Embarking on a culinary adventure in Singapore?
The Singapore hawker centres, a cornerstone of the island’s gastronomic landscape, promise to delight your taste buds with their irresistible allure.
These bustling food courts offer a taste of the city’s vibrant lifestyle, steeped in history, rich flavors and community spirit.
A bit(e) of history
Immigrants
Hawker centres have been an integral part of Singaporean culture since the 1800s when itinerant hawkers roamed the streets, selling their homemade fare from pushcarts and makeshift stalls.
Hawker culture in Singapore took root in the 1800s, fueled by the influx of migrants from China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and beyond. These new arrivals, in search of better opportunities, brought their comfort foods and creatively adapted them to local ingredients and techniques. Street hawking emerged as a popular and accessible way to earn a living, requiring minimal capital.
The first hawkers provided affordable, quick meals to the city’s residents, particularly the working class. These pioneering vendors established the vibrant hawker culture that continues to thrive and delight food lovers in Singapore today.
From street hawkers to hawker centres
However, as Singapore developed, the need for a more hygienic and organized way of selling food became apparent.
In the 1970s, the government began relocating these street hawkers to purpose-built Singapore hawker centres, aiming to improve cleanliness and food safety.
This move not only preserved the hawker tradition but also created a communal space where people could gather to enjoy delicious, affordable meals.
Today there are more than 100 Singapore hawker centres, each a melting pot of culinary delights.
The heart of hawker culture
Singapore hawker centres are more than just places to eat; they are a vital part of Singapore’s social fabric.
Locals from all walks of life converge here to savor their favorite dishes, catch up with friends, and relish the bustling atmosphere.
The open-air design, communal seating, and the tantalizing aroma of food being cooked create a uniquely Singaporean experience.
Must try dishes
When you visit Singapore hawker centres, be prepared for an overwhelming array of choices.
Indulge in popular hawker food staples such as Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, laksa, satay, Hokkien mee, chilli crab, nasi lemak, rojak, carrot cake (chai tow kway), wonton mee, oyster omelette, bak kut teh, mee goreng, kaya toast, popiah, nasi briyani, fish head curry, fried Hokkien prawn mee and beef kway teow.
Each dish brings a unique and unforgettable burst of flavor, showcasing the multicultural essence of Singaporean cuisine.
Here are some quintessential Singaporean dishes that we tried and loved!
7 Singapore hawker centres classics
1. Hainanese chicken rice
Often referred to as a national dish, this is a popular item found in Singapore hawker centres.
This chicken meal consists of tender, poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and pandan leaves.
This dish is typically accompanied by a trio of flavorful sauces—ginger, chili, and dark soy—and a side of cucumber slices or a light chicken broth soup.
2. Singapore breakfast
Kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, and a cup of kopi (coffee) or teh (tea).
Kaya butter toast consists of toasted bread filled with a spread made from coconut milk, eggs, sugar and pandan leaves.
The soft-boiled eggs are seasoned with soy sauce and white pepper, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
This simple yet delicious meal reflects Singapore’s rich culinary heritage and offers a perfect start to the day.
3. Duck noodles
A delectable dish featuring tender, succulent slices of braised or roasted duck served over a bed of springy egg noodles.
The dish is often accompanied by a flavorful broth, a side of vegetables like bok choy, and garnished with fragrant herbs and spices.
The rich, savory taste of the duck melds perfectly with the aromatic broth and the chewy noodles.
4. Laksa
Another very popular dish in Singapore’s hawker centres
Laksa is a spicy and flavorful noodle soup that combines Chinese and Malay culinary influences.
This rich and aromatic dish features a coconut milk-based broth infused with spices such as lemongrass, turmeric and chili.
Typically, it is served with rice noodles, prawns, boiled eggs, fish cakes, fried tofu and bean sprouts, and garnished with chopped spring onion or fresh coriander and a dollop of sambal chili.
5. Satay
These skewers of marinated, grilled meat—usually chicken, beef, or lamb—are served with a side of peanut sauce, rice cakes, and a refreshing cucumber-onion relish.
Satay is perfect for sharing and a favorite among both locals and tourists.
The best place to enjoy satay is Satay Street in Singapore, a vibrant and bustling food haven located at Lau Pa Sat, a historic market in the heart of the Central Business District. Every evening from 7pm onwards, Boon Tat Street is closed for traffic and transforms into an open-air dining area where you can savor delicious satay skewers grilled over charcoal. The street comes alive with the aroma of marinated meats, the sizzle of the grill, and the lively atmosphere of dining locals and tourists.
6. Nasi lemak
A breakfast staple in Singapore hawker centres, is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves. This aromatic rice is typically served with a variety of accompaniments such as crispy fried ikan bilis (anchovies), peanuts, hard-boiled or fried egg, spicy sambal chili and cucumber slices. Often, you will find it paired with sides like fried chicken, rendang (spicy meat stew), or fish.
7. Curry paste stingray
A tantalizing dish found in Singapore’s hawker centres, features fresh stingray fillets slathered with a rich and aromatic curry paste, then grilled to perfection.
The fish is typically wrapped in banana leaves before grilling, infusing it with a smoky flavor while keeping it tender and moist.
Served with a side of tangy calamansi lime and spicy sambal chili, this dish offers a delightful combination of bold flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more.
The 5 most popular Singapore hawker centres
Singapore is home to many fantastic hawker centres, but here are 5 of the most popular ones you should definitely check out.
- Maxwell Food Centre: Located in Chinatown, Maxwell Food Centre is famous for its Hainanese Chicken Rice and other local delights. A must-visit for both locals and tourists.
- Lau Pa Sat: Our absolute favorite! Also known as Telok Ayer Market, Lau Pa Sat is an iconic hawker centre in the heart of the Central Business District. It offers a wide variety of local and international dishes, and its satay street is particularly popular in the evenings.
- Old Airport Road Food Centre: This hawker centre is a favorite among locals for its extensive selection of traditional Singaporean dishes. From char kway teow to prawn noodles, you will find a plethora of mouthwatering options here.
- Tiong Bahru Market: Situated in one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods, Tiong Bahru Market is known for its delicious hawker fare and fresh produce. It is a great place to experience the local food culture.
- Chomp Chomp Food Centre: Located in the Serangoon Gardens area, Chomp Chomp Food Centre is famous for its late-night dining options. It is the perfect spot to enjoy dishes like Hokkien mee, BBQ stingray, and sugarcane juice.
These hawker centres offer a true taste of Singapore’s vibrant food scene.
Have you had the chance to visit any of them yet?
Opening hours
While some Singapore hawker centres have stalls that operate from morning until late at night, most have specific opening hours and may close in the early evening or stay closed until lunchtime.
Popular Singapore hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat have many stalls that stay open late into the night, making this hawker centre your best option for (late-night) dining all week long.
Others Singapore hawker centres are only open from breakfast time until 4-5pm. It is always a good idea to check the operating hours of individual stalls or hawker centres before planning your visit.
A feast for the senses
Exploring Singapore hawker centres is a sensory adventure.
The vibrant colors of the food, the sizzling sounds of cooking, and the mouthwatering aromas create a lively, bustling environment.
As you navigate the maze of stalls, you will encounter hawkers who have honed their craft over decades, each with their unique recipes and cooking techniques passed down through generations.
The hawker experience
One of the best ways to enjoy Singapore hawker centres is to go with a group of friends or family, so you can sample a variety of dishes.
Start with a walk around the centre, taking in the sights and smells, and observing which stalls have the longest queues—often a good indicator of the quality of the food. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with fellow diners or ask the hawkers for their recommendations.
Once you have made your selections, find a spot at one of the communal tables, and dig in. As you savor each bite, you’ll appreciate the love and dedication that goes into every dish.
A culinary icon
Singapore hawker centres are more than just places to eat—they are a testament to Singapore’s multicultural heritage and a celebration of its vibrant street food culture.
From humble beginnings as street-side vendors to modern-day culinary icons, hawker centres have evolved while staying true to their roots.
Next time you find yourself in Singapore, make sure to visit at least one of the Singapore hawker centres above and experience the magic for yourself!