As the year draws to a close, I figured it’d be great to put together a collection of our top stalls that we loved throughout 2023.
In anticipation of the list’s release, I’m preparing myself for potential comments and criticism that might arise. Keep in mind that tastes vary, and you may or may not resonate with some of the places listed. So, do approach it with a pinch of salt!
So with that, I present to you a roundup of the best 2023 hawker and kopitiam spots in Singapore which we have discovered.
Best zi char
After exploring various zi char spots in 2023, Fa La Seafood on St George’s Road stood out with its impressive dishes and reasonable prices. A personal favourite is the Caipu Hor Fun (S$5 for small), a rare find in Singapore.
Additionally, their Prawn Paste Chicken (S$10 for small) and Salted Fish Fried Rice (S$4.50) excel, with the salted fish bits achieving a delightful crispiness and serving as a flavourful garnish.
Best dry laksa
I had a go-to dry laksa spot until I followed my Editor to Omage Foods at 85 Fengshan Centre. The Dry Laksa (S$5.50 for medium) there completely exceeded my expectations and is, without a doubt, one of the best I’ve ever tasted.
Best beef noodles
I visited Hwa Heng Beef Noodle at Bendemeer Market & Food Centre when I was reviewing for my best-rated series, and this is one of the only stalls that actually matched its highest google rating.
The Mixed Beef Noodles W/ Tendon (S$6.50) featured various cuts of tender beef complemented by a perfectly balanced gravy. Whenever I have a craving for beef noodles, this stall unquestionably tops my list.
Best Korean jjajangmyeon
As someone yet to visit Korea and experience authentic jjajangmyeon, the rendition over at Wooga Jjajang at Old Airport Road Food Centre captivated me with its irresistible wok hei smokiness. Chef Marcus’s blend of smoky BBQ meats with wok-fried gravy is really something to try.
Best yong tau foo
8-year-old Red Sea Yong Tau Foo located at 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre continues to rank high within my personal gatekept places. Springy pork lard-infused noodles, fresh-tasting homemade yong tau foo ingredients and a soup brimming with the umami-ness of anchovies, what’s there not to love?
Best roasted meats
While doing my list of best roasted meat places, Char Siu Lang at 340 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 ranked number 1 and here’s why. The Char Siu Roast Pork Noodles (S$5.50) had char siew which was not only tender but possessed a caramelised and sticky texture. It had a well-balanced flavour with palatable melt-in-the-mouth fatty layers.
The roasted pork featured an irresistible combination of crackling skin, sinfully-juicy meat, and the perfect amount of delectable fat. The noodles were also tasty and were the ideal accompaniment to the succulent meats.
Best Teochew porridge
Since the closure of Ah Seah Teochew Porridge in June 2022, I’ve been on a quest to find a worthy replacement. White House Teochew Porridge at 1096 Serangoon Road, with its delectable dishes and authentic atmosphere, not only filled the void but left a lasting impression. The freshness of the food and the option to indulge in supper until 3am make it a standout choice for Teochew porridge enthusiasts like me.
30 best restaurants in Singapore you need to cross off your list
Best Western Fusion
Pangi Nut at 215 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 is run by Jarrod, an ex-chef who infuses his Grandma’s Peranakan recipes into his selection of Western dishes. The Rendang Beef Pasta (S$9) and Black Nut Chicken Chop (S$8) offers a distinctive yet comfortingly familiar taste, reminiscent of my Nyonya heritage.
Best mutton soup
Lao Wu Ji Mutton Soup located at 532 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 blew my socks off with their mutton soup. The Mixed Mutton (S$7) was a potpourri of sliced mutton, stomach, tripe, and mutton balls.
The soup, delicately infused with herbal aromatics, carried a pleasing underlying sweetness. The organ parts were impeccably clean, and the mutton flesh, rather than lean, boasted an ideal proportion of fatty layers. Additionally, the tangy and garlicky chilli sauce served here was shiok!
Best lor mee
In contrast to traditional lor mee, 86 Lor Mee at Golden Mile Hawker Centre serves an array of sinful, fried food and loaded portions instead. The Fried Chicken Lor Mee (S$4) featured flat yellow noodles doused in a deep-brownish gravy which was thick and gooey, but incredibly light-tasting.
It was topped with scrumptious slices of fried chicken cutlet which were nice and moist. The pork belly slices were tender, flavourful and filled with bursts of creamy fattiness.
Best nasi briyani
Located at a kopitiam just next to Golden Mile Hawker Centre, Koothurar Nasi Briyani serves up a mean plate of Mutton Nasi Briyani (S$8). The grains of basmati rice are infused with a rich and sensuous aroma due to the liberal use of spices. The succulent mutton flesh falls-off-the-bone and a deep, savoury gravy is poured over it— simply delicious!
Best Teochew-style prawn fritters
Operating since the 1950s at various locations, Lao Zhong Zhong Fine Spice Stall at Tai Thong Crescent is one of the best wu xiang xia bing (Teochew-style prawn fritters) places that I’ve been to.
The water chestnut cakes were crispy on the outside and had crunchy chestnut bits embedded within. Tender octopus slices, a rarity these days, are also on the menu. The ngoh hiang is a delight, with mashed yam infused with star anise and cloves. The pink pork sausage stands out for its juicy and meat-packed texture, avoiding excessive flouriness.
Best Hainanese chicken rice
We tried the 2 IN 1 Premium Chicken Rice Set Meal (S$6) over at Hong Xing Li Hainanese Chicken Rice at Clementi 448 Market & Food Centre. 2 types of chicken are served: roasted and steamed chicken.
The roasted version was tender and brimming with flavour. The skin had a lovely roasted flavour with just the right amount of fat. The flesh of the steamed chicken was even more tender than its roasted counterpart, while the skin had a soft and gelatinous texture. The rice was also fragrant and slightly oily.
Best wanton mee
51 Ming Fa Wanton Egg Noodle at Kovan 209 Market and Food Centre is in high demand, often selling out by 10am. We arrived at 9am to secure our order of both the wet and dry wanton mee. The soup, impressively well-seasoned, features in-house-made wantons. The dry noodles, thick and springy, are expertly tossed in a delectable blend of dark sauce and chilli.
Best Asian fusion
Liu Kou Shui at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre is run by 23-year-old Xiao Xuan. I tried the Beef Sukiyaki Don (S$8) and opted for Ramen with Homemade Green Chilli Sauce (+S$1) and it was the most unique and shiok fusion bowl I’ve tried in 2023.
Imagine a spice-infused ramen topped with delicious beef sukiyaki and finished off with a creamy poached egg. The stall also serves Mala Char Siew Don (S$7).
Best Sarawak Laksa
Situated next to Aljunied MRT Station in 8890 Eating House, Tracy’s Sarawak Kitchen dishes out one of the best-tasting Sarawak laksas I’ve ever had. The bowl features a generous heap of bee hoon, drenched in a robust, smokey and rich gravy and adorned with egg shreds, peeled prawns, tau geh and fresh coriander.
Best nasi lemak
In 2023, Mama Lemak, situated at the food court of Hougang Mall, offered one of the best nasi lemak experiences I’ve had. The aromatic basmati rice, infused with coconut, is complemented by a delightful touch of homemade fried shallots. The variety of meats, including the flavourful beef rendang and delicious fried chicken wings, add to the overall scrumptiousness.
Best Singapore Foods: 30 famous local foods to eat before you die
