Singapore is a small, tropical island located in Southeast Asia. To make sense of the size of the country, imagine an island 943 times smaller than Texas, and you get Singapore. Despite its size, many tourists from all over the world still flock to this cosmopolitan city, which has gained a reputation for being extremely clean, safe, and modern. They stay in business hotels or vacation rentals that offer amazing amenities. Many also know Singapore as a paradise for foodies, as the island is jam-packed with food options — from restaurants to street food markets — offering all sorts of cuisines. Food centres or hawker centres are a common sight in Singapore. They are large compounds filled with as many as a hundred food and drink stalls. Food centres are the go-to place for a quick, hearty, affordable, and authentic local dining experience! For a great gastronomic experience, read on to find out the best food markets in Singapore.
What to look forward to:
- For those wondering what to try first, Visit Singapore, the country's official tourism website, has a guide to the best local food and drinks that are must-tries.
- If you're also willing to try a unique dining experience, book Breakfast in the Wild, offered by Mandai Singapore Zoo, where you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast in the rainforest zoo while learning more about its animals.
Traveler's tips
Cherrell
Hawker centers are the best places to try Singaporean food like chicken rice, chili crab, mixed vegetable rice, and roti prata. They offer affordable and authentic local dishes.
If you'd like to explore unique dining experiences other than the vibrant food markets, try Dong Fang Mei Shi for spicy Chinese dishes, Oppa for Korean barbecue, or Hamburg Steak Keisuke for Japanese cuisine with free-flow eggs.
1. ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre
You can spend an entire evening at ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre and still won’t get tired of trying some of the best street food from Singapore’s popular hawker stalls. You will find an array of mouthwatering dishes, such as fresh seafood, noodles, soups and much more.
Check out Fatty Cheong for some of the freshest meat dishes and grilled char siew. You have to also try hot steamed bowls from Bao Zai and fried noodles from Havelock Rd Blk50 Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee. If you’re looking for delicious North India food, you can stop by Sheikh Indian Pakistani Food and try their famous Tandoori Chicken.
ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre
Address: 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 11pm; Sun: 8am - 12am
2. Golden Mile Food Centre
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Another great place to enjoy some of the most delicious yet affordable street food in Singapore is Golden Mile Food Centre. You can find a variety of hawker stalls serving authentic local and international dishes, allowing you to either dine in or get a takeaway.
Savour some appetizing Latin American dishes at Tee Kitchen, which is famous for its Colombian Chicken and baked salmon. If you’d rather feast on something sweet, you can head to Cat In The Hat Bakery for some French-style financiers, madeleines and cakes.
Golden Mile Food Centre
Address: 505 Beach Rd, Singapore 199583
Opening hours: Mon - Tue & Fri - Sun: 11am - 8pm; Wed: 12pm - 8pm
3. Tiong Bahru Food Centre
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Opened in 1951, Tiong Bahru Food Centre features a fresh market that consists of 255 provision shops and wet produce stalls. These shops and stalls provide a plethora of wet produce options and form part of the building’s nightlife as these stores all close late at night.
There is also a food court on the 2nd floor that has 85 food stalls and has a seating capacity of 1,050 people. The large central garden courtyard offers a good place to simply sit back and rest after looking around the various shops, stores, and stalls.
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
Address: 52 Tiong Bahru Rd, Singapore 168716
Website: Tiong Bahru Food Centre
4. Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located next to Chinatown Point Complex and near the Chinatown MRT station, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre offers a plethora of local Singaporean cuisine that is sure to leave a lasting flavor on the taste buds that you will not forget.
The centre is home to more than 100 hawker stalls with some being listed in Michelin Guide Singapore Bib Gourmand Selection. Previous visitors have praised the centre’s delicious selection of food with some stating that the food served is authentic Singaporean cuisine.
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Address: 531A Upper Cross St, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
5. Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat is not just any food market; it is a cultural and historical gem. Its name translates to “old market” in Hokkien. It was built in the 19th century and was gazetted as a national monument of Singapore in 1973. It is situated right in the heart of the central business district, and it features a distinctive octagonal shape with a Victorian-style cast-iron structure. The market offers a huge variety of local cuisine. Apart from local Singaporean cuisine, the fare is very international, too, with stalls serving Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Filipino food. Wash down your satay with some ice-cold Tiger Beer, and revel in the charm of the Lau Pa Sat.
6. Newton Food Centre
Newton Food Centre is steadily rising in popularity with tourists after it was featured in a TV show starring Gordon Ramsay. It also gained traction after it was featured as a filming location for the movie, “Crazy Rich Asians.” The food centre has more than 100 stalls, which will leave you spoilt for choice. If you’re prepared to wait in line, drop by Hup Kee Fried Oyster Omelette for juicy oysters nestled on a fluffy omelette. Singaporeans love their spicy food, and the sambal stingray is a must-order dish to share with your friends! If you’re looking to have a snack, try the satay and chicken wings from TKR Yummy Chicken Wing. There’s bound to be something for everyone at Newton Food Centre, so come on down and dine like a “crazy rich Asian” for an affordable price!
Newton Food Centre
Address: 500 Clemenceau Ave. (Newton Food Centre) Singapore 229495
Opening hours: 12pm - 2am (daily)
7. Changi Village Hawker Centre
Changi Village Hawker Centre is at the east side of Singapore, but the huge selection of food makes the journey there worth it. This hawker centre is home to one of the most famous Nasi Lemak stalls in Singapore, the International Muslim Food Stall. For dessert, to combat the tropical Singapore weather, tuck into a bowl of cendol Melaka. This is a traditional shaved iced dessert, topped with rice jelly and a generous amount of sweet coconut and gula Melaka syrup. If you are still peckish, stop for some deep-fried banana fritters, goreng pisang, another sweet treat. Afterwards, you can ride a bicycle to East Coast Park to burn off those calories as well as discover more fun attractions.
Changi Village Hawker Centre
Address: 2 Changi Village Rd, Singapore 500002
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 6am - 2am; Sat - Sun: 24/7
8. Old Airport Road Food Centre
The Old Airport Road Food Centre is well-known and loved by Singaporeans for its huge variety and good quality of hawker stalls. It was even voted the most popular hawker centre in Singapore after a local radio station started an island-wide search. It triumphed with more than twice the votes of its closest competitor. When you go here, make sure to indulge in some Lor Mee from Xin Mei Xiang Zheng Zong Lor Mee, which even has a Michelin Plate. For some roasted meats, try out Roast Paradise. The long, snaking queues at the stall each day goes to show it’s popularity and quality. If you are in the area during breakfast time, have a taste of the quintessential Singaporean breakfast - Kaya Toast!
Old Airport Road Food Centre
Address: 51 Old Airport Rd, Singapore 390051
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
Visited this place?
9. Amoy Street Food Centre
Amoy Street Food Centre is conveniently located in the Central Business District, making it a convenient lunch or dinner pitstop! This Singapore street food market is extremely popular with both the working crowd and tourists alike. It also houses a couple of Michelin Bib Gourmand awardees. There are also many stalls that whip up different variants of fusion food, with “hawkerpreneurs” offering a modern take on traditional dishes. Enjoy some Halal poke bowls from Big Bowls Project and a contemporary twist on wonton noodles at A Noodle Story. Enjoy your daily dose of caffeine with Coffee Break’s innovative take on traditional Kopi.
Amoy Street Food Centre
Address: 7 Maxwell Road MND Building Annexe B, 069111
Opening hours: 6.30am - 9pm (daily)
10. Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell Food Centre is the place to go for local Singaporean food, and it is as authentic as it gets! Start your meal off with some oyster cake from Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake. This is a traditional Fuzhou dish, and the stall at Maxwell is one of the last few remaining ones who make it by hand. Don’t forget to also try the award-winning Hainanese chicken rice from Tian Tian Chicken Rice. Be sure to visit after the peak lunch hour to avoid getting stuck in long queues. Additionally, you can find China Street Rickshaw Noodles here, which serves a traditional breakfast that many rickshaw pullers had in the olden days.
Maxwell Food Centre
Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184
Opening hours: 8am - 2am (daily)
11. Tekka Centre
Tekka Centre is part wet market, part food centre, and part shopping mall. It’s also a landmark in the Little India neighbourhood. This Singapore food market differs from the rest in this list, as it sells mostly Indian food. Nevertheless, their food great! Drop by Temasek Indian Rojak for a generous buffet-like spread of meals. For some amazing Masala, head to Sri Triffin Stall. After eating your fill, venture to the top floors of Tekka Centre. The higher floors are made up of retail stalls which sell a huge variety of items. Stop by one of these stalls if you want to get some souvenirs or keepsakes. Venture down to the wet market part of Tekka Centre to experience the atmosphere of old school Singapore!
Tekka Centre
Address: 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665 Opening hours: 6:30am - 9pm (daily)
12. Chinatown Food Street
Chinatown Food Street houses many food joints offering a variety of speciality dishes from the different Chinese heritage groups in Singapore. It is located in the heart of Chinatown. It was recently refurbished to resemble how the food street looked like in the past. Have fun buying food out of street carts, or head into one of the shophouse restaurants. There is even a durian station for the adventurous types who want to try the fruit often touted as the King of the Fruits.
13. Adam Road Food Centre
Though smaller than many of the aforementioned hawker centres, Adam Road Food Centre certainly does not pale in comparison. The hawker centre is near the Botanic Garden, which makes for a great place to stop by for lunch after exploring the site and one of the best food markets in Singapore. Indulge in some laksa from Adam Fishball Noodles, or try out Hokkien mee from Stall 22 Hokkien Mee. There are also a few stalls selling delicious satay. Wash down your meal with a glass of refreshing iced cold sugarcane juice. Like dessert spots in the area, Teck Kee Hot and Cold Dessert also has a variety of traditional desserts like green bean soup, tau suan, and ice kacang.
Adam Road Food Centre
Address: 2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289877
Opening hours: 7am - 10:30pm (daily)
14. Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre
Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre is a popular supper spot, as most of the stalls only begin business after 5:30pm. For a dish that is not typically seen at hawker centres, visit Wang BBQ and Grill. The stall serves up lok lok, a skewer dish, where customers are spoilt for choice with about 50 different options ranging from 1.20 to 2 SGD. It seems Chomp Chomp customers cannot get their fill of sugarcane juice as you’ll be wowed by a three-litre drink tower offered by a stall called Ding Hao. It will surely quench your thirst.
Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre
Address: 20 Kensington Park Rd, Singapore 557269
Opening hours: 4pm - 12:30am (daily)
Food to try in Singapore
Now that you know which food markets to visit when in Singapore, scroll down to check out what food items you can try in the city-state!
15. Nasi Padang
Nasi Padang is a steamed rice dish served with a banquet of pre-cooked dishes that originated from Padang, Indonesia. It is typically served with various choices of vegetables, fish, meats, curries and spicy sambal chili. From fried pomfret to eggplant to fatty beef bits in gravy to potato patties and fried beancurd, there is something delicious for everyone! Head over to any of Singapore’s delightful hawker centers, and you will definitely find a nasi padang store. This dish is a crowd favorite amongst the Malay and Indonesian community, and widely available. Be sure to eat like the Indonesians, add on a lot of sambal chili to your food!
Nasi Padang (Alexandra Village Food Centre)
Address: #01-65 Alexandra Village Food Centre, 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, 150120
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Average price for two people: Above 8 USD
16. Bak chor mee
Bak chor mee (minced meat noodles) is a traditional Chinese noodle dish. Noodles, vinegar, pork slices, minced pork, mushrooms, pork liver, deep-fried lard, and meatballs are its main ingredients. In preparation of bak chor mee, you can opt for mee pok (flat egg noodles) or mee kia (thin egg noodles). You will also decide whether you prefer the dry version or the soup version. Most hawkers like it spicy so they add chili sauce to it but that is totally optional. If you want to try bak chor mee, you can head over the hawkers center and look for the Meng’s Kitchen, they have bak chor mee in their menu along with other restaurants in the area.
Meng's Kitchen
Address: 246B Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574370
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Website: Meng’s Kitchen
17. Nasi lemak
Nasi lemak (rich rice) is a dish with a creamy coconut infused rice. People have a wide variety of toppings for their Nasi Lemak. Some people prefer it with deep fried fish while others like chicken wings with it. Nasi lemak recipes only differ from the side dishes that people mix with it but the whole idea of it is that the rice should be creamy and flavorful. Some people add pandan leaves for extra flavoring. There is a wide variety of side dishes you can add to it, it’s up to you. If you want to know how a Nasi Lemak looks and tastes like, check out Chong Pang Nasi Lemak. It is on the list of the best Nasi Lemak stalls in Singapore.
Chong Pang Nasi Lemak
Address: 447 Sembawang Rd, Singapore 758404
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 5:00 pm - 7:00 am
Average price for two people: Under 20USD
Website: Chong Pang Nasi Lemak
18. Laksa
A laksa is a noodle dish which has a spicy and creamy coconut flavoring to it. There are various recipes for laksa, but traditionally, Singaporean laksa tastes like curry with a seafood flavor. Its broth has a spicy and creamy taste. Prawns and fishcakes often go with it. It is a popular dish to Singaporeans, especially during the rainy season. If you want to try a laksa, you should head over to the nearest Katong Laksa from your location. They serve very affordable and flavorful Laksa dishes, and they have a number of outlets throughout Singapore.
328 Katong Laksa
Address: 51 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Average price for two people: Above 10USD
Website: 328 Katong Laksa
19. Hainanese Chicken
Hainanese Chicken’s recipe is a signature dish of the people of the Hainan Province in China. It features a chicken dish with a specially seasoned rice. It is usually garnished with a number of flavorful ingredients from cucumber and tomatoes to chili sauce and garlic sauce. Hainan Chicken is famous in Southeast Asia and it is considered one of Singapore’s unofficial national food. Therefore, a lot of restaurants in Singapore, from affordable ones to high-end ones, have Hainanese chicken on their menu. One of the oldest restaurants serving Hainanese chicken in Singapore is Chin chin Eating House. So if you want to experience the savory taste of this delectable dish, head over to their restaurant and give yourself a treat.
Chin chin Eating House
Address: 19 Purvis St, Singapore 188598
Opening hours: Mon - Thurs 11:00 am - 9:00 pm / Fri - Sun 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Average price for two people: Under 22USD
Website: Chin chin Eating House
20. Hokkien mee
Originally from the Fujian province of China, Hokkien Mee has been adopted by the Malays and Singaporeans. It is a dish composed of egg noodles, rice noodles, eggs, prawns and squids, pork chunks and, sides of fresh vegetables, and different flavorful seasonings. The Singaporean version of Hokkien mee is lighter in color compared to the Malay version and the noodles are usually stir-fried. Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee serves one of the best Hokkien Mee in Singapore. Feel free to visit their restaurant for a food trip.
Kim's Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
Address: 62B Jln Eunos, Singapore 419510
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 11:00 am - 1:00 am
Average price for two people: Under 30USD
Website: Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
21. Otak-Otak
Otak-Otak is a popular food in Southeast Asia especially in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It is made from grilled fish cake seasoned with starch and spices and wrapped in a banana leaf. It is usually eaten as a cold served snack. Some people like it with rice. Otak originally means brains in Malaysian and Indonesian language and the food is called otak-otak because as hilarious as the idea is, it resembles the appearance of a brain, according to them. It is usually reddish in color in Singapore because of the chili coloring, turmeric, and curry powder. A lot of restaurants and food stalls in Singapore offer otak-otak, one of them is Bijan Restaurant. Head over there for a taste of fresh otak-otak.
Bijan Restaurant
Address: 511 Guillemard Rd, #B1-02, Singapore 399849
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12:00 nn - 9:00 pm
Average price for two people: 22USD - 60USD
Website: Bijan Restaurant
22. Char Kway Teow
Char Kway Teow (stir-fried rice cake strips), considered one of Singapore’s unofficial national dishes, Char Kway Teow is also popular in Southeast Asia especially in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It is a noodle dish made from flat noodles, stir-fried in special flavorful seasoning. It is also garnished with Chinese sausages, whole prawns, bean sprouts, fish cakes and a lot more. If you are monitoring your blood pressure, Char Kway Teow will not do you any good because of its high saturated fat content. One of the best Char Kway Teow in Singapore can be tasted in Hill Street Char Kway Teow.
Hill Street Char Kway Teow
Address: 16 Bedok S Rd, #01-41, Singapore 460016
Opening hours: Tues - Sat 11:30 am - 4:45 pm
Average price for two people: Under 22USD
Website: Hill Street Char Kway Teow
23. Bak Kut Teh
Bak Kut Teh (meat bone tea) is a Singaporean soup made of pork ribs and a special broth of herbs and spices. Few of its ingredients are varieties of mushrooms, offal, fried tofu puffs and dried tofu, and more. Although it has the word tea in its name, there is actually no tea mixed in the broth itself but the dish is usually accompanied with an oolong tea that helps for digestion when enjoying this flavorful soup. Founder Bak Kut Teh in New Orchid Hotel serves one of the best bak kuh tehs in Singapore. Head over there and enjoy a flavourful bowl of this authentic Singaporean dish.
Founder Bak Kut Teh
Address: 355 Balestier Rd, Goodwill Mansion, Singapore 329782
Opening hours: Wed - Mon 12:00 nn - 3:30 pm / 6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Average price for two people: Under 30USD
Website: Founder Bak Kut Teh
24. Chili Crab
Chili Crab is an original Singaporean dish, cooked with mud crabs boiled gently and sauteed in a sweet and spicy tomato paste. It is popular among Singaporeans, and almost every restaurant in the city offers this signature Singaporean dish. Although it has “chili” in its name, it doesn’t have to be super spicy. In fact, most restaurants cook this dish with just a moderate spicy flavor. Traditionally, Singaporeans eat this dish with bare hands to savor the flavor and juiciness. No need to worry about getting all messy because restaurants provide towels and a washing bowl for cleansing your hands after the meal. If you want to try this unofficial Singaporean national dish, you should visit a Long Beach Seafood restaurant outlet. They have a number of branches throughout Singapore, and they serve chili crab with different levels of spiciness.
Long Beach @ Dempsey
Address: 25 Dempsey Road, Left turn to Dempsey via Holland Rd (before Peirce Rd) Singapore 249670
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 11:00 am - 3:00 pm / 5:00 pm - 1:00 am
Average price for two people: Above 68USD
Website: Long Beach @ Dempsey
Delivery services, takeaway spots, and DIY kits for foodies in Singapore
Even if you don’t wish to visit crowded food markets to shop for treats, there are various ways to satisfy your cravings here. Check out some of the delivery services, takeaway spots, and DIY kits in Singapore, below!
Japanese cuisine
It’s no doubt that Japanese food is a favorite of both locals and tourists in Singapore. From sushi to udon, there’s a ton of grub people can avail via online delivery. See which ones you can get for lunch below.
25. WOLF (Delivery & Takeaway)
Book Tours : Wolf Delivery and Takeaway, Singapore - Klook
26. Fukusen Restaurant (Delivery & Takeaway)
27. Gangsta Ramen (Delivery & Takeaway)
Book Tours : Gangsta Ramen, Singapore - Klook
Thai cuisine
Another go-to meal for many foodies is Thai food. Singapore boasts a variety of Thai restaurants, food stalls, and hole-in-the-walls for locals and tourists to enjoy. Enjoy a scrumptious bite from Sukhumvit 100, Soi Aroy, and many others, and order your favorite pad Thai dish via online delivery.
28. Sukhumvit 100 (Delivery)
Book Tours : Sukhumvit 100, Raffles Place - Klook Singapore
29. Soi Aroy (Delivery)
Book Tours : Delivery Soi Aroy, Singapore - Klook
Fusion cuisine
When you think of gastronomic adventures, fusion food easily comes to mind. Whether it’s Chef in a Box’s frozen rice bowl meals or Paik’s BiBim + LiHO Tea’s delectable bibimbap bowls, great fusion dishes are readily available via online delivery for those who must give in to their cravings.
30. Paik's BiBim + LiHO Tea (Delivery)
Book Tours : Paik's BiBim Delivery, Singapore
31. Chef in Box (Delivery)
Book Tours : Delivery Chef-in-Box, Singapore
32. Ministry of Burgers (Delivery & Takeaway)
Local delights
Get some of the best local delights in your hungry bellies. Now ready for online deliveries, Singapore’s favorite street food and local snacks, such as Ann Chin Popiah, are just some treats you can have brought to your doorstep. Check out the attractive offers you can get when you order these delectable treats from the establishments below.
33. Ann Chin Popiah (Delivery)
Book Tours : Ann Chin Popiah, Singapore
34. Mdm Ling Bakery (Delivery)
35. Casuarina Curry Restaurant (Delivery)
Book Tours : [Delivery] Casuarina Curry Restaurant in Singapore
36. Curry Times (Delivery)
Book Tours : [Delivery] Curry Times in Singapore
Bubble tea
Milk tea, bubble tea, boba tea–whatever you wish to call it–is one of the most beloved drinks in Asia. Singapore is a haven for great bubble tea shops, and you can order from places such as Dessert Guru and GudSht. Check out their best products and offers below.
37. Dessert Guru (Delivery)
Book Tours : [Delivery] Dessert Guru DIY Bubble Tea in Singapore
38. GudSht (Delivery)
Book Tours : [Delivery] GudSht in Singapore
DIY kits
If you’re someone who prefers to make your own meals but hates going to the grocery store to source ingredients, then these DIY meal kits are ideal for you. Enjoy satay meal kits or even get your own milk tea kits to quench your thirst. Check out some interesting options below.
39. FreezePak fast food kits
40. The Whale Tea Bubble tea kits
Book Tours : The Whale Tea in Singapore
41. Home meal kits
Book Tours : Cooking Lifeskills at Home Meal Kits in Singapore
42. Satay meal kits
Book Tours : [Delivery] Best Satay 7&8 Meal Kit in Singapore
43. Okinawan stir fried bitter gourd
Contributed by Content Creator, Dara Neo
Okinawan cuisine is different from traditional Japanese cuisine in many ways, as it is influenced by the unique culture, history and geographical location of the Okinawa Islands.
Use of Pork Pork is a prominent protein source in Okinawan cuisine, while in mainland Japan, seafood and chicken are more common.
Use of Bitter Melon Bitter gourd is a distinctive ingredient in Okinawan cuisine. It is known for its unique taste and is often used in stir-fried dishes and soups.
Featured in this video are two Okinawan dishes — the bitter gourd slices stir-fried with pork belly chunks, tofu and egg, and the seasoned mixed rice cooked in fish stock with pork, kelp, shiitake mushrooms and carrots. It was yummy!
If you do visit K.K. Kitchen, go say hi to the friendly couple, the lady boss with the warmest smile!!
Address: BLK 92 Lor 4 Toa Payoh, #01-264, Singapore 310092
Eat to your heart's content!
Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, which makes it a paradise for foodies! Its extensive variety of food options that were adapted from many different cultures and countries makes for a unique experience. And if you want to learn more about Singapore’s street food scene, why not take a street food tour. Bold flavours burst from every meal you have. Follow this guide for some of the best street food in Singapore!
After the sun goes down, discover more amazing things that Singapore has to offer by exploring the best night markets.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
