Though I live a lot closer to Bendemeer Food Centre, as a kid, I remember visiting Geylang Bahru Food Centre more often. Maybe it was because my mama had to go to the town council every month. Or maybe it was because of the NTUC FairPrice right beside the food centre. Whatever it was, I never complained because I loved the food there. Check out these stalls the next time you’re in the area.
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Image credit: @weis.to.nom
Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian, as its name suggests, is known for their Signature Chilli Ban Mian ($4.50/$6.50). Doused in their spicy and fragrant chilli sauce, their evenly coated noodles are springy and flavourful. The addition of pork lard only adds to the shiok factor! Topped off with ikan bilis, fried shallots, and a poached egg, this bowl of noodles is enough to spice up your Instagram feed. There is also the option of having Sliced Abalone La Mian ($4.50/$6.50), Ban Mian ($3.50), and 15 other noodle dishes if you can’t take the heat.
This stall was recently awarded the Bib Gourmand 2023, so it’s definitely a must-try!
Unit number: #01-58
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 11am to 9:30pm
Website
Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @bokettokeeps
I’ve tried so many bowls of bak chor mee, including the famous Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles, yet I would always go back to Bang Bang Mushroom Bak Chor Mee for a fix of this vinegary dish. Laced with the tart sauce, the springy noodles come with slices of fishcake, minced meat, a meatball, and mushrooms which soak up the gravy. I’d recommend asking for more vinegar for a stronger flavour. Prices start at $3.50 for a bowl of bak chor mee.
Unit number: #01-25
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 6am to 3pm
Bang Bang Mushroom Bak Chor Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @iamdeetee
The queue at Red Stove Fried Prawn Mee may be a tad intimidating, but a mouthful of these noodles would have you forget about the time spent standing and sweating through your clothes. Firm to the bite, the noodles I had soaked up the flavour of the prawn stock, creating a burst of flavours in my mouth. Paired with prawns, sotong, and eggs, this dish is a well-balanced one. Mix the chilli and lime in to get a refreshing kick! Prices start at $4 for a plate of fried Hokkien mee.
Unit number: #01-20
Opening hours: Daily 12:15pm to 10pm
Red Stove Fried Prawn Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
What sets Wen Wen Pork Rib Big Prawn Mee apart from other good prawn noodle stalls would be their off-menu Seafood Prawn Mee Steamboat (from $60), which comes with free-flow soup and noodles. Their light broth is left to boil with prawns, la la, pig’s intestines, pork ribs, pig’s tail and a whole crab. The natural sweetness of the ingredients sure shines bright like a diamond here.
Unit number: #01-22
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 2pm, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Website
Wen Wen Pork Rib Big Prawn Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @happicow12
Oikos Western Delight holds a special place in my heart; it was my childhood go-to Western stall. Even after so many years, I still love their Chicken Cutlet ($6.80). The huge piece of chicken, fried till crisp, brings back a sense of nostalgia. Eating Western food at a hawker centre as a kid, pretending it is the most atas thing ever, is an experience I’m sure many can relate to. Their extensive menu will spoil you with choices and have you going back for more.
Unit number: #01-66
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm to 9:30pm, Sun 4:30pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 8811 1066
Oikos Western Delight is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @celia_foodie
I am not a soon kueh lover, but whenever my mother buys from Toa Payoh 93 Soon Kueh, I would stuff my face with their handmade Teochew kueh. Loaded with shredded turnip, mushrooms, and dried shrimps, their Soon Kueh ($5 for five pieces) is a crowd-favourite along with their Abacus Seed ($3), which is a Teochew dish that can’t be found easily anymore.
Unit number: #01-68
Opening hours: Tue 7am to 7pm, Wed 8:30am to 7pm, Thurs-Sat 7am to 6pm, Sun 8:30am to 4pm
Tel: 8816 9393
Website
Toa Payoh 93 Soon Kueh is not a halal-certified eatery.
Cheok Kee Boneless Braised Duck serves up a simple Duck Rice ($3.50) paired with a fiery chilli that packs a whole lot of flavour and the rice is spammed with their delicious lu zhi, AKA braised sauce. Loved by many, the tender and juicy duck is generously portioned on top of a warm bed of flavourful rice. There’s also a porridge option at the same time if you want something more comforting.
Read our Cheok Kee Boneless Braised Duck review.
Unit number: #01-35
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 12pm to 6pm
Cheok Kee Boneless Braised Duck is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @mr_ngwl
Made for a comforting meal, Pu Tien Ya Zhu Mei Xiang Xiao Chi’s Pu Tien Lor Mee ($4) is a bowl of thick soup, naturally sweetened by the seafood and pork used, and paired with a lot of mee. Even after soaking up the soup, the noodles still retain a springy texture. For all you adventurous eaters, go for their sharing dishes such as Lychee Pork ($8/$10).
Unit no: #01-04
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10pm
Pu Tien Ya Zhu Mei Xiang Xiao Chi is not a halal-certified eatery.
For extra gao kopi, head to Wan Gui, which also has another outlet in Bendemeer Food Centre. Here, the Kopi O is priced at just $1, or you can cool down with a sweet and milky Kopi Bing ($1.30). Do make sure you request siew dai, as the drinks here lean sweet.
The kopi here is brewed to be stronger than in most places, so a few sips should do the trick to give you that much-needed caffeine boost.
Unit no: #01-71
Opening hours: TBD
Image credit: @yau_gui
For delicious and wholesome chicken rice that doesn’t break the bank, try Ju Xing Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice. Prices start at $3.50 a portion, which includes fragrant chicken rice, silky-smooth chicken slices, and a side of achar, along with a bowl of soup. Don’t forget to get yourself a saucer of their zesty chilli and minced garlic to go with the rice!
If you’re feeding a crowd, order the half ($14) or whole chicken ($27) instead.
Unit no: #01-01
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am to 7pm
Ju Xing Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @makancollective
Sheng Ji Soya Sauce Chicken Rice/Noodle is a hidden gem in the food centre, serving up affordable meals from just $3.50. Choose from options such as Soya Sauce Chicken Noodles, Chicken Feet Noodles, and Wonton Mee. You can also request to have yours with rice instead of noodles.
Regulars swear by their tender chicken and egg noodles, which are cooked to springy goodness and tossed in a flavourful sauce. Do note that the stall isn’t open on two days: Sunday and Monday.
Unit no: #01-13
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 9am to 9pm
Sheng Ji Soya Sauce Chicken Rice/Noodle is not a halal-certified eatery.
Since the opening of the downtown line, Geylang Bahru Food Centre, located right opposite Geylang Bahru MRT Station, has become even more accessible than before! Do note that the opening hours may vary, as some stalls tend to finish selling everything early.
For more hawker gems, check out our guide to the best bak chor mee in Singapore, tried and ranked by the team! Otherwise, make a trip down to the newly opened Fernvale Hawker Centre for famous min jiang kueh, prawn noodles and more.
Featured image adapted from @weis.to.nom, @makancollective, @bokettokeeps, @celia_foodie
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