Hawker Food centers are a staple of the Singaporean culture. These hawker centers are the main choice for any local or tourist who is finding affordable yet authentic local food. You can find these hawker centers all over Singapore some are even right under their homes. There is no denying that Singapore is a food obsessive’s paradise. Their world-renowned chili crabs, Hainanese chicken rice, and laksa are some of the local dishes that you should try when you are in the city. This is why hawker centers are so popular not only in the country, but to the whole world.
The food haven gained its following because of three things; they are affordable, convenient and delicious. Thanks to Singapore’s multicultural environment, the food scene has evolved to the gastronomic scene it is today. These hawker food centers offer traditional cuisine from the different cultures that occupy Singapore. Visiting these hawker centers is the best way to immerse and experience what these cultures have to offer. Good thing hawker centers are known to be affordable, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a good meal.
820 Hainan Chicken Rice
823A Tampines Street 81, Singapore 521823
Chicken rice is one of the most popular meals in Singapore, it has garnered an international reputation as one of the must try meals when you visit. You can find chicken rice in almost every hawker center in Singapore, what makes this stall special is that you can buy a plate of delicious chicken rice for just $2. The stall also offers additional items such as gizzard and egg to spice up your meal.
Fu Cheng Shi Pin Laksa
Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Chinatown Complex Market #01-1008, Singapore 050032
Laksa is a local’s version of comfort food, finding the perfect balance between sweet and spicy in its broth is a true challenge. This stall does that perfectly with their shrimp paste and coconut milk mix. The noodles themselves give a slight hint of sweetness that complements the spice of the broth perfectly. The best part is that this is all for just $2.20, definitely a stop you have to make.
Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow
Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre, 30 Seng Poh Road #02-11, Singapore 168898
If you’re looking for your stir-fried noodle fix this is the stall for you. Just for as low as $2 you get everything you want from a plate of fried kway teow. A good collection of bean sprouts, sliced fish cake, pork sausage and cockles on top of a bed of perfectly kway teow noodles is all you need to pick up your day.
Hock Soon Carrot Cake
20 Ghim Moh Road, #01-29, Singapore 270020
Who knew a dish that has a base made out of flour eggs and radish could be so fulfilling. The carrot cake stall, ran by a father and two daughters, over in Ghim Moh road offers just that. Just for $2.50 you can have a serving of either white or black carrot cake that offers a slight sweet after taste at every bite.
New Rong Liang Ge Hong Kong Roast
269B Queen Street #01-235, Singapore 182269
The portions here for $2 is more than you’d expect. Here you have a choice of some chicken rice, char siew rice, roasted pork rice or roasted duck rice. This is an unexpected gem in Bugis and you should definitely drop by for a good helping of roasted pork.
Wee Nam Kee
101 Thomson Road #01-08, United Square
Another reason why food-lovers prefer to stay in central Singapore is because of the Wee Nam Kee. is one of Singapore’s favorite food. This is another reason why food-lovers prefer to stay in central Singapore. This dish consists of succulent chicken along with a fragrant rice. But what makes this dish phenomenal is its addictive ginger dip and the chili sauce that is served with the chicken and the rice.
Uncle Chicken Rice
101 Thomson Road #01-08, United Square
Similar to Wee Nam Kee, Uncle Chicken Rice is a native dish in Singapore that consists of a moist and succulent chicken and a light and fluffy chicken rice. For a more enjoyable experience, make sure that you dip your chicken in a chili sauce and ginger dip that the store will provide.
Char Kway Teow
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee
531A Upper Cross Street #02-17, Hong Lim Food Centre
Hill Street Fried Kway Teow
Blk 16 Bedok South Road #01-41
This is a classic Singaporean hawker food. The dish is mainly flat rice noodles that are stir-fried in a wok which is cooked on a high temperature. Dark soya sauce, blood cockles, bean sprouts, and Chinese sausage slices are also added for that extra, surprising flavor. A little tip: the best char kway teow in the city are the ones that are trinkled with crispy cubes of lard that is deep-fried.
Bak Chor Mee
Tai Wah Pork Noodle
531A Upper Cross St #02-16, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
466 Crawford Lane #01-12,Tai Hwa Eating House
This dish is popular among the Chinese community. This minced pork noodles are thin egg noodles that are tossed in oil with a black vinegar and chili paste. To make it more delicious, it is served with different types of pork; from minced pork, pork balls, pork dumplings, pork slices, to bits of crispy pork lard. Complimentary sidings such as pieces of dried sole fish are also one of the ingredients that make it more delectable.
Kaya Toast
Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Saik Road
Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
204 East Coast Road
It doesn’t matter if its breakfast, lunch, snacks, or dinner. You can always consume these Kaya toasts anytime you want! This thinly sliced toasted bread is smeared with a thick jam that is famously known as Kaya in Singapore. Additionally, a square shaped butter is served along with a cup of coffee and half boiled eggs that is drizzled with a special black sauce. Mouth-watering, right?
Wanton Mee
Eng’s Wanton Noodle House
287 Tanjong Katong Road
Wanton Mee is a simple but tasty dish that you can find at Eng’s Wanton Noodle House. This local favorite’s main ingredients are a mix of minced pork with prawns. Singapore’s wanton mee is served with as much deep-fried lard and a chili sauce you want!
Roti Prata
Mr. & Mrs. Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata
7 Crane Road, Poh Ho Eatery
Sin Ming Roti Prata
Jin Fa Kopitiam, Blk 24 Sin Ming Road #01-51
If you are looking for an indian cuisine in the streets of Singapore, Mr. & Mrs. Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata and Sin Ming Roti Prata has the crispiest prata you in Singapore. With the curry sauce’s powerful flavors in fish, mutton, and dhal, this delicacy will keep you coming back for more.
As you can see all these meals are under $3 and they are not only affordable but are of good quality. These hawker food destinations will satisfy the inner foodie in you. They are made for any occasion at any time, so dive into the cultural gold mine that is the food scene of Singapore.
These are delicious! Would love to try them when I go to Singapore.