Chinatown Singapore food guide
Since young, a trip down to Chinatown would mean shopping for Chinese New Year goodies and decorations. However, with more and more food gems appearing in Chinatown, heading there for Chinese New Year shopping is no longer my only purpose. Here are our 25 best Chinatown food gems worth a visit the next time you’re in the area.
Table of Contents
Hawkers
1. You Fu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle
Fans of hokkien mee would know of You Fu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle, a popular stall with loyal customers who return time and time for their wok hei-infused noodles. Here, a plate of hokkien mee comes in three different sizes, priced at $5, $7, and $9 depending on how much you get. You can also add more ingredients to your liking, such as a Stir Fried Egg ($0.70) and more noodles for an extra $1.
Read our You Fu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle feature.
Address: 335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex, #02-186, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am to 8pm
You Fu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle is not a halal-certified eatery.
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2. The $2.50 Shop
The $2.50 Shop is located slightly outside Chinatown, near Havelock, but they’re worth a mention. The stall offers exactly what its name suggests—you get a variety of meals priced at just $2.50 here. We tried the Mee Rebus ($2.50), featuring yellow noodles drenched in a sweet-savoury gravy that had a bit of a kick. The noodles came topped with a boiled egg, some fried shallots, and sliced green chilli. Other options for the same price include their Mee Soto, Nasi Goreng, and Bakso!
Read our The $2.50 Shop feature.Â
Address: 1 Jalan Kukoh, #01-16, Singapore 161001
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 4:30am to 1:30pm
Tel: 9097 2420
The $2.50 Shop is not a halal-certified eatery.
3. Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee
Tucked away at Hong Lim Food Centre, Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee uses a three-generation-old family recipe that’s been constantly refined until today, resulting in a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more.
Their Curry Chicken Noodle ($6) is good comfort food, with their tasty broth accompanied by large pieces of chicken breast making for a hearty combination. For those craving a larger portion, their $9 version has a bigger serving, together with the option to choose your favourite chicken parts too.
Read our Heng Kee Curry Chicken review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #01-58, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 510531
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am to 3:30pm
Website
Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Heng Kee Curry Chicken Review: Famous Old-School Curry Noodles With Over 50 Years Of History
4. Dong Fang Hong Sotong Ball Seafood Soup
Dong Fang Hong Sotong Ball Seafood Soup in Hong Lim Food Centre is among the few fishball noodle stalls left that make their fish balls from scratch. Despite having only a single item on their menu, they’ve steadily become a perennial favourite in the area, patronised mostly by office workers.Â
The Large Sotong Ball Seafood Soup ($7.50) comes packed with ingredients like their handmade fish, meat, and sotong balls, with fish dumplings too, making for a scrumptious affair.
Read our Dong Fang Hong Sotong Ball Seafood Soup review.
Address: Blk 531A Upper Cross Street, #01-47, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Tue-Wed 11am to 2:15pm
Website
Dong Fang Hong Sotong Ball Seafood Soup is not a halal-certified eatery.
5. Tang Kay Kee Fish Head Bee Hoon
Hawker stall Tang Kay Kee‘s modern lunch concept at Hong Lim Food Centre serves up delicious rice bowls that are hearty yet affordable. An all-time favourite is their Har Cheong Gai Rice Bowl ($7), which stars house-marinated prawn paste chicken chunks lightly glazed with a tangy chilli sauce. There’s also a Slow Cooked Spicy Braised Pork Belly ($7), featuring pork belly that’s marinated in a house-made rempah, finished with crispy enoki and a perfectly poached egg.
Read our Tang Kay Kee review.
Unit number: #01-70
Opening hours: Mon 11am to 3pm, Tue-Fri 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9:30pm, Sat 5pm to 9:30pm, Sun 4:30pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 8157 2641
Website
Tang Kay Kee Fish Head Bee Hoon is not a halal-certified eatery.
6. Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee
Those who frequent Hong Lim Complex would be familiar with Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee, a Michelin-approved stall that’s been around for more than 50 years. Get the only item on the menu, the Curry Chicken Mee ($6.50/$7.50/$8.50), starring your choice of noodles with tender poached chicken slices, doused in a rich and creamy curry gravy. The zhup is spicy enough, but if you want more kick, mix in some of their house-made shrimp- and garlic chilli for extra oomph.
Read our Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-58, Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Daily 8:45am to 9pm
Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee Review: Michelin-Approved Curry Noodles In Chinatown
7. Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls
Head to Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls for restaurant-quality rippled chee cheong fun. Go for the Plain ($3.20), which comes drizzled with soya sauce and topped with toasted white sesame seeds, crispy shallots, and shallot oil. For a more filling meal, also order the Pork & Century Egg Congee ($5) or Watercress and Fish Congee ($6.50).
Read our Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls review.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-096, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 6:30am to 12pm
Website
Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Eddy’sÂ
If you’re craving Western cuisine, head on down to Eddy’s, where Chef Eddy offers Western-Asian fusion food in a hawker setting. The Duck Confit ($12) is a dish that is not commonly seen at a hawker stall. The tender duck has a mild, salty-spicy flavour, and is paired with your choice of either aglio olio or mashed potato. Alternatively, get the Mala Shrimp Spaghetti ($10.50), which features a blend of salty and spicy mala flavours, and a hint of Sichuan peppercorn for a numbing sensation.Â
Read our Eddy’s review.
Address: 538 Upper Cross Street, #02-13, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 050538
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 2pm
Website
Eddy’s is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Whampoa Soya Bean
Whampoa Soya Bean serves good ol’ tau huay to keep you cool in Singapore’s hot weather. They have affordable tau huay and grass jelly desserts with toppings, all priced under $3. The Yam Paste Beancurd ($2.20) comes with a generous amount of housemade tau huay and orh nee. If you’re a fan of grass jelly, try their Longan Grass Jelly ($2.20) or Attap Seed Grass Jelly ($2.20).
Read our Whampoa Soya Bean review.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-14, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sat 10am to 2pm
Whampoa Soya Bean is not a halal-certified eatery.
10. Xiang Xiang Cooked Food
Image credit: @WKB
For a quick bite, visit Xiang Xiang Cooked Food, which sells affordable old-school snacks that are made fresh daily. Their popular Fried Sweet Potato Ball ($1 for six) sell out pretty quickly, so you need to visit early if you wish to get a taste of it. Each ball features a crispy golden exterior and a mochi-like interior with a hint of sweetness from the sweet potatoes. Another classic snack is the Ondeh Ondeh ($2 for five), which has the iconic gooey gula melaka interior.Â
Read our Xiang Xiang Cooked Food feature.
Address: 335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex, #02-68, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6:30am to 11am, Sat 6:30am to 9:30am
Xiang Xiang Cooked Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Pretty Good MuffinsÂ
Pretty Good Muffins, a bakery located in Hong Lim Complex, went viral lately for their wallet-friendly matcha and delicious muffins. Their Matcha Latte ($4.80) not only costs half of what you pay at most cafes despite using premium Niko Neko matcha, but is also pretty good too!Â
As for their muffins, pick from flavours such as Apple ($1.50), Chocolate Kaya ($1.70), Matcha Strawberry ($2.50), and Seasalt Nutella ($1.80). Among those we tried, the Matcha Strawberry was a clear winner in our books, striking a perfect balance between bittersweet matcha and tart strawberry.Â
Check out our Pretty Good Muffins feature.Â
Address: 531 Upper Cross Street, #02-57B, Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 050531
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 5:30pm, Sat 11am to 3pm
Website
Pretty Good Muffins is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.Â
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12. 1030 Breakfast ShopÂ
You can get a delicious and cost-friendly Taiwanese breakfast spread at 1030 Breakfast Shop, located in Chinatown Complex. We tried several items here, but the ones we can strongly vouch for are their Taiwanese-style toasts which are all priced at just $2! There are three options: Black Sesame Toast, Chocolate Toast, and Kaya Butter Toast. If you want to stray away from the typical kaya toast, try their Black Sesame Toast which features a creamy and nutty black sesame paste.Â
If bread is not enough to fill you up, there’s also the Braised Pork Rice which is also priced at $2! Complete your meal with their moreish egg rolls with options such as Ham Cheese ($5) and Hashbrown Bacon ($6).Â
Check out our 1030 Breakfast Shop feature.Â
Address: 335 Smith Street. #02-215, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 7:30am to 2:30pm
Tel: 8797 1030
1030 Breakfast Shop is not a halal-certified eatery.
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13. Asian Makan Stall
Featuring a coconut-rich seafood broth, tender fishcake slices, briny cockles, and crispy tau pok, laksa is a beloved dish for a reason. Considering the time and effort that goes into the dish, however, it’s little wonder most laksa orders will set you back over $5. But don’t worry, as there are still cheaper options, thanks to stalls such as Asian Makanstall, which makes a great bowl for just $2!Â
Located in Chinatown Complex Food Centre, their well-loved Katong Laksa ($2) comes generously filled with ingredients despite its wallet-friendly cost. The broth was also delightfully fragrant and creamy, making for an ultra-delicious bowl of laksa.
Check out our The Asian Makanstall feature.Â
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-055, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2pm
Tel: 9100 1799
The Asian Makanstall is not a halal-certified eatery.
Restaurants
14. Lavi Taco
Tucked away in the corner of Pearl’s Hill Terrace is Lavi Taco, a vibey Mexican restaurant with an al fresco dining area. During our visit, we tried the Birria ($25), starring two pieces of quesabirria and a dipping sauce. Each tortilla shell was loaded with slow-cooked beef brisket and oxtail in a spicy broth, beautifully layered with melted cheese! Seafood lovers can opt for the Argentinian Prawn ($26) instead, which comes with flame-grilled Argentinian garlic prawns, Thai mango salad, chipotle mayonnaise, red cabbage and more.Â
Read our Lavi Taco review.Â
Address: 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #01-54, Singapore 168976
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Website
Lavi Taco is not a halal-certified eatery.
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15. Steamov
Steamov is one supper spot you can check out for its unique conveyor belt concept. Some of the soup bases offered include Tomato Pot, Herbal Duck Pot, and Sour Vegetable Fish Pot, and they set you back $5+ each. Each skewer or clipped item is priced at $1+, whereas bites on sticks with a flat end are priced at $3+. Also, meat lovers would be elated to know that there are Beef Rolls ($10+) and Lean Pork ($8+) available. To enjoy your hot pot session even more, pair your food with some of your own sauce concoctions at the sauce counter. Â
Read our Steamov review.
Address: 325 New Bridge Road, Singapore 088760
Opening hours: Daily 12am to 6am, 12pm to 12am
Tel: 9487 0508
Website
Steamov is not a halal-certified eatery.
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16. Kok Sen Restaurant
Kok Sen Restaurant, a restaurant that has been around for over 50 years, moved down the street to a grander-looking space some time ago. A stalwart in the scene and winner of the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024, the Cantonese zi char spot is most known for its hearty, wok hei-ladened dishes, including the signature Big Prawns Noodle Soup ($19), Big Prawns Horfun ($19), and Beef Hor Fun ($8.50). They’re an easy seven-minute walk from Chinatown MRT Station.Â
Read our Kok Sen Restaurant review.
Address: 4 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089112
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 2:45pm, 5pm to 9:45pm
Tel: 9727 2533
Website
Kok Sen is not a halal-certified eatery.
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17. Yum Cha
Yum Cha’s value-for-money Weekday Dim Sum Buffet ($32.80++), where you can try over 50 types of dim sum dishes, is probably what put it on our list of best dim sum places in Singapore. You can expect classics such as Traditional Ma Lai Gao, Xiao Long Bao, Baked Mini Egg Tarts and many more. A little more to the special side would be their Truffle Mushroom Bao and Chilled Mini Octopus with Sesame. Don’t forget to try their Home-made Almond Tea too!
Read our Yum Cha review.
Address: 20 Trengganu Street, #02-01, Singapore 058479
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10:30am to 9pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 9pm
Tel: 6372 1717
Website
Yum Cha is not a halal-certified eatery.
18. May Pho Culture
An authentic pho spot near the MRT is May Pho Culture, run by a Vietnamese native who’s from Ho Chi Minh city. Their Tenderloin Pho ($17.90) is a must-try; this hearty noodle dish comes with a savoury, well-balanced broth and perfectly cooked beef strips. If you’re still peckish, snack on the Spring Rolls ($6.90): hand-rolled spring rolls stuffed with a meaty filling, and deep-fried to crispy perfection. There’s also the popular Iced Vietnamese Coffee ($3.80), perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Read our May Pho culture review.
Address: 150 South Bridge Road, #01-16, Fook Hai Building, Singapore 058727
Opening hours: Daily 10:45am to 9pm
Tel: 9646 2589
Website
May Pho Culture is not a halal-certified eatery.
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19. Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant
Image credit: @thewriteofwei
For something a little different, check out Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant, a popular Joo Chiat eatery that recently opened its second branch in the heart of Chinatown. Regulars love their Bun Thit Nuong ($11) AKA grilled pork with rice noodles and fresh veggies, complete with a refreshing sauce. They’ve also got plenty more options for a complete feast, including deep-fried Spring Rolls ($12), pho, and Milk Coffee with Ice ($5), a must-have at any Vietnamese restaurant.
Read our Long Phung review.
Address: 239/241 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059439
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 10pm
Website
Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
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20. En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh
There’s nothing like digging into a hearty bowl of bak kut teh to warm the soul. If you’re a big BKT fan, En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh is a must-try, offering a unique Japanese touch to the local dish! The BKT here is also heavily influenced by the ones you can get in Malaysia which are more herbaceous rather than peppery.Â
Their Signature 4 Types Assorted Meats Claypot Bak Kut Teh ($18.90+) features all the good stuff: pork trotter, pork ribs, pork belly, Hokkaido pork collar, shiitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, tofu puffs, and fried beancurd. FYI, there’s more than 15 herbs and spices in the mix so you can expect a broth that’s bursting with strong, savoury flavours.Â
Check out our En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh review.
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #01-44, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6444 0889
Website
En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh is not a halal-certified eatery.
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Cafes
21. Cafe Monochrome
In case you didn’t know, Cafe Monochrome is Singapore’s first 2D concept cafe offering an extensive range of items, including pasta, pizza, all-day brunch, and coffee. We really enjoyed their Crayfish Pasta ($23+), featuring a plate of spaghetti doused in a mildly spicy house-made chilli sauce. The sauce is also really creamy as it’s mixed with egg! The dish is then finished with a meaty crayfish. Alternatively, try the Creamy Chicken Toast ($20+), featuring a tonkatsu cutlet and scrambled eggs atop a sourdough toast. You also get a side of salad to cut through any heavy flavours.Â
Read our Cafe Monochrome feature.Â
Address: 25 Trengganu Street, #01-12, Chinatown Point, Singapore 058476
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 8:37pm
Website
Cafe Monochrome is not a halal-certified eatery.
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22. Tong Heng
Image credit: @_whatsuppunk
If you are a huge egg tart lover, you would have definitely heard of the famous Tong Heng Egg Tarts, priced at $2.40 per piece. What sets their egg tarts apart from the others is the use of pork lard, which makes the crust extra flaky. The custard is delicate and wobbly, and it almost collapses out of the diamond-shaped flaky crust once you bite into the tart.
Read our Tong Heng review.
Address: 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 6pm
Tel: 6223 0398
Website
Tong Heng Traditional Chinese Pastries is not a halal-certified eatery.
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23. Yuen YeungÂ
If you’re game for Chinese desserts, check out Yuen Yeung, a new dessert cafe in Chinatown! They specialise in both modern and traditional Chinese desserts, so you truly get the best of both worlds here.Â
For something that leans a little bit more traditional, there’s the Handcrafted Rice Mochi with Red Bean Paste ($4.90+), a mix of milky and nutty flavours. But if you want to switch things up, go for bowls such as their Pistachio Paste ($8.60+) or Matcha Mochi Peaks ($6.40+). The former consists of a decadent pistachio cream topped with salted pistachio bits, while the latter is a dessert of matcha ice cream, a creamy paste, and brown sugar pearls!
Check out our Yuen Yueng Desserts review.Â
Address: 43 Neil Road, Singapore 088825
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 11pm
Website
Yuen Yeung is not a halal-certified eatery.
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24. Burnt Ends Bakery
Offering something a little more elevated than what you can get at your usual cafes, Burnt Ends Bakery takes pride in their wood-fired bread ovens and house-blended coffee beans. They recently opened a second outlet at the Audi House of Progress as part of a partnership with car manufacturer Audi.Â
In case you haven’t paid a visit to their first outlet in Dempsey, here’s what you can expect from the bakery. For starters, their doughnuts which are highly raved about, come in flavours such as Pistachio ($6), Yuzu ($6), and Nutella ($6). There are also more substantial options such as the Roast Beef Sandwich ($18) which features a hefty chunk of beef brisket, cheese, and greens.Â
Read our Burnt Ends Bakery x Audi feature.Â
Address: 18 Cross Street, Level 1, Audi House of Progress Singapore
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 4pm
Website
Burnt Ends Bakery is not a halal-certified eatery.
Burnt Ends Bakery Opens Cafe With Audi In Chinatown, Get Famous Wood-Fired Bakes Here
KiosksÂ
25. Xiao Ge Ge
Image credit: @xiaogegemochi
Xiao Ge Ge is a hidden Chinatown gem that’s a three-minute walk from Havelock MRT Station. This dessert kiosk offers over 30 items, including their famous XXL Snowball Mochi in a myriad of flavours such as Taro ($4.50). They also have box cakes that are oh-so pretty; the Purple Rice Box ($11.80) pairs the iconic flavours of pulut hitam with creamy yam.Â
Read our Xiao Ge Ge feature.
Address: 5 Banda Street, #01-90, Singapore 050005
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 6pm
Tel: 9852 0727
Website
Xiao Ge Ge is not a halal-certified eatery.
Xiao Ge Ge: Dessert Store In Chinatown With XXL Mochi In Flavours Such As Taro And Durian
What to eat in ChinatownÂ
Besides Clarke Quay, Chinatown is another stop along the NEL that offers awesome food. For more food places within Chinatown, check out our list of Chinatown Complex food stalls instead!
If you’re looking for more eats in the nearby CBD, check out our Telok Ayer food guide and our Amoy Street Food Centre guide.
25 Amoy Street Food Centre Stalls To Visit When You’re In The CBD
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