20 Tiong Bahru Food Gems That Are Not Your Usual Cafe Haunts

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Tiong Bahru food guide

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From its vinyl shops to indie boutiques, Tiong Bahru is a treasure trove. By now, famous cafés like Tiong Bahru Bakery, Plain Vanilla, and Forty Hands have made a name for themselves in the renowned Tiong Bahru district. As one of Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods, Tiong Bahru is home to more than just your café nosh. Today, we bring you through some of our favourite Tiong Bahru food gems to check out.

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1. Tow Kwar Pop

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Image credit: @chflorence

Tiong Bahru Market’s Tow Kwar Pop sells a Singapore-style rojak that is unique in its own right.

The star of the Rojak (from $4.50) here is tau kwa bao: crispy stuffed tau pok that is grilled over charcoal. These parcels are then tossed with fish crackers and a generous mix of fresh apples, shredded papaya, and thinly sliced turnips. Paired with an intense and addictive shrimp paste, the rojak is served with crunchy bean sprouts and sliced cucumber. You can also get a small portion of Tow Kwar Pop ($4.50) to have on its own if you prefer.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-06, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 9am to 3pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am to 3pm
Tow Kwar Pop is not a halal-certified eatery.

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2. Hwa Yuen Porridge

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Image credit: Hua Yuen Porrridge

This Mixed Pig Intestine Porridge ($6) from Hwa Yuen Porridge is to die for. The porridge is cooked down to a delightful consistency and savoury taste, much like Crystal Jade’s famous century egg porridge.

We also recommend the Deep Fried Pig Intestine Porridge ($8/$10), where crispy bits of pork intestine meet smooth congee.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-74, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7am to 3pm
Hwa Yuen is not a halal-certified eatery.

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3. Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries

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Image credit: Julie Wu

There is nothing more classic than the Egg Tarts ($2.20) at Leung Sang Hong Pastries.

At this old-school confectionery, you can choose between their famous Hong Kong-style egg tart, and its Western counterpart. The former has an amazing buttery flaky pastry encasing a molten yellow custard, while the Western-style egg tart comes in a harder, sturdier shell.

There are also a wide variety of pastries baked in-house, including the Roasted Chicken Polo Bun ($2.20) and Salted Egg Lotus Seed Paste Pastry ($2.20).

Read our guide to traditional egg tarts in Singapore.

Address: 18 Jalan Membina, #01-06, Singapore 164018
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 7pm
Tel: 6271 6056
Website
Leung Sang is not a halal-certified eatery.

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4. Min Nan Prawn Mee

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Image credit: Genesis NΞO

If you are a frequent customer of Tiong Bahru Market, Min Nan Prawn Mee should be no stranger to you. Sporting a routinely long queue, this stall has been a strong favourite amongst locals. Opt for the Pork Rib Prawn Noodle (from $5) to get a heap of prawns with perfectly cooked pork ribs that are spot-on tender and meaty. Expect a light-tasting broth with notes of prawn, pork ribs and spices.

Check out our guide to the best prawn mee in Singapore.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-31, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 2:30pm
Min Nan Prawn Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.

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5. Chuan Kee Seafood

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Image credit: Kim Loon Chee

Chuan Kee Seafood boasts one of the best zi char in Tiong Bahru, where their drunken prawns, venison meat, and live seafood are definitely a cut above your average zi char stall.

Some of their customers’ go-to dishes are the Sweet & Sour Lychee with Pork (from $10.00+) and Duck Wrapped in Lotus Leaf (from $28+). For those with a lighter palate, their Signature Homemade Beancurd (from $10+) is a hot favourite to complement the strong flavours.

Address: 1091A Lower Delta Road, Singapore 169207
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3:30pm to 4:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 9878 9924
Chuan Kee Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.

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6. Jian Bo Shui Kueh

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Image credit: @thisisklifferd

With over 50 years of history, Jian Bo Shui Kueh is one of the most renowned chwee kueh stalls in Singapore. The couple that runs the stall wake up at 6am daily to cook and prepare both the chilli and chye poh mix, all to top the freshly steamed kueh. Prices start at $3.50 for five pieces. They also sell chee cheong fun and steamed yam cake too.

Read our Jian Bo Shui Kueh review.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-05, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Daily 6am to 8pm
Website
Tel: 6753 7588
Jian Bo Shui Kueh is not a halal-certified eatery.

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7. Skirt & Dirt

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Skirt & Dirt rides on the wave of gourmet burgers in hawker centres. The stall’s speciality is one-of-a-kind, though, as they sell Cheese Skirt Burger ($11), where a juicy beef patty meets a crispy cheddar cheese skirt. This set comes with normal fries too, though you can top up $2 for their Cheese Dirt Fries, which sees the same cheese skirt heaped on top of fries, finished with bacon, jalapenos and relish.

Read our Skirt & Dirt review.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-66, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 8pm
Tel: 8434 0119
Website
Skirt & Dirt is not a halal-certified eatery.

Skirt & Dirt Review: Unique Cheese Skirt Burger Stall At Tiong Bahru Market

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8. TIANN’S

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Image credit: @thefudgybrownie

TIANN’S offers a specially curated menu for the health-conscious, providing gluten-free, sugar-free, and keto-friendly food options. Order their signature waffles if you don’t know where to start. The TIANN’S Waffles are priced at $24.50+, and are made with a secret mix of almond, chia seeds, eggs, and rice. You can choose one or two toppings, including mozzarella, scrambled eggs, and Scottish smoked salmon.

Apart from the above, they have all-day breakfast that you can build on, as well as healthy mains that are Korean-inspired. Try their Spicy Pork Bibimbap ($28+), starring house-marinated pork with fresh greens, house-made kimchi and other condiments on Japanese rice.

Address: 71 Seng Poh Road, #01-35, Singapore 16007
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8:30am to 4pm
Tel: 6222 1369
Website
TIANN’s is not a halal-certified eatery.

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9. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice

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70-odd years of making homely plates of curry rice for the masses is what gives Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice its cred as one of Singapore’s best curry rice stalls. The stall draws long queues in the Tiong Bahru ‘hood for their curry-drenched rice, which starts at $0.80, beckoning to be dressed up with ingredients such as pork chop, pork belly, chap chye and more, all from $0.80.A plate of curry rice with three toppings should set up back around $4 to $7, depending on what you choose.

Read our Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice review.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-67/68, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 8:30am to 2:45pm
Tel: 6225 3762
Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.

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10. Por Kee Eating House

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Image credit: @itsurou

Feel transported to the outdoor zi char eateries in Johor Bahru at Por Kee Eating House, an old-school eatery that has been around since 1996. Some tout the eatery as having the best zi char fare in Singapore, and loyal customers keep the place packed throughout the week.

You’ll be spoiled for choice here with over 40 seafood options to pick from, including premium dishes such as the Garlic Bamboo Clams ($12+), where fresh bamboo clams are steamed and soaked in a soy sauce mix, topped with copious amounts of minced garlic. The Champagne Long Ribs ($11+ per piece) are worth trying too— each fried pork rib comes coated in a sweet-sticky sauce.

Read our Por Kee Eating House feature.

Address: 69 Seng Poh Lane, #01-02, Singapore 160069
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10.45pm
Tel: 6221 0582
Por Kee is not a halal-certified eatery.

Por Kee Eating House 1996: Old-School Zi Char Restaurant In Tiong Bahru

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11. Today Kampung Chicken Rice

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Today Kampung Chicken Rice is a new addition to Tiong Bahru that’s worth checking out if you’re in the area! The atas “kopitiam” offers three concepts under one roof: chicken rice, fishball noodles, and zi char. Get their Hainanese Kampung Chicken ($12+/$20+/$38+), best paired with their fragrant rice and house-made chilli sauce. Otherwise, consider the Michelin-approved LiXin Teochew Fishball Noodles, where you’ll find their Lixin Signature Noodles ($8.30+) here: dry noodles served with fishballs, fishcakes, and fish dumplings.

Read our Today Kampung Chicken Rice review.

Address: 71 Seng Poh Road, Block 71, Singapore 160071
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 10pm
Website
Today Kampung Chicken Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.

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12. Toast Box Coffee House

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Another old-school cafe in the area is Toast Box Coffee House, located in the former premises of the cherished Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh. Here you can get a wide assortment of light bites and mains, from Black Sesame Toast ($2.60++) and Egg Sandwich ($4++) to Old School Hainanese Pork Chop Rice ($9.80++), a hearty dish of breaded pork loin pieces generously drenched in a sweet and tangy sauce. There’s also Claypot Hokkien Prawn Mee ($7.80++), cooked in a flavourful prawn broth and best paired with house-made sambal belacan!

Read our Toast Box Coffee House review.

Address: 58 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 160058
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 9pm
Tel: 6223 0633
Website
Toast Box Coffee House is not a halal-certified eatery.

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13. Old Shifu Charcoal Porridge 

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Located next to Tiong Bahru Market, Old Shifu Charcoal Porridge dishes out traditional charcoal-cooked porridge with assorted toppings. A must-try is the Li Wan Boat Porridge ($6.50++), a hearty and flavourful bowl comprising cuttlefish, fish, prawns, pork slices and more. Opt for extra You Tiao ($2) to go with your porridge; these deep-fried doughnut chunks feature a crispy exterior with a fluffy, web-like dough. Plus point: the eatery is air-conditioned, so you can dine in comfort!

Read our Old Shifu Charcoal Porridge review here!

Address: 58 Seng Poh Road, #01-17, Singapore 160058
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9pm, Sat-Sun 7am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 8201 8668
Website
Old Shifu is not a halal-certified eatery.

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14. Canjob Taproom

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Image credit: @drinking_noodle

Swing by Canjob Taproom for casual vibes, stellar craft beers, and bar bites. There are always six draft beers on tap, and they change regularly, all specially curated by the staff. If you’re not big on beers, the healthy selection of housepour spirits and cocktails from $15 should give you plenty of options to quench your thirst. Pair your tipples with some classic bar bites, from Spam Fries ($12) to Spicy Popcorn Chicken ($9). If it’s something more filling you’re out for, then it’s worth noting that the bar also does Bratwursts ($9.50) served in buns.

Address: 50 Tiong Bahru Road, #01-03, Link Hotel, Singapore 168733
Opening hours: Sun, Tue-Thurs 5pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm to 11:30pm
Tel: 9385 3497
Website
Canjob Taproom is not a halal-certified eatery.

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15. Happy Oven 

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Happy Oven is a halal-certified bakery that’s all about crafting nostalgic bakes with a twist. Since they opened in 2009, they’ve garnered quite the following for their signatures, all made with fresh ingredients. Their Pistachio Eclair ($1.40), Pandan Kaya Cake ($1.40), and  Ondeh Ondeh Cake ($1.40) are three of their bestsellers.

Read our Happy Oven review.

Address: 40 Beo Crescent, #01-08, Singapore 160040
Opening hours: Daily 5am to 7pm
Website
Happy Oven is a halal-certified eatery.

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16. House of Peranakan Petit

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Image credit: @loiwyman

House of Peranakan Petit is an intimate restaurant run by a Baba chef who serves dishes from his family’s recipe book. Book ahead for family dinners or intimate date nights and get their signature dishes to share. Popular picks include their Ayam Buah Keluak ($20.80++) and their Garam Assam Fish Head ($32++), served in a super tangy curry.

Address: 42 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 169785
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 6222 1719
Website
House of Peranakan is not a halal-certified eatery.

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17. Ting Heng Seafood Restaurant 

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Image credit: @shooting_star.ig

For late-night zi char and steamboat, head to Ting Heng Seafood Restaurant along Tiong Poh Road. This popular restaurant, which has been around since 1994, is most known for their Fish Head Steamboat, which lets you pick from Grouper Fish (from $45++) or Pomfret Fish (from $50++). The restaurant keeps their seafood in fish tanks so you know the ingredients used are super fresh. If you’re not up for hotpot, they have other ready-to-eat dishes such as their Signature Roasted Spring Chicken ($25++).

Read our Ting Heng Seafood Restaurant feature.

Address: 82 Tiong Poh Road, Singapore 160082
Opening hours: Daily 4pm to 2am
Website
Ting Heng Seafood Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.

This Fish Head Steamboat Restaurant In Tiong Bahru Opens Till 2AM Daily

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18. Le Royale Patisserie

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For unique bakes and fresh breads, visit Le Royal Patisserie, an under-the-radar bakery in Tiong Bahru. Try their Meat Floss Cake ($6) if you enjoy a sweet and salty combination. Instead of bread, this item stars a fluffy castella-style cake coated in savoury chicken floss and seaweed bits. Otherwise, go for their Matcha Polo Bun ($2.20), which comes with a sweet mango filling. They also have cakes in interesting flavours such as Matcha Yogurt Mousse ($6.80) and Coconut Mousse ($6.80), the latter comprising smooth coconut mousse in a chocolate shell.

Read our Le Royale Patisserie review.

Address: 55 Tiong Bahru Road, Block 55, #01-39, Singapore 160055
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 9pm
Website
Le Royale Patisserie is not a halal-certified eatery.

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19. Covent Garden Kway Chap

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One of the longest-standing kway chap stalls in Singapore is Covent Garden Kway Chap, still manned by an over 90-year-old founder, Mdm Chua. A single person’s portion here is super affordable, priced at just $3.50. For the price, you get intestines, pig skin, braised egg, and tau pok, as well as a side of kway in a light gravy.

Read our Covent Garden Kway Chap review.

Address: 22B Havelock Road, #01-05, Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre, Singapore 162022
Opening hours: Tue-Wed 7:30am to 1:30pm, Thurs-Sat 7am to 1:30pm
Covent Garden Kway Chap is not a halal-certified eatery.

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20. Micro Bakery Kitchen

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Taking over the space that Forty Hands used to be is Micro Bakery Kitchen, a homegrown bakery that serves up a menu of brunch mains, breads, pastries and more. Swing by for unique sandos such as their Nagaimo Croquette ($18+), packed with a Japanese mountain yam croquette, or the decadent Grilled 4 Cheese ($16+), filled with four types of melty cheese, including raclette and mozzarella. 

Read our Micro Bakery Kitchen review.

Address: 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8am to 4pm
Website
Micro Bakery Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.

Micro Bakery Kitchen Opens In Tiong Bahru With Japanese-Inspired Sandos And Fresh Bakes Daily

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What to eat in Tiong Bahru

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For more eats around Tiong Bahru, check out our Everton Park food guide and our Redhill food guide! Otherwise, read our guide to $3 dishes in Singapore if you’re on a budget.

15 Stalls With Dishes That Are $3 Or Less—Prawn Mee, Orh Luak, Nasi Lemak And More