With so many F&B brand closures in 2025 and 2026, our team has come to appreciate heritage food spots even more—those that have stood the test of time. Recently, our team collated a list of the best zi char in Singapore based on Google reviews. This time we’ve handpicked the oldest zi char places in Singapore, including a restaurant that’s been around for almost 100 years.
Keng Eng Kee Seafood, which started in 1970 at its OG location in Bukit Merah, is celebrating its 56th anniversary in 2026. The popular zi char chain is known for their Coffee Pork Ribs (from $19.80++), featuring fork-tender ribs with crispy thin batter, evenly coated in a coffee-spiked sauce. If you’re not keen on the coffee flavour, play it safe with the Sweet & Sour Pork (from $17.80++) instead. There are plenty of seafood dishes too, including the Signature Chilli Crab (seasonal price) and Claypot Seafood (from $43.80++), both ideal for at least three to four diners.
Read our Keng Eng Kee Seafood review.
Address: 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-136, Singapore 150124
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 1:45pm, 5pm to 10pm
Website
Keng Eng Kee Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Por Kee Eating House 1996, widely regarded as the most popular zi char spot in Tiong Bahru, has just celebrated its 30th anniversary. To mark the milestone, our team dropped by in January 2026 to find out if the food really lives up to all the hype. With over 40 Cantonese-style dishes to choose from, two of our favourites were the HK-style Steamed Fish ($35+), flaky seabass drenched in a light and savoury soy sauce, and the XXL Champagne Long Rib ($12+ per piece), served with a house-made champagne sauce that’s caramelised to mellow out the alcohol’s intensity.
Read our Por Kee review.
Address: 69 Seng Poh Lane, #01-02, Singapore 160069
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10:45pm
Tel: 6221 0582
Por Kee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Founded in 1965, Kok Sen Restaurant has long been a favourite among zi char fans, with snaking queues during peak hours a common sight. It’s also a familiar name on the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list, which is hardly a surprise for those who’ve tasted what the restaurant offers. Start your meal with the Big Prawns Hor Fun (from $20++), drenched in a rich, flavourful gravy made from a punchy prawn broth with smoky wok hei. For something a little different from the usual pork ribs and chilli crab, we urge you to try the Claypot Yong Tau Foo (from $18++): a medley of fried tofu, eggplant, and capsicums, all stuffed with fish and squid paste. Our top pick? The eggplant!
Read our Kok Sen Restaurant review.
Address: 4 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089110
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 2:15pm, 5pm to 9:15pm
Tel: 9727 2533
Kok Sen Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Open till 3am every day, Sin Ho Sai Eating House at East Coast Road is the supper spot for many Easties. It has been in business since 1978, and while the OG outlet operates as an under-HDB restaurant in Tiong Bahru, the East Coast branch is arguably the more frequented one. The perfect combination to order here is Stir Fried Mee Sua (from $6), best paired with buttery-sweet Cereal Prawn (from $20) and smoky, charred Barbeque Stingray (from $15). Otherwise, go for the Curry Fish Head ($30) or Fish Head Steamboat ($38) to share—both are great for warming up, especially with the rainy weather we’ve been having lately.
Address: 187 East Coast Road, Singapore 428893
Opening hours: Daily 4pm to 3am
Website
Sin Hoi Sai Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery.
Many know Tong Ah Eating House as an old-school breakfast spot serving classic Nanyang fare, but the eatery is also a popular zi char spot that’s been around since 1939. If you’re there for a proper meal, get a mix of veggies, meat, and seafood dishes to share with your dining companion(s). Some popular picks include Kang Kong (from $10++), Bitter Gourd Pork Ribs (from $15++), and Black Pepper Prawn (from $24++); the latter is available in four other flavours, such as Sambal and Oatmeal, all priced from $24++.
Address: 35 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089142
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 7am to 10pm, Wed 7am to 2pm
Tel: 6223 5083
Tong Ah Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery.
The oldest zi char place on this list is Spring Court, a stalwart that has been around since 1929. The restaurant is just three years shy of turning 100—a feat in the ever-changing F&B industry in Singapore. We recommend Spring Court for family gatherings or special occasions, as the offerings here are more premium. The numbingly spicy Braised Bee Hoon Vermicelli with Mala Clams ($9.80++) is a good match with the rich and savoury Vinegar Pig’s Trotters ($17.80++). For the adventurous who appreciate innards, try the Mixed Beef Innards in Claypot ($17.80++) instead, as it isn’t the most common find.
Address: 52-56 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058348
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Website
Spring Court is not a halal-certified eatery.
Before becoming the well-loved zi char spot it is today, Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood began its journey in 1986 as a humble cai png stall. Though you no longer get economic rice here, what you can enjoy is the crowd-favourite Hotplate Oyster (from $15++) with some comforting Doubled Boiled Soup ($10++). Since we’ve not mentioned any poultry dishes, here are two for you to try: Sze Chuan Diced Chicken (from $12++) for spice lovers, and the classic Prawn Paste Chicken (from $12++).
Address: 122 Casuarina Road, Singapore 579510
Opening hours: Mon 3:30pm to 10:30pm, Tue-Sun 11:30am to 2pm, 4:30pm to 10:30pm
Website
Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Chuan Kee Seafood, founded in 1975, now has two outlets in Toa Payoh and Lower Delta Road. One item that stood out to us was the Lobster Salad (seasonal price), a fun twist on the usual steamed seafood. If you prefer meat to seafood, fret not, as there are plenty of choices: Kong Pao Chicken ($10+) and Ginger Crispy Chicken ($12+) are two popular picks. When you’re done eating, wash down the heavy flavours with a bowl of Sliced Fish Soup (from $6+).
Toa Payoh outlet
Address: Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, #01-264, Singapore 310019
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10:30pm
Lower Delta Road outlet
Address: 1091A Lower Delta Road, Singapore 169207
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3:30pm, 4:30pm to 10pm
Website
Chuan Kee Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Quan Xiang Yuan traces its roots back to the 1930s and remains one of the few zi char stalls today that still serves traditional, old-school Hokkien dishes. Start light with the Cabbage with Pork Soup (from $10), alongside a bowl of rice and a plate of Vegetables with Mushroom (from $15). Next up is the highlight: the house-made Signature Prawn Roll (from $12), featuring crispy skin packed with juicy prawn meat. Complete your meal with the popular Crispy Roasted Chicken ($32)!
Address: 252 Jalan Besar, Singapore 20892
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 11pm
Tel: 6294 6254
Quan Xiang Yuan is not a halal-certified eatery.
The last eatery on this oldest zi char restaurants list is Woh Hup Cantonese Zi Char, a heritage name that traces its beginning to 1968. Start with some carbs—either Seafood Hor Fun (from $8) or Salted Fish Fried Rice (from $8), whichever tickles your fancy. Then, pair it with the must-have Sweet and Sour Pork (from $14), or if you’re willing to spend a little more, the Teochew Style Steam Grouper (seasonal price) made with fresh, tender fish.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-55, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 4:30pm to 9:45pm
Tel: 6535 8813
Woh Hup Cantonese Zi Char is not a halal-certified eatery.
You never know when these old-school zi char spots might disappear, so visit them while you still can. In related content, read our guide to the best JB zi char places. Alternatively, read our guide to the oldest bakeries in Singapore.
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