After reopening its doors in early 2018, Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre has seen a surge in good food. What’s more, with Geylang Bahru MRT station open right across the street, this place is highly accessible to the masses now.
Unlike many, I’ve not been to this food centre, however, I’ve heard plenty of good things about the place. And for a food centre, it’s well-maintained and clean too. To help make your decision-making process easier, I’m here to provide you with the 11 stalls to check out in Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre.
1. Hua Ji Carrot Cake (华记菜头糕) (#01-52)
Located at the corner of Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre is the unassuming Hua Ji Carrot Cake. Although it’s not decorated with plenty of accolades, like its neighbouring stalls, I saw several people frequenting the stalls. Of course, I had to join the queue and find out what the hype was all about.
For S$3 I got myself a plate of White Carrot Cake with extra chilli. What I received was a thin layer of omelette-looking carrot cake with a noticeable red hue. At first glance, I wasn’t impressed; however, my first mouthful proved otherwise.
It wasn’t only crispy but every piece of soft carrot cake was well-coated with egg and a generous amount of sambal chilli. One thing’s for certain, their sambal chilli here is worth raving about, and is something I’ll return for. However, the portion size could be increased by just a smidge.
They sell both black and white versions of their carrot cake, and for the indecisive, you can go for the plate of Mixed Carrot Cake for only S$5.
2. Fucheng Shiping Homemade Spring Roll (富城自制薄饼.薄饼皮) (#01-28)
If you’re looking for something light, Fucheng Shiping Homemade Spring Roll has accumulated a large following due to their affordable Popiah (S$2 for one) and Kueh Pie Tee (S$4 for five).
We ordered the Popiah and were impressed with how loaded it was. The Popiah at Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre comes with skin as thin as paper, stuffed with the usual mix of turnip, eggs, carrots, and coriander. I shoved a fairly large piece in my mouth and was greeted with a burst of well-seasoned flavours. However, it would have been great if more sauce was added as the Popiah was a tad bit too dry for my liking.
If you’re not nitpicky about your Popiah, you’d love this!
3. Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian (回味辣椒板面) (#01-58)
What’s a food experience without a bowl of ban mian? Bear in mind that we were at the food centre an hour before noon and Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian had already racked up a long queue. Upon closer look, we noticed that they also sell various types of soup dishes.
As huge lovers of chilli, we got the Signature Chilli Ban Mian (S$4.50 for regular, S$6.50 for large). The Signature Chilli Ban Mian comes with al dente noodles, a generous helping of minced meat, and a dollop of chilli on the side.
After mixing most of the chilli in, I felt the heat building up after each spoonful— a spicy treat if you will. I found the combination of chilli, noodles, and fragrant soy sauce very addictive. I’d definitely recommend ban mian lovers to come here for a spicy bowl.
4. Mei Ji Fishball Noodle (梅记鱼圆面) (#01-70)
Fishball noodles aplenty to every market in Singapore, and Mei Ji Fishball Noodle provides just that. Also, the portions served make their noodles great value for money.
A bowl of Fishball Mee Pok Dry will give you three fishballs, one fish dumpling, and a fairly generous amount of fishcake. What’s not to love about that?
I found the fishballs lighter and springier than most, complementing the perfectly cooked noodles. Ordinarily, I don’t fancy fish dumplings and found the one here slightly peppery. The other components paired with the average-tasting sauce made it a good bowl of noodles. I reckon the masses may be queuing for their laksa instead.
5. Cheok Kee Boneless Braised Duck (祝记无骨卤鸭) (#01-35)
You know the food is good when the queue grows by the minute. That’s how we knew we were in for a treat as we waited in line at Cheok Kee Boneless Braised Duck.
When I looked around, I noticed that almost every table had a plate of Cheok Kee’s duck rice on their table. Boy, were we in for a treat. A plate of Braised Duck Rice costs S$3, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t taste as good as it looks.
The rice itself was savoury and fluffy, and the sauce certainly packed a punch. It paired well with the tender duck slices— which melted on our tongues. I also heard they are quick to sell out, so hurry down to get a taste!
6. Ju Xing Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (聚兴海南起骨鸡饭) (#01-01)
I’m a self-proclaimed chicken rice snob so when I saw a snaking queue at Ju Xiang Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, I had to try a plate out for myself. Besides, they obviously have a sense of humour considering the screaming chicken toy that’s hung in place of real chickens. Won my heart already!
For S$3, I got a plate of rice, steamed chicken, and soup. The rice was a tad bit too greasy and salty for my liking however, the chicken was melt-in-your-mouth soft, and their chilli had a proper heat factor to it. Additionally, the soup was fragrant and had heaps of ingredients in it. Ultimately, for S$3, it is a decent serving of chicken rice.
7. Bang Bang Mushroom Bak Chor Mee (#01-25)
Bang Bang Mushroom Bak Chor Mee at Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre is another popular stall in Geylang Bahru Food Centre. Personally, I was taken aback by the number of hidden gems located here.
For S$3.50/S$4, you can get the Minced Meat Noodle. Like many of the stalls in the food centre, there was a long queue here. The bowl comes with springy noodles, an abundance of fishcake, minced meat, meatball, and mushrooms (of course), tossed in an aromatic vinegar-esque sauce.
8. 93 Soon Kueh ( 大巴窑93筍粿) (#01-68)
If you love Soon Kueh (S$5.50 for five pieces), Rice Kueh (S$5.50 for five pieces), or Ku Chai Kueh (S$5.50 for five pieces), you have to make your way to 93 Soon Kueh for a piece (or five pieces).
Find yourself in a snaking queue? You’d also be able to see the stall owners making their kuehs from scratch, ensuring you’ll get nothing but the best. Besides, they are affordable too!
9. Ma Bo Lor Mee (#01-54)
If you love lor mee, you have to try the one at Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre. Their Ma Bo Lor Mee (S$3/S$4) and Fried Fish Lor Mee (S$3.50/S$4.50) are all the rage. Not only will you get a bowl filled with heaps of ingredients, the gravy here also has a good consistency and isn’t too thick.
In addition to their lor mee dishes, they also have Laksa (S$3/S$4), Chicken Cutlet Laksa (S$4/S$5), and Fried Fish Laksa (S$3.50/S$4.50). Talk about variety!
10. Victory Hainanese Curry Rice (#01-40)
Victory Hainanese Curry Rice is one of the most well-known curry rice stalls in the area. If you’ve not tried Hainanese curry rice before, I’d recommend you to try it here. Always packed, especially during lunchtime, it’s best to make your way down early to beat the crowd (and get first dibs on their yummy dishes).
Besides, what more can you ask for when their range of meat and vegetable dishes here are tasty and affordable?
11. Origin 草地人 (#01-47)
End your visit with a hot or cold dessert at Origin 草地人. Vegetarians will be glad to know that they’re vegetarian-friendly, and all their dishes are made in-house too. Apart from the traditional desserts like Grass Jelly (S$1.30) and Bean Curd (S$1.30), they also have unique drinks like Rose Soya Milk (S$1.10), and desserts like Grass Jelly Longan Lychee (S$1.70), Grass Jelly Aloe Vera (S$2.10), Tang Yuan Beancurd (S$2.10), Red Bean Beancurd (S$1.60), and more.
Besides, nothing says cool down like a cold glass of Soya Bean Milk (S$1.10), right?
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Our Rating: 4 / 5
Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre
69 Geylang Bahru, Singapore 330069
Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre
69 Geylang Bahru, Singapore 330069