Established in 1973 and featuring a whopping 168 stalls, Old Airport Road Food Centre is one of the oldest and largest hawker centres in Singapore. Having been around for decades, it has had the time to collect a good number of well-known food stalls. Here, we highlight the best Old Airport Road Food Centre stalls to dine at before they close for upgrading works from 1 June to 30 September 2024.
Table of Contents
They close on random days, and when they are open, they sell out fast. So if you ever catch the stall with their shutter up, call it your lucky day and order their Hokkien Mee ($5/$8). Nam Sing Hokkien Mee uses thin bee hoon to absorb all the rich seafood stock, resulting in a drier but more flavourful and well-balanced dish. The choice of peanut oil over pork lard oil here also gives the noodles a more fragrant aroma than your average stall.
Read our Nam Sing Hokkien Mee review.
Unit number: #01-32
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am to 6pm
Nam Sing is not a halal-certified eatery.
Western Barbecue has been serving Hainanese-style Western food at Old Airport Food Centre since 1974! Try their Mixed Grill ($12), which comes with three different types of meat: pork, chicken, and even lamb! It is drenched in their house-made signature garlic sauce to provide a savoury kick. Otherwise, their Sirloin Steak ($12) is also highly popular and said to be tender and devoid of any rubbery texture.
Check out our review of Western Barbecue.
Unit number: #01-53
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Western Barbecue is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @myfooddiarysg
Rojak can be easily put together, but the key is to make sure every ingredient is prepared well. At Toa Payoh Rojak, the fruits are ripe enough to be sweet and tart, but not overly ripe to the point that they are mushy. In this rojak (from $3), the fried dough sticks are crispy and the prawn paste is thick enough to blend everything together. You can also choose to add cuttlefish ($2) or century eggs ($1) to enhance your rojak.
Unit number: #01-108
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm to 7pm
Tel: 6958 9380
Toa Payoh Rojak is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @makan.wiki.sg
Xin Dong Fang, also known as New Eastern Kim Tee, sells bak kwa, ngoh hiang and fried intestines. It might not look particularly inviting, but their Fried Intestines ($7) are a must-try. Braised ’til tender, the intestines are thoroughly cleaned and rid of any unpleasant smell. It is then deep fried to give it a crisp exterior, while the interior is juicy and almost buttery. A side of chilli helps to cut through the fat in this dish.
Unit number: #01-112
Opening hours: Thurs-Sun 7am to 6pm
New Eastern Kim Tee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Xin Mei Xiang serves arguably one of the best lor mee in town, drawing long queues and selling out fast. The Signature Lor Mee ($6/$8) is generously topped with flaky white fish instead of the usual deep-fried fish. The gravy, which is made with a combination of herbs, is savoury and has a thick consistency that lasts until the last drop. Add a spoonful of garlic for extra flavour!
Read our Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee review.
Unit number: #01-116
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 4pm
Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
This unique curry puff crust at Wang Wang is a result of hours of assembly by hand. Every day, the owner folds and rolls each curry puff to create this layered flaky crust. Needless to say, the Crispy Curry Puff ($1.60) is a definite must-try, but they also have other fillings such as Black Pepper Chicken ($1.80), Yam Paste ($1.60), and Sardine Puff ($1.60). The stall typically closes anytime between 5pm to 7pm, depending on how sales fare that day. Come down earlier to secure your goods!
Unit number: #01-126
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am to 7pm
Tel: 9090 7009
Wang Wang is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @xmen1177
Fried kway teow ($4/$5/$6) at Dong Ji is reminiscent of Penang-style char kway teow. Compared to the Singaporean version we’re familiar with, the kway teow here is drier and less sweet. Each plate of kway teow is painstakingly fried one at a time, and comes out savoury, slightly spicy and full of wok hei. The wait can be long, but it’s worth it.
Unit number: #01-138
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 8pm
Dong Ji is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @fuudum
This chee cheong fun at Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun beats those at fancy Chinese dim sum restaurants. At $2.50, you get ingredients such as prawns, char siew, or mushrooms, wrapped in an almost translucent rice roll, and drizzled with light soya sauce and sesame oil. For more unique versions, there’s also otah, century egg, scallop, and even pig liver chee cheong fun at $3.50.
Unit number: #01-155
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 8am to 2:30pm, Fri-Sun 8:30am to 7pm
Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun is not a halal-certified eatery.
Roast meat rice stalls in Singapore are a ubiquitous sight, but few do it like Roast Paradise. This popular unit often sports long queues for their treasure trove of KL-style roast meats, with recipes perfected by two cooks who travelled to Malaysia to learn how to properly barbecue sio bak and char siew. Try their Char Siew Rice ($4.50/$5.50), which comes with fatty, caramelised cuts of pork served with a side of buttered rice, cooked in pork oil. Don’t forget to add on some Roast Pork ($2.50), which comes with a shatteringly crisp crackling, and tender meat.
Read our Roast Paradise review.
Unit number: #01-121
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:30am to 6:30pm
Tel: 9786 7396
Roast Paradise is not a halal-certified eatery.
An OG in Singapore’s kway chap scene is To-Ricos Guo Shi, AKA Blanco Court 3rd Storey Kway Chap. Its many names aside, the stall serves up consistently delicious kway chap that has earned them regular spots on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. A Mixed Platter starts at $8 and gets you a variety of innards, as well as their thinly sliced braised pork belly, and a bowl of kway topped with aromatic fried shallots.
Unit number: #01-135
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 2:30pm
Tel: 8923 0892
To-Ricos Kway Chap is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @mehmehfoodventure
Seek respite from the sweltering heat in a bowl of chendol from Nyonya Chendol. Bowls start at $2 for the original, served without red beans, and go up to $2.50 for the bowl with red beans and sweet corn. They’re known to be generous with their gooey gula melaka syrup and ultra-creamy coconut milk. They also serve a Durian Chendol ($3.50) if you want to go all-out and indulge!
Unit number: #01-115
Opening hours: Daily 9:30am to 9:30pm
Nyonya Chendol is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @ahsa_sim
Another contender for the best lor mee in Old Airport Road Food Centre is Xiang Ji. Their Lor Mee ($3/$4/$5) consists of a flavourful gravy and a generous dollop of garlic to add oomph. Each bowl comes with ample portions of fish flakes and pork belly, as well as fish cakes for chew. While a long queue is often spotted in front of the stall, the queues move relatively quickly so you can get your food in no time.
Unit number: #01-81
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 7am to 3pm
Xiang Ji Lor Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @jamietan04
Hua Ji XO Fish Head Bee Hoon serves fish soup that’s a cut above thanks to its collagen-rich soup that achieves its milkiness from the slow-boiling of fish bones for a minimum of six hours. Choose from their signature Hua Ji Fish Head Soup ($7), Fried Fish Soup ($7), or Sliced Fish Soup ($6). Carbs such as plain rice and thick and thin bee hoon start at $0.50.
Unit number: #01-118
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 12:30pm to 9pm
Hua Ji XO Fish Head Bee Hoon is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Jenson Neo
This orh luak stall is as famous as it claims, as many fans will travel down to Old Airport Road Food Centre for their oyster omelette. At $6, you get an eggy omelette studded with bits of starch, and charred, crispy pieces of egg together with fresh and plump oysters. There’s also Fried Prawn Omelette and Fried Sotong Omelette, with prices for both starting from $6. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also opt for the 3-in-1, which consists of a combination of oysters, prawns, and sotong. Prices start at $10 for this.
Unit number: #01-101
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 11am to 2pm, 5:30pm to 9pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 9pm
Famous Old Aiport Fried Oyster is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @tame_bunny
Qiu Rong Ban Mian used to be located in Roxy Square, but has since moved to Old Airport Road. Run by a couple, they’ve been in the business for over two decades now, selling ban mian prepared with hand-made noodles. Their Sliced Fish Ban Mian ($5) is a bestseller and comes with a sweet, peppery soup, as well as slurpable noodles. Another favourite here is their Chicken Mee Sua in Red Wine ($5), a comforting Cantonese classic.
Unit number: #01-64
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 4pm
Tel: 9739 8618
Qiu Rong Ban Mian is not a halal-certified eatery.
J&J Special Beef Noodle is not your average beef noodle stall. Their signature Braised Beef Noodle (from $7) sees slow-braised beef cheek flavoured with a sweet sauce akin to teriyaki, then served with kway teow noodles in a moreish gravy. If you feel like splurging, the stall also has a Wagyu Beef Soup Noodle ($12), and Wagyu Beef Rice ($12), which both use tender, fatty cuts of Wagyu for added flavour.
Read our J&J Special Beef Noodle review.
Unit number: #01-162
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:30am to 4pm
Tel: 9862 7592
J&J Special Beef Noodle is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: SayYoung
Siam Cuisine is a Muslim-owned stall serving a variety of Thai dishes. Try their ‘customer choice’ Thai Yellow Curry Chicken with Tumeric rice ($5.50) that comprise potato chunks and tender chicken pieces in a piquant yellow curry. Otherwise, opt for their Thai Basil Chicken Rice ($5.50) which is cooked with fish sauce and chilli padi for a slightly spicy kick. The Thai Omelette ($3) is also suitable for sharing with you and your dining companions.
Unit number: #01-65
Opening hours: NA
Siam Cuisine is a halal-certified eatery.
Munchi Pancakes is a well-known franchise across Singapore selling min jiang kueh with various fillings. Prices start at $1.60 for their peanut, coconut, and red bean filling, while their black sesame and biscoff flavours are priced at $2 and $2.50 respectively. They also have Munchi Pancakes starting at $1.80, and flavours include peanut, cream cheese, and even Belgian chocolate.
Unit number: #01-150
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 5pm
Tel:8312 6203
Munchi Pancakes Signature is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @maikeru55san
Chinese-owned Mama Recipe Briyani Rice is famous for its affordable Chicken Briyani (from $3) and Ayam Masak Merah AKA stir-fried chicken in a sweet and savoury tomato sauce (from $3). The meats are slow-cooked in a spice-forward gravy, served atop perfumed basmati rice. Do add on a serving of their house-made vegetable curry ($1.50), to round off the meal.
Unit number: #01-18
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 11am to 8pm
Mama Recipe Briyani Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @cweizhi
Toast Hut serves up traditional Kaya Butter ($2) sets and other breakfast dishes such as the savoury Tuna and Ham & Egg sandwiches ($2.50) and their signature Giant Bun ($1.60). They also have your typical drinks including Kopi and Teh (from $1.10), as well as Yuan Yang (from $1.30).
Unit number: #01-52
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6:30am to 12:30pm
Tel: 8125 7729
Toast Hut is not a halal-certified eatery.
The founders of Roast Paradise are the brains behind modern bak chor mee stall, Minced Pork Bros. Here, expect levelled-up renditions of bak chor mee, from their Seafood Minced Pork Noodles ($6), which comes with prawn, scallops, ikura, pork slices, fish dumpling, and a hanjuku egg. If you like your BCM soupy, we recommend the Signature Mee Pok Ta with Signature Soup ($5.50), which comes with handmade fish dumplings, and a sweet seafood broth.
Read our Minced Pork Bros review.
Unit number: #01-113
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 5:30pm
Tel: 9786 7396
Minced Pork Bros is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @bite.on.bike
Barbequed chicken wings are a shiok hawker dish to enjoy as a side, especially when you’re also knocking back cold beers. Have your fix from Tong Kee Charcoal BBQ, which grills its chicken wings over charcoal till the skin is nicely charred. Prices start at $1.50 apiece, with a minimum order of 2 pieces. Don’t skip on their house-made chilli sauce, which is garlicky and zesty with lime juice.
Unit number: #01-24
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 4pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 10pm
Tel: 9669 3342
Tong Kee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @macadish
Tau huey fans can enjoy beancurd desserts served with a variety of toppings at Whampoa Soya Bean, from Tau Huey with Grass Jelly ($2), to Lotus Seeds ($3). The beancurd is made in-house, and the stall also sells freshly made soya bean milk. If beancurd isn’t up your alley, try their Five Grain Nutritious Meal ($3) that is said to be packed with health benefits.
Unit number: #01-68
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 8pm
Whampoa Soya Bean is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: OCS
Whitely Road Prawn Noodle has been a household name amongst many Singaporeans for its hearty broth, generous servings of prawns, and the addition of pork ribs. The Big Prawn Pork Rib Noodles (from $5.50) seem to be the most popular since you get the best of both worlds. Opt for the Big Prawn Delights ($15) as this plate comes with five humongous tiger prawns, perfect to share!
Unit number: #01-98
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am to 8pm
Whitely Road Prawn Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @salt.singapore
SALT puts a twist on the usual hawker Western food stall format with a menu that focuses on chicken, served atop rice or pasta. Their Signature Chicken Cutlet with Soy Garlic Fried Rice ($7.50/$8.90) is a must-try, as the dish comes with a hefty chicken cutlet fried till golden brown, served atop Japanese-style fried rice. If pasta is what you prefer, try their Sous Vide Grilled Aglio Olio ($6.50/$7.90). The ultra-juicy chicken and the slightly spicy aglio olio are a match made in heaven.
Unit number: #01-128
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 8:30pm, Sat 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 8:30pm
Tel: 8882 7258
SALT is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Samantha Han
Unlike your typical wonton mee stalls, Cho Kee Noodles offer customers a variety of noodles to choose from, such as spinach, tomato, seaweed, beetroot, egg, mee pok, kuay teow kia, and whole grain noodles.. Try the Fried Wanton Noodles ($5.50/$6.50) which come with char siew slices, three fried dumplings, two steamed wontons, leafy vegetables, and green chilli. Besides wonton noodles, they also have Chicken Feet Noodles and Mushroom Noodles, priced at $4.50 for small and $5.50 for big.
Unit number: #01-04
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 6:30pm to 9pm
Cho Kee Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery.
Rong Yi Local Handmade Pau is a well-known stall amongst frequent patrons of Old Airport Road Food Centre. They’re known for their Big Pau ($2), which comprises pork meat with an egg in the middle. Besides your typical meaty pau, they also have Coffee Pau ($1) and Corn Pau ($1)! Dim sum such as Siew Mai ($1.30) and Har Gao ($1.50) are also available if you’re looking for a light snack!
Unit number: #01-01
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 4pm
Rong Yi Local Handmade Pau is not a halal-certified eatery.
Touted by many as one of the best seafood soup stalls in Singapore with a rich 30-year history, Yan Ji Seafood Soup has brought its umami-rich broth to Old Airport Road Food Centre. Priced at $7.50, the Signature Seafood Soup contains shrimp, dory fish, and meatballs that are simmered in its rich broth. If you’re feeling something more luxurious, get the Premium Seafood Soup ($32) that has all the above mentioned ingredients as well as crayfish tails, scallops, and abalone.
Read our Yan Ji Seafood Soup review.
Unit number: #01-152
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 8:30pm
Yan Ji Seafood Soup is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: JuzChrisL
Bai Nian Niang Dou Fu is a Hakka-style yong tau foo stall, serving bite-sized ingredients. What’s interesting is that there is only one item on the menu: each bowl costs $5.90 and comes with bee hoon, meatballs, prawn balls, bitter gourd, and fried beancurd items immersed in a soybean and anchovy broth. You can opt to get the set meal at $7.90, which comes with two sides, a golden roll and a chicken wing.
Unit number: #01-154
Opening hours: TBD
Bai Nian Niang Dou Fu is not a halal-certified eatery.
Opened by a CEO-turned-chef, Wooga Bimbowl And Kalguksu aims to provide affordable Korean-Chinese fusion cuisine to the masses. Their signature item is the Yoo-ni Jjajang Myeon ($6.50), boasting a thick, “secret recipe” black bean sauce with minced meat. There is a slight wok hey taste which sets this apart from other counterparts. If jjajangmyeon is not for you, try their Spicy Lala Kalguksu ($8), also known as spicy clams with knife-cut noodles. The clams are imported directly from Korea, so they are guaranteed fresh!
Read our Wooga Bimbowl And Kalguksu review.
Unit number: #01-84
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 8pm
Wooga Bimbowl And Kalguksu is not a halal-certified eatery.
In case you’re wondering where the “old airport” in Old Airport Road is, the name is about Kallang Airport, Singapore’s first civilian airport. The road was actually part of a runway and the hawker centre was built beside it. Thank goodness we ended up moving the airport to Changi, because we’d otherwise be bereft of this hawker centre.
For other East-side eats, check out our Katong and Joo Chiat food guide! If you’re in the mood for gourmet burgers, read our NBCB Katong review.
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