Tampines hawker food
We’ve long heard of the debate on which side of Singapore has the best food. To add fuel to this very entertaining fire, we’ve found 28 hidden Tampines hawker food gems to help East-siders prove their point, in addition to these Tampines cafes.
Whether or not the East side is really the best side, we’ll definitely be willing to travel across the island for these delicious Tampines hawker food.
Table of Contents
1. Mentai-Ya
First on the list is Mentai-Ya, which is perfect for mentaiko lovers who want to satisfy their cravings without breaking the bank. Here, you’ll find mentaiko don priced from below $10, with bestsellers Salmon Mentai Don ($9.80) and Chicken Mentai Don ($8.80) featuring generous amounts of the umami sauce.
Address: 602B Tampines Avenue 9, #01-01, Stall 5, Happy Hawkers, Singapore 522602
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 8:30pm
Tel: 8188 8628
Website
Mentai-Ya is not a halal-certified eatery.
2. Old World Bakuteh
Originating from a coffee shop in Yishun is Old World Bakuteh, which has an outlet in Tampines. They’re famed for their Mixed Pig’s Organ Fried Porridge ($6), a wok hei-laden affair, peppered with chewy offal within. While you’re here, be sure to try the Sliced Pork Braised Mee Sua ($6) too. As they are primarily a bak kut teh stall, their peppery, Teochew-style Pork Ribs Soup ($7) is also not to be missed out on.
Read our Old World Bakuteh review!
Address: 1 Tampines North Drive, #01-34, T-Space, Singapore 528559
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am to 8:30pm
Tel: 9388 5288
Website
Old World Bakuteh is not a halal-certified eatery.
Old World Bakuteh Review: Teochew Bak Kut Teh With Fried Porridge And Dry Mee Sua At Yishun
3. Ho Yun Tim Sum
Ho Yun Tim Sum is run by an ex-hotel chef from Hong Kong, so you know the dim sum here is legit. Here, crowd favourites include the Prawn Chee Cheong Fun, with silky rice rolls encasing juicy prawns, and a thick, comforting bowl of Century Egg Lean Pork Porridge ($3), all priced under $5. You can also get a basket of deep-fried goodies, with four pieces going for $3.80, including Yam Fritter ($1) and Fried Spring Roll ($1).
Read our Ho Yun Tim Sum review!
Address: Blk 419, Tampines Street 41, #01-80, Singapore 520419
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7am to 7pm
Ho Yun Tim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
Ho Yun Tim Sum Review: Handmade Dim Sum By Ex-Hotel Chef From Hong Kong At Tampines
4. Chai Chee Pork Porridge
Image credit: @ck.sg_food
To warm your tummy, head down to Chai Chee Pork Porridge at Tampines Round Market & Food Centre for some Pork Porridge ($4), which is said to have a thick, smooth, and creamy texture. For the perfect bite, be sure to pair it with the chunks of crispy you tiao. You can also add an egg at an additional $0.50.
If you’re not a fan of pork, you can go for the Chicken Porridge ($4), Cuttlefish Porridge ($4), or Fish Porridge ($5) too.
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-39 Round Market & Food Centre, Singapore 522137
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 8:30pm
Tel: 8188 8628
Website
Chai Chee Pork Porridge is not a halal-certified eatery.
5. Nasi Lemak Specialist
Image credit: @lickscreenfortaste
If you’re craving for nasi lemak, head down to Nasi Lemak Specialist. Here, a plate of coconut-flavoured basmati rice, served with ikan bilis, peanuts, otah, chicken wing, bergedil, and an egg, for only $5.50. Nasi lemak aside, they also have a selection of Malay dishes, including Lontong ($3.50) and Mee Rebus ($3.50).
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-14, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 7:30am to 1pm, Sun 7:30am to 12pm
Tel: 8233 6101
Website
Nasi Lemak Specialist is a Muslim-owned eatery.
6. Fu Yuan Teochew Bak Chor Mee
Image credit: Chan FC on Google Maps
Fu Yuan Teochew Bak Chor Mee will do the trick whenever you need a satisfying bowl of bak chor mee. This hawker food stall occupies a small section of a Tampines kopitiam, and serves Teochew-style BCM with mee pok and handmade dumplings. Teochew Bak Chor Mee ($4.50) includes sliced pork, liver, minced meat, meatballs and a full-flavoured soup. Plus, the dish is dressed in an addictive and fiery chilli sauce that has a hint of sweetness to it.
Address: 201C Tampines Street 21, Singapore 523201
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 5:30am to 3pm
Fu Yuan Teochew Bak Chor Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
7. Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee
Image credit: @monkeymiafoody
Located at Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee serves some of the finest Sarawak hawker cuisine. They’re known for their signature Sarawak kolo mee, and they also offer wonton mee, spare ribs noodles, and chicken feet noodles.
Their Signature Sarawak Kolo Mee Set (from $5) is topped with generous amounts of fried and boiled wonton, char siew, and thick pieces of tender braised pork. As for the noodles, they are said to be QQ and packed with flavour.
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-45, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Daily 6am to 3pm
Tel: 9866 2244
Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Song Han Carrot Cake
Image credit: S W Oon on Google Maps
Song Han Carrot Cake serves traditional handmade carrot cake that’s cooked with curry powder, resulting in a special blend of fried goodness. The curry taste is not overpowering or spicy, which gives the dish extra flavour. The Curry Powder Carrot Cake ($2/3/4) is available in both black and white versions. The latter comes with a generous serving of small prawns. It usually gets sold out pretty early, so don’t be late!
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-07, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Tue, Fri-Sun 6am to 12pm
Song Han Carrot Cake is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Al Mahboob Indian Rojak
Located four minutes away from Tampines MRT Station, Al Mahboob Indian Rojak has a variety of freshly prepared rojak ingredient choices lined up on the front of its counter. You’ll find rojak ingredients made from scratch, such as handmade dough balls and prawn fritters, ngoh hiang, tofu, and fishcakes. All these are fried before being garnished with sliced onion and cucumber.
Let’s not forget their highly addictive Indian rojak sauce which has a nice balance of sweet, spicy and savoury flavours. Prices here range from around $3.50 to $10 per head, and you can definitely pick enough ingredients to fill you up.
Read our Al Mahboob Indian Rojak review!
Address: 300 Tampines Avenue 5, #01-02, NTUC Income @ Tampines Junction, Singapore 529653
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 8pm
Tel: 6788 2257
Al Mahboob Indian Rojak is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Al Mahboob Rojak Review: Indian Rojak Stall In Tampines With More Than 30 Ingredients
10. 137 Lor Mee Prawn Mee
Image credit: Celeste Tan
Located just two stalls away from Song Han Carrot Cake, 137 Lor Mee Prawn Mee is popular for their lor mee and prawn noodles. Their Signature Lor Mee starts at $3, comprising a bowl of thick yellow noodles and gravy, topped with a generous portion of fried fish, fish fillet, and egg. The sauce is thick and fragrant with lots of garlic, without being overpowering.
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-09, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm
137 Lor Mee Prawn Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Mui Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice
Those living near Tampines Street 21 will be familiar with Mui Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice, which always has long snaking queues on weekends. Besides serving a mean plate of chicken rice, this stall also specialises in char siew rice, which has a sweet and smoky finish. Each dish sets you back at around $3 to $4. Patrons also recommend visiting the stall early as they are usually sold out by 12pm!
Address: 264 Tampines Street 21, Singapore 520264
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 3pm
Mui Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
10 Best Chicken Rice In Singapore Ranked, Including Tian Tian And Boon Tong Kee
12. Soi Thai Kitchen
Image credit: @thetrickortreat
Soi Thai Kitchen has a similar concept to Nakhon Kitchen, serving Thai dishes at wallet-friendly prices. These include the Beef Paneang ($15.90) with melt-in-the-mouth stewed beef, and Thai Yellow Ginger Chicken ($12.90), flavoured with lime and ginger. A meal for two here can cost less than $25 for three dishes, so pop by if you’re up for some cheap Thai food! What’s more, they’re open till late, making for a good supper option.
Address: 824 Tampines Street 81, #01-28, Singapore 520824
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2.15pm, 5:30pm to 1:30am
Tel: 6784 2421
Soi Thai Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.
13. Tokyo Western Food
Image credit: Eatify SG on Google Maps
Tokyo Western Food serves up a feisty selection of Western cuisine, with the usual fare of Chicken Chop ($6.50) and Pork Chop ($7). One thing you can be sure of is the quality of the meat, which is well-marinated, and served with generous portions of fries, baked beans and toast. It’s hidden in a kopitiam at Tampines Street 81, so keep an eye out for it if you’re in the area.
Address: 823A Tampines Street 81, Singapore 521823
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 12pm to 9pm
Tel: 9351 3077
Website
Tokyo Western Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
14. Jin Hock Seafood
Most East-siders would be familiar with Jin Hock Seafood, especially for their much loved White Bee Hoon ($5.50). Expect a generous portion of seafood such as sliced cuttlefish and prawns, vegetables, eggs, and bee hoon, cooked in a flavourful broth. Aside from their White Bee Hoon, you can also order other common zi char dishes such as Minced Meat Beancurd ($12) and Ginger and Onion Sliced Fish ($15).
Read our full review of Jin Hock Seafood!
Address: 844 Tampines Street 82, #01-131, Singapore 520844
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 11pm
Tel: 6787 4255
Jin Hock Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Jin Hock Seafood Review: Deep-Fried Hor Fun At This Zi Char Stall At Tampines
15. Shun Shun Prawn Noodles
Image credit: Ah Liang jiakjiakjiak
Aside from a generous serving of prawns and fishcakes per bowl, Shun Shun Prawn Noodles’ namesake dish boasts a rich broth, priced at $5. A large portion of fried shallots also adds fragrance to the dish. If you prefer it to be a little spicier, add $0.50 to get the dry version, and request for chilli!
Address: 824 Tampines Street 81, #01-38, Singapore 520824
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 7am to 2pm
Shun Shun Prawn Noodle is not a halal-certified eatery.
16. Teo Kee Mushroom Minced Pork Noodle
Image credit: @keong8302
Although ‘mushroom minced pork noodle’ is in their name, Teo Kee Mushroom Minced Pork Noodle is best known for their Pork Ribs Noodles (from $4.50). The pork ribs are so tender that they easily yield to your chopsticks, letting you pull the meat clean off the bones. Coupled with the herbal five-spice noodles, this makes for a hearty breakfast bowl.
Their Mushroom Minced Meat Noodles (from $3.50) is a cleaner-tasting option, served with minced pork and braised shiitake mushrooms in a light sauce.
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, #01-05, Singapore 522137
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 6am to 2pm
Tel: 9780 4181
Teo Kee Mushrooom Minced Pork is not a halal-certified eatery.
17. Xing Ji 星记 Wanton Mee
Image credit: @yingyingeats
Xing Ji 星记 Wanton Mee serves up a delicious plate of Wanton Mee (from $4), which you can pair either with sambal or ketchup. The springly noodles absorb the sauce really well, and are complemented by the generous servings of char siew and handmade wonton.
Xing Ji is also known for their spicy Curry Chicken Noodle (from $4), which comes with tender chicken meat.
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, #01-35, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Mon, Thurs, Sat-Sun 6am to 12pm
Tel: 9822 9773
Website
Xing Ji 星记 Wanton Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
20 Best Wonton Mee In Singapore, Including XXL, Thai And Truffle Wanton Mee
18. Ri Ri Sheng Mala Pot
Image credit: @that_dex
If you’re in the mood for a bowl of spicy mala for lunch or dinner, head down to Ri Ri Sheng Mala Pot, where you can get a mala bowl for under $10! Be careful with the spiciness level that you choose though, as the xiao la here is strong enough to numb your mouth through and through.
Apart from mala, the stall also serves other Sichuan dishes on the side such as the Chong Qing Grilled Fish (from $20) that’s doused in piquant chilli oil and cooked over a portable stove.
Address: 823A Tampines Street 81, #01-02, Food Park, Singapore 521823
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 11:30am to 9pm
Ri Ri Sheng Mala Pot is not a halal-certified eatery.
10 Ma La Xiang Guo Spots All Over Singapore That Serves Ma La Worth Queuing For
19. Granny’s Pancake
Image credit: Vincentfoodstagram
Granny’s Pancake specialises in min jiang kueh which are baked on the spot. What you get is a tender, piping hot pancake that’s packed generously with the filling of your choice: peanut, coconut, red bean, or peanut butter. Each pancake costs as low as $1.20, making this a wallet-friendly snack too.
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-148, Kim San Leng Kopitiam, Singapore 521138
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7:30am to 5pm
Tel: 9853 3533
Granny’s Pancake is not a halal-certified eatery.
10 Min Jiang Kueh Stalls To Check Out For Black Sesame MJK, Taro Pancake And More
20. Rajarani Thosai
Image credit: Kelly Chong on Google Maps
For a meal that makes you feel less guilty, head down to Rajarani Thosai, which uses less oil in their thosai. Their Plain Thosai ($2.50) has crispy edges and a smooth centre that’s tender and moist even after being taken off the skillet. Other flavours of thosai are also available, such as Egg ($3), Onion ($3), and Butter Onion ($3.50).
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-33, Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 7am to 1:30pm
Rajarani is not a halal-certified eatery.
21. L32 Handmade Noodles
The original outlet is located in Geylang, but L32 Handmade Noodles also has a branch at Tampines Central where you can find their signature Mee Hoon Kway ($4.80). Cooked in a robust and savoury broth, the thick and chewy flat noodles come paired with meat of your choice, such as minced pork, chicken, prawns, and fish balls. House-made chilli sauce is served on the side, for a spicy kick.
You can also opt for their you mian option. A dry version of the Mee Hoon Kway is available too, with the noodles doused in a savoury dark sauce, with an accompanying bowl of soup.
Check out our L32 Handmade Noodles review!
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, #05-05, Tampines 1 Kopitiam, Singapore 529536
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
L32 Handmade Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery.
L32 Handmade Noodles Review: Handmade Seafood Ban Mian With Long Queues At Geylang
22. Hai Chang Fish Head Steamboat
Image credit: @thegeniejournal
Hai Chang Fish Head Steamboat serves Teochew-style fish head steamboat that’s heated with charcoal instead of gas, AKA the traditional way.
These steamboats are packed with fried fish fins, Chinese yam, Napa cabbage, and fish. You can choose from three types of fish: Sea Bream, Red Snapper, and Pomfret. Prices start from around $15, depending on what type of fish you order. They are served in thick slices, which ensures that they remain intact even after being cooked in the steamboat.
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-03, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5:30pm to 9pm
Tel: 9663 7994
Website
Hai Chang Fish Head Steamboat is not a halal-certified eatery.
23. Botak Cantonese Porridge
Formerly known as Botak Delicacy, Botak Cantonese Porridge is where you can find yourself a comforting bowl of Cantonese congee, starting with their Minced Pork Century Egg Porridge ($3.80). Unlike other stores that use century egg as a garnish, Botak Cantonese Porridge incorporates it into the cooking process, giving the congee a velvety smooth texture. This also imbues the congee with a well-rounded aroma, along with an irresistible medley of flavours.
They also whip up a great bowl of Sliced Fish Porridge ($4.50) that’s made with fresh Batang fish.
Read our full review of Botak Cantonese Porridge!
Address: 1 Tampines Avenue, #01-65, The Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 10:30pm
Tel: 9021 8211
Botak Cantonese Porridge is not a halal-certified eatery.
Botak Delicacy Review: Must-Try Cantonese Pork Congee By A 21-Year-Old At Tampines
24. Yi Le Shu Shi
Image credit: @allsgoodfood
There’s nothing like economic bee hoon to start your day right, and you can get this local breakfast fix at Yi Le Shu Shi. A plate of bee hoon starts at $1, and you can load it with ingredients such as fried egg, fish fillet, and sausage. They also have a selection of kueh available, including the pink-hued Rice Cake ($1), AKA png kueh, or Soon Kueh ($1), packed with turnip and dried shrimp.
Address: 137A Tampines Street 11, #01-10, Tampines Round Market Food Centre, Singapore 522137
Yi Le Shu Shi is not a halal-certified eatery.
25. House of Dessert 甜品之家
If you’re bored of the usual BBTs, try the traditional desserts at House of Dessert 甜品之家. Their Tau Suan ($1.70) comes highly recommended; the beans are steamed just right to ensure that they have a chewy texture when bitten into. There’s also Bubor Pulut Hitam ($1.70), a rich black glutinous rice dessert topped with coconut milk.
Read our House of Dessert review!
Address: 137 Tampines Street 11, #01-21, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, Singapore 521137
Opening hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 7am to 1pm
House of Dessert 甜品之家. Is not a halal-certified eatery.
26. O’Braim Express
Image credit: O’Braim Express
If you’re not a fan of traditional desserts, here’s something that might entice you: the Pisang Goreng Choco Cheese ($5), AKA fried banana fritters, at O’Braim Express, topped with heaps of shredded cheese and chocolate rice sprinkles.
Fans of the stall go bananas for the wide variety of goreng pisang flavours available, such as Strawberry Cheesecake ($5), Rocher ($6), Coconut Heaven ($5), and Cookies & Cream ($5).
Address: 1 Tampines Walk, #01-60, The Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 528523
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 9pm
Website
O’Braim Express is a Muslim-owned eatery.
27. Im Thai Kitchen
For more affordable Thai food, check out Im Thai Kitchen, a hawker stall that serves legit Thai food in generous portions. While we previously reviewed them for their Giant Phad Kapao ($15.90), AKA XXL Thai basil chicken rice, you’ll be delighted to find other familiar Thai dishes such as mookata and tom yum in such massive portions too.
The Tom Yum Mama comes highly recommended for its sweet, tangy, and tantalising broth. This will set you back by $22 and it serves three to four people.
Read our full review of Im Thai Kitchen.
Address: 495 Tampines Avenue 5, #01-40, The Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10:30pm
Tel: 9224 5992
Website
Im Thai Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.
Im Thai Kitchen Review: Cheap XXL Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Rice And Omelette At Sengkang
28. Lawa Bintang
Indulge in atas nasi lemak at Lawa Bintang, a stall that uses premium ingredients such as lobster, soft shell crab, barramundi, and more! This family-owned hawker stall is tucked away in Tampines Industrial Park, and garners long queues each day, especially on the weekend.
If you decide to visit, it’s either go big or go home—we recommend going straight for the Lobster Nasi Lemak. At $22, you’ll get a large lobster slathered in cheese, a sunny side-up, sambal sauce, crispy anchovies, and peanuts. If that’s too much, the Sotong Nasi Lemak ($7.50) is worth a shot, as it stars a huge slab of squid in a golden brown batter that’s dusted with spices.
Address: 9008 Tampines Street 93, Tampines Industrial Park A, Singapore 528843
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am to 2pm
Tel: 9681 1073
Website
Lawa Bintang is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Lawa Bintang Review: Cheese Lobster Nasi Lemak Found In A Kopitiam
Tampines hawker food you must try
With so much good food in Tampines, we can understand why the area is perpetually crowded. Westies, now might be the time to pay a visit to the East for these Tampines hawker food gems before the rest of Singapore finds out!
For more food guides in the East, check out our Changi Village food guide, for white beehoon and ipoh hor fun. There’s also our guide for cafes in Katong, including foie gras pasta and pancake stacks.
15 Changi Village Food Places For XL White Beehoon, Ipoh Hor Fun And More
Feature image adapted from @ck.sg_food AlexanderEGreat on Google Maps
This post was originally published on 14 October 2016.
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
