The Best Hawker Centres in Singapore 2023 for Affordable and Delicious Food
Daphne has always had a passion for writing and a love for exploring new experiences and trends. After completing her degree in journalism, she began her career as a lifestyle writer for a popular online publication in Singapore. She has since built up an impressive portfolio of articles covering a wide range of topics, from food and travel to fashion and beauty.
When looking for authentic local foods to try, you can never go wrong to place hawker centres first as the top choice in Singapore – the heart of most affordable meals from breakfast to lunch to snacks to desserts to dinner, all the way till supper. In fact, prices are exceptionally pocket-friendly for its extraordinary menus!
Locals, foreigners, travelers or foodies, will all be able to enjoy a taste of several cuisines in just one place! If you’re having trouble finding the place to have a meal, no need to fuss! We’ve done the job and gathered the Must-visit hawker centres in Singapore.
Hawker centres in Singapore are usually built on the same complex with the wet market. This is due to the street food and wet market hawker culture in the early days, selling quick, cheap yummy meals and fresh produce along the roads.
In order to clean up the streets, the Singapore government rounded up all the street hawkers during the 70s and gathered them to form the hawker centres we see nowadays.
Bring your friends or your significant others to connect over a cup of kopi or wanton mee – sure they’ll have their best times in the food centres with a full tummy!
Here’s the list of 10 best hawker centres to visit this coming weekend:
Top 10 Hawker Centres in Singapore to Get Fat
1. Tiong Bahru Market – Best hawker breakfast Singapore
Tiong Bahru Market – Hawker Centre Singapore
Located at the heart of Tiong Bahru, visiting this food centre can complete your visit here! Shopping can be tiring and starving at the same time.
Of course, you’ll want to taste some delicious meals at a very budget-friendly price. Visiting Tiong Bahru Market will never make you feel disappointed!
From breakfast to lunch and dinner, the food stalls here offer a wide variety of meals to fit your desires! Plus, a busy and jam-packed atmosphere brings a livelier vibe — just a friendly reminder to keep a social distance for everyone’s safety during this covid period.
Also, be sure to avoid visiting peak-hours, sure you’ll don’t want to wait too long to get your food served or to get a seat. Having said that, customers enjoy the comfort that this recently renovated food centre brings.
Plus, having a lot of various tasty local selections like the Pau, Carrot Cake, Chwee Kuey etc. to choose from is indeed a haven. Here is one of the feedbacks from the customers:
“Great variety of choices in a comfortable environment. It can be very busy! I like that! It’s more lively that way! Enjoy!” – Colin D.
Tiong Bahru Market Must Eat
- Jian Bo Chwee Kueh (#02-05)
- Tiong Bahru Fishballs (#02-20)
- 178 Lor Mee (#02-23)
- Koh Brothers Pig Organ Soup (#02-29)
- Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodles (#02-30)
- Hui Ji Fishball Noodles and Yong Tau Foo (#02-44)
- Lee Hong Kee Cantonese Roasted (#02-60)
- Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (#02-82)
Address: 30 Seng Poh Rd, Singapore 168898
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2. Chinatown Complex Food Centre – Best hawker food in Central
Chinatown Complex Food Centre – Hawker Centre Singapore
Having over 200 stalls to choose from, Chinatown complex is one of the largest and oldest hawker centres for foodies to visit in town! From $2.50 onwards, you can get to enjoy all types of local traditional cuisines. Prices are unsurprisingly very affordable here!
So, if you’re on a tight budget but still crave for delicious authentic local food, visiting Chinatown Complex will never be a mistake.
Marked as the home of Xiao Long Bao and even porridge, Chinatown can exceptionally be a great place to have your favorites! Even how old-looking the building is, customers keep coming back to this place and enjoy a cheap but first-rate taste of local dishes.
If there’s a stall to recommend, that will be the Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle – for a plate of chicken rice for $2.80 and a whole chicken for $16, this is undeniably affordable and tastier than buying ones at an exclusive resto.
Having Michelin starred stalls makes it a famous go-to meal place at a very budget-friendly price. Here is one of the feedbacks from the customer:
“I give 5 stars because of the great food here. There are some Michelin starred food stalls. I recommend trying the popiah and dumplings. The building is old, stuffy and dim, like many old shopping malls. Just come here to eat.” – Chan L.
Chinatown Complex Food Centre Must Eat
- Old Amoy Chendol (#02-008)
- Peng Guan (#02-036)
- Bedok Chwee Kueh (#02-043)
- The 1950s Coffee (#02-048)
- Pan Ji Cooked Food (#02-078)
- Claypot and Cooked Food Kitchen (#02-083)
- Fatty Ox HK Kitchen (#02-084)
- Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls (#02-096)
- Shang Hai Fried Xiao Long Bao (#02-104)
- Ah Kong Wa Kuih (#02-116)
- Hakka Hamcha and Yong Tou Fu (#02-123)
- Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (#02-135)
- Li Ji Cooked Food (#02-139)
- Hawker Chan (#02-126)
Address: 335 Smith St, Singapore 050335
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3. Hong Lim Market & Food Centre – Best hawker food for lunch
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre – Hawker Centre Singapore
Well, Hong Lim isn’t just famous for the field where Singaporeans, or anyone, can voice their opinions – there is actually a hawker centre hidden amidst the neighbourhood.
Despite its old-style building, the local delicacies from the different stalls here are quite delicious! Given the fact that they are well-known and tasty, expect an unusually packed crowd, especially during lunch time.
One Singapore signature dish, Char Kway Teow (stir-fried flat rice noodles with egg and cockles), is a must-try in this place – sure you don’t want to miss this local favorite. Patrons love this spot for having a lot of good stalls. Recommending some good quality dishes to try. Here is one of the feedback from one of their regulars:
“So many good stalls! A little on the dirty side. You could come here for days and eat different dishes that are all great! I had the kolo mee which I highly recommend. I had medium spicy which was just right for me, but beware if you can’t take spicy! 10/10 will come again” – Lawrence P.
Address: 531A Upper Cross St, Singapore 051531
4. Tekka Centre (Tekka Pasar) – Best hawker center for indian food
Tekka Centre (Tekka Pasar) – Hawker Centre Singapore
Situated at the mouth of Singapore’s Little India, located really close to Little India Mrt Station, this food centre and market gathers some of the finest Indian cuisines that are definitely a must-try – especially if you’re craving for lively, spicy flavors. Besides, even if you’re new to Indian cuisine and want to be delighted by their signature dishes, Tekka Food Centre is definitely the most legit place to go to!
At affordable prices, you can certainly enjoy a sumptuous dinner here without spending a lot of money! Different styles of Biryani, Roti John, Naan and Murtabak are just ones of the must-trys when paying a visit to this hawker centre.
Indulge yourself with a little twist on your meals, bring your workmates and friends and enjoy a wide variety of foods to relish! Bet you’ll want to come back again to try a different dish. Other than indian food, chinese and muslim food are also available here.
Stalls to try at Tekka Market:
- Allauddin’s Briyani (#01-232/229)
- AR-Rahman Cafe (#01-247)
- Pak Kashmiri Delights (#01-250)
- Prata Saga Sambal Berlada (#01-258)
- Delhi Lahori (#01-266)
- Neha Tiffin Centre (#01-274)
- Zhu Jiao Shu Shi (#01-284)
- 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles (#01-326)
- Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice (#01-335)
Most visitors love the unique taste of Indian foods available in the food centre. Here is one of the feedbacks from them:
“Different variety of Indian food stall can be found here. Gathered the most unique Indian food for the community itself. Awesome food center and always crowded.” – Emory H.
Address: Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore
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5. Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre – Best hawker centre for dinner
Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre – Hawker Centre Singapore
Besides choosing a hawker centre that offers an exceptional and wide variety of foods to enjoy for dinner, a pleasant ambience is also one thing to consider.
Chomp Chomp Food Centre typically opens from late afternoon till midnight – a perfect getaway to have late dinner and supper.
If you’re up for grilled chicken wings, satays, lok-loks, stingrays and sugarcane towers as your stomach growls, Chomp Chomp is indeed the best place to go.
Indulge yourself with an extensive variety of food under the lovely sky at night with buzz and good grub.
Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre What to Eat
- Chia Keng Hokkien Mee (#01-11)
- Swee Heng Wanton Noodle (#01-12)
- Satay Bee Hoon . Hainan Beef Noodle, Chomp Chomp (#01-17)
- Chong Pang Huat BBQ (#01-26)
- Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee (#01-27)
- Ang Sa Lee Oyster Omelette (#01-33)
- Chomp Chomp Satay (#01-34)
- Carrot Cake (#01-36)
Most customers love to spend their time here on a late night while enjoying sumptuous meals at Chomp Chomp. Here is one of the feedback:
“I like it here. Always pretty busy but a nice atmosphere and some good food choices. Also see a few Caucasians every now and again!” – Patrick K.
Address: 20 Kensington Park Rd, Singapore 557269
6. Old Airport Road Food Centre – Best Hawker Centre for Dinner in East Side Singapore
Old Airport Road Food Centre – Hawker Centre Singapore
Being one of the oldest hawker centres, Old Airport Road Food Centre boasts many exceptionally gratifying signature local foods. This place is also famous for tourists to get a taste of Singaporean favorites under one roof.
Plates and plates of satay, wanton mee, char kway tiao, chicken chop, cutlet rice, oyster egg etc. are what people most love at this fabulous place. Furthermore, take a walk at the shopping place upstairs after a meal. Make this hawker centre an ultimate getaway for this weekend!
Parking spaces aplenty at the open air carpark.
Patrons love affordable food here with vast choices and the smell here is enough to make our mouth water. Here is one of the feedbacks:
“One of the most famous hawker centre and food centre in Singapore. It has a good variety of foods and have quite a lot legendary stalls.” – Agus W.
Address: 51 Old Airport Rd, Singapore 390051
7. Ghim Moh Food Centre – Fresh Food Market and Local Delights
Ghim Moh Food Centre – Hawker Centre Singapore
A food centre and market in one spot makes it convenient to buy meals and fresh produce for the entire week. This heartland food centre features a plethora of food options from beef stewed soup, curry rice and other stalls with an authentic local menu. Finding time to visit Ghim Moh Food Centre is definitely a to-do.
Remember to bring a packet of tissue to chope your seat as this place gets crowded during meal times.
Previous customers love how delicious foods are in Ghim Moh. There are several must-try noodles to give a taste. Here is one of the feedbacks from them:
“Delicious beef noodle. I recommend their stew beef noodle over their sliced beef noodle. The taste reminds me of Vietnamese pho, but with strong beef stew soup.” – Chan L.
Address: 20 Ghim Moh Road, Ghim Moh Market & Food Center, Singapore 270020
8. Amoy Street Food Centre – Best hawker centre for Cheap meal in CBD
Amoy Street Food Centre – Hawker Centre Singapore
Looking at the facade of this food centre, we know we can certainly find foodie gems here. Whether you’re up for the old school local flavors or wanting to try a modern fancy meal, Amoy street is the best spot for both!
As lunchtime can be really, really crowded and often with no available seats, you may want to have your favorite food delivered to you instead! Do check out what’s available for orders at Airasia Food – for the sake of your ultimate convenience.
You don’t want to miss getting a taste of Hainanese Style Beef Noodles from Hong Kee Beef Noodle. Enjoy their savoy, slightly gooey soup and tender beef slices from $4! Indeed an affordable price for a bowl of delicious noodles!
Returning patrons are recommending this place for having such a cozy, affordable and down-to-earth ambience in the CBD area. Here is one of the feedbacks from them:
“The place where my comfort food can be found. Prices very cheap yet very delicious. Recommended” – Sydnie T.
Popular Stalls to Try at Amoy St Market
- Hong Kee Beef Noodles
- Big Bowls Project
- Pepper Bowl
- J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff
- Lagoon In A Bowl
- Han Kee Fish Soup
- A Noodle Story
- Piao Ji Fish Porridge
- Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee
- Quan Ji
- Coffee Break
- Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee
Address: 7 Maxwell Rd, Singapore 069111
9. Satay by the Bay – Sprawling open-air food court near Gardens by the Bay
Satay by the Bay – Hawker Centre Singapore
If you are in the mood for some sightseeing and wish to bring your loved ones on a date, whether it’s for a special occasion or a typical day, Satay by the Bay should be on your checklist!
Besides having such incredible scenery beside the Garden by the Bay, Satay by the Bay has several stalls where selections are delicious and worthy of your every buck.
You can enjoy the hawker ambience right next to Marina Bay’s waterways. Whether you wish to indulge in breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a more romantic environment, the best is to visit this place! We insist.
Bring your cameras when coming here! Aftering posing with the Supertrees, bet you can’t resist taking a picture table-full of food. Best to come by in the evening.
Here is one of the feedback from previous customers, proving that Satay by the Bay is a beautiful place and offers fantastic meals to relish!
“Strategically situated between Garden by the Bay and Marina Barrage, this places serve local and some regional exotics gourmet that are popular with both local and tourists. We went there after our evening run around Marina area and the weather was excellent. You can get there via public transport, including the train, or you could park at the car park right beside the eatery. Food prices are slightly higher than the usual hawker centre.” – Hyphen Chia on Googlemap
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
10. Maxwell Road Hawker Centre
Maxwell Road Hawker Centre – Hawker Centre Singapore
Craving for a plate of hainanese chicken rice? Going to Maxwell Road Hawker Centre is the best choice for kway peng!
Located close to the CBD and opposite the astonishing Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, this food centre can be your ultimate Chinatown foodie getaway!
Enjoy yummy authentic foodies after roaming around town. You can bring your friends and loved ones to appreciate the surroundings and the foods available.
Having over a hundred dizzying arrays of dishes to choose from is cray-cray. But, one thing’s for sure, a queue is a sure sign of greatness!
Many customers love how hygienic and arranged everything is. One final note, available seats are not as many as the stalls, so avoid coming here during peak-hours. Here is one of the feedbacks from them:
“Great food, many choices. Clean and well organized. Can get very busy though. I came for a late lunch so didn’t have a problem, but I’ve seen very long lines and no seating at other times.” – Nathan H.
Popular Stalls to Try at Maxwell Market
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
- China Street Fritters
- Jin Hua Sliced Fish Soup
- Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
- Xing Xing Ondeh-Ondeh Tapioca Cake
- Popo & Nana’s Delights
- Ye Lai Xiang Tasty Barbecue
- Hainanese Curry Rice
- Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia
- Ah-Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice
Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184
Prices of Hawker Food in Singapore
Depending on the location, hawker food prices are as below:
| Location in Singapore | Hawker Food Prices |
|---|---|
| Heartlands Hawker Centres (New Estate) | From $3.50 onwards |
| Heartlands Hawker Centres (Old Estate) | From $3.00 onwards |
| CBD Hawker Centres | From $5.00 onwards |
| Touristy Hawker Centres | From $6.00 onwards |
| Air-conditioned Kopitiam (Heartlands) | From $4.00 onwards |
| Air-conditioned Kopitiam (CBD) | From $5.00 onwards |
What is the most popular hawker food in Singapore?
| Most popular hawker food in Singapore | Why Do Singaporeans Love it? |
|---|---|
| Satay | Local Style Kebah on a Stick |
| Ban Mian | Best for Rainy Days |
| Ayam Penyet | Fulfilling Meal |
| Bak Chor Mee 肉脞面 | Best for Breakfast |
| Bak Kut Teh | Ultimate comfort food |
| BBQ Seafood | Dinner |
| Chwee Kueh 水粿 | Best for Breakfast |
| Economic Bee Hoon/ Mee | Best for Breakfast |
| Char Kway Teow 炒粿条 | Fulfilling Meal |
| Rojak | Best for Appetizer |
| Roasted Meat | Fulfilling Meal |
| Chendol | Perfect for Dessert |
| Ice Kachang | Perfect for Dessert |
| Cheng Tng | Perfect for Hot Dessert |
Can Singapore keep its hawker culture alive?
This is a question that many Singaporeans are asking as the cost of living in the country rises and more people turn to more convenient and expensive options to get their meals.
It is true that costs are rising due to factors such as the rent of premises going up. However, the tradition and culture of Singapore’s vastly diverse hawker food is an invaluable resource and one that should not be lost.
With the help of initiatives such as the Singapore Hawker Heritage Award, Singaporeans can come together to ensure that the culture is kept alive.
The government must also ensure that regulations do not get in the way of small businesses succeeding and making hawker food accessible to all.
With the help of the entire community, Singapore can ensure that its hawker food culture is kept alive for years to come.
How many hawker Center are there in Singapore?
As of 2023, there are 118 markets and hawker centers in Singapore. Hawker centers are a unique feature of Singapore’s food culture, offering a wide variety of affordable and delicious food options.
Hawker Centres Singapore
When looking for food, all kinds of dishes, local and international can be found at our very own hawker centres. Having a meal at a hawker centre is one of Singaporean’s daily routine. One national activity Singaporeans love is queueing, especially for food, so if you notice a stall with a long queue, hop in and you will be sure to harvest something good in the end.
Whether you’re up for a signature Singaporean dish, Indian food, Muslim food, and Chinese food, these top 10 hawker centres can certainly provide you options of delightful meals at wallet-friendly price!
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