Those who are living in the secluded end of the North-East (purple) MRT Line—Punggol and Sengkang—would certainly agree that Serangoon and Kovan are the go-to spots for food in the area.
Serangoon and Kovan, being more mature estates, are filled with old-time hawkers, as well as new cafes and hidden gems which I find myself frequenting more often to curb my hunger pangs. Although Chomp Chomp may be the most popular, there are definitely some hidden gems that you may not know about.
Here’s a list of 25 best food spots in Serangoon and Kovan that you can note down, including some supper places that open late if you’re out on a midnight run.
1. Bee Kee Wanton Noodle 美記雲吞面
At the start of my list is the extraordinary Truffle Wanton Noodle (S$6) from Bee Kee Wanton Noodle. This bowl of wanton noodles surpassed my expectations in every possible way.
The noodles were thoroughly infused with truffle oil and spritzed with yet another dash of truffle oil on top before serving, causing a whiff of the strong aroma to hit my nose when mixing up the noodles. However, after sitting in the truffle oil for a while, the egg noodles started to have a distinctive alkaline taste. So eat up quickly!
2 Lorong Lew Lian, Foodpark, Singapore 531002
Daily: 7am to 8pm
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2. Ah Seng Braised Duck Rice
With Chomp Chomp stealing the glory most of the time in Serangoon Gardens, one should not overlook Ah Seng Braised Duck Rice. With two generations’ worth of history and an exclusive family recipe, it is no wonder why they are a crowd-favourite.
I proceeded to order a delectable plate of Braised Duck Rice (S$3.50). Their braised duck was well-marinated and succulent, making every bite a pleasure. The sauce was light with a tinge of herbal aroma that complemented the plain rice well. Just having the rice together with the sauce was satisfying enough.
Do check out this place for a duck rice fix and I promise you will not be disappointed.
49A Serangoon Garden Way, Serangoon Garden Market, #01-44, Singapore 555945
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5pm
Closed on Sun
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3. Hong Chang Eating House 宏昌餐室
Nestled beside the bustling cross junction of Braddell Road, Hong Chang Eating House is definitely no stranger to passersby and residents of that area. An unassuming place in the day, it transforms into a lively supper hangout spot at night so do expect a huge crowd.
It is the perfect place for a bowl of Ginger and Spring Onion Claypot Frog Leg (S$16 for three, S$22 for four) paired with Plain Porridge (S$2 for small, S$3 for big). The light flavour of the sauce complements the tenderness of the frog leg perfectly. Down it with a mouthful of piping hot congee—you’ll definitely give a satisfying sigh.
2 Braddell Road, Singapore 359895
Tue to Sun: 3pm – 2am
Closed on Mon
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4. Lau Wang Claypot Delights 老王砂煲小厨
Tucked away from the chaos of Serangoon Central in a little corner, sits a small coffee shop that houses Lau Wang Claypot Delights.
When you’re there, try the Frog Leg Herbal Soup (S$9 for one frog, S$17 for two frogs, S$22 for three frogs). The herbs, goji berries, and red dates made the clear broth taste extremely homemade and nourishing for the body. The frogs were also fleshy and delectably chewy.
Another winner was the Sesame Chicken (S$5.80/S$7.80). Cooked in a special black sauce made primarily from ginger and spring onion, the zup was thick but not overwhelming, and I could tell that sesame oil was used generously to cook this dish.
I’m already planning my next visit!
263 Serangoon Central Drive, #01-43, Singapore 550263
Daily: 11am – 9.45pm
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5. Suriya Curry House
Nothing says supper in Singapore quite like some legit Indian cuisine.
Although a tad expensive, the portion of Chicken Murtabak (S$8) that you’ll find at Suriya Curry House is huge. Chunks of chicken pieces were embedded within the crusty dough, along with onions and spices.
The stall definitely makes for a good supper spot too as it’s open 24 hours daily!
536 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534551
Daily: 24 hours
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6. Finest Song Kee Fishball Noodles
Finest Song Kee Fish Ball Noodle is the neighbour of Suriya Curry House, and is yet another great spot for night owls as it stays open till 2am. The recipe of the Fish Ball Noodle (S$4/S$6) is not as great as the previous generation’s, but it’s overall still decent.
Bouncy handmade fishballs, succulent fish dumplings (hee keow), and springy noodles bring Song Kee the crowd and fame that it truly deserves.
532 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534547
Daily: 11am – 2pm & 6.30pm – 1am
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7. Tai Lei Loi Kei 澳门大利来记猪扒包
Yearning for a taste of Macau? Tai Lei Loi Kei offers a glimpse of classic dishes and snacks with Oriental and Portuguese influences, like the famous Bolo Pork Bun (S$6.90).
A greasy pork patty is sandwiched between crusty, sweet buns, offering a good play of texture and flavours. However, the patty could be a little more tender.
Try it for yourself and let us know what you think!
23 Serangoon Central, Nex Shopping Mall, #B2-15, Singapore 556083
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
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8. The Plain Jane
An advocate of slow-living, The Plain Jane serves up unpretentious swiss rolls, fresh bakes and coffees to enjoy over a girly afternoon date.
Don’t miss out on the Original Crème (S$4.90) and Meringue Roulade (S$5.90/S$6.90) for a more unique twist on the classic sponge cake. The Thai Milk Tea and Matcha flavours are also hot favourites!
Blk 211 Serangoon Avenue 4, #01-10, Singapore 550211
Mon, Tue & Thu: 12pm – 8pm
Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 8pm
Closed on Wed
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9. Kim Heng (HK) Roasted Delights
If you love smoky charred meats, Kim Heng (HK) Roasted Delights will be your next go-to stall for roasted delights. A line of charcoal-roasted meats glistening in rendered fat juices are neatly displayed at the window, tempting you to order and pile everything on your plate.
Go for the Chicken Roasted Pork Rice (S$4.50) and you won’t be disappointed.
214 Serangoon Avenue 4, #01-88, Singapore 550214
Mon & Tue, Thu to Sun: 9am – 7pm
Closed on Wed
10. Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Mee
Ah Hock is rated as the best Hokkien mee stall among regulars at Chomp Chomp Food Centre, and always has a long queue, meaning it’ll probably take 30 to 45 minutes for your order to be served.
It’s pretty good, but if you love lard, skip the line, as you’ll be disappointed to know that this version doesn’t come with it.
20 Kensington Park Road, Chomp Chomp Food Centre, #01-27, Singapore 557269
Tue to Sun: 5.30pm – 12am
Closed on Mon
11. Soon Huat Pig’s Organ Soup
Located in the second most popular hawker centre to eat at in Serangoon Gardens, you’ll also find a long queue at Soon Huat for their Pig’s Organ Soup (S$3.50/S$4.50/S$5.50). The slices of tomatoes in the soup added a tangy taste to the salted vegetable broth.
49A Serangoon Garden Way, Serangoon Garden Market, #01-42, Singapore 555945
Wed to Sun: 9.30am – 4pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
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12. Chong Qing Grilled Fish (重庆烤鱼)
Chong Qing Grilled Fish is a joint worth visiting whenever you are missing the comfort of authentic Chinese cuisine.
Its charm also lies in the location, which eliminates the need to travel long distances to satisfy your mala cravings.
Go for the Small Golden Snapper in Spicy Fragrant Broth (S$36), and consider additional toppings such as Luncheon Meat (S$4.80) and Quail Eggs (S$4.80) for an even heartier dish.
For those who are not so comfortable with spicy food, fret not; you can always let the friendly staff know about your spice level preferences.
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2 Maju Avenue, Singapore 556680
Daily: 11am – 2am
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13. Seng Kee Mushroom Minced Meat Noodles
Evidently, the main fare from Seng Kee Mushroom Minced Meat Noodles is its namesake, the Minced Meat Pork Noodles (S$4.50). This dish blends the tenderness of the liver and pork slices, along with the smoothness of the mushrooms, to create a hearty umami flavour. The springy yellow mee serves well to combat the savouriness of the soup and can be easily slurped up.
Another highly recommended dish is their Fish Maw Soup (S$10/S$12), which is complemented by a piece of dried sole fish. Premium fish maw is added to the rich soup which has been boiled for hours, making for an addictive combination of flavours that will leave you wanting maw!
49A Serangoon Garden Way, Serangoon Garden Market, #01-36, Singapore 555945
Tue to Sat: 7.30am – 1.30am
Closed on Sun & Mon
14. Cheng Kee Beef Kway Teow
Known for its beef kway teow, Cheng Kee had already run out of the popular dish by the time I reached. Nonetheless, the bowl of Beef Thick Bee Hoon Soup (S$4/S$5) that I had instead was one of the best I’ve eaten thus far.
The rich, cloudy broth was filled with sweetness from boiling the beef bones and meats, and it was also peppery from the spices infused in it. The vinaigrette chilli was tangy and paired well with the fresh beef slices.
True story, I slurped down every bit, right up to the last drop of soup. Yum.
203 Hougang Street 21, Wong Poh Kopitiam, Singapore 530203
Daily: 8.30am – 5pm
15. Simon Road Fried Hokkien Mee
An old stall that brings waves of nostalgia to many who grew up eating its only item on the menu, Simon Road Fried Hokkien Mee is nestled in a quaint coffee shop in Kovan.
Instead of using the usual thick bee hoon, the stall makes its famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee (S$4/S$5/S$6/S$8/S$10) using the thin bee hoon to soak up the prawn soup stock, making it drier as you chow through the dish.
It came with an ample portion of sotong and pork, along with three prawns so that each mouthful was filled with ingredients.
210 Hougang Street 21, Gourmet Street (伙食街 ), Singapore 530210
Wed to Sun: 10.30am – 9pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
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16. Chong Pang Huat 忠邦發
If your mouth’s itching for a light snack to go along with the aforementioned Simon Road Hokkien Mee, you can get sticks of Chicken, Mutton, and Pork Satay (S$0.60 each, minimum 10 sticks) at Chong Pang Huat which is right beside it.
These glistening skewered meats are tender and infused with lemongrass, coriander and other spices. The accompanying peanut sauce was thick and paste-like with bits of crushed peanuts, reminding me of a slightly watery version of peanut butter.
My only qualm was that the sauce could have been less oily.
9 Hougang Street 21, Kovan Hougang Market & Food Centre, #01-50, Singapore 530209
Mon to Wed: 11am – 8pm
Thu to Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
17. Ponggol Nasi Lemak Centre
Featuring the ever-popular Chinese-style nasi lemak, you can customise your own plate at Punggol Nasi Lemak Centre and pile it up with your favourite ingredients like fried chicken wings, fish fillet, otah, long beans, and more.
Be sure to bring along more cash though as it is way more pricey as compared to other nasi lemak alternatives.
965 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534721
Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun: 4.30pm to 12am
Closed on Thu
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18. Yi Dian Xin Hong Kong Dim Sum 一点心香港试点心
Yi Dian Xin is a fuss-free and cheap hawker dim sum joint. Located in the popular midnight supper area of Upper Serangoon, it can be slightly tricky spotting it through the massive crowds patronising Heng Long Teochew Porridge right beside it.
The Head Chef, Foong was from Tung Lok restaurant previously, so you know quality is assured in the dim sum dishes. Some items to try include the Steam Carrot Cake (S$2.60), and the Salted Egg Custard Bun (S$3).
1014 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534752
Mon & Wed to Sun: 7am – 3pm
Closed on Tue
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19. Heng Long Teochew Porridge 兴隆潮洲粥
Heng Long Teochew Porridge has long been a popular midnight supper spot for the Serangooners, and it’s not hard to see why.
Boasting a large variety of comforting dishes just like those you’d have at home, some of the ingredients you can slurp up with your Teochew mui include spicy minced pork, salted egg, braised duck, fish cake, and cabbage (高麗菜), topped with braised sauce (卤汁).
012 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534750
Daily: 11am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 11.30pm
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20. Qi Wei Ji Bao 奇味雞煲
Qi Wei Ji Bao serves the ultimate comfort food for a cold rainy night or a great supper spot on cheat days. The Spicy Chicken Hotpot (S$24.90) is a personal favourite; although slightly salty to eat with just the gravy alone, it goes really well with a fluffy bowl of rice.
The pot of chicken is thoroughly infused in the zhup along with onions, green peppers, leeks, dried chilli and garlic. You can also choose the intensity of spiciness, and add on other side ingredients for S$3.80 each.
947 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534725
Daily: 11.30am – 1am
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21. Lola’s Cafe
Tucked along a row of shophouses a stone’s throw away from Kovan MRT, Lola’s Cafe, is always crowded with students and office workers alike. The small and cosy backyard cafe promises to serve food and drinks made with great love.
From their well-raved Honey Paprika Crispy Wings (S$10), Ultimate Croissant (S$15) to Lola’s Chocolate Cake (S$7), Lola’s Cafe is one place not to miss when you’re out stuffing your tummy.
5 Simon Road, Singapore 545893
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10.30pm
Closed on Mon
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22. 21 Seafood
Indulge in affordably-priced quality crab dishes at 21 Seafood. Sourced from Sri Lanka, the crabs served at 21 Seafood are sweet and succulent. What’s even more irresistible are the prices—three small crabs will set you back S$25, and two large crabs are priced at S$40.
Crabs not your thing? Fret not. 21 Seafood also whips up zi char dishes such as the Hotplate Beancurd (S$10) which is sure to satisfy!
212 Hougang Street 21, #01-347, Singapore 530212
Daily: 12pm – 1am
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23. Punggol Noodles
A unique joint run by Mr Yee who lost one of his hands in an accident, Punggol Noodles serves up bowls of flavourful Minced Pork Noodles (S$3.50). The minced meat is presented as a patty on top of the delightfully springy noodles.
An additional bonus of the stall is that it provides free-flow salted fish and lard. Win! The stall also sells Intestines (S$2) and Meatball Soup (S$2) as sides to complete your dining experience.
105 Hougang Avenue 1, Hainanese Village Centre, #02-24, Singapore 530105
Tue to Thu & Sat & Sun: 8am – 3pm
Closed on Mon & Fri
24. Sin Chie Toke Huan
Craving for a good plate of traditional Hainanese curry rice? Sin Chie Toke Huan has got your back. Raking in long queues right from their opening time, a plate of curry rice this good draws North-East residents like ants to sugar.
Of course one has to bear in mind that they don’t exactly serve the cheapest cai fan here but a plate of one vegetable, two meats, and a fish dish totals up to S$6.50. And that’s pretty okay in my books.
1018 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534756
Fri to Sun: 5pm – 3.30am
Closed on Mon to Thu
25. Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap
Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap, a popular eatery offering authentic street-style Thai fare and a less-commonly seen Thai version of the Teochew dish kway chap (aka kuay jab). If the hunger pangs hit you at an ungodly hour, you’d be glad to know that they open till 2am daily.
This simple cash-only eatery sells their Signature Thai Kway Chap (S$5), Deep-Fried Thai Pork Belly (S$6/S$8/S$10), Thai Mid-Wings (S$6/S$8/S$10), Thai Fish Sausage (S$6/S$8), and many more.
945 Upper Serangoon Road Singapore, Singapore 534711
Daily: 11am – 2am
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Have any other places in mind in Serangoon and Kovan that we haven’t featured in this list? Let us know in the comments.
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