fbpx

10 Best Hawker Centers in Singapore Locals Recommend

Singapore Hawker Center
Locals enjoying food from a Hawker Center in Singapore

Finding the best hawker center in Singapore might be a chore because of the countless options at hand.

In fact, there are over 116 hawker centers in Singapore and going through all of them is simply impossible.

So, to help you, I have made up a list of all the hawker centers that you might want to add to your to-do list on your trip to Singapore.

Let’s walk through 10 of the best hawker centers that locals actually recommend as well as get to know where hawker culture originated.

The Singaporean Hawker Culture

Hawker culture is prevalent in most southeast-Asian countries but nobody values it more than the Singaporeans do. This culture has always been embraced by the locals in Singapore and its history dates back to the 1800s.

History of Hawker Centers in Singapore

Hawker culture in Singapore traces back to when early migrants started selling affordable meals on the streets and parks for people on the go. The aroma of the delicious food being cooked was so fragrant that they started pulling in passers-by.

Many centuries went by, the Singaporean government made an initiative to bring all the hawkers together under one roof. This opened a different kind of hawker experience, with cleaner areas, safer environments, and the opportunity to see the spectacle of your food being cooked.

With countless stalls serving food perfect for any time of the day and featuring cuisines from different cultural backgrounds, it’s no wonder how these hawker centers have become a place for people to gather.

Eventually, this caught on to foreign visitors and unsurprisingly, became tourist spots for people who want to try authentic dishes without breaking the bank!

Cultural Heritage

Because of its long-running significance in Singapore’s history, ‘hawker culture was successfully inscribed as Singapore’s first element on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 16 Dec 2020’, according to the National Heritage Board of Singapore.

Illustration of Hawker Center in Singapore
Illustration of Hawker Center in Singapore, credit: Adobo Magazine

The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a list of diverse cultural practices, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, etc. around the world. This initiative aims to raise awareness and protect cultural heritage against globalization.

The bid was a strong collaborative effort between the National Heritage Board, the National Environment Agency, the Federation of Merchants’ Associations, Singapore with the unwavering support of the experts and the community which took 2 years to achieve.

Things you should know before eating at Hawker Centers

Before you go and fill yourselves with delicious food from the hawkers, you might want to consider these tips:

  • Table sharing. Don’t be startled if you find people taking the seat next to you because you might have to share tables with others.
  • Expect long waiting lines. You might find line upon line of customers in hawker centers. It’s no surprise, especially for popular stalls. Just bring a ton of patience with you.
  • Bring tissue paper. If you’re visiting a hawker center, you MUST bring your own tissue paper or wipes. Eating can be messy and although there are vendors who sell tissue papers, it’s still best if you come prepared.
  • Alcohol curfew. As per Singapore’s Alcohol Consumption Law, it is illegal to sell alcoholic drinks past 10:30 p.m. and you can’t bring alcoholic drinks outside F&B establishments at that time as well. If you’ve bought alcoholic beverages before that time, don’t worry because you can continue drinking them inside the establishment.
  • Smoking is prohibited. Singapore has strict laws against smoking so it’s no surprise that smoking in hawker centers is also not allowed. Simply follow the rules and we’ll be good.
  • Check prices before ordering. For reasons unknown, some stalls do not clearly state the food prices. So before you order, ask for prices.
  • Hawker centers close for cleaning day. To keep areas clean, hawker centers dedicate days just for cleaning. To make sure that you won’t arrive at an empty hawker center, you can check the National Environment Agency’s schedule.
  • Bring cash. Good thing is that hawker stalls now offer cashless payments but we may never know what circumstances we will face. That is why we still recommend bringing cash.

Best Hawker Centers in Singapore

Hawker culture will always be historically significant to the people of Singapore. For tourists, it’s exciting to see such a sight where countless of stalls and a pool of people are gathered in one place for cheap meals!

But the thing is that in Singapore cheap doesn’t necessarily mean low quality. In this list, we’ll find some of the best hawker centers that serve budget-friendly meals at Michelin-level quality!

Chinatown Complex

Entrance of Chinatown Complex
Entrance of Chinatown Complex, credit: ZHNGER

Home to Liao Fan Hawker Chan, the very first hawker stall that received a Michelin Star for its famous Soya Sauce Chicken and Rice dish, Chinatown Complex Food Center is probably one that you should go to first.

With over 260 stalls under one glass roof, Chinatown Complex is the largest hawker center in Singapore. And with the number of hawkers in one area, competition equals reasonable prices.

Owner of Liao Fan Hawker Chan with a plate of soy sauce chicken, credit: liaofanhawkerchan.com

A serving of Tau Suan (split mung bean dessert soup) starts at S$1.40. They offer great Chinese dishes, seafood, and grilled meat. Other popular dishes are Char Kway Teow, Satay skewers, Laksa, and Popiah. And if you are suddenly down for a warm cup of coffee, head on down to the Michelin-listed kopi stall, ‘The 1950’s Coffee’.

Unfortunately, there’s not much Halal food in this hawker center but some stalls do offer halal-certified dishes.

Chinatown Complex can get crowded during lunchtime but no need to fret since there are available tables all the time.

Location: 335 Smith Street, Singapore

Business hours: Daily, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Amoy Street Food Centre

Entrance of Amoy Street Food Centre
Entrance of Amoy Street Food Centre, credit: Tropika Club Magazine

Built in 1983, Amoy Street Food Centre boasts six stalls listed in the 2019 edition of the Michelin Guide Singapore, and four were given Michelin Bib Gourmand distinctions.

This center is a favorite lunch spot for professionals and white-collar workers. It houses traditional hawkers as well as modern fusion hawker stalls that sell food at affordable prices.

Popular dishes in Amoy Street Food Center include sliced fish soup, vadai (fried Indian snacks), mee goreng, and rice dumplings at Hoo Kee Rice Dumplings which is a Bib Gourmand awardee.

Location: 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111

Business hours: Daily, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tiong Bahru Market

Facade of Tiong Bahru Market
Facade of Tiong Bahru Market, credit: cravefixer.com

Formerly known as Seng Poh Market, Tiong Bahru Market is another hawker center that houses Bib Gourmand-awarded stalls.

This is not the biggest hawker center but it is the best one for quality seafood and guaranteed fresh produce! Prices start at S$3 for noodles and rice dishes but compared to other hawker centers, Tiong Bahru is reported to be pricier compared to others.

However, this is probably one of the cleanest hawker centers in Singapore with plenty of seats and a well-ventilated area. The best time to visit is around breakfast and after lunch. Tiong Bahru gets a bit crowded during lunchtime and closes

Location: 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898

Business hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Old Airport Road Food Centre

Front of Old Airport Road Food Centre
Front of Old Airport Road Food Centre, credit: The Ordinary Patrons

Considered by locals as the best, Old Airport Road Food Centre wasn’t always like this.

In this area once stood Kallang Airport, the first civil airport but when the new Singapore International Airport opened at Paya Lebar, the airport closed. Then, in 1973, the food center was opened and has had loyal customers ever since.

The food center houses 140 stalls that serve a variety of dishes from different cultural backgrounds. Expect fresh seafood, grilled meat, and desserts!

Location: 1 Old Airport Rd, Singapore 390051

Business hours: 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Newton Food Centre

Front of Old Airport Road Food Centre
Night shot of hawker center, Newton Food Centre, credit: Miss Tam Chiak

If you’ve seen the movie, Crazy Rich Asians, you probably wondered what hawker center Rachel and Nich ate at. Well, the hawker center you are looking for is Newton Food Center!

This is another food center that offers the best and the freshest seafood in town. And if you are not up for any savory dishes, you can try out white and black fried carrot cakes at Heng Carrot Cake!

Halal-certified food stalls can also be found here. Simply go to stalls 31, 53, 74, 35, 49, and 78 for pork-free, lard-free dishes.

We might not be crazy rich Asians but we’ll leave this hawker center stuffed with crazy rich food!

Location: 500 Clemenceau Avenue North, Newton Food Centre, Singapore 229495

Business hours: 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Alexandra Village Food Centre

Entrance of Alexandra Village Food Centre
Entrance of Alexandra Village Food Centre, credit: Daniel Food Diary

Alexandra Village Food Centre may not be the most popular but it is definitely a go-to for locals in Bukit Merah.

This food center is only minutes away from IKEA and is well-known for the countless number of stalls selling juice drinks, but its roasted meat with special dark sauce available at Lau Phua Chay Authentic Roasted Delicacies is probably one of the most in-demand.

Location: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150120

Business hours: 7 am. to 9 p.m.

Halal-Certified, Vegan-friendly Hawker Centers

The best thing about these hawker centers is that they have Halal and meat-free options too. However, it can be difficult to find these options especially if we do not know where to look.

So, we dug a little more and found these hawker centers that offer pork-free and vegetable-based dishes.

Tekka Food Centre

Orange building of Tekka Food Centre
Tekka Food Centre Building, credit: Flickr

Right in the middle of Little India is Tekka Food Centre! This hawker center serves mainly Indian food as well as Halal food.

This is a multi-level building and when you go up to the higher floors, you’ll find more stores selling products from India like Bollywood movies and music, silks, and saris.

Location: 665 Buffalo & Serangoon Roads, Little India, Singapore

Business hours: 6:30 am. to 9 p.m.

Lau Pa Sat

Aerial night shot of Lau Pa Sat
Night shot of Lau Pa Sat, credit: viator.com

Get your cameras ready because Lau Pa Sat is an architectural gem that you’ll surely want to remember!

Aside from its architecture, this beautiful hawker center is also well-known for being the first wet market in Singapore dating 150 years back! With that many years in the business, Lau Pa Sat knows what’s up when it comes to food.

The beautiful interior of Lau Pa Sat
Inside of Lau Pa Sat, credit: TripSavvy

It is known for its satay dipped in peanut sauce but if you are up for an adventure, you might want to try sea snails for your next meal! Simply order gong gong and siput sedut! The best part is this hawker center is open 24/7!

Location: 2 Shenton Way, Singapore 068804

Business hours: 6:30 am. to 9 p.m.

Adam Road Hawker Centre

Outside view of Adam Road Food Centre
Outside view of Adam Road Food Centre, credit: Roots.sg

If you want to eat Presidential style, you can visit Adam Road Hawker Centre! They have the best nasi lemak fit for any president, literally! The nasi lemak at Selera Rasa Nasi was ordered by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to be served to the President of Indonesia.

Location: 2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289876

Business hours: 6:00 am. to 3 a.m.

Golden Mile Food Centre

Entrance of Golden Mile Food Centre
Golden Mile Food Centre, credit: pinkypiggu.com

Ready for some lip-smacking, finger-licking goodness? No, this is not KFC! We’re talking about Tulang Merah, spicy-sweet bones drenched dripping with sauce! The best part is the bone marrow so prepare to get your hands covered with saucy goodness because the best way to eat this dish is with your hands! Head on down to Golden Mile!

Location: 505 Beach Rd, Singapore 199583

Business hours: Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Friday Closed

Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Monday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In conclusion…

Hawker centers are great places to try authentic and local food in Singapore. They are a lot cheaper than food at restaurants. They may not be as aesthetically pleasing but to be able to experience Singapore’s long-standing hawker culture is already an experience worth remembering. And you get to save money too!

Hello traveler! We have a 5-day Singapore Itinerary that you might want to check out! You can also check out our blogs about Singapore here!

Budget Itinerary Logo

Budget Itinerary Blog

We aim to bring you the best content for travel in Asia. We provide tips on how to travel cheaper and better. Our team is made up of budget travellers with years of travel experience. We write the best content for you to plan your trip. Follow us now and happy travelling!

Follow Us

Navigate

budget itinerary accommodation booking
Klook.com

Related Posts

10 Best Things to Do in Little India Singapore – History Unique Spots Worth Visiting!

10 Best Things to Do in Little India Singapore – History Unique Spots Worth Visiting!

You don’t have to go to India to experience the vibrant culture and the lively traditions of the Indian people. If you are in Singapore, simply head on to Little India!

Say ‘Namaste’ to Little India because it will transport you to the motherland through food bursting with flavor, Bollywood music that makes you dance, and its architecture that will make you feel as if you’re walking down the streets of New Delhi.

8 Breathtaking Gardens by the Bay Attractions You Must Visit!

8 Breathtaking Gardens by the Bay Attractions You Must Visit!

Gardens by the Bay is another wonder that showcases Singapore’s efforts in preserving nature’s beauty. What sets Gardens by the Bay apart from other gardens in the city-state is its grandiose architectural feat which perfectly blends nature and modern technology.

Top 9 Most Interesting Facts About Merlion in Singapore!

Top 9 Most Interesting Facts About Merlion in Singapore!

For most travelers, a trip to Singapore will not be complete without seeing this iconic statue at the Merlion Park facing the Marina Bay.

It has become a beloved symbol of Singapore that every time we think of Singapore, we think of the majestic half lion-half fish statue that spits water out of its mouth. In this article, we answered 9 questions you’re probably asking about the Merlion.

EMERALD HILL SINGAPORE: The Hidden Gem You MUST Discover!

EMERALD HILL SINGAPORE: The Hidden Gem You MUST Discover!

Emerald Hill Road is a petite neighborhood just across Singapore’s shopping district, Orchard Road. Surprisingly, the Hill is calmly nestled among the hustle and bustle of the malls and traffic. And because of this, it has become a popular detour for tourists and locals who’d like to just take a serene walk in the afternoon or take a break from shopping at the Orchard.

Comments

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pin It on Pinterest