8 Best Hawker Centre Singapore 2024: Where to Eat Like a Local

There are many things that the Lion City has to offer: efficient public transportation, a great education system, and one of the safest countries in the world. But what is a country without delicious food?

If you want to learn about Singapore’s culture, street food is part of that puzzle! So, I wanted to explore the very heart of Singaporean street food—the famous hawker centres. Hawker centres in Singapore are filled with the sizzling sounds of works, the aroma of delicious food, and just too much variety that can’t be tasted in one day.

This is where I come in. I was on a treasure hunt to find the best hawker centres in Singapore. Now that my quest is complete, I am excited to share my curated list of the 8 Best Hawker Centres in Singapore. Each one has its own unique charm and offers tasty picks of authentic Singaporean cuisine.

1. Maxwell Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is one of the best hawker centres in Singapore. Now, this isn’t your ordinary hawker centre; it’s the go-to spot for locals and tourists alike. This hawker centre takes pride in earning its status as the epitome of authentic Singaporean food.

It was once a wet market in the 1950s, but now it has evolved into a food haven offering many Singaporean-style Chinese delights. This place is never empty and buzzes with a mix of residents, office workers, and curious tourists, all eager to experience the best local flavours.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

Let’s start with the best, the national dish of Singapore: Hainanese Chicken Rice. As it is a national dish, it can be found everywhere in Singapore, but we need to get the best or you can say my personal recommendation.

Located at Maxwell Food Centre, stall #01-10/11, this chicken rice stall is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tian Tian boasts about having the best chicken rice in Singapore. Well, they are not wrong!

There is something special about this stall and the way they serve their chicken rice. The succulent poached chicken, dressed in their house-made soya sauce and served with fragrant chicken stock-infused rice is just chef’s kiss! The chicken portion comes in three sizes, and I can vouch for the tantalising taste in every bite, from the savoury sauce to the perfectly cooked rice and the kick of spicy chili, you just cannot miss this gem!

Fu Shun Roasted Meat Specialists

Oh, but wait, I have to give a special shout-out to Fu Shun Roasted Meat Specialist at #01-71. Fu Shun serves incredible roasted meats in generous portions that would make anyone fall in love with the owner and the shop.

This gem is open Monday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is flocking with customers, especially office workers. It’s a Cantonese haven that has office goers waiting to get their fix. So, if you’re in Maxwell Food Centre, do yourself a favour and swing by Fu Shun Roasted Meat Specialist. To be honest, now that I have tried it, I have to stop by whenever I am at Maxwell Centre.

2. Hong Lim Market & Food Centre

Moving onto the next best hawker centre Singapore, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, the OG hawker spot in Chinatown built-in ’78, way before the famous centres like Amoy Street and Maxwell Food Centres rolled into town.

After a renovation in 2011, this place now has better ventilation, more seats and, importantly, more stalls. Now, this place might not be as jio-ed up as Maxwell, but let me spill the tea – it’s an underrated hidden gem. Two levels of foodie heaven right by Chinatown MRT, serving up the finest Singaporean delights.

Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa

First on my hit list, Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa, #02-66. This place got the Michelin Bib Gourmand stamp not once, not twice, but three years running! Yes, you heard that right!

Ever had laksa with crayfish? Neither had I, until this revelation.

Prawns, cockles, the whole laksa fam is here. Mr. Soo, the laksa boss, simmers his broth with dried scallops and dried oysters, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. Less coconut milk than the usual that we get, making it light, refreshing, and overall, a laksa symphony.

The mee siam here is also a little different – there’s crayfish and prawns, with shredded chicken soaking up all the goodness. Mr. Soo’s recipes are no joke, and the man deserves all the recognition.

Fresh seafood can be a love-hate thing for many, but here, it’s a burst of goodness. All this for just $4, what a steal! The seafood freshness alone is a game-changer. So, even if you’re not usually a fan of cockles, give it a shot at this joint. Trust me, it’s well worth the four bucks!

3. Tiong Bahru Market

Another best hawker centre in Singapore is a cool hawker spot that’s like the heartbeat of the hipster Tiong Bahru neighbourhood: the Tiong Bahru Market. It’s full of old-school charm and sits pretty in the midst of one of Singapore’s oldest public housing estates.

The two-level building, which comprises a wet market on the ground floor and food stalls on the top floor, is a blessing for people like me. I can go grocery shopping and have something to eat simultaneously.

Lor Mee

Lor Mee, my friend, is the star of the show at Tiong Bahru. There are two stalls doing their thing – #02-80 and #02-58 or known as the 178 stall for the shark meat twist.

Stall #02-80 gets the crowd going early, serving noodles drenched in thick gravy with a hint of herbs. Let me introduce my favourite toppings: braised pork belly, fish cake, wontons, hard-boiled egg, and ngoh hiang (a.k.a. five-spiced pork rolls).

Now, stall #02-58 or 178 is no stranger to the Michelin Guide, flaunting that “Michelin Plate” badge. Their secret weapon? Crispy fried shark fritter for an extra $5. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. I usually go all out with the braised egg and fishcake, but this shark fritter has changed how I eat Lor Mee. To heighten the flavours, I like to throw in some black vinegar for that sour kick, minced garlic, and a good dollop of sambal chilli.

So, when you visit Tiong Bahru Market, don’t forget to take comfort in a bowl, Singapore-style. After all, it is one of the best hawker centres in Singapore!

4. Newton Food Centre

Just a short walk from Orchard Road is another of the best hawker centres in Singapore – Newton Food Centre. You might recognise it from Crazy Rich Asians, and let me tell you, the scriptwriters nailed it. When you enter this food centre, brace yourself for a feast because this place has just about everything.

Newton Crossroads has been the go-to spot since the 1950s, when street hawkers ruled the scene. It was born in 1971 and, by 1982, was the second most popular eating spot in Singapore. From laksa to satay, ice kacang to a sizzling oyster omelette, you can never run out of options.

Guan Kee Seafood

Look out for Guan Kee Seafood at #01-53 within this best hawker centre in Singapore. It is a safe bet for everyone as this shop has its halal certification.

If there’s one dish you must try, it’s the Sambal Stingray. I tried it recently, and let me tell you, it’s fresh, moist, grilled to perfection, and brushed with a rich shallot and dried shrimp sambal sauce. It’s got just the right level of spiciness.

Here’s a tip: if you’re not feeling the heat, ask for the sauce on the side. Another interesting find from this stall is its chinchalok – fermented baby shrimps – a rare find in these parts.

So, when you find yourself at Newton Food centre, don’t just eat, experience the Lion City hawker vibes!

5. Adam Road Food Centre

A tiny hawker gem that’s big on halal-certified delights, Adam Road Food Centre is another one of the best hawker centres in Singapore. Located right across from the Singapore Botanical Gardens, it’s the perfect pitstop after a stroll through the lush UNESCO World Heritage site.

A simple U-shaped setup, five angsana trees framing the scene, and around 40 stalls dishing out hawker classics. Mee soto, Hokkien mee, mee goreng, and more.

Selera Nasi Lemak

The #01-02 stall is no stranger to fame.

According to the Straits Times, it is the Sultan of Brunei’s favourite, and legend says that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once served this Nasi Lemak to Indonesian President Joko Widodo when he was in Singapore.

I used to wonder what all the buzz was about. After I tried it, I can say it’s all about the family recipe. The unique sweet and spicy sambal has a story of its own. The owner’s grandmother wanted a less spicy sambal to cater to a larger audience which has now become the selling point of this nasi lemak.

And let me tell you, the aroma of the basmati rice captivated me even before I could take the first bite. There are also other ingredients that add to the character of this dish: secret-sweet-savoury-spicy sambal chilli, crispy chicken wings, and otah – these are the four pillars of success.

So, if you find yourself near this best hawker centre in Singapore, then just join the queue, and trust me, it will be worth the wait in line!

6. Old Airport Road Food Centre

Old Airport Road Food Centre is one of the best hawker centres in Singapore, not because it has been running for 40 years but because of its sizzling stalls, and the queues that speak volumes about its fame.

From lor mee to rojak, satay to char kuey teow, every dish is unique. But fair warning, my friend, prepare to sweat a bit – the heat from those closely packed stalls is all part of the experience.

So here is a pro tip from someone who has found a way to beat the heat. Try to snag a seat closer to the main road. It’s breezy, and if you are headed there in the evening, you could have a meal with a beautiful sunset view.

Dong Ji Fried Kuey Teow

The highlight of this best hawker centre in Singapore is its char kuey teow. Located at #01-138, the uncle at the helm takes the art of frying noodles seriously, ensuring each order gets the personal touch it deserves.

As I queued up, the aroma of charred noodles, cockles, fishcakes, and prawns hit me. The first bite was a revelation—a taste of savouriness, the crunch of fresh prawns, and the scrambled egg goodness coating each strand of kuey teow.

It’s not your typical sweet and dark char kuey teow; this one has the right amount of ‘char’ or smokiness and a perfect level of spice.

So, if you want some good fried noodles, head to the best hawker centre in Singapore and fulfil your cravings!

7. Tekka Market Food Centre

Now, time to venture into the heart of Little India, right at the doorstep of Tekka Market Food Centre.

Standing tall at the entrance of the lively Little India area, this isn’t your ordinary building, it’s definitely one of the best hawker centres in Singapore you will find.

Originally a slaughterhouse in the 1900s, Tekka Centre has evolved into a culinary hotspot. The wet market boasts an array of halal-slaughtered meats, while the food centre has become a hawker foundation, offering a melting pot of cuisines.

From freshly squeezed lime soda to juices tailored to your liking – and yes, you can even grab a beer if you swing by later in the day.

Alauddin Briyani

Don’t leave the Lion City without trying the king of rice dishes. Enter Allauddin’s Briyani at #01-232, which has been running since 1968.

This place serves dum-style biryani, in which the meat is slow-cooked to fall-apart tenderness, with fragrant rice infused with spices. Well, if you’re not a meat person, don’t worry—they do serve egg biryani and fish biryani.

As I unpacked it, the heady aroma transported me to the streets of Little India. The chicken drumstick, a tender surprise in every bite, was accompanied by vegetable dhal and achar (pickled cucumbers), the perfect balance of flavours.

Take home a slice of this best hawker centre in Singapore with Allauddin’s Briyani, and get ready to feast, my friends!

8. Amoy Street Food

Last on the list is another best hawker centre in Singapore, located in the heart of the CBD.

Amoy street food is where you can find people in suits looking for delicious and quick bites, and the aroma of hawker delights fills the air.

A newly renovated food centre buzzing with legacy hawkers, Michelin Bib Gourmand winners, and a new generation dishing new dishes with some modern twist, Amoy Street Food Centre is one of the best hawker centres in Singapore you must visit!

Han Kee Fish Soup

Something different from the ordinary array of street food, Han Kee Fish Soup at #02-122 is a hub for locals on the hunt for a healthier hawker fix.

Let me warn you: there is always going to be a line. Always!

But don’t be daunted by the queue. Trust me, it moves at a quick pace.

Now, the star dish: a nourishing bowl of fish soup available in three sizes, packed with thick slices of Spanish mackerel, locally known as batang. It’s all about that clean and fresh flavour swimming in a sweet broth topped with bits of fried garlic.

You can choose what goes best with the bowl of soup. Pick from sliced fish soup with bee hoon, cosy porridge, or a bed of rice in three sizes ranging from $5 to $9.

As a true Asian, I went for the rice, but I also wanted to try another option, so I opted for the medium Sliced Fish Soup Bee Hoon at $7, and all I can say is that it was a bowlful of delight.

The freshness of the fish, which is generously portioned, goes well with the flavourful soup.

Here’s the best part: They’ve got fish head soup, too, and it’s only a dollar more. This is not just a meal; it is the feeling of comfort in a bowl.

So, if you’re in the CBD jungle, craving a quick, wholesome fix, go for Han Kee Fish Soup. Lunchtime might be hectic, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. Fish lovers, rejoice—this one’s for you!

Conclusion

And there you have it, my foodie fam! We’ve journeyed through the vibrant streets to uncover gems that improve our taste buds and life itself. Yes, good food makes life cheerier.

If I had to settle for one hawker centre, my go-to would be Amoy Street Food solely because whenever I’m in Lion City, I spend most of my time in the CBD. The prices are unbeatable, it’s clean and newly renovated and, therefore, a tad bit more comfortable than other hawker centres. And, of course, not forgetting the healthier hawker food option: Han Kee Fish Soup.

If you frequent places outside of the CBD, I highly recommend Newton Food Centre. The seafood galore is definitely worth the visit, and you definitely don’t have to worry about ‘missing out’ on anything Singaporean. Every bit of the hawker centre is as Singaporean as it gets!

So, my fellow makan kakis, the next time you’re craving for a flavour fiesta, don’t forget to hit up some of the best hawker centres in Singapore.

It’s not just a meal; it’s a piece of Singaporean history, culture and significance, all served on a plate. Aunty-approved and uncle-certified, these hawker delights are the heartbeat of our Lion’s City.

Stay hungry, stay foodie, and keep the Lion City spirit alive on your plate!