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I have never frequented Circuit Road Hawker Centre, mainly because it’s just too far from my house. Hence, when my boss (Editor’s note: I do not make her call me this) tasked me with going down to sample the food there, all I could think about was how long it would take me to get home afterwards (Editor’s note: What the…?! Oii!).
When sampling food, one of the main things I consider is value for money, based on portion size and the quality of the dish.
Located between Macpherson (CC10/DT26) and Mattar (DT25) MRT stations, the food centre is not easy to miss, as its walls are painted in the bright primary colours.
Best food to eat at Circuit Road Hawker Centre
1. Briyani by Hamidah Bi (#01-14)
Given its 4.6 rating on Google, I had to make a stop at Briyani by Hamidah Bi, and safe to say, it was a stop worth making. This stall specialises in briyani, selling only 2 types – Chicken Briyani (S$7) and Mutton Briyani (S$8). Being a mutton lover, I opted to try the latter.
The mutton was buried underneath the rice, and when we uncovered it, it was a thick and large piece. It was not overly chewy, and extremely tender and rich. The briyani itself was fragrant and coated with a nice layer of spice. Drizzling the dalcha all over the dish took it to the next level, transforming each subsequent bite into a symphony of savoury and bold flavours.
For S$8, I found that this was incredibly filling, and they were generous with their portion of mutton, which was also succulent. Overall, definitely a stall worth checking out.
79 Circuit Rd, #01-14, Singapore 370079
+65 8748 4005
Tue to Sat: 11.30am – 2pm
Closed on Mon & Sun
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2. Soon Lee Lor Mee (#01-07)
Serving up rich and savoury bowls of Lor Mee, Soon Lee Lor Mee and its glistening noodles will make you crave seconds.
This lor mee stall sells, you guessed it, only lor mee, in 3 different sizes: Small (S$4), Medium (S$5), and Large (S$6). Their lor mee is thick, and the broth isn’t overpowering; rather, savoury instead. The noodles are soft and easy to chew, which definitely is a plus in my book.
Condiments such as vinegar and white pepper are used to enhance the flavour profile of the lor mee, giving it a good vinegary taste, pairing well with the gravy that coats each strand of noodle. The hard-boiled egg, which is also coated in the gravy, is savoury and starchy, with the yolk absorbing the braising liquid for an aromatic bite.
79 Circuit Road, Circuit Road Hawker Centre, #01-07
+65 9298 0115
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 7pm
Closed on Mon & Sun
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3. Victor Veggie (#01-92)
Vegetarian options are aplenty at Circuit Road, and Victor Veggie deserves its very own shoutout. Serving mock-meat satay, don’t knock until you’ve tried it — his vegetarian take on satay is extremely popular with residents and non-residents alike.
The Satay (S$0.80 per stick, min 10 sticks) is charred and has a nice burnt crispiness to it, and this flavour is elevated when paired with the nutty peanut sauce on the side. The flavour resembles that of chicken, and it’s honestly difficult to tell that it’s a vegetarian take on satay.
Having a mock-meat option in hawker centres is rare, and it’s interesting to try out how closely it can resemble chicken, without containing the ingredient at all. The way that it is barbequed gives it that slight charred look, where it’s crispy on the outside, while being soft and tender once you bite past the skin.
79A Circuit Rd, #01-92, Singapore 371079
+65 9002 5986
Mon & Tue, Thu to Sun: 2.30pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Wed
4. MAC Soya (#01-87)
Soya bean lovers (like myself) can indulge in the refreshing soya bean drink that MAC Soya provides. They offer their Original Soy Milk (S$2), Pearl Soy Milk (S$2.60) and Mocha Soy Milk (S$2.60). Drinks aside, what caught my eye was their Eggless Soya Tarts (S$2.20 for 2 pieces) and their Durian Jelly (S$1.80), of which I managed to snag the last container.
The owner asked me if I wanted my pearl soy milk to be ice blended, and I said yes. I felt that this was such a unique concept, and it stood out for its creamy taste and slushy-like consistency, definitely a necessity to combat the sweltering heat. The soy milk was sweet, and each sip was textured from the ice, and the pearls were soft and delicate.
The durian flavoured jelly gave a bold first impression, and it leaned towards being creamier rather than overpowering, and tasted rather sweet as well. While it is not the most conventional dessert, it is definitely one that will leave a lasting impression as an interesting sweet treat.
The soya tarts sounded interesting, and the buttery shell gave way to a silky custard filling, which had a gentle soya fragrance.
79A Circuit Rd, #01-87, Singapore 371079
Mon & Tue, Thu to Sun: 10.30am – 8pm
Closed on Wed
5. Three Treasures Roast Duck (#01-22)
What is a food centre visit without roasted duck? Three Treasures Roast Duck sure is a treasure in itself, serving up delights like Char Siew Rice (S$4) and Roasted Pork Noodles (S$4.50) in hearty portions and wallet-friendly prices.
I ordered their Roasted Duck Rice (S$5) and added an egg for an extra S$0.80. Their rice was lathered in gravy, and this made it savoury (a win for me as I don’t enjoy eating plain white rice by itself). I found that the addition of their chilli gave it a nice spicy kick, which I fancied.
The duck was rich with flavour and rather moist on the inside. Its skin was crispy, and it had a nice layer of fat, which I appreciated. Biting into the duck was not hard, and it had a soft and chewy mouthfeel, much to my delight. For a humble plate of duck rice, I felt that the flavours were well executed.
79 Circuit Rd, #01-22, Singapore 371079
10.30am – 8.30pm (Daily)
6. Isha Curry Puff (#01-53)
Curry Puffs are a must-have at any food centre, and Isha Curry Puff does them incredibly well. With their puffs ranging between S$1 to S$2.50, it is such a steal to get them at extremely affordable prices. It has me wondering, how are they able to survive in this economy while maintaining their low prices?
I opted for the Potato Curry Puff (S$1.50, left) and the Mutton Curry Puff (S$2, right). Encased in a flaky, golden crust, each bite contains the soft, comforting filling of the potatoes, which are coated in the sweet curry. If you’re looking for nostalgic bites, the potato curry puff would be the best for you, a familiar flavour, like something you would grab after school.
For those looking for something punchier and bolder, the mutton curry puff is a good contender. The filling is much more robust and contains tender chunks of mutton that soak up the curry spices nicely, making it a hearty snack for any time of the day.
79 Circuit Rd, #01-53, Singapore 370079
+65 8166 7318
Tue, Thu, Sat: 10.30am – 3pm
Wed: 11.30am – 3pm
Closed on Sun & Mon, Fri
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7. Yong Lai Fa Ji Shu Shi (#01-66)
Those looking for a warm bowl of soup can have their cravings satisfied at Yong Lai Fa Ji Shu Shi, which serves up piping hot bowls of fish soup and beehoon.
While not my go-to meal at a hawker centre (as I am not big on fish), I enjoyed that Yong Lai Fa Ji Shu Shi’s Fish Soup (S$5) came loaded with many pieces of sliced fish, and was smooth, without any overly fishy taste to it. The broth was clear and light, making it easily digestible, and the beehoon, while thin, retained the freshness of the broth.
The ingredients tasted as though they were plucked straight from the ocean (yes, that is how fresh it tasted), and for S$5, I would have liked to have more of them in my steaming bowl of fish soup.
Please do note that the waiting time for this stall might be slightly longer due to its popularity, so avoid coming during peak hours.
79A Circuit Rd, #01-66, Singapore 371079
Mon & Tue, Fri & Sat: 12pm – 7.30pm
Wed: 12pm – 8pm
Closed on Thu, Sun
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8. Nan Xing Claypot Rice (#01-11)
Claypot Rice is also available at Circuit Road, with Nan Xing Claypot Rice serving up great claypot rice. Serving up a variety of dishes with various ingredients, their Smoked Duck (S$7), Garlic Roasted Pork (S$7), and BBQ Pork Special Sauce (S$7) are definitely a must-try here.
Another crowd favourite would be their Chicken Claypot Rice (S$7 for 1 pax, S$14 for 2-3 pax, S$21 for 3-4 pax). The rice is aromatic, while the chicken is smoky and tender, and having it served while it’s piping hot definitely makes it that more flavourful.
Claypot rice is definitely a classic dish that we’ve all had growing up, and Nan Xing’s execution of it really hits the spot. They are generous with their seasoning, which gives it that subtle salty and umami taste to the rice and ingredients, and have grown a loyal fanbase who would come to Circuit Road specifically to try their claypot rice.
79 Circuit Rd, #01-11, Singapore 370079
+65 8498 6599
Mon & Tue, Thu to Sun: 12pm – 7.30pm
Closed on Wed
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9. Ghim Guan Fried Oyster (#01-60)
If you’re in the mood for seafood or just a seafood lover in general, Ghim Guan Fried Oyster has you covered, with their wok hei Fried Oysters (S$5/S$8/S$10/S$12). Other options include their Oyster Omelette (S$8/$10/$12/$15) or their Fried Carrot Cake (S$3.50/S$4.50/S$6).
The oyster omelette is definitely recommended at this stall, as savoury goodness oozes out from their gravy that is lathered all over the fried egg, and the oysters are plump, giving it a juicy mouthfeel, delivering a briny sweetness against a lightly caramelised crust. They do not hold back on the gravy, which is definitely a win in my opinion, coating it all over their ingredients.
While it might be slightly oily, the rich seafood flavour is not lost and instead elevated, making it a dish that can be savoured all on your own in indulgent silence, or shared amongst friends — though its rich, umami-packed deliciousness might make it difficult to do so.
79 Circuit Rd, #01-60, Singapore 370079
Mon & Tue, Thu to Sun: 4.30pm – 9.30pm
Closed on Wed
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10. Tian Seng Fried Prawn Mei (#01-10)
Tian Seng Fried Prawn Mei whips up aromatic hokkien mee that has you lining up again just to buy seconds. Their hokkien mee is available at S$4 and S$5. It seems as though many of the stalls at Circuit Road specialise in 1 particular dish, making the menu not overly complicated, and that high-quality food is definitely guaranteed here.
Deemed as an underrated hidden gem in Circuit Road by diners, the humble stir-fried hokkien mee is aromatic and slightly charred, not overly charred to have a bitter after-taste, but enough to taste the smoky sensation produced. The mixture of yellow noodles and beehoon yields an umami-laden bite, laced with lightly seared edges, giving depth to the hokkien mee’s flavour profile.
Tian Seng Fried Prawn Mei has also been featured in multiple Facebook eating groups, such as Hokkien Mee Hunting and Food We Eat N Share in SG, hence garnering a fanbase.
79 Circuit Rd, #01-10, Singapore 370079
Wed to Sun: 6pm – 11.55pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
Verdict
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