The 10 Best Hawker Centres in Singapore
Can’t decide where to start on your Singaporean food adventure? Here are our top 10 picks of hawker centres in the country to check out.
The best way to eat cheap, good food in Singapore is to visit one of its many hawker centres scattered around the island. These traditional open-air structures are pivotal to local life, each home to a diverse collection of street food stalls – where the majority of Singaporeans grab quick, delicious meals at a low cost. Here are 10 of the absolute best.
Old Airport Road Food Centre
Food Court, Street Food
Maxwell Food Centre
Food Court, Street Food
Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Food Court, Street Food
Tekka Centre
Market
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
Market, Food Court, Street Food
Lau Pa Sat
Food Court, Market, Contemporary, Asian, European, American, Street Food
The historic Lau Pa Sat or ‘the old market’ in the middle of Singapore’s Central Business District is a tourist favourite hawker centre, both for its convenient location near the attractions in the downtown area, and its unique octagonal shape and wrought iron arches with its iconic clock tower in the center. The small road next to the food centre is blocked off at nights to allow for satay sellers to take over, recreating a once-famous Satay Street under the stars.
Changi Village Hawker Centre
Food Court, Street Food
Changi Village Hawker Centre is located in the far flung eastern end of Singapore, close to Changi Airport with a picturesque view of the coastline. Not the easiest place to get to, it still draws lots of locals, especially those looking for a good supper spot, the centre retains its old-school feel. Standout stalls include International Nasi Lemak, which serves up some of the best nasi lemak across the island and Ho Guan Satay Bee Hoon, which hosts a unique fusion of satay and rice noodles. There are also delights to be had at Weng Kee Ipoh Hor Fun.
Amoy Street Food Centre
Food Court, Street Food
Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Food Court, Street Food
ABC Brickworks Food Centre
Food Court, Street Food
Located along Jalan Bukit Merah in the western part of Singapore, the oddly named ABC Brickworks Food Centre was actually named to commemorate two things: the Archipelago Brewery Company – the first commercial brewery in Singapore – as well as the brickworks kilns that were located around this area. These days it is better known for good food – the traditional double boiled soups of Ah Er Soup attract seriously long queues, but don’t miss out on Fatty Cheong’s Char Siew Rice or the Malay Lontong at Nusa & Tara.
Hawker centres have long been part of Singapore’s social fabric and are a great way to experience local food culture. Now you’ve decided on a centre to visit, here’s a guide on how to spot a good stall within your hawker centre.
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