Food is an important part of Singaporean culture. It is a way for people to connect with their heritage, and to celebrate their diversity.
Experiencing the tantalising flavours of Singaporean cuisine is a must during your visit to the Lion City. And what could be a better way to fully immerse yourself in the local food culture than exploring the bustling hawker centres?
These vibrant culinary hubs bring together an array of mouthwatering dishes, served up by skilled hawkers who have honed their craft through generations.
From Chinatown Complex Food Centre to Old Airport Road Food Centre, there are plenty of options for those looking to sample some of the best local dishes. Here we take a look at five of Singapore’s biggest and most popular hawker centres, and what you can expect to find when you visit them.
5 Biggest Hawker Centres in Singapore
1) Chinatown Complex Food Centre
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Chinatown Complex Food Centre is Singapore’s largest hawker centre with over 260 stalls. It offers a wide range of local and international cuisine and it is situated in the heart of Chinatown. Visitors can enjoy popular dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, bak kut teh, and more. This sprawling hawker centre also has vegetarian and Indian cuisine options. It is a lively and bustling hawker centre that is popular with both locals and tourists.
One of the highlights of Chinatown Complex Food Centre is the opportunity to sample authentic local delicacies at affordable prices. Many stalls have been passed down through generations, preserving traditional recipes and techniques that have stood the test of time. It’s not uncommon to find long queues forming in front of popular stalls, as locals and food enthusiasts eagerly wait to savour their favourite dishes.
Nearest MRT station: Chinatown MRT
Bus Available: 12, 33, 143 and 147
2) Old Airport Road Food Centre
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Nestled in the Geylang neighbourhood, Old Airport Road Food Centre boasts a vibrant hawker culture and an array of local delights, including its famous Michelin-starred dishes.
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Some notable hawker stalls are To-Ricos Guo Shi, Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow, Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wan Ton Mee, and Whitley Road Big Prawn Noodles.
Old Airport Road Hawker Centre is also a very affordable place to eat, with most dishes costing around SGD5 or less.
Nearest MRT station: Dakota MRT
Bus Available: 10, 16, 30E, 30, 31, 32 and 33
3) Maxwell Food Centre
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Maxwell Food Centre, located at the junction of South Bridge Road and Maxwell Road in Singapore’s Central Business District, is a popular hawker centre known for its wide variety of delicious dishes. It was also voted as Singapore’s favourite hawker centre in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 editions of City Hawker Food Hunt.
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (天天海南鸡饭) is one of the main crowd-drawer as recommended by Michelin Guide and recognised by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey and Anthony Bourdain. A long queue is expected, so plan your visit accordingly.
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Foodies must drop by for a memorable experience at China Street Fritters (中國街鹹煎餅) for sweet red bean dough fritters. This stall allows customers to get involved by frying the delicious treats themselves. This tradition began when the founder was swamped with multiple orders and customers generously offered to pitch in and fry the dough fritters for him.
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Nearest MRT station: Chinatown MRT
Bus Available: 80 and 145
4) Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Centre
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The Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Centre is located in the heart of Singapore’s historic Tiong Bahru neighbourhood. It is a charming market that offers both locals and visitors an authentic and diverse gastronomic experience. An interesting fact to note is that it was the first ‘modern’ market built in a housing area back in 1955.
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Some must-try dishes include Jian Bo Shui Kueh, Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice, Min Nan Prawn Noodle, Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Mee and more.
Nearest MRT station: Tiong Bahru
Bus Available: 5, 16, 33, 63, 123, 195 and 851
5) Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Chomp Chomp Food Centre is one of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore, located at 20 Kensington Park Road. It has been a local favourite since its opening in the early 2000s and is known for its wide variety of seafood and BBQ fare which has made it to the Michelin Bib Gourmand. The food centre is open daily from 12:30am to late night, making it a great spot for late-night snacks or meals.
Nearest MRT station: Serangoon
Bus Available: 136, 315, 317 and 73
