH

The Signature Claypot Bak Kut Teh is served according to the number of portions ordered. You can order the standard mix of Pork Rib, Pork Belly, Pork Tail and Pork Leg or choose any of the above to add into their signature herbal broth. Each clay pot is topped with a generous helping of Fried Beancurd Skin.

You can choose to add some Enoki Mushrooms, Button Mushrooms, extra Fried Beancurd Skin or intestines to the dish. It’s boiled over a charcoal fire till it’s bubbling vigorously, then served piping-hot to the table.

Our favourite of the pork cuts was the Pork Belly. The meat was fork-tender and the fat was super succulent and juicy. It added so much umami flavour to the broth as well!

If you prefer leaner meats, the Pork Rib would be your go-to. The absence of fat did not omit much flavour as the ribs were almost falling off the bone. Each rib had been infused with the broth so well that we couldn’t stop our chopsticks for seconds and thirds!

Less seen in Bak Kut Teh, especially in Singapore, would be the Pork Tail. This fatty part of the pork is a must-try. It has a chewy texture, offering a different mouthfeel compared to the rest of the meat portions. It also adds richness to the broth!

If you want extra flavour, you can add some Hua Diao (Chinese Rice Wine) or Martel Cordon Bleu to the broth. It may sound a little daunting but once the stronger kick of alcohol is boiled off, the faint aroma of wine is rather addictive. It adds such a different dimension to the Bak Kut Teh, pairing well with the 18-herb blend that makes up the broth.

BRAISED PORK LEG

If you’re a fan of deep-dark gravy and super indulgent pork trotter, Kota Zeng Zong Bak Kut Teh’s rendition of this dish will have your mouth watering. Thick cuts of pork leg are simmered in a soy-based gravy till they are impeccably tender and juicy. Just a few pokes with your chopsticks and the meat simply pulls apart.

What we loved about this dish was how delicious the gravy was. It was so rich, savoury and had a hint of sweetness that brought a great balance. The pork that was braised in this gravy had been thoroughly infused with the complex flavours.

This is a great dish to pair with rice – remember to soak the rice with that delectable gravy. Definitely a must-try when Kota Zeng Zong Bak Kut Teh opens in Singapore!

WHITE PEPPER PIG’S MAW SOUP

If you like peppery Bak Kut Teh broth, this is the soup for you. The soup is rich with that spicy pepper kick but it’s less fatty. Inside the soup are a mix of pig’s intestines, white cabbage, abalone and mushrooms.

While we liked the signature broth, this was a nice contrasting flavour and when enjoyed with rice, it’s super addictive too!

SIDE DISHES

Bak Kut Teh is never complete without some sides to cut through the fatty meat. Choose from an array of side dishes to complement your soup and rice.

Of course, with Bak Kut Teh always comes the You Tiao (fried dough fritter). These crispy bites soak up the rich soup so wonderfully and yet still hold that satisfying crunch! Bak Kut Teh would not be the same without a side of these.

Order a plate of fresh Vege (lettuce of leaf lettuce) topped with soy sauce, sesame oil and deep-fried shallots. It is the perfect green accompaniment to the braised meats and rice.

Something more unique is their version of Tau Kee which is somewhat of a cross between Tau Pok and Tau Kee. It’s super “QQ” and has a lot of flavours, soaking up the broth as you eat it alongside your Bak Kut Teh.

Our favourite side dish had to be the Spanish Mackerel Fish Otak. It differs from the Singapore otak you find as it’s twice as meaty and has actual fish chunks strewn inside the mildly sweet-and-spicy dish. It’s best eaten mashed into rice, mixed in with a little bit of the braised pork gravy!

We hope you’re excited for this new Bak Kut Teh store in town because we definitely can’t wait to have this special broth and tender pork again! It’s even better when you don’t have to cross the causeway just to have it!

Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh
15A Lor Liput
Singapore 277730
Nearest Station: Holland Village

This post was brought to you by Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh Singapore.

For anyone who doesn’t know what tutu kueh is, they’re little steamed rice-flour cakes filled with delicious fillings such as peanut, coconut and occasionally chocolate or gula melaka.

In Singapore’s waning hawker scene, stalls such as Tan’s Tutu are a glimmer of hope for its revival and renewal. Now run by Tan Bee Hua, Tan’s Tutu has been more than 80 years in the making. Daughter of Tan Yong Fa, the inventor of Tutu Kueh himself, continues his legacy through her day stall at Havelock and her newer outlet at Clementi.

Read on to find out more about the longest-running tutu kueh stall in Singapore!

Back in 1932, Tan’s late father, Tan Yong Fa, had migrated to Singapore from the Fujian Province in Southeastern China. He then started to sell “Song Kueh”, which was a plain, steamed rice cake. Tutu kueh was then born once he added his own twist to this Hokkien confection, adding coconut or peanuts as fillings.

Tan’s older brother took over the business in 1970, giving it its official name that has ingrained itself as a household name – Tan’s Tutu Coconut Cake. They now have two branches, one at Havelock Road and one at Clementi Avenue 3.

Tan explains that making tutu kueh on a daily basis is a gruelling job. Coming from an office job previously, she tells us it was a big change once she took over the business after the passing of her older brother.

Everything is done by hand at Tan’s Tutu, making it a labour-intensive profession. From the washing and sieving of the rice to the cleaning of pandan leaves and the cooking of fillings, each task is tirelessly done.

A box of 5 freshly-steamed kuehs will cost you only S$3.50! You’ll watch in fascination as you see how nimble Tan’s hands are as she pumps out these little cakes.

We first savoured the Peanut Tutu Kueh where minced peanuts, sugar and a little bit of salt are added to the plain tutu kueh. The rice cake was so fluffy and moist, contrasted by the sweet and salty peanut filling. We liked how the peanuts had a savoury edge to it so the kueh wouldn’t be overly sweet and cloying.

Of course, we also had to try the “OG” of all tutu kuehs, the Coconut Tutu Kueh. The coconut shavings are fried with brown sugar, making it a rich and sweet filling. We liked how it had an almost caramel-like taste, with each bite perfumed with the strong aroma of coconut. These cakes were seriously addictive.

We all love a good and affordable hawker gem, but as time passes, these gems will disappear when interest and passion die out. Cafes are popping up left and right in Singapore while traditional stalls and our hawker heritage wanes. We can only hope people take up interest and more second and third-generation hawkers emerge, carrying on the legacy of Singapore’s fierce and unbeatable culinary pioneers.

22B Havelock Road
Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre
Singapore 162022
Tel: +65 9737 2469
Mon to Wed, Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm
(Closed on Thursdays and Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

449 Clementi Avenue 3
Singapore 120449
Tel: +65 9737 2469
Daily: 5.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Clementi