It’s a true dilemma to decide where to eat, especially when you’re looking for a speedy yet satisfying meal.
Growing up in the East as a self-proclaimed foodie, I’ve always made my goal to identify the best places to eat that won’t entail more than a short walk from the station. Having to take public transport and squeeze with the crowd is bad enough, and there simply isn’t time to waste.
With that, I’ve compiled 12 must-try stalls around Bedok MRT for a quick & hearty meal for all you ravenous monsters. Sorry, Westies!
1. Chai Chee Minced Meat Noodle 菜市肉脞麺
Over at Block 216 Market And Food Centre lies Chai Chee Minced Meat Noodle 菜市肉脞麺, a familiar competitor in the minced meat noodle scene. You might have heard of the famed Bedok 85 versions and this one lies right below them on the ladder.
The Minced Meat Mee (S$3.50/Small, S$4.50/Large) is prepared-to-order with egg noodles, meatballs and handmade dumplings, and served in a rich broth with minced meat and spring onions. Despite the long queue, I found the wait worth it for this comforting meal.
What’s best about Chai Chee Minced Meat Noodle is that it’s merely a short walk away from the interchange. Now you don’t have to take a bus ride to 85 Fengshan Centre for some good ol‘ noodle soup.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and this is definitely one to settle for when those cravings set in!
Chai Chee Minced Meat Noodle 菜市肉脞麺: 216 Bedok North Street 1 Market And Food Centre, #01-64, Singapore 460216 | Opening Hours: 9am – 2pm (Daily)
2. Chris Kway Chap 瑞庆粿汁
Another contender at Block 216 Market And Food Centre is Chris Kway Chap 瑞庆粿汁. The stall is plastered with articles and awards, and there are often long queues especially on weekday mornings.
A portion of Kway Chap (S$5) would give you a bowl with broad rice sheets doused in soy sauce broth. It also comes with a plate of mixed ingredients such as tau kwa (firm tofu), pig’s innards, braised eggs or braised pork. The sheer sight of it is already making me drool!
Whenever I ask around for recommendations in Bedok, Chris Kway Chap never fails to be mentioned. With a minimum 20-minute wait, we’re sure the team must be doing something right. Definitely a must-try stall here!
Chris Kway Chap 瑞庆粿汁: 216 Bedok North Street 1 Market And Food Centre, #01-80, Singapore 460216 | Opening Hours: 8am – 2pm (Wed – Sun), Closed on Mon & Tue
3. Cuppage Beef Noodles
Over at a more atas food court in Bedok, you’ll find Cuppage Beef Noodles at Gourmet Heritage. The air-conditioned space recently popped up a few years back, right beside the open-air hawker centre.
Besides its accolades, it’s also our family’s favourite meal. Plus, the cooling food court is our refuge when the weather is scorching!
The Dry Beef Noodles (S$5) comes with thick dark gravy slathered over thick white bee hoon and it’s served with slices of lean beef. The sauce had a thicker consistency which I preferred, with earthy, herbal notes from those long hours of boiling.
Pair it with a kick of spice from the chilli and tanginess from the lime, and this is comfort food at its best.
Prices here are a tad higher than at the average hawker stall, yet it’s absolutely worth it. This traditional bowl of noodles is an all-in-one delight!
Cuppage Beef Noodle: 208D New Upper Changi Road, Gourmet Heritage, Singapore 464208 | Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Tue – Sun), Closed on Mon
4. Hao Lai Ke 好来客
We’re all familiar with the famous Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung serving up authentic Taiwanese fare such as xiao long bao (soup dumplings), la mian (Taiwanese noodles) and fried rice.
Well, Hao Lai Ke 好来客 located at Happy Hawkers is a short walk from the bustling Bedok interchange food centre and the team serves up all that jazz – at a way more affordable price.
Helmed by ex-Din Tai Fung chef, the humble stall has risen to the occasion with their affordable dishes that resemble the version from the renowned food chain, such as the Pork Ribs Fried Rice (S$6).
The fried rice was reminiscent of the original but the pork slices weren’t as thick in comparison, which gave a rather underwhelming bite. Yet, at close to half the original price, I can safely say I definitely made my money’s worth.
If the queue at Din Tai Fung in Bedok Mall is too long for you, Hao Lai Ke is the cheaper and quicker alternative!
Hao Lai Ke 好来客: 204 Bedok North Street 1, #01-393, Singapore 460204 | Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Daily)| Facebook
5. Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle 福海 (芳林) 咖喱鸡面
One of my absolute favourites in the vicinity has to be Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle 福海 (芳林) 咖喱鸡面, nestled inside of Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre.
You simply can’t escape the long queues they attract and the aromatic curry that wafts through the air as you walk past the stall.
A classic bowl of Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee (S$4) is often served with a generous portion of chicken, fish cake, tau pok (beancurd puffs) and potatoes. If you’re absolutely famished, there are S$5 and S$6 options to appease that hunger.
Ultimately, the sinful yet addictive curry gravy is what keeps customers coming back for more. Thick, creamy and oh-so-indulgent, Hock Hai’s rendition isn’t too jelak and simply satisfies any curry or noodle cravings.
Trust me, this bowl of goodness is worth even a trip down from the West.
Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle 福海 (芳林) 咖喱鸡面: 208B New Upper Changi Road, #01-58, Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Singapore 462208 | Opening Hours: 9am – 11pm (Daily) | Facebook
6. Inspirasi
For those who fancy some Malay fare, Inspirasi at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre is one to look out for.
A popular stall in the Bedok vicinity, the attention it has garnered over the years stems from a simple motive to make people happy with the food they cook.
The Soto Ayam (S$2.50) constantly has customers coming back for more and after giving it a shot myself, I can totally understand why. The turmeric-spiced broth is boiled for 12 hours, which really gave it a rich and earthy base.
Paired with that tender shredded chicken and Bergedil (fried potato cake) (S$0.50), this bowl of noodle soup will warm the soul.
The queue might seem long, but trust the team at Inspirasi to whip up your dishes in record time. The convenience and quality of food are both enough to make this meal super worth it.
Inspirasi: 208B New Upper Changi Road, #01-11, Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Singapore 460207 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm (Mon – Sat), 9.30am – 11pm (Sun)
7. Jimmy People’s Park
Jimmy’s People’s Park at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre is yet another hot favourite.
Whipping up plates of Fried Kway Teow, Fried Oyster and Fried Oyster Egg within a price range of S$3 – S$8, the accomplished stall is more known for their one famous dish – Fried Carrot Cake.
The Fried Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4) is what people come here for, and you’ll often see snaking queues at any time of the day.
With a slightly crispy exterior, the carrot chunks were also savoury and soft.
While I didn’t try the other contending items, I’ve heard a great deal of their Fried Kway Teow. Well, another reason to visit the bustling Bedok area, I guess.
Jimmy People’s Park: 207 New Upper Changi Road, Bedok Interchange Food Centre, #01-47, Singapore 460207 | Opening Hours: 10am-8pm (Tue – Sun), Closed on Mon
8. Pin Xiang Chicken Rice 品香雞飯
Ah, here’s a gem that you simply can’t (and won’t) miss when you’re at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre. Pin Xiang Chicken Rice 品香雞飯 undoubtedly wins with the longest queue at the food centre, but that’s not the only thing attracting the crowd.
The stall helpers often shout across the queue to take orders and it’s easy to hear them from tables away. Some may find it distracting but they’re just trying to ease the queue and appease hungry customers.
Even if you stick with a simple plate of Chicken Rice (S$3), we guarantee nothing less than a gastronomical experience. With tender and juicy chicken paired together with the aromatic rice, it was more than just the best of both worlds. Pin Xiang has truly mastered the skill of elevating this humble dish.
Every time I’m in the vicinity, I always see a snaking queue in front of the stall. That itself is a true testimony to its fantastic plates of chicken rice. If you don’t mind waiting a while more, we’re sure this will definitely be worth the wait.
Pin Xiang Chicken Rice 品香雞飯: 208B New Upper Changi Road, #01-03, Singapore 462208 | Opening Hours: 9.30am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Website
9. Sin Ho 星河
Unlike some hawker stalls in Block 216 Market And Food Centre that close early, Sin Ho 星河 caters to both the morning and evening crowd.
They serve up the usual suspects you’d find at any other zi char stall but they’ve got a few stand-out dishes you simply have to make a trip down to try.
One dish you cannot miss out is the Prawn Paste Chicken (Har Jeong Kai )($7/Small). Coated in a thick batter and deep-fried till perfectly crispy, these gems are every fried chicken lovers’ delight.
The crispy prawn paste skin packed in juicy and succulent meat. The first bite of the piping hot snack left the roof of my mouth burning, yet I relished in the satisfying burn. If there was a top 10 best har jeong kai list, this definitely sits close to the top!
Sin Ho 星河: Blk 216 Bedok North Street 1 Market and Food Centre, #01-75, Singapore 460416 | Opening Hours: 8.30am – 2pm (Lunch, Wed – Sun), 5pm – 9pm (Dinner, Wed – Sun), Closed on Mon & Tue
10. Song Zhou Luo Bo Gao 松洲萝卜糕
Making a name for itself with its one standout dish, Song Zhou Luo Bo Gao 松洲萝卜糕 at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre has perfected the old-school black and white carrot cake.
Their Carrot Cake (S$3/regular, S$3.50/large) is available in black or white. This simple stir-fried radish cake dish comes with eggs, chye poh (preserved radish) and essential seasonings. With nothing too fancy, the stall takes pride in their dish and is always consistent in their Carrot Cake every time I visit.
I do prefer the white version because the sweetness is less overpowering. The radish-to-egg ratio is well-balanced and the crunchy chye poh is extremely addictive.
If you’ve got some time to kill, we’d recommend grabbing a snack at Song Zhou Luo Bo Gao. One thing’s for sure, they’re the real deal when it comes to the carrot cake game.
Song Zhou Luo Bo Gao 松洲萝卜糕: 207 New Upper Changi Road, #01-37, Singapore 460207 | Tel: +65 9684 3555 | Opening Hours: 6.30am – 8pm (Mon – Sat), Closed on Sun
11. Yu Kee Duck Rice 友记鸭饭
With more than 20 stalls in Singapore and other food businesses, Yu Kee Duck Rice 友记鸭饭 at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre is popular amongst the Bedok residents for solid plate of duck rice.
The Specialty Duck Rice (S$3.50) is the standard order for customers, with tender braised duck lying atop fragrant yam rice. Served with complimentary sides of peanuts, preserved vegetables, a braised egg and a bowl of soup, this will easily satiate your appetite.
I did think it was lacking in bite because the slices of duck were quite thin. The staff service at this outlet was also rather slipshod. The attention over the years might have caused them to compromise on their quality, but it still makes a decent treat. Try it for yourself before judging!
Yu Kee Duck Rice 友记鸭饭: 208B New Upper Changi Road, #01-28, Singapore 460208 | Tel: +65 6555 6992 | Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Daily) | Other Outlets | Website | Facebook
12. Zhong Xing Ban Mian 中興板麺
Don’t be fooled by the rather tacky signboard by Zhong Xing Ban Mian 中興板麺 at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre. Run by an elderly couple, the modest stall makes their noodles by hand and is known for their noodle soup bowls.
My bowl of Mee Hoon Kway Soup (S$3.50) took a while to churn out due to the aged chef and owners. It’s as simple as it can get, with chunks of marinated minced pork, poached egg, fried ikan bilis (anchovies) and vegetables all together in a warm bowl of noodle soup.
The true star of this humble bowl has got to be the meat which was well-seasoned and cooked to a tender consistency. The soup base was hearty and light but yet nothing extremely notable to shout about.
For those in a serious need of some ban mian, this might do the trick.
Zhong Xing Ban Mian 中興板麺: 207 New Upper Changi Road, #01-46, Singapore 460207 | Opening Hours: 9am – 11pm (Wed – Mon), Closed on Tue
As an Eastie all my life, it’s always been an agenda of mine to be well-informed on the options around me that are cheap and good. Of course, this condensed list isn’t representative of every acclaimed stall in Bedok, if not it would’ve been endless.
Bedok offers an array of options for any meal of the day, right at your fingertips. We hope this guide makes it easier for you to decide on what to eat in Bedok!
