Lunchtime in the CBD doesn’t have to be expensive when you have Market Street Interim Food Centre. Located right in the commercial heart of the city, the food haven houses an array of familiar stalls from the now-defunct Golden Shoe Hawker Centre, selling loads of different cuisines including Peranakan and Teochew food.
To perk up the workday blues, here are eight stalls at Market Street Interim Food Centre to visit during lunchtime!
Image credit: @chubbycheeksss
Golden Shoe Chicken Rice draws long queues with their super affordable Roasted Chicken Rice and Steamed Chicken Rice that cost $2.50—a price that is rarely found these days. Each set comes with a generous amount of fragrant rice and juicy chicken. If you prefer pork, get the Char Siew Rice ($2.50/$3) and Roasted Pork Rice ($2.50/$3) which comes with savoury pork slices.
Unit number: #01-48
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm
Image credit: @susulemakmanis
The go-to stall for a healthy lunch is Rui Ji Fish Porridge. Despite specialising in Teochew Fish Porridge (from $3.50), their most popular dish is Sliced Fish Mee Sua (from $3.50). The bowl of savoury soup, smooth mee sua, and well-seasoned fish slices also comes with bits of chilli padi that give the soup an exciting kick. A bonus about Rui Ji Fish Porridge is that you can ask for less salt as well as additional vegetables at no extra cost.
Unit number: #02-15
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 2pm
Image credit: @bambi16
Yummy Nyonya Peranakan is a zi char stall that serves a wide variety of Peranakan dishes such as Beef Rendang, Sambal Prawn, and Chap Chye. Depending on your order, a plate of rice with three ingredients would set you back by at least $6. While it may be on the pricier side for hawker fare, the hearty portions and generous gravy make every dollar well spent!
Unit number: #01-41
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 3pm
Calling all fans of nasi briyani, this traditional Indian dish from Golden Nur is one you cannot miss. The Fried Chicken Briyani ($6) is a visual tantaliser that draws all eyes to the prized item that lies gloriously in the centre. Cooked to a reddish-golden hue, the fried chicken remains tender and juicy as it teases an exterior of crispy skin and fried corn flour bits. Besides that signature dish, the stall also serves many classic Malay dishes such as Mutton Murtabak ($6), Curry Chicken Rice ($6), and Roti Prata ($1)!
Unit number: #01-03
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 7pm
Ah Liang Ipoh Hor Fun is a hor fun haven with up to 10 different renditions of this Malaysian classic to choose from. Selections include Seafood Hor Fun ($4.50/$5.50), Fried Wanton Hor Fun ($3.50/$4.50), Crab Meat Hor Fun ($3.50/$4.50), and the most popular of them all, Fried Fish Dumpling Hor Fun ($4.50/$5.50). Besides the generous ingredients, crowds are drawn to the luscious gravy that boasts strong savoury notes.
Unit number: #01-35
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am to 8pm, Sat 9:30am to 3pm
Image credit: @food.ally
A strong competitor of Ah Liang Ipoh Hor Fun is Q Hor Fun. While both stalls specialise in hor fun, Q Hor Fun has fewer varieties. Nonetheless, it draws a snaking queue with their Curry Pork Chop Hor Fun ($4.50). Served in a large plate, this dish comprises a bed of smooth hor fun that’s drenched in curry and topped with fried pork chop. Patrons often add a dollop of sambal to the curry for an extra kick. Another popular option is the Curry Fried Fish Hor Fun ($4.50) that equally satisfies with its juicy fish.
Unit number: #01-26
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am to 3:30pm
Despite being around for almost 30 years, Transit Market Claypot Rice and Noodles still dishes out high-quality food, with their long queues being a testament to that. The Claypot Chicken Rice ($5/$6) is the best-seller and comes with rice that is tossed with salted fish, chicken, vegetables, and dark sauce. Other claypot varieties that you can also look out for include Claypot Ee Mee ($4/$5), Claypot Hor Fun ($4/$5), Claypot Mee Sua ($4/$5), and Claypot Fried Mee Sua ($4/$5).
Unit number: #01-44
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 2:30pm
Image credit: @george.kooi
Treat yourself to an indulgent version of the usual economical rice with Yuguo Curry Rice, a kind of cai png you won’t forget. Pick from an array of ingredients to go with your rice, starting from the Pork Chop ($4.00) that is fried to a golden crisp. Other popular orders are the Braised Cabbage ($2), Fried Egg ($0.50), and Minced Pork ($1.20). The star of the show is the Hainanese curry that is fragrant and well-spiced. To complete your meal, help yourself to the egg-drop soup that comes free of charge. It helps wash down the rich and heavy fare!
Unit number: #01-07
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 8pm
With all these good food at Market Street Interim Food Centre, one would hardly be surprised by the massive crowds spotted especially during lunchtime.
If the place gets crowded, you can also check out Amoy Street Food Centre, which is just around the corner. From Balinese cuisine such as Rayyan’s Woroeng Upnormal to $6 mazesoba from Daily Noodles , the unique hawker fares offered at Amoy Street Food Centre will make even the trip down worth it!
Address: 5 Cross Street, Singapore 048418
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