Toa Payoh food that’s worth the queue
Every time I make my way home from Orchard, I’ll face a dilemma. Should I take a bus home from Toa Payoh MRT Station, or just take the train all the way and walk? The former is more troublesome, but I almost always go for that just to dapao a cup of bubble tea. Most times, I go home with more than just that because of how much good food Toa Payoh has. So for those who often pass by Toa Payoh not knowing what you’ve been missing out on, here is a list of Toa Payoh food places to check out!
1. Biang Biang Noodles Xi’an Famous Food
Anyone who has been to Toa Payoh would be able to point out where the huge McDonald’s at HDB Hub is. But not many would know of the hidden gem located directly across the fast food joint. Biang Biang Noodles Xi’an Famous Food is a hawker stall that specialises in hand-stretched noodles.
A must-try would be their Biang Biang Noodles with Pork ($6), which comprises ingredients such as pork cubes, cucumber slices, tomato, and scrambled eggs. Another dish that’s hard to find in Singapore would be their rou jia mo (meat burger). There are two versions of this – Roasted Meat Burger ($3.50) and Cumin Pork Burger ($5)!
Check out our full review of Biang Biang Noodles Xi’an Famous Food!
Address: 190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #01-518, Food Alley, Singapore 310190
Opening hours: Daily 9:30am to 10pm
2. The Larder Cafe
Image credit: @vision_artchan
For cafe food at nett prices, hit up The Larder Cafe. Other than offering a wide variety of classic Western dishes such as Carbonara Pasta ($13), Fish & Chips ($15), and Pulled Pork Burger ($16), the cafe also impresses with many interesting twists.
Some interesting creations include their Ebi Prawn Wrap ($13) and The Dowager’s Fingers ($10), which is crispy prawn wontons and arugula served with a honey sesame mayo dip! For those with a sweet tooth, you will also be spoilt for choice as their lava cakes, priced at $8.90 each, come in a number of flavours, including green tea, Thai milk tea, and chocolate.
Address: 177 Toa Payoh Central, #01-124, Singapore 310177
Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6253 8382
Website
3. The Talad Drink & Thai Kitchen
Image credit: @ma99ie_me
The Talad Drink & Thai Kitchen is the place to go when you’re craving for Thai cuisine. Here, you can feast on dishes such as Green Curry Fried Rice ($5.50) and Thai Grilled Pork Skewer ($6 for three, $10 for five sticks). To quench your thirst or impress your IG followers, you can also get your hands on their multicoloured drinks with flavours including An Chan Passionfruit ($3.80), An Chan Lemonade ($3.80), and Cha Yen ($3.50) that is made using butterfly pea flowers!
Address: 190 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, #01-520, Singapore 310190
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Tel: 9105 0555
4. Soon Heng Rojak
Image credit: @h0neym0chi
Fan of rojak or not, you would probably have heard of the insane queues that Soon Heng Rojak draws every day. Located at HDB Hub’s Gourmet Paradise, Soon Heng Rojak is a definite must-try. Starting at $2.50, their Rojak is a messy little mountain of fruits, vegetables, and fried fritters. Don’t expect to stay clean while devouring this dish though, as the ingredients are not only drenched in sauce but also topped with plenty of crushed peanuts!
Address: 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #B1-01, HDB Hub Gourmet Paradise, Singapore 310480
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
5. Yokozuna Stall
With such thoughtfully plated dishes, it’s hard to imagine that Yokozuna Stall is found in a kopitiam. While sushi lovers should definitely go for their Tataki Salmon Roll ($6), it is their Butter Yaki Seabass Bento ($6.80) that keeps regulars returning. The fish comes with a layer of crispy skin that’s doused in a sweet sauce, and its meat offers a creamy mouthfeel thanks to the butter used.
Address: 211 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, #01-01, Singapore 310211
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 8:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 8:30pm
Tel: 9732 8813
Website
6. White Restaurant @ Toa Payoh
Image credit: @irene_wonggc
We all know the famous white bee hoon from White Restaurant. If Sembawang or Punggol are both too out of the way for you, you’ll be glad that White Restaurant has a branch at Toa Payoh as well. To go with The Original White Bee Hoon ($6++/$10++/$15++), their menu offers a huge variety of side dishes such as Salted Egg Sotong ($12++/$18++/$24++) and Signature Fried Mid Wings ($8.80++/$12.80++/$18.80++).
Address: 600 Toa Payoh Lorong 4, #01-10, Singapore 319515
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9:30pm Sat-Sun 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6255 2002
Website
7. Mun Ting Xiang Teahouse
Image credit: @seanthesheeepp
A gem familiar among residents in Toa Payoh would be Mun Ting Xiang Teahouse. This eatery is most famous for their Scissors Cut Curry Rice Set ($6.90) that comes with a sunny side up, a slab of fried chicken cutlet, a side of vegetables or canned beans, and rice drenched in black sauce and thick curry. If that still doesn’t satisfy the shiok factor, you can also look out for other items such as Salad You Tiao ($$5.90), Oyster Chicken Wing ($5.90), and Crispy Salted Egg ($5.90). A must-have to complete your meal would be their Bubble Milk Tea (from $3.80)!
Address: 450 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #01-03/04, Entertainment Centre, Singapore 319394
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6352 2022
8. Teochew Handmade Pau
Image credit: @tame_bunny
Teochew Handmade Pau is where you can get cheap and good dim sum. Occupying a stall at Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, Teochew Handmade Pau can be easily spotted by the giant stacks of steaming baskets piled up outside the stall. Made fresh every day, you can find handmade buns such as Char Siew Bao ($0.70 for one piece), Small Pork Bun ($0.70 for one piece), and Lian Rong Shou Tao ($0.70 for one piece).
Address: 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #02-02, Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310127
Opening hours: Daily 6am to 2pm
Tel: 6254 2053
9. Toa Payoh Lucky Pisang Raja
Image credit: Toa Payoh Lucky Pisang Raja’s Facebook page
This is one of my favourite stalls to head to when I’m looking for good banana fritters. Found inside Moon Sun Restaurant at Toa Payoh Central, Toa Payoh Lucky Pisang Raja has been running for more than 30 years, dishing out fried snacks such as fried Chempedak ($1) and Pisang Raja ($1). Fried to a nice golden brown, the best thing about the deep-fried snacks sold here would be that they are often served hot and crispy, and doesn’t taste too oily.
Address: 177 Toa Payoh Central, #01-176, Moon Sun Restaurant, Singapore 310177
Opening hours: Daily 12:30pm to 9:30pm
Website
10. Hollin
Image credit: @blancheeze
One of the newest bubble tea brands, Hollin is found in Toa Payoh Central and is most unique for their multi-flavoured pearls. At an additional $0.70, you can get their Honey White Pearl that is available daily. Otherwise, pearl flavours such as matcha, cocoa, coconut, coffee, peanut, black sesame, and rock salt are available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday respectively. To go with these toppings, Hollin offers a range of Tea ($2.20 to $4.90), Tea Latte ($3.20 to $5.20) and Rock Salt Macchiato ($3.20 to $5.20) drinks!
Address: Blk 190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #01-538, Singapore 310190
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Tel: 6252 2456
Website
One stop to satisfy all cravings
Whether you’re looking for a nice cafe to hang out at with your friends or somewhere to pop by for a snack, Toa Payoh is the one stop where you can find all of that. If you are nowhere near Toa Payoh, we have also uncovered food places near other MRT Stations such as Bugis and Mattar!
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