If you've been following our journal, you'll have seen plenty of guides on things to see and do in Singapore — and today, we're specifically looking at some of the best ways to enjoy authentic Singaporean cuisine without breaking the bank. Ever tried a hawker center before?
The best hawker centers Singapore has to offer provide a great balance between tasty, authentic food and incredible affordability. Many travellers — much of the SIMOVO crew included — feel the hawker center scene is your best shot at traditional cuisine without overspending at restaurants in tourist hotspots.
So, let's dive into what the culture is all about, where to find the best hawkers in Singapore, and what we think you should order first when you find a vendor or two you'd like to try.
Singapore hawker culture overview
Hawker centers are something of a local legend — a little like food halls, they are traditional markets and street food vendors that serve delicious food under one roof. Part of the appeal is that there are no bells or whistles — you come for the food and the atmosphere, and never expect to pay over the odds.
Heading to a hawker center is both your best shot at eating like a local and ensuring your Singapore travel budget stretches as far as possible. There are more than 100 centers across Singapore, and they all offer an electric, community-driven atmosphere — with each stall typically specialising in specific dishes.
Make it your aim to try as many different stalls as possible. One of the best ways to experience Singapore is to taste its traditional recipes — and this is the most affordable, authentic way to do it.
Best hawker centers in Singapore
Having surveyed the SIMOVO team and checked out expert opinions online, we believe the best hawker centers Singapore has to offer include the Maxwell Food Center, Lau Pa Sat, Tiong Bahru Market, Old Airport Road Food Center, and Chinatown Complex Food Center. Here's why they rate so highly.
[numbered title="Maxwell Food Center" pill="Chinatown · Chicken rice"]A legendary location that has hosted internationally recognised chefs. Famous for some of the tastiest chicken rice in the city, with stalls open until 10pm.[/numbered] [numbered title="Lau Pa Sat" pill="Most awarded"]Over 70 stalls including Michelin-adjacent brands. Considered the most-awarded hawker market of its kind in Singapore — go for char kway teow, satay, and wanton noodle.[/numbered] [numbered title="Tiong Bahru Market" pill="Michelin-adjacent"]Curry rice, bao, fried fish, and Michelin connections. Gets busy from the afternoon onwards and stays open late — a firm favourite with locals.[/numbered] [numbered title="Old Airport Road Food Center" pill="Decades of tradition"]Decades of trading experience and a fantastic array of well-known stall holders. Home to Famous Kallang Airport Fried Oyster, Western Barbeque, and much more.[/numbered] [numbered title="Chinatown Complex Food Center" pill="200+ stalls"]Considered the biggest hawker center of its kind in Singapore, with more than 200 stalls to choose from. Incredibly affordable and genuinely unmissable.[/numbered]Maxwell Food Center
The Maxwell Food Center is a legendary location in its own right — it has played host to internationally recognised chefs and gained a superb reputation for some of the tastiest chicken rice dishes in the city. You'll find it in Singapore's Chinatown district, with some stalls opening all the way up to 10pm for late eats.
Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat is the place to go if you're looking for char kway teow, wanton noodle, satay, and much more. It's replete with Michelin-adjacent brands and prides itself on an international approach to hawker center culture. With more than 70 different stalls and vendors to sample, it's considered the most-awarded hawker market of its kind in Singapore.
Tiong Bahru Market
Found in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, this market and hawker mix is open until late. Head here to try varieties of curry rice, bao, fried fish, and much more. Like Lau Pa Sat, it has Michelin connections and tends to get busy from the afternoon onwards.
Old Airport Road Food Center
The Old Airport Road Food Center has been around for decades and has spent the years since building up a fantastic array of recognisable stall holders and tasty specialties. Be sure to check out the likes of Famous Kallang Airport Fried Oyster and Western Barbeque — like other centers on this list, there's a superb blend of international inspiration combined with years of trading experience.
Chinatown Complex Food Center
Stay in Chinatown and you'll find the Chinatown Complex Food Center — considered the biggest hawker center of its kind in Singapore. With more than 200 different stalls to choose from, save plenty of room and prepare to be surprised by just how affordable the well-loved dishes are.
Must try dishes at hawker centers
If you're hungry to try hawker centers but aren't sure what to order first, here's a quick rundown of what we recommend.
- Satay — skewered, sweet meat with a peanut kick.
- Hainanese chicken rice — a delicious poached chicken dish infused with broth.
- Carrot cake — specifically, fried, with egg and radish (not a dessert!).
- Murtabak — stuffed flatbreads, often filled with spiced meat or egg.
- Chwee kueh — steamed rice cakes with savoury radish toppings.
- Bak chor mee — egg noodles served with minced meat and chilli.
Best time to visit hawker centers
Many hawker centers open as late as 10pm to 11pm, but that doesn't guarantee that all stalls within will stay open until closing time. Based on personal experience and guidance from expert travellers, the best time to visit is as early in the day as possible — making a beeline for breakfast is genuinely the best approach.
[tip title="Check reviews before you go"]Stall hours and availability can vary. Keep track of reviews and advice on social media, Google business listings, and TripAdvisor before each visit — and check out our Singapore apps guide for the best tools to plan your routes ahead of time.[/tip] [esim flag="🇸🇬" label="Singapore" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£10" href="/products/singapore" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected while you explore Singapore's hawker scene[/esim]Singapore food tips for travellers
If you're new to exploring Singapore in general and not just the hawker centers, here are a few food tips worth keeping in mind before you start eating your way around the city.
[tip title="Use chope to reserve your table"]To secure a seat at a busy hawker center, place a small personal item — a pack of tissues is the classic choice — on the table or chair. This is called "chope," and it is a widely respected local system. If a seat has an item on it, it is taken. Always respect this custom and use it yourself.[/tip] [tip title="Carry cash for hawker stalls"]Not all hawker vendors accept international cards or mobile payments. Always carry cash in Singapore dollars so you're never caught short when you find a stall you want to try.[/tip] [tip title="Tap water is safe in Singapore"]Unlike many Asian destinations, tap water in Singapore is safe to drink. Save money on bottled water by drinking from the tap — particularly useful when you're working your way through a long afternoon of hawker eating.[/tip] [tip title="Dietary options are widely available"]There are plenty of stalls and vendors across the best hawker centers that cater to halal, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Don't feel awkward about asking stall holders what options are available — most will be happy to help.[/tip] [faq] [q]What is a hawker center in Singapore?[/q] [a]A hawker center is an open-air or covered complex housing multiple food stalls and vendors, each typically specialising in one or two traditional dishes. They are a cornerstone of Singaporean food culture — affordable, authentic, and busy with locals. Singapore has more than 100 hawker centers across the city, ranging from small neighbourhood markets to large complexes with hundreds of stalls.[/a] [q]What is the best hawker center in Singapore?[/q] [a]The Maxwell Food Center in Chinatown is widely considered one of the most famous, particularly for its chicken rice. Lau Pa Sat is the most awarded and has the highest concentration of Michelin-adjacent stalls. For sheer scale, the Chinatown Complex Food Center — with over 200 stalls — is hard to beat. The best choice depends on what you want to eat and which part of the city you are exploring.[/a] [q]What should I eat at a Singapore hawker center?[/q] [a]The must-try dishes include Hainanese chicken rice, satay skewers with peanut sauce, char kway teow (stir-fried noodles), murtabak (stuffed flatbreads), chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes), and bak chor mee (egg noodles with minced meat and chilli). Fried carrot cake — which is savoury rather than sweet — is also a hawker centre classic worth trying.[/a] [q]What is "chope" in Singapore?[/q] [a]Chope is the local practice of reserving a hawker center table by placing a small personal item on it — traditionally a packet of tissues. If a table or seat has an item on it, it is considered taken. This is a widely respected social norm in Singapore, and both locals and visitors are expected to follow it.[/a] [q]Is tap water safe to drink in Singapore?[/q] [a]Yes — tap water in Singapore is safe to drink and meets high quality standards. Unlike many other destinations in the region, you do not need to rely on bottled water. This can save you significant money over the course of a trip, particularly if you are spending long days exploring hawker centers.[/a] [q]Do hawker centers in Singapore accept card payments?[/q] [a]Card acceptance varies significantly between stalls. Many traditional vendors operate on a cash-only basis, while some newer stalls accept cards or mobile payments. Always carry Singapore dollars when visiting hawker centers to avoid being unable to pay at a stall you want to try.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇸🇬" label="Singapore" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£10" href="/products/singapore" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected while you explore Singapore's hawker scene[/esim]
