A few weeks ago I was at the Maxwell Food Center in the Chinatown district of Singapore with some friends from India. A friend of mine – first time visitor to Singapore, noticed that a local Singaporean had left her iPhone on a seat as she went out to order her food from the food counters. She follows him believing that she has forgotten her phone only to learn that the phone was used to reserve her seat at a time when it was difficult to get seats in Singapore’s hawker centres. It tells you a lot about Singapore’s reputation as a safe destination and also about Singapore’s passion for hawker centers that are an integral part of the island nation’s culture.
Not everyone leaves their wallet or phone to reserve a seat, you’re more likely to see a tissue packet double as a ‘reserved’ marker. a public survey conducted by of singapore The NHB (National Heritage Board) revealed in 2018 that ‘Food Heritage’ was highlighted as the most important aspect of Singapore’s intangible cultural heritage. This is why the ‘hawker culture’ was Singapore’s nomination to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The hawker centers of Singapore are much more than a part of the country’s heritage, they are a lifeline offering authentic food that is affordable and also reflects cultural diversity. Singapore’s ‘no compromise’ health and hygiene oversight ensures that every hawker center is clean. For example, Changi Village Hawker Center is a hotspot for Malaysian cuisine, while Tekka Center has a reputation for Indian cuisine. I go to Singapore at least once a year for almost two decades now and I have only one reason to come back here – the food.
of singapore Hawker The culture dates back to the mid-19th century when the first street hawkers ran the streets selling a range of food. Many of these hawker dishes originated from the food cultures of the various immigrant groups who settled in Singapore. By the 1970s, street food stalls were popular congregation places in areas such as Chinatown and Orchard Road, offering inexpensive meals such as laksa and satay. From the late 1960s, the government licensed street hawkers and placed them in purpose-built hawker centers and markets with proper sanitation and facilities, almost like modern food courts.
Today, almost every neighborhood has its own Hawker hub; There are over 110 hawker centers across the island with 13 more planned to go live by 2027. I’ve been to over 15 of the popular hawker centers and it’s hard for me to pick some of my favorites and five without bothering. My friends in Singapore who have always made time to take me to my favorite lunches and weekends. Singapore is now open to vaccinated travelers and if you’re planning a trip anytime soon, check out one of these hawker centers.
Here are 5 hawker centers that you must visit in Singapore:
1. Maxwell Food Center
It is no exaggeration to call Maxwell one of the most popular hawker centers in Singapore. You can blame international celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay as well as counters like Tian Chicken Rice who made news for becoming the recipient of a Michelin bib-Gourmand. I would definitely suggest a visit to Tian Tian, even with its serpentine queues; Their chicken rice is a local legend. Maxwell’s other dishes are Fuzhou Oyster Cakes and Zhen Zhen Porridge with steaming bowls of fish and chicken porridge sprinkled with a slice of ginger.
(Also read: Singapore Rice Recipe: Spend the Weekend Enjoying This Delicious Fried Rice,
The Chicken Rice at Maxwell’s is a food legend in Singapore. photo credit: iStock/annop24
2. Lau Pa Sato
Some of my local friends might call Lau Pa Sat or ‘the old market’ a tourist destination, but it tops my list for its unique decor and downtown location. A belfry in the center of this hawker center is a symbol of sorts; Its location makes it a convenient pitstop whether you are traveling to Singapore on business or a Holiday, Come here at night and see the ‘adjacent street’ located next to the centre. Lau Pa Sat offers a great mix of Asian cuisine, my favorite here being Seng’s local delight which serves a fail-proof Hokkien Prawn Mee.
(Also read: Street Food, Singapore-Style: A Model Worth Imitating?,
Lau Pa Sat serves the best of Asian cuisine. photo credit: iStock/tang90246
3. Changi Village Hawker Center
Probably my favorite hawker hub for its slightly dated vibe, it is close to Changi Airport and also offers sweeping beach views. You won’t find a more delicious nasi lemak anywhere Singapore (Try it at Nasi Lemak, an international Muslim food stall). I’m fond of Singaporean chendol – easily one of the tastiest local sweet treats. Try it at Mecan Melaka Sendol. If you are a fan of banana dumplings, then you must visit Mei Jiang Goreng Pisang and try their crunchy Goreng Pisang (the local version of the dumpling).
If you are fond of eating banana pakoras, then definitely visit Changi village. photo credit: iStock/tang90246
4. Tekka Center
Craving for Biryani or Dosa (written as ‘Tosai’ in Singapore) when you’re visiting Singapore? No problem. Head to Tekka, a popular choice among tourists and locals alike, for the best Indian food at hawker hubs. Located close to Little India, Tekka’s popular biryani stalls include Alauddin’s Biryani. Also, make time to visit Temasek Indian Rojak which is popular for its deep fried fritters which include tofu and shrimp.
Deep fried fritters and biryani are sold here like hot cakes. photo credit: iStock
5. Tiong Bahru Market
Tiong Bahru Market is located in one of the oldest public housing estates in Singapore and includes a wet market on one level. There are over 80 food stalls on the upper level including Tiong Bahru Lor Mee which serves a hearty bowl Noodles Fish cakes are topped with an assortment of goodies including fried wontons and braised pork belly. I also recommend the Steamed Rice Cake with Preserved Radishes at Jian Bo Shui Kueh.
There are plenty of options and dining options in Jian Bo Shui Kueh. photo credit: istock/kehlen