Serangoon Garden Market is our go-to hawker centre for economical local fare; we practically grew up with it – from its initial days to its new facade after renovation. We watched as stall owners come and go. Some of our favourites are still there since our childhood days, some familiar faces are no longer around because they have passed on to their next generation, some have left entirely.

As one of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore, Serangoon Garden Market is a favourite among residents in the vicinity and many other Singaporeans who would travel down just for a simple, hearty meal over local food and drinks.

With so many stalls in the hawker centre, do you know which are the very popular ones with perpetual queues, and what are some of the dishes you cannot miss? If it is going to be your first trip down, here are 9 Local Fares You Must Try at Serangoon Garden Market. If you are a regular, hands up if we share the same likes!

#1 ALIFF NASI LEMAK

They may not be famous, and the stall might look unassuming altogether. But Aliff Nasi Lemak is reliable and always satisfying. The Halal-certified rice dish has been a breakfast staple for us, and there are several sets with prices starting from S$3.50.

What is your favourite beverage to complement your food? Well for us, Coke always works. The refreshing drink is best for hot, summer days – precisely what we need when dining out in a humid setting such as hawker centres.

Have a can of ice-cold Coca-Cola® to go with your plate of nasi lemak at lunch for a great food pairing as it complements the rich and hearty taste of the local favourite!

#2 BUGIS FISH SOUP AND SEAFOOD SOUP

The ladies will love this. Fish soup is a lower calorie option, and this stall here knows how to please by being generous with the vegetables. If you like your soup sweet with a creamy taste, get the stall keeper to add milk to your order.

We prefer the sliced fish version because the fish slices are always very fresh.

#3 GARDEN STREET KWAY CHAP

Sitting at the corner is Garden Street Kway Chap, and queuing up is part of the experience as the stall owner takes his time to chop up the meats and intestines. No, really. He is super slow, but for great kway chap, we will gladly wait.

The spread is comprehensive, from the various intestines to pork belly to beancurd, and salted vegetables and eggs. The braise is aromatic and flavourful, but it is not complete without the chilli. We like drenching our intestines in the chilli sauce for a more robust flavour.

#4 POH POH ROASTED CHICKEN RICE

Everyone knows Pow Sing for being the chicken rice to eat when in Serangoon Garden. But Poh Poh Roasted Chicken Rice comes close with its fragrant roast chicken and addictive chilli sauce.

Their prices are also much more competitive, and we love to pile our plate up with cabbage and egg add-ons. Of course, chicken rice and Coke zero® go hand in hand; the refreshing taste of Coke zero® complements the familiar taste of chicken rice so well.

#5 SERANGOON GARDEN BAKERY & CONFECTIONERY

The daily fresh bakes from Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery are a true testament to the standards of old-school local-style breads. The stall occupies two units in Serangoon Garden Market, and since young, we’ve watched the two uncles picking breads from the shelves and calculating the total sum in godlike speed.

The aroma of the bakes often fill the market, and despite inflation and rising food costs, their prices remain low and the uncles are ever humble of their successes. It makes our day every time we take our pick from the many shelves, and there is something therapeutic about hearing the plastic lids close one after another every time the uncle reaches out to grab a bun with his thong.

#6 PANCAKE KING

You might dismiss this snack stall on the first look, but Pancake King did not accumulate their accolades without reasons. From old-school banana cake to brownies to peanut pancakes, these local snacks are reminiscent of our childhood days and the taste hasn’t changed since.

Growing up, a can of Coke® was always a reward when we behaved. And what better way to enjoy an old-school crunchy and rich peanut pancake than with a fizzy glass of ice-cold Coke®? It makes the experience of snacking even more pleasurable.

#7 SERANGOON GARDEN CARROT CAKE & WANTON NOODLE

There are several stalls in Serangoon Garden Market that sell fried carrot cake, but it is this stall that won our hearts with its consistency. The portion is always generous, and so is the sweet sauce. This is another of our hawker centre staple!

And the best drink once again to enjoy with your fried carrot cake? A can of Coke light®, with a fizzy, uplifting sensation that makes for a great complement with the greasy goodness.

#8 SIANG HEE SEAFOOD

This is a zichar stall with irregular opening hours. They used to be at Zion Road market, but has located and gained a new following among the Serangoon Garden residents. Standout dishes include the Mee Goreng and Butter Cream Meat with Pumpkin Sauce.

But be warned that the stall operators are all very rude and impatient. Sometimes, they may even raise their voices at you. We are not too fond of patronising them because of their attitude, but if it is your first time, maybe you can brave the hostility and try the two dishes.

#9 SOON HUAT PIG’S ORGAN SOUP

If there is one favourite that residents would concertedly agree with, it is Soon Huat Pig’s Organ Soup. This stall sees a perpetual queue during lunch hours, and you have to join the line if you are a fan of pig’s organ soup.

We like how they are generous with the salted vegetables and tomatoes; they elevate the flavour of the soup, and cuts out any remaining odour from the intestines.

This article was brought to you in partnership with Coca-Cola®, the opinions are of the writers’ own.

Serangoon Gardens is one of the oldest estates in Singapore with a history so rich. And it is home to some of the best restaurants and cafes, with household names such as Pow Sing Restaurant & Chomp Chomp Food Centre. But apart from the hoi polloi of barbecue seafood joints, Serangoon Gardens has so much more to offer.

It is a rather populated private residential estate, but the residents have it all because it is such a self-contained area when it comes to food. Whatever you have a taste for, we can be pretty sure you can have (most of) your cravings satisfied.

A recent round-up had us compiling this definitive guide to the restaurants, bars and cafes at Serangoon Gardens, and with this, you can start planning your gatherings and meals at the wondrous Serangoon Gardens enclave!

ARBITE

Opened by three secondary school friends, Arbite is a well-known name in the local cafe scene, serving exceptionally good cafe fare. We love that their thick-cut Truffle Fries comes in a generous portion that is perfect for sharing. Other than that, they have a pretty awesome pasta dishes too.

66A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6287 0430
Mon to Fri: 11.30 am – 3.00 pm, 6.00pm – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 11.00 am – 10.30 pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan

BAKERZIN

This quaint outlet sits at the foot of myVillage and it is somewhere you can enjoy a slice of cake and a drink. There is a also a wing for takeaway breads and cakes, and we love the artisanal range of fresh daily bakes.

1 Maju Ave
myVillage
Tel: +65 6634 5638
Singapore 556679
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Eve of PH: 10am – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

DESSERT BOWL

The interior of Dessert Bowl will sweep you to Hong Kong as it was modelled after a typical Hong Kong dessert house. Durian Mousse and Mango Pomelo Sago are notably the popular choices.

80A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555976
Tel: +65 6285 1278
Tue to Thu: 1pm – 10.30pm
Fri to Sun: 1pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

HANWOORI KOREAN RESTAURANT

Hanwoori is definitely the place to go to for inexpensive Korean fare. It is the residents’ favourite! Side dishes aplenty and a range of Korean dishes await. Their range of communal stews are the heartiest, and almost every table orders that! Go during lunch hours and you get simple S$10 fares that differs daily.

76 Serangoon Garden Way
Tel: +65 6283 6339
Singapore 555972
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

HAPPY DAZE POP CULTURE RETRO CAFE

Happy Daze is one of the longest standing tenants. People gather here for the familiarity, some come here to watch their matches, while most just love the laid-back vibes. Share some Chicken Wings or Cheesy Fries with your friends, before digging into their hearty mains that range from pastas and pizzas to Western classic like Crispy Pork Knuckle.

11 Maju Avenue
Serangoon Garden Estate
Singapore 556689
Tel: +65 6285 2885
Daily: 3pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

OBLONG

One of the signature waffles at Oblong is the Red Velvet Waffles and Ice Cream combination (S$11), with cream cheese sandwiched between two red velvet waffles and topped with an ice cream flavour of your choice.

10 Maju Avenue
Singapore 556688
Tel: +65 6858 2320
Thu to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan

ONE MAN COFFEE

This popular coffee joint has since expanded from their first outlet in Thomson, and now also sits inside myVillage at Serangoon Gardens. Coffee lovers will revel in the glory of their delicious blends from Axil Coffee Roasters in Melbourne and have it with a side of their menu items such as the French toast and Big Brekkie.

1 Maju Ave #B1-23/24
myVillage at Serangoon Gardens
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6636 7666
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

POW SING RESTAURANT

This restaurant has been in Serangoon Gardens for as long as we can remember, offering one of Singapore’s best Chicken Rice. Their food is always consistently good, and it is one place we’d never think twice to place our faith in. Besides chicken rice, Pow Sing also whips up amazing nonya dishes such as the deep-fried Golden Tofu, Babi Ponteh and Lemon Prawns.

65 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555961
Tel: +65 +65 6282 7972
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

RK EATING HOUSE

But of course, we all need prata in our lives, right? RK Eating House is always the most crowded outlet here at Serangoon Gardens. Its popularity is evident, and it is the residents’ favourite place for supper and weekend breakfasts.

And they deserve this popularity, for amidst the chaotic crowd, they always manage to keep their pratas crispy, warm and with just the right amount of oil. We will go so far as to say that RK Eating House has one of the best roti pratas in Singapore.

1 Kensington Park Road
Singapore 557253
Tel: +65 6289 5379
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

SUN RAY CAFE

Dog lovers will be familiar with this name as Sun Ray Cafe is one of the few dog-friendly cafes in Singapore. It is not exactly within Serangoon Gardens, but it is just farther up from the main area if you need somewhere to dine with your furry friends. Well, some have also boldly claimed that the coffee served here is one of the best!

79 Brighton Crescent
Serangoon Gardens
Singapore 559218
Tel: +65 6283 8700
Mon & Tue: 6pm – 11pm
Wed & Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

SUSHI TEI

Sushi Tei is not an unfamiliar name among Singaporeans and their Serangoon Gardens outlet is perpetually packed. Serving Japanese food at affordable prices, Sushi Tei is a convenient choice if you have a hankering for Japanese food when in Serangoon Gardens.

64-64A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555960
Tel: +65 6283 7117
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

THE COFFEE DAILY

Also on Brighton Crescent – a short 2-minute drive from Serangoon Gardens – The Coffee Daily is a cosy space where you can have a cup of coffee and desserts. On the menu, they have sandwiches, waffles with ice cream, and a selection of desserts like Chocolate Lava Cake and Rainbow Cake.

75 Brighton Crescent
Tel: +65 6284 8894
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 9.30am – 11.30pm
Sun: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

YOGIYO KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

The Korean Fried Chicken trend is still going strong here in Singapore and Yogiyo Chicken brings to table authentic and affordable Korean fried chicken available in 5 different flavours – crispy, sweet, sweet soy, hot soy and fire soy.

1 Maju Avenue
#B1-K1, myVillage
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 9617 9785
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

iSTEAKS DINER

Relocated last year to a unit on the second level of myVillage, iSteaks has been offering affordable steaks and Western staples since their Day One. From $14.50 onwards, you can enjoy a range of cuts of steak from Wagyu Ribeye and Australian Tenderloin to Porterhouse and New Zealand Ribeye.

1 Maju Avenue
#02-03 to 06, myVillage
Tel: +65 6285 8839
Singapore 556679
Mon – Thu, Sun: 110am – 11pm
Fri& Sat: 11am – 12pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

For more recommendations, read our guide to 16 charming cafes in Serangoon and Kovan.