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Located a stone’s throw from Queenstown MRT, I boldly declare Mei Ling Market & Food Centre one of Singapore’s most underrated hawker gems. Established in 1970, this humble 2-storey wet market and food centre houses just over 40 stalls, but don’t be fooled by its size, as it sure punches well above its weight.
Despite flying under the radar compared to the bigger and more touristy food centres, Mei Ling is packed with culinary heavyweights, from Michelin Bib Gourmand stalls to long-standing local favourites with decades of history.
So, whether you’re a Westie looking for your next lunch spot or a dedicated foodie willing to venture out for something special, here are 11 best stalls at Mei Ling Market & Food Centre that are worth every queue and calorie. Like me, you might be surprised at what this quiet corner of Queenstown has to offer!
1. Hui Wei 回味 Lor Mee & Prawn Noodle (#02-14)
Mei Ling Food Centre is home to the highest-rated lor mee stall in Singapore, Hui Wei, standing at a proud 4.6 stars with 149 reviews at the time of writing. This brand has several outlets islandwide, though the OG one is located in Mei Ling.
Their menu is succinct, with only 3 dishes gracing the signboard, all costing the same: Prawn Noodles (Soup or Dry) and Fried Fish Lor Mee. You can get a small bowl for just S$4, or top up a dollar for the bigger portion at S$5.
Flat yellow noodles are the default here at Hui Wei, coated in a thick, glossy gravy with a lightly braised flavour. But the real star? These chunky pieces of fried fish, meaty and fresh-tasting in the gravy bath. You’ll also get slices of pork, half a braised egg, and a whole lot of comfort in a bowl.
+65 8802 0878
Tue to Sun: 7am – 1.30pm
Closed on Mon
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Order Delivery: foodpanda
2. Xin Lu Teochew Fishball Noodles (#02-05)
This stall has been feeding generations since Mei Ling Market first opened its shutters. With over 50 years under their belt, Xin Lu is old-school in all the right ways — serving up no-frills, honest bowls of bouncy fishballs and springy noodles that see crowds of regulars returning time and time again.
They first got their name 新路 (xin lu) meaning new road, when the stall moved over from Margaret Drive Hawker Centre to what was, quite literally, a new road.
From just S$4.50, you can get a bowl of 10 fishballs, or go for the full works of 5 fishballs paired with your noodle of choice, dry or soup. The noodle selection here is wide, to say the least. Whether you’re a mee pok, kway teow, or even a mee tai mak fan, there’s surely something for you.
Though their fishballs are no longer made by hand like they used to be, they still carry the same QQ quality and briny flavour. This meal is comforting, clean-tasting, and perfect for when you want something light but satisfying. A true heritage gem nestled in the heart of this food centre.
+65 9771 8675
Fri to Wed: 5.45am – 3pm
Closed on Thu
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
3. Hup Kee Teochew Fishball Noodles (#02-38)
The other fishball noodle stall in Mei Ling doesn’t fall far behind. In fact, Hup Kee has a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand under their belt and commands long, loyal queues on the daily — I waited for about half an hour on a Sunday afternoon.
The main difference between them and Xin Lu is that here, they offer meatballs on top of the regular fishball and noodle agenda. That said, I had to try the signature Teochew Fishball Meatball Mee, priced at S$4.50, S$5.50 and S$6.50 for the Small, Medium and Large bowls respectively (with my favourite mee pok, of course).
Their smallest portion at S$4.50 comes with 2 fishballs, a meatball and heaps of fishcake swimming cheerily in the soup.
The noodles were timed to perfection — al dente, springy strands coated in a punchy but well-balanced sauce. It leaned savoury and spicy, with just the right amount of tanginess from the vinegar to tie it all together. The meatball was nothing like the usual; I’d best describe it as a cross between a meatball and a fishball, light, bouncy, and effortlessly satisfying to eat.
Sat to Thu: 7am – 1.30pm
Closed on Fri
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4. Lao Jie Fang (#02-15)
We’re keeping the noodle and MICHELIN Guide streak going with Lao Jie Fang, serving comforting and rich Cantonese beef brisket noodles. Their signature Cantonese-style egg noodles, or jook sing noodles, are al dente yet springy, tossed in a dark, savoury and spicy sauce, then topped with your choice of slow-braised meats.
The classic and evergreen Beef Brisket Noodle (S$6/S$8) and Beef Brisket & Tendon Noodle (S$8/S$10) are popular picks, thanks to the generous helpings of melt-in-your-mouth tendon and beefy goodness.
However, if you prefer pork, the Pork Rib Noodle (S$6) and Pork Trotter Noodle (S$6) also deliver tender, flavourful cuts that are worth your every penny!
Tue to Sun: 8.30am – 1pm
Closed on Mon
5. Amoy Street Boon Kee Prawn Noodle (#02-06)
Formerly a hidden gem in the CBD area, Amoy Street Boon Kee Prawn Noodle found a new home in Mei Ling Market in 2023, and has kept their loyal fans coming back (if the snaking queues are anything to go by). This stall is helmed by a friendly elderly couple who churn out bowls of prawn mee at an impressively fast pace, starting from just S$4!
Both the Dry Prawn Noodle (S$4/S$5) and Soup Prawn Noodle (S$4/S$5) have a devoted fanbase of their own.
Opting for the dry version delivers a generous mix of bee hoon and yellow noodles coated in their crowd-favourite sambal chilli made in-house. The soup version holds its own too; a bowl full of rich, umami-laden broth brimming with the natural sweetness of fresh prawns, underlined with a hint of pork bone depth.
Indulge yourself in a more premium Pork Ribs Liver Intestine Prawn Noodle (S$7) for the full package of fresh, meaty ingredients!
Mon to Wed: 7am – 1.30pm
Closed on Thu to Sun
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6. Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice (#02-22)
A name that holds weight in Singapore’s chicken rice scene, Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice brings close to 5 decades of heritage to Mei Ling, with its roots tracing back to the OG Margaret Drive Sin Kee Chicken Rice.
Although I’m #TeamRoastedChicken all the way, I can give credit to a solid plate of steamed chicken rice where it’s due. The basic Chicken Rice comes in 2 sizes, affordably priced at S$4 and S$5.
I ordered the Chicken Rice Set (S$7), which came with fragrant rice, tender poached chicken, and a side of milk cabbage, better known to most as nai bai. The chicken was silky and juicy, with a layer of gelatin beneath the skin that melted in the mouth. But the star of the show for me was the rice — subtly aromatic and not overly greasy — yummy enough to eat on its own!
You can never go wrong with Sin Kee, which serves up a solid, satisfying plate for any chicken rice lover.
+65 9660 4222
Tue to Sun: 10am – 3.30pm
Closed on Mon
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Order Delivery: Deliveroo
7. Mei Ling Street Wanton Noodle (#02-32)
Is it just me, or does food somehow taste better when served by a passive-aggressive elderly woman? Because that was exactly the case here.
Mei Ling Street Wanton Noodle is a classic that your chopsticks should never miss. For just S$4 or S$5, you get firm, springy noodles tossed in a sweet-savoury dark soy sauce, an abundant portion of char siew slices and handmade pork wantons.
I got the S$5 Fried Wanton Noodle (Dry), and was frankly surprised by the sheer amount of liao (ingredients) blanketing the entirety of the noodles. The noodles have just the right bite, neither soggy nor stiff, and each strand is enveloped in a well-balanced sauce that’s lightly sweet and deeply umami. Pop in the fried wantons halfway through for a crunchy contrast that packs a salty, peppery punch.
Though initially snappy when taking my order, the auntie gently reminded me to be careful with the tray as I walked back to my seat because of the jumpy children crowding the stall. So cute, omg. This old-school plate is perfect for breakfast, a quick lunch, or anytime you crave comforting hawker nostalgia.
Tue to Thu, Sun: 7am – 2.30pm
Closed on Mon, Fri & Sat
8. Mr Bready (#02-31)
This stall has reimagined the likes of humble huat kueh into something truly unique. Started by 2 friends, Rodney and Jason, Mr Bready first gained attention for its steamed sweet potato cakes, and has since grown into a flavour powerhouse with over 30 rotating varieties of bakes.
Some of their vibrant huat kueh flavours include Matcha Cranberry (S$1.80), Rose Lychee (S$1.80) and Dark Chocolate Almond (S$2), all lovingly handmade with real and natural ingredients.
Other than the plethora of flavours, texture is what sets Mr Bready’s huat kueh apart. Each cake is soft, moist, and spongy without being overly dense or dry. The flavours shine through beautifully: the matcha is earthy with a touch of bitterness, balanced by bursts of tart cranberry; the rose is delicately floral, studded with juicy lychee bits; and the chocolate one hides gooey fudge pockets for a decadent bite.
Aside from huat kueh, Mr Bready also sells a variety of breads and tarts. Be sure to head down early, or place a pre-order through their Facebook page to secure your flavours of choice before they sell out!
+65 9018 3083
Thu: 9.30am – 3pm
Fri: 9am – 3pm
Wed, Sat & Sun: 10am – 3pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
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9. DAN CURRY RICE (#02-19)
If you’re in the mood for something hearty, spicy, and comforting, DAN CURRY RICE is your best friend. This stall is amongst the newer ones in Mei Ling Market, having opened a few months back in Feb 2025.
Don’t underestimate them, though, for their generously portioned curry rice with a modern twist impressed me thoroughly! One of the owners shared that their style of curry rice is inspired by a mix of Hainanese, Nyonya cuisines and more.
One portion comes with white fluffy rice drenched in curry, braised cabbage, scrambled egg, and your protein of choice. You can go budget with their Curry Chicken Wing Rice Set (S$4.50), or top up S$1 more for their Chicken/Pork Cutlet Rice Set (S$5.50).
The curry is rich, fragrant, and fiery enough to satisfy spice lovers without overwhelming the palate. Compared to the sweet-ish Hainanese curry rice many of us are accustomed to, this stall’s curry leans savoury. The real star, however, has to be the chicken cutlet: ASMR-worthy crisp-skinned, juicy, and satisfyingly meaty, all without being overly greasy.
+65 8809 5928
Wed to Mon: 10.30am – 8.30pm
Closed on Tue
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
10. Mei Ling Street (Handmade) Carrot Cake (#02-41)
For lovers of old-school hawker fare, Mei Ling Street (Handmade) Carrot Cake is a true gem. This stall still makes their carrot cake, or chai tow kway, the traditional way by steaming and pan-frying their radish cakes from scratch.
You can choose between the Black or White version, or do what most regulars do and order a mix of both. All versions are priced the same at varying sizes — S$4 for Small, S$5 for Medium and S$6 for Large. Some customers have pointed out that their portions are on the smaller side, so listen to your cravings and size up if necessary!
The white version is crisp on the edges with soft, pillowy chunks inside, while the black one is caramelised and smoky with a satisfying bite of wok hei. You’ll catch bits of chye poh (preserved radish) in every mouthful, too.
Mei Ling Street (Handmade) Carrot Cake is open for give or take 3 hours in the morning (or until they sell out), so I’d recommend going bright and early if you want to secure a plate of this warm, nostalgic goodness.
Wed to Sun: 7am – 9.30am
Closed on Mon & Tue
11. Xing Wang Fruit Juice (#02-43)
After all that hearty, greasy food, what you need is an ice cold, freshly pressed juice to wash it down — and Xing Wang Fruit Juice provides just that. This unassuming stall located right by the escalator blends up fresh fruit juices with no added sugar or syrup.
While fruit stalls are aplenty, it’s rare to find one that serves juices this thick, pulpy, and never watered down. Here, they pour in the fruit pulp along with the juice so that there’s no waste, and all the flavour. I had the Sugarcane Juice (S$3), which was robust and so incredibly refreshing, I easily downed it in 10 minutes!
If you’re undecided on what to order, just ask the friendly auntie running the stall for her recommendation of the day.
Daily: 11am – 3pm
