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As we conclude another cycle around the sun, we often use this time to reflect on the year. We foodies here at SETHLUI.com think that it’s time to reflect on our gastronomical experiences throughout the year, so I’ve collated a list of 2025’s best hawker food spots!
Please note that this list is subjective and based on our opinions. I encourage everyone to form their own lists and share them! With that, here’s a round-up of 2025’s best hawker food spots found in Singapore.
Best Hakka lei cha
Thunderbolt Tea by Boon Lay Traditional Hakka Lui Cha
Most Gen Zs today are likely unfamiliar with Hakka lei cha, which translates to Hakka thunder tea rice. If that’s got you curious, then head down to Paya Lebar and try Thunderbolt Tea by Boon Lay Traditional Hakka Lui Cha. Their White Rice Thunder Tea (S$4.50) is humongous, given the price point. It’s packed to the brim with vegetables that provide a healthy bite filled with beneficial vitamins and antioxidants.
If you want an even healthier meal, try their Brown Rice Thunder Tea (S$5), where they substitute the white rice with brown rice.
129 Geylang East Avenue 2, #01-100, Singapore 380129
Tel: +65 9339 8979
Daily: 9am – 2pm
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Best laksa
George’s Laksa
George’s Laksa (or Katong Laksa) along Changi Road is the definition of ‘hidden gem’. Tucked within a sleepy eatery, the stall is operated by the titular man, George, and serves their signature Katong Laksa (S$6/7/8). Its gravy is so creamy and coconutty, which is balanced by the full-bodied umami from the shrimp bits.
You can distinguish Katong-style laksa by how the noodles are served in short strands, which allows you to slurp it all up with just a spoon. Frankly, I wouldn’t blame you if you gulped the whole bowl down with just a spoon.
307 Changi Road, Singapore 419785
Tel: +65 9023 7360
Daily: 8am – 2.30pm
Closed on alternate Tue
Best Penang cuisine
Mama’s Kent Secret Recipe
When one invokes the word ‘mama’, they often refer to the warm comfort of home and hearty recipes made to soothe the soul. That’s exactly what you get at Mama’s Kent Secret Recipe in Tanjong Pagar Plaza. The stall is run by Kent Cheong, who picked up his recipes from his beloved mother. Have a go at their Penang Laksa (S$7.50 for Small, S$9 for Large), which brings the fabled assam laksa of Penang’s shores to Singapore.
If you prefer a garlicky sambal treat, try their Mama’s Chilli Prawn (S$10) that comes with white rice, vegetables, ikan bilis, and 6 curried prawns. Before you ask, yes, the ikan bilis is made in-house.
1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, YIHO Eating House #02-04/05 4A, Singapore 082001
Tel: +65 9164 4280
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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Best carrot cake
618 Sim Carrot Cake
Everyone loves a good plate of carrot cake, but who has the best plate of carrot cake? Well, I think 2025’s best hawker carrot cake is 618 Sim Carrot Cake along Yishun Ring Road. Their Fried Carrot Cake (S$4/5) is so good it’ll have you waiting up to an hour! Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
When you take a bite, you’re first hit with the crispiness of the fragrant crust-like surface, then spirited away by the pillow-soft pieces of carrot cake. They also serve cai poh with the carrot cake, which is quite rare.
618 Yishun Ring Road, Food Lane, #01-3232, Singapore 760618
Wed to Mon: 6.30am – 2pm
Closed on Tue
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Best prata
Aminah’s Prata
Aminah’s Prata in Geylang East Market & Food Centre is honestly Geylang’s best-kept secret. You have a wide variety of pratas to choose from, with staples like Plain Prata going for just S$1.30/pc (though you need to buy a minimum of 2). Their Egg Prata (S$2/pc) is an absolute treat, too. Overall, Aminah’s Prata keeps it simple and serves the best prata they can, and it’s one of our favourites.
117 Aljunied Avenue 2, Geylang East Market & Food Centre, #01-44, Singapore 380117
Daily: 7am – 2pm
Best wanton mee
Pin Xiang Wanton Mee
Pin Xiang Wanton Mee in Toa Payoh Palm Spring Market is honestly something special. Well, of course it is, given that it’s 2025’s best hawker wanton mee. The lady manning the stall has been working here since she was 17 years old and celebrated her 30th anniversary as a hawker when we visited.
Grab their old-school Wanton Mee (S$4 for Small, S$5 for Large) with an extra serving of Chicken Feet (S$2). Or, grab their Ipoh-style Shredded Chicken & Mushrooms Hor Fun (S$4 for Small, S$5 for Large).
93 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Palm Spring Market, #01-46, Singapore 310093
Tel: +65 9755 7741
Tue to Sun: 4.30am – 1pm
Closed on Mon
Best nasi lemak
Super Shiok Nasi Lemak
If you name your stall Super Shiok Nasi Lemak, you set a rather high standard for yourself. This nasi lemak stall in Bendemeer Market & Food Centre walks the walk and talks the talk. They have 2 other branches in Bedok North and Tiong Bahru, but most consider their Bendemeer branch the best. Their Set 3 (S$4.60) comes with all the usual nasi lemak components, along with 1 chicken wing and an ikan kuning (yellow fish).
You can also try their Set 4 (S$3.60), which comes with a large slab of otah.
29 Bendemeer Road, Bendemeer Market & Food Centre, #01-13, Singapore 330029
Tel: +65 9661 5270
Daily: 6am – 1.30pm
Best Korean fried chicken
ICG Chicken & Burger
How surprised are you to hear that the best Korean fried chicken comes from a hawker and not a fast food chain? ICG Chicken & Burger in Northpoint Bizhub is a humble Korean bistro that serves some of the best Korean fried chicken in Singapore, scoring an impressive 4.9/5 stars on Google Reviews (at the time of writing).
Savour their satisfyingly sweet Garlic Soy Fried Chicken (S$8.90 for Small, S$13.90 for Medium, S$20.90 for Large), or a plate of Spicy Gangjung Fried Chicken (S$8.90 for Small, S$13.90 for Medium, S$20.90 for Large).
2 Yishun Industrial Street 1, Northpoint Bizhub, #01-11, Singapore 768159
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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Best Middle Eastern cuisine
Taibah Arabic
Not many people pay attention to Middle Eastern cuisine besides your standard kebabs. Well, enter Taibah Arabic in Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre, which is 2025’s best hawker Middle Eastern cuisine. run by a couple who used to own a stall along Arab Street.
They serve Middle Eastern delights that are hard to find in Singapore. One example is Maqluba Rice (S$10 for Chicken, S$11 for Beef, S$17 for Lamb Shank), where rice is layered under a trove of herbs and spices, then turned upside down.
676 Woodlands Drive 71, Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre, #02-36, Singapore 730676
Tel: +65 8751 9013
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
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