With a thousand and one different tantalising offerings from our local hawker centres, we’re literally spoiled for choice at meal times (not complaining, though). I’m sure many of us gravitate towards fish soup, myself included.
This perennial favourite dish is as literal as it sounds — fresh sliced fish (usually batang or grouper) in a hearty broth accompanied by vegetables and noodles or a bowl of rice on the side. You can also opt to have your fish fried to a crisp, and for the addition of evaporated milk to the soup to give it a richer body — ‘sinful’, but totally worth it.
So, what’s the big fuss? Aside from being downright delicious, this light, nourishing dish is perfect any day and at any time. Whether it’s a rainy day or you’re feeling under the weather, a piping hot bowl of it can warm up your belly and heart just right.
On that note, here’s a curated list of 14 fish soup spots in Singapore to help weather the rainy season now that it’s a little chillier in November and December. Do prepare to queue up to an hour for some of these stalls… because good things are worth waiting for.
1. An Shun Seafood Soup
I couldn’t not start this list with Singapore’s best-rated fish soup stall: Anshun Seafood Soup. This acclaimed stall in Hougang has been around for the better part of 2 decades since it first opened along Zion Road (which explains the signboard, oops).
We recommend the Fried Fish Bee Hoon (S$6/S$9), which you must have with milk. What you’ll receive is a bowl of chewy thick bee hoon noodles with veggies and shallots, all doused in a creamy and flavourful yet light broth. The golden brown fish nuggets, served in a separate bowl, are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Seasoned to a tee with a blend of spices, they’re dubbed by Aaron as the ‘fish form of KFC’s original fried chicken’.
Purists can opt for the Sliced Fish Soup (S$6/S$9) or Sliced Fish Bee Hoon (S$6/S$9), which feature fresh fish slices with an almost melt-in-your-mouth quality and no trace of that unpleasant brine. If you’d like the best of both worlds, get the ‘黑白’ (black and white) combo of Fried + Sliced Fish Soup (S$7/S$10).
174C Hougang Avenue 1, Singapore 533174
Mon to Sat: 11am – 7pm
Closed on Sun
2. Han Kee Fish Soup
Han Kee at Amoy Street Food Centre should be no stranger to fish soup lovers, especially those who work in the CBD. To call this stall’s queues snaking would be a severe understatement; you can expect to stand in line for an hour or so (that’s… a whole lunch break, LOL).
Have your order prepped and ready to go while you wait, as the auntie makes her way down the line and takes them way in advance. Apparently, she can memorise up to 30 orders at once, no notepad required. Cool!
You can’t go wrong with their Sliced Fish Soup (S$5/S$7/S$9), Sliced Fish Bee Hoon (S$5/S$7/S$9) and Sliced Fish Porridge (S$5/S$7/S$9). The star of the show is definitely the fish — I mean, just look at those pearly white slices! Firm and toothsome, these thick batang slices taste as though the fishes were caught earlier in the day.
The soup is absolutely worth the wait as well, with a subtle sweet umami enhanced by pepper, coriander and savoury garlic bits. It’s clean-tasting and so easy to drink.
7 Maxwell Road, Amoy Street Food Centre, #02-129, Singapore 069111
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
3. Piao Ji Fish Porridge
Piao Ji Fish Porridge is Han Kee’s ‘partner in crime’, making up the dynamic duo that is Amoy Street Food Centre’s most popular fish soup stalls. Although its queue isn’t as long as its counterpart’s, Piao Ji has its sizeable share of devotees.
Piao Ji keeps it simple, offering just Fish Soup (S$8/S$11/S$13/S$16) and Fish & Prawn Soup (S$13/S$16/S$22), both of which you can have with a bowl of White Rice (S$0.50/S$0.70).
The fish soup here leans heavy on flavour, its savouriness enhanced by the addition of fried pork lard and shallots. The Indonesian batang slices are also thick and fresh, with a natural sweetness that complements the broth. Heartier than most others, Piao Ji’s take on the dish is perfect for those with a penchant for more complex flavours.
7 Maxwell Road, Amoy Street Food Centre, #02-100, Singapore 069111
Fri to Wed: 10.30am – 3.30pm
Closed on Thu
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4. Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon
Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon is 1 of 4 stalls that have earned themselves a coveted Michelin Bib. In fact, their 2024 award is the stall’s second consecutive one! If that’s not enough to get you intrigued about their fish soup, let the queues at Whampoa Market 5 do the talking.
The stall’s offerings include Sliced/Fried Fish Soup/Rice, Sliced/Fried Fish Bee Hoon, Fried Fish Head Soup/Rice, Fish Porridge and Special Tom Yum Soup, all priced at an affordable S$5.50 each.
When in doubt, go for the Fried Fish Soup. The umami-laden broth, with a natural sweetness yielded from simmering fish bones, is so addictive you’d be tempted to drink it with a straw. Clouded with evaporated milk, it bears a creamy mouthfeel but is not jelak at all. The fish slices are lightly battered and fried, with a soft and meaty interior. Fresh and light on the palate, the fried fish here serves as a great ‘healthier’ option for those who seek guilt-less indulgences.
91 Whampoa Drive, Whampoa Market 5, #01-46, Singapore 320091
Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun: 9am – 2pm
Closed on Mon, Wed & Fri
5. Blanco Court Fried Fish Noodles
Blanco Court Fried Fish Noodles is a standalone eatery situated along a stretch of shophouses at Beach Road, where locals and tourists frequently head for delicious yet affordable grub when they’re in the Bugis-Kampong Glam area. It’s sure to catch your eye during mealtimes when all the seats are filled.
The eatery’s most popular item is the Fried Fish Soup (S$7/S$11), which many choose to pair with thick bee hoon. It’s worth mentioning that evaporated milk is added to your fish soup by default. The result? A broth that’s equal parts hearty and aromatic. Nonetheless, those who prefer a cleaner, brinier flavour profile can request for clear soup.
Each bowl features a generous portion of fried fish chunks that retain their crisp even when dunked in the soup. Lightly seasoned and tender, they’re absolutely enjoyable. Oh, and don’t worry about not having your fill of greens here; you’ll get a plentiful medley of lettuce, bitter gourd and spinach to savour with the noodles and soup.
Other fish soup options include Fish Head Soup (S$7/S$11), Steamed Fish Soup (S$7/S$11) and Mixed Fish Soup (S$8/S$11), along with various other zi char-style dishes such as Prawn Roll (S$10) and Fried Chicken Wings (S$12). Although you’re probably reading this article for fish soup recs, we recommend ordering a portion of smoky, fluffy Prawn Egg (S$8) while you’re there, too.
325 Beach Road, Singapore 199566
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 8pm
Closed on Sun
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6. Mei Chin Fish Soup
Tucked away in the industrial area of Tai Seng is Mei Chin Fish Soup, nestled in an unassuming coffeeshop that you wouldn’t think housed such a stellar fish soup stall.
For nearly 3 decades, they’ve been doling out hearty bowls of fish soup that’s chock-full of fresh fish bought from the wet market daily and hand sliced to ensure that they’re of the highest quality. Dang, it’s no wonder they attract the longest, most enduring queues in the coffeeshop.
Unlike most other fish soup stalls featured on this list, the Sliced Fish Soup (S$6.50/S$8) here is served ‘au naturale’ — no option to have it fried, nor have evaporated milk added to the soup. That doesn’t mean it’s any less flavourful, though! The soup is clean and smooth, with a briny, full-bodied flavour profile that leans savoury. Trust us, you won’t even need white pepper to make it any better than it already is.
The soup comes loaded with nearly 10 whole slices of batang fish. All we can say is: in this economy?! Sign us up. They’re sleek and velvety, with a firm texture and a fresh taste without even a hint of fishiness. Accompanying them are various other ingredients such as crunchy lettuce and bits of fried egg floss that wonderfully soak up the flavours of the soup.
Pair your fish soup with White Rice (S$0.50), or enjoy other carb options such as Sliced Fish Bee Hoon/Mee Sua (S$6.50/8), Fish Porridge (S$6.50/S$8).
1010 Tai Seng Avenue, Kim Chuan Eating House, Singapore 534417
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm
Sat: 11.30am – 2pm
Closed on Sun
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7. An An Shan Shan Seafood Soup
Though technically not a fish soup spot, An An Shan Shan Seafood Soup deserves a spot on this for their mouth-watering seafood soups that feature delicate pieces of fish. The stall, nestled in Bedok, is helmed by an ex-chef at the famous Yan Ji Seafood Soup.
While those with strict cravings can head straight for the Red Grouper Seafood Soup (S$11), the default Seafood Soup (S$8.50/S$10.50) will do just right by those who simply seek a comforting bowl of soup.
As you probably can tell from the image, An An Shan Shan Seafood Soup is undeniably generous with their ingredients. The Seafood Soup features 2 huge prawns, springy chunks of flavourful minced meat and, of course, tender chunks of fish that simply melt in your mouth. The star of the show, however, is definitely the broth — enriched with the umami sweetness of seafood.
You definitely have gotta head here if you’re down for a splurge to satisfy your fish soup cravings.
418 Bedok North Avenue 2, Singapore 460418
+65 8398 7155
Tue to Sun: 11am – 8.30pm
Closed on Mon
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8. Thai Seng Fish Soup
While Ubi is not a neighbourhood that’s known widely or visited for food, it’s home to culinary gems like Thai Seng Fish Soup, a popular stall that draws hour-long lunch queues. It’s absolutely worth the trip, if you ask us.
The crowd favourite menu item is the Sliced/Fried Fish Ee Mian (S$5.50), which many regulars opt to crack an Egg (S$0.50) into. The ee mian imparts a robust flavour that complements the milky broth, while the cracked egg makes every spoonful warm and hearty in its velvety embrace. The bowl also includes a sizable portion of fresh batang fish that the stallowners slice themselves daily. Soft and tender, the fish is truly the cherry on top.
Another popular choice is the Tom Yum Seafood Soup (S$7.50), a tantalising dish of spicy and tangy tom yum soup served with a medley of fresh seafood, including prawns and squid. The soup is fiery and we mean it; this one’s definitely not for the faint-hearted or spice intolerant.
3026 Ubi Road 1, Wong Poh Kopitiam, #01-146, Singapore 408719
+65 9878 0817
Mon to Sat: 10am – 2.30pm
Closed on Sun
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9. Cai Ji Fried Fish Soup
Cai Ji Fried Fish Soup is a humble stall in the bustling Chong Boon Market & Food Centre. While it may look like your average fish soup stall, its extensive menu features a few standout items, including: Red Grouper Sliced Fish Soup (S$12/S$14), Handmade Noodle (S$4) and even an unconventional side dish of Fried Fish Roe (S$2/S$4/S$6).
A must-try is the Red Grouper Fish Head Soup (S$12/S$14); yes, even if you’re not a fish head enjoyer. The bowl contains a generous portion of fish head pieces filled with sweet, briny flesh. The soup is absolutely enjoyable as well — not only is it light, sweet and clean, it’s also incredibly full-bodied.
If you aren’t feeling too adventurous, you can opt for classics like the Sliced Fish Soup (S$5/S$7), Fried Fish Soup (S$5/S$7) and Double Taste Fish Soup (S$5.50/S$7.50).
453A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Chong Boon Market & Food Centre, #01-10
Singapore 561453
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 1.45pm & 4.30pm – 7.30pm
Closed on Mon
10. Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon
Another one for the CBD folks: Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon at Maxwell Food Centre is a crowd favourite when it comes to fried fish soup with evaporated milk. They have an offshoot at Old Airport Road Food Centre, which happens to be the outlet listed on the coveted Michelin guide.
What did we tell ya? You must try the (fried) Fish Meat Bee Hoon/Soup (S$5/S$6/S$7) with milk. Made with a mix of old mother hen, yellow beans and fish bones, the broth has a robust, full-bodied flavour profile and a satisfyingly creamy texture. The bowl is packed with hefty fried fish chunks and a medley of vegetables, tomatoes and tofu.
Some interesting options to look out for on Jin Hua’s menu include: Shengyu Fish Collar Bee Hoon Soup (S$6/S$8/S$10), Groupa Fish Head Bee Hoon Soup (S$10/S$12/S$15) and Ang Go Li Fish Head Bee Hoon Soup (S$10/S$12/S$15), which uniquely features sea bream. Or else, you can simply stick to classics like Sliced Fish Porridge (S$5/S$6/S$7) and Sliced Fish Soup (S$5/S$6/S$7).
1 Kadayanallur Street, Maxwell Food Centre, #01-77, Singapore 069184
Fri to Wed: 11.30am – 7.30pm
Closed on Thu
51 Old Airport Road, Old Airport Road Food Centre, #01-120, Singapore 390051
Tue to Thu & Sun: 11.30am – 7.30pm
Fri: 11.30am – 3pm & 5pm – 7.30pm
Sat: 11.30am – 9pm
Closed on Mon
11. 127 Fish Soup Bukit Merah
127 Bukit Merah Fish Soup is an unnamed stall situated in a nondescript kopitiam at 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1. Don’t underestimate their lack of a name, OK! It’s a popular stall among office workers and residents of the area, with lunchtime queues that go up to an hour.
What sets this stall apart is that it’s known for not only their fish soup but also their Pig’s Organ Soup (S$6/S$8). If you can’t decide between the 2 dishes, you can opt to add innards to your fish soup for just an additional S$1.
You’ll find the usual suspects on the menu, including Slice Fish Soup (S$6/S$8), Fried Fish Soup (S$6/S$8), Double Fish Soup (S$6/S$8) and Fish Head Soup (S$6.50/S$8). Regular carb options like Thick Bee Hoon (S$0.50) and Rice (S$0.80) aside, you can pair your soup with some slurp-worthy Mee Sua (S$0.50) or some savoury Yam Rice (S$1).
The soup itself is tasty and addictive, with hints of shaoxing wine according to various patrons. Each bowl also comes with a substantial portion of fish slices, and it’s said that the fried ones retain their crisp even as they soak in the broth.
127 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150127
Mon to Fri: 8am – 2pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
12. Angel Horse Teochew Fish Soup
Angel Horse Teochew Fish Soup — now that’s a name you won’t forget, LOL. This iconic stall in Albert Food Centre has been serving up generous portions of comforting fish soup for over 30 years, cementing itself as a go-to for many.
Despite its mystical-sounding name, Angel Horse keeps things simple with unpretentious bowls of clear fish soup on its menu. Most opt for the flavourful Sliced Fish Soup (S$5.50/S$6.50), which consists of fresh batang slices, tofu, bitter gourd, earthy tang oh and umami seaweed. Be sure to pair the liao with their house-made Teochew salted bean chilli dip, which lends a sour-spicy contrast to the sweet, silky fish.
If you’re there with a companion, the stall offers a 2 Pax Set (S$8/S$10) that’s great for sharing.
270 Queen Street, Albert Centre, #01-95, Singapore 180270
Tue to Sat: 11am – 6pm
Closed on Sun & Mon
13. Seng Kee Fish Soup
Tucked away in Bukit Merah Central Food Centre is Seng Kee Fish Soup, the most popular fish soup stall in the food centre among many. Rumour has it that they even sell out as early as noon on some days.
One thing you’re sure to enjoy is that Seng Kee’s Fried/Sliced Fish Soup (S$4.50/S$5.50/S$6.50) is loaded with tons of fried egg floss that wonderfully sop up the creamy, savoury broth. Many also rave about the fried fish nuggets, which are crispy and seasoned well.
163 Bukit Merah Central, Bukit Merah Central Food Centre, #02-50, Singapore 150163
Mon to Sat: 8am – 1pm
Closed on Sun
14. First Street Teochew Fish Soup
Hardly seen without a snaking queue, First Street Teochew Fish Soup at Serangoon is adored by not only north-east residents but also many across the island. It’s so popular that you can even expect to stand in line for a good hour during off-peak hours.
Well, the stall’s draw lies in the variety of fish they offer — Chinese silver pomfret, batang and red garoupa — a refreshing change from the usual single type of fish available. What’s more, the fish is purchased fresh daily, sliced and marinated for 2 to 3 hours. The heart behind the preparation truly shines through in the fresh succulence of the fish slices.
For first-time visitors, we recommend the Garoupa Fish Soup (S$10.90/S$14.90) — a little pricey, but it’s no secret that that’s literally where the money’s at. The sliced garoupa is delicate, tender and just the right amount of flaky. Paired with a mellow umami broth, it makes for the ultimate comfort food on a cold December morning.
If you’re not a fan of fish and would rather opt for an array of seafood, the Mixed Seafood Soup (S$7.90) will be right up your alley. With batang slices, prawns, fishcakes and fish maw, this hearty soup is a delight to savour.
973 Upper Serangoon Road, Mee Sek Food Court, Singapore 534725
Daily: 8am – 8.30pm
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