MUST VISIT Hawker Centres in Singapore!
Hawker Centres are food halls with several sellers cooking up local dishes. Stalls are often passed down through families and offer dishes that have been perfected over many years.
Hawker Culture is integral to Singapore’s historic and multi-cultural identity. Hawker Centres originated from different immigrant settlers who began selling their own local dishes on the streets. Nowadays, Hawker Centres act as a communal space for people of all walks of life to gather and bond over tasty Singaporean food. You will find cuisine from Chinese, Malay, Indian and even Western cultures.
We have rounded up a comprehensive list of MUST VISIT Hawker Centres in Singapore where you can truly experience Singapore’s rich food heritage. To find more information on what to order at these epic food centres, read our blog post all about popular dishes to try in Singapore.
In the heart of Chinatown, Maxwell Food Centre offers cheap and delicious food, many of which are of Chinese origin. Some stalls are even mentioned in The Michelin Guide, with Tian Tian Hiananese Chicken Rice being the first street food stall in the world to be given a Michelin Star. In our opinion, this food centre certainly is the number 1 MUST VISIT Hawker Centre in Singapore.
WHAT TO TRY | Hainanese Chicken Rice, Shredded Chicken Laksa, Appam (Indian pancake)
Geylang Serai Market sits in one of the oldest Malay settlements in the east of Singapore. The market building used to be a huge trade emporium and in the 1960s underwent refurbishment, allowing it to become a place for businesses to grow and thrive.
The food centre is located on the second floor of the market where you will find stalls selling incredible dishes, mainly of Malay origin. This is definitely a must visit Hawker Centre if you want to encounter a true local community.
WHAT TO TRY | Nasi Lemak, Satay, Otak-Otak, Nasi Biryani, Nasi Ayam
Open from 6am to 10pm, Tiong Bahru Market is perfect for eating on a budget! This market has over 200 stalls that sell not only locally prepared dishes, but also fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, flowers, clothes and other goods. There are plenty of stalls to try local cuisines, but make sure you bring some cash as many hawkers will not accept payment via card.
WHAT TO TRY | Carrot Cake (not actually cake!), Chwee/Chui Kueh, Mango Pudding
One of the most iconic Hawker Centres in Singapore due to its feature in blockbuster film Crazy Rich Asians, Newton Food Centre has become a must visit Hawker Centre for tourists. It may not be the cheapest Hawker Centre around, but in our opinion it is certainly well worth a visit.
The centre has an enticing atmosphere and a cool open air seating area. Here, Hawkers will be much more forward at approaching you and getting you to dine with them, so make sure to take your time and explore all the stalls before making your choice!
WHAT TO TRY | Chilli Crab, Teochew Braised Duck, Fried Oyster Omelette, Fish Dumpling Soup
Lau Pa Sat is a beautiful foodie paradise. The building is constructed of cast-iron and has a signature clock tower. It almost feels like you have stepped back into Victorian times with its incredible architecture dating back to 1894. What’s more, the building’s octagonal shape makes it feel like a maze as you navigate the Hawker stalls.
You will find that Lau Pa Sat is a must visit Hawker Centre if you are seeking out satay, as this centre is not only home to several local and international stalls, it also houses the famed Satay Street, a row of 19 stalls all selling sticks of delicious barbecued meat.
WHAT TO TRY | Satay, Chicken Kebab Tombik, Gojuchang Burger, Bak kut teh (pork ribs tea)
In the heart of the CBD (Central Business District), this Hawker Centre houses 56 stalls over two levels. It used to be named ‘Golden Shoe’ before the original building was demolished to make way for the CapitaSpring skyscraper. Although we wouldn’t recommend visiting during peak lunch hours, if you do you will be amazed to see smartly black and white suits grabbing their trays and slurping their noodle soups so casually.
You can navigate this busy environment by ‘reserving’ your seat using a simple personal item such as a pack of tissues or ID card. This is a MUST VISIT Hawker Centre if you truly want to experience the hustle and bustle of the CBD.
WHAT TO TRY | Traditional Prawn Mee, Masala Chai Teh (milk drink), Kaya Butter Toast
On the island of Sentosa, you will find many fun and fantastical resorts. Nestled amongst them all is Malaysian Food Street. Specialising in Malaysian food, these Hawker stalls are lined along a Malaysian ‘street’ and really transport you to the neighbouring country. You may find that prices are slightly higher due to its proximity to Universal Studios and Resorts World. Nevertheless, the food court is a MUST VISIT Hawker Centre on Sentosa.
WHAT TO TRY | Penang Char Kway Teow, KL Hokkien Mee, Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice
Finally…
With over 100 Hawker Centres dotted around Singapore, there really is an abundance of opportunities for you to discover Singapore’s Hawker culture. We hope this guide helps you identify a mix of popular locations to visit, as well as some lesser known food centres to uncover and indulge in! If you are unsure what else you can get up to in this incredible city, read all about the top places to visit in Singapore. Likewise, if you are on a budget, see all the free activities you can do here!
