Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
“Looks like someone forgot to install a stop button in the eastern part of Singapore, because the makan options there just keep multiplying,” said the slightly jealous guy from the central region, ahem.
For those staying near Pasir Ris, you’re in for a treat. Take a leisurely stroll down to Downtown East, and you’ll be greeted by a shiny-new food court by Singapura Heritage at E!AVENUE, which just had its grand opening on 14 Mar 2025.
This energetic food hall has all your good ol’ favourite hawker must-haves, set within a nostalgic 1980s environment. There are a total of 6 stalls, 5 of which feature local specialities, while the sixth stall offers satisfying Western favourites for a little diversity.
I believe I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t enjoy bak chor mee. Mui Siong Bak Chor Mee is renowned for its thick-cut slices of liver, marinated overnight and freshly cooked to order, revealing a pink centre that’s soft and luxurious — now you know the reason for the long queues that often stretch past 45 minutes.
Zhong Zhong Wu Xiang has a history of more than 5 decades, and has made a name for itself as a main supplier of ngoh hiang, producing and distributing to hotels, restaurants, hawker stalls, cafes, and bars all over Singapore.
Savour this authentic Teochew favourite, consisting of fried five-spice rolls (ngoh hiang), side-by-side with other accompaniments such as the beloved crunchy prawn fritters, yam rolls, chestnut pancake, the distinctive ‘pink’ sausage, and many others.
If you’re a prawn mee enthusiast, don’t miss out on Zhen Jie Prawn Noodle which has been delivering quality bowls since 2016.
To develop its signature flavour, Zhen Jie starts off by frying a trio of prawn varieties in garlic oil, then adds chicken and pork bones to the broth. This process produces a flavourful and punchy prawn aroma that will knock your socks off!
Hainanese curry rice aficionados should check out Heng Heng Hainanese Curry Rice. The showstoppers here are its pork chop with shatteringly-crispy skin, piquant braised pork belly, and melt-in-the-mouth cabbage. The plates of rice and ingredients are then slathered with the signature curry that ties everything beautifully.
At Ah Rong’s Wanton Noodle, relish in springy homemade egg noodles that are tossed in a secret in-house sauce that contains nuances of pork broth in every bowl of wanton mee that’s dished out.
It’s then topped with char siew, freshly deep-fried lard, a fiery hot and spicy secret chilli sauce, and handmade wantons — fried or boiled — perfumed with sesame oil. Now that, my friends, is what I call heavenly!
Adding diversity to this local line-up is Kenny Rogers Roasters Express, known for its roasted chicken rotisserie. They also offer its new fried chicken offerings, with limited menu specials like the exclusive Korean Soy Garlic flavour range (looks like they got hit by the K-fever as well).
Thinking where to go this weekend? Go check out the new Singapura Heritage food court at Downtown East to get your belly satisfied!
21 best affordable hawker centres in Singapore for delicious local fare [Dec 2024 update]
