Fish head steamboat has been a weekly staple for my family since I was a kid. I remember my mum cycling to Whampoa Market with a metal container and dabao-ing the fish head steamboat broth back. In the comfort of our home, my siblings and I would greedily slurp up the soup and fight for second servings. It was the kind of soup you would crave on a chilly day to warm yourself up. For all of you who have never tried this before, here are the best places for fish head steamboat in Singapore.
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Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner has been serving up traditional steamboat for over 90 years now. With a loyal fan base gained over the years, Nan Hwa is best known for their Pomfret ($39/$48/$72) steamboat. The broth here is made up of roughly 12 unique ingredients and herbs. Paired together with fresh fish slices and vegetables, this dish is an umami flavour bomb.
Address: 812 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198779
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 12am
Tel: 8613 2732
Website
Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner is not a halal-certified eatery.
Whampoa Keng is known for their addictive broth is made from over 30 ingredients, giving the soup a balanced flavour. Their Fish Head Steamboat with Batang Sliced Fish (from $45) is usually my go-to order, but they do offer other types of fish such as Red Garoupa (from $50). The use of charcoal is probably the reason for the broth’s robust smokiness, which I feel makes it taste better.
Address: 556 Balestier Road, Singapore 329872
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11:30pm
Tel: 6356 7371
Website
Whampoa Keng is not a halal-certified eatery.
The only food stall to open at 5pm in Whampoa Market, Xin Heng Feng Guo Tian Tan is a crowd favourite. Many come down to this stall before it even opens to be the first in line; once business picks up, there’s an hour-long wait!
The broth is light on the palate, but still savoury thanks to the ti po—dried flatfish—which makes the broth extremely fragrant. Great for family gatherings, Xin Heng Feng Guo Tian Tan offers Red Snapper Fish Slice Steamboat (from $28) and other types of fish as well; prices go up to $50 for certain varieties. The stall also has a few sides on their menu, including their highly raved braised duck.
Address: 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-14/15, Whampoa Makan Place, Singapore 320091
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 4pm to 10pm
Xin Heng Feng Guo Tian Tan is not a halal-certified eatery.
Offering one of the cheapest on this list is Hai Chang Fish Head Steamboat—their Red Grouper Fish Head Steamboat starts from $34! Because of the affordable pricing, the place is usually packed with customers waiting to dig into this traditional steamboat. Besides steamboat, Hai Chang Fish Head Steamboat also offers some zi char dishes. Gushed about by customers are dishes such as kang kong (from $8) and their sweet and sour pork ribs (from $12).
Address: Blk 137A Tampines Street 11, #01-03, Singapore 522137
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm to 9pm
Tel: 9663 7994
Website
Hai Chang is not a halal-certified eatery.
Despite opening many outlets around Singapore, the OG Tian Wai Tian Fish still remains their most popular outlet. Simmered over charcoal for hours, the natural flavours of the fresh ingredients shine, giving off a slightly sweet tang. Prices start from only $35 for the smallest serving, where you will get a generous portion of fresh pomfret slices, yam, vegetables, and ti po.
Website | Full list of outlets
Tian Wai Tian is not a halal-certified eatery.
This may be lesser known compared to many renowned brands, but it sure does not disappoint in terms of flavour. Starting at $40 per fish head steamboat, Chang Long Fish Head Steamboat fulfils one’s longing for a soothing bowl of fish soup. The aromatic broth, which is rich and comprises a variety of ingredients, is what draws customers in, as they casually walk past this unassuming coffee shop under a HDB block.
Bedok outlet
Address: Block 122 Bedok North Street 2, #01-140, Singapore 460122
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: 9295 0351
Ubi outlet
Address: 3024 Ubi Road 3, #01-99, Singapore 408652
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
Chang Long Fish Head Steamboat is not a halal-certified eatery.
Ah Orh Fishhead Steamboat has been serving up the Teochew rendition of the steamboat dish since 1919, alongside an extensive zi char menu of nearly 60 dishes. Enjoy your order with either pomfret or grouper slices, both sourced fresh every day from the markets. The broth here is a secret recipe, and it’s tangier than usual thanks to the addition of Teochew ingredients like sour plum and yam. FYI, prices are seasonal!
Address: 115 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-1627, Singapore 160115
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 2pm, 5:30pm to 9pm
Website
Ah Orh is not a halal-certified eatery.
Deli Jie is another option for fish head steamboat in Whampoa Market. Their Batang Fish Steamboat is $28, making them one of the cheapest on this list. A portion is generous and can easily feed up to three people. A sweet fish broth is dressed up with Chinese napa cabbage, and yam slices for added texture.
Address: 90 Whampoa Drive, Singapore 320090
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10pm
Website
Deli Jie is not a halal-certified eatery.
Hualong has several outlets to get your steamboat fix, and whichever you go to, you can look forward to Red Snapper Fish Head (from $27) starring a rich broth made with no MSG—just slow-cooked fish bones and vegetables for depth and sweetness. Don’t miss out on their Pan Fried King Prawns (from $19) or Deep Fried Prawns with Crispy Oats ($19) too!
Website | Full list of outlets
Hualong is not a halal-certified eatery.
Charcoal-fired fish head steamboat is a speciality at Kim Poh Fishhead Steamboat. When you order their steamboat, you can expect a milky broth that’s fresh and light on the palate, but no less flavourful because of it. Their Seabass Steamboat (price TBD) is especially popular, as it comes with thick slices of fresh, sweet seabass you can cook in the broth. They sell other zi char dishes too if you’re making it a full meal!
Address: 1 Yishun Industrial Street 1, #01-12, Singapore 768160
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2pm, 5pm to 10:10pm
Tel: 8246 1101
Kim Poh is not a halal-certified eatery.
Fish head steamboat and seafood zi char dishes are the two highlights at Bugis Fish Head Steamboat. Expect to spend around $30 for their Fish Head Steamboat, cooked in a charcoal stove. Other raved-about include their Mongolian Pork Ribs, depending on the number of people you’re feeding, as well as their BBQ Sotong, which is grilled and doused in a savoury barbecue sauce. Each dish is around $20, depending on the number of guests.
Address: Block 31 Kelantan Lane, #01-12, Singapore 200031
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: 9634 1193
Bugis Fish Head Steamboat is not a halal-certified eatery.
Bond over a traditional Teochew-style steamboat while enjoying the warmth of sitting together and slurping on some addictive broth. Indulge in some steamboat without all the hefty price tags and head on down to try these famous spots.
Alternatively, read our guide to the best fish soup in Singapore, including Michelin-approved stalls and a 63-year-old recipe. We also have a guide to the best hotpot restaurants if that’s more your thing.
Feature image adapted from @triciatanlx, Whampoa Keng Fish Head Steamboat @ Balestier via Google Maps, and Trishtrish via Google Maps