Always on the go and no time to check out new hawker spots? It’s not surprising given our long working hours and heavy workload. Have a great start to 2016 by trying out some new hawker stalls that opened recently.
In line with the government’s pledge to build more hawker centres in Singapore in the coming years, aren’t we all curious to know what kinds of dishes these new food stalls are going to offer? Besides the construction of new hawker centres, a couple of food centres with long-established historical good eats have undergone renovations and revamps in food prices.
The following are some newly opened hawker centres with recommended selection of dishes that will add much flavour and zest after a long day of work and chores.
Even if you have no time to search for new places, have no fear- you don’t have to keep eating the same old dishes with this new list.
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—Sengkang Kopitiam Square—
Address: 10 Sengkang Sq., Singapore 544829
The formerly known Sengkang Food Centre reopens as Sengkang Kopitiam Square after some research into improving its appeal to neighboring residents. This revamped market and food centre sets itself apart from other old hawker centre, by factoring in the mindsets and needs of the increasing number of the younger populations moving into the new living estate.
The cashless dining experience with the Kopitiam stored value card as well as the 1st of its kind air-cleaning system are just two of the improvements made to renew the place. The signature stalls and their dishes still remain, and only improve with lower prices which were adjusted to provide real value for affordable yet good food.
10. Old Bugis Kway Chap
The kway chap ($3.50) here has a really rich taste. It is unusual in Singapore for kway chap with braised sauce this thick and rich in flavour. The finely-cut noodles absorb the rich soy-sauce gravy very well. The pieces of three-layer fat pork are generous in size, and are tender and chewy upon biting into the alternating layers of meat and flabs.
The pork skin is thick and crunchy, boiled to a good degree of cook. Paired with a can of Coca-Cola®, eating at this new kway chap stall has a refreshing twist to it rather than the commonly found version.
Instead of eating Kway Chap at your usual go-to places, come pop by Sengkang Kopitiam Square and give the Kway Chap here a try.
9. Noodle House
Unlike the Singapore traditional prawn noodle ($3.00), the soup for Noodle house is very clear. Taste is light, but just the right seasoning to not bore you. In fact, I find it better than the usual thick-based, heavy flavoured prawn noodle soup base. The prawns are served whole, unsliced and they give a well-cooked tenderness which is juicy when bitten into. Coupled with finely-cut pork slices, the entire dish is a fulfilling blend of taste.
We can all appreciate something new and refreshing, and this is it, especially when paired with a can of Coke. The beverage gives a quick and rejuvenating revitalisation to the diner who is busy and constantly on-the-go.
8. Yuan Yang Yong Tau Foo
If you are like me, tired of the same selections of Yong Tau Foo food items at almost every Yong Tau Foo stall, the Curry Yong Tau Foo ($4.00) is a novel presentation of the food. It looks similar to a bowl of Laksa, but the soup base is different. It does not contain coconut milk, and is pretty light but flavourful at the same time. A healthier option compared to Laksa.
I chose thick Bee Hoon, which went well with the gravy. The handmade Yong Tau Foo ingredients had each of its unique tastes, definitely a refinement to the usual boring Yong Tau Foo items.
7. Seng Kee Bak Kut Teh
This is a bit on the higher side for a kopitiam, but the bak kut teh ($5.80) here is served in generous portions. The meat is boiled to a good degree of tenderness, creating good renounces upon multiple chews. The different parts being served provide a variation of tastes and bites. Something worth trying when one is here at this new hawker centre.
—Sembawang Hills Food Centre—
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574419
Situated at a point that is towards the further end of Upper Thomson Rd, Sembawang Hills Food Centre is a small, slightly hidden and easily unnoticeable. Though miniature in size, this food centre has a few stalls which offer fantastic local dishes. The dining scene is one that is tranquil and inviting, very much clean and pleasant having undergone six months of renovation since November 2014.
6. Centre Satay Bee Hoon
A branch of the very well-known Satay Bee Hoon stall at Ang Mo Kio Food Centre, I strongly recommend this dish for those who are here at Sembawang Hills for brunch or when on an empty stomach.
A good choice of food after a late morning jog along the road pavements of Upper Thomson Rd. In fact, satay beehoon is a hawker dish that is slowly losing its presence, so better try it before its gone.
The smallest portion of Satay Bee Hoon is priced at $3.50. The fine, strips of bee hoon coupled with thick pork slices and juicy cuttlefish slices indeed stimulate the taste buds after a workout.
Something old and classic, yet new to the younger generation like a can of Coke. Coupled with a can of Coca-Cola Light, the soft gassy effervescence is a valuable match with the slightly spicy and tangy Satay sauce.
The mix of sweet and slightly salty flavour from the beverage gives the meal a perfect blend of tastes. A good recommendation for many of us who are looking out for new tastes and flavour, away from the mundanes of our routined lifestyles.
5. Seng Huat Duck Rice
Another stall that has been around and still remains at Sembawang Hills, the Braised Duck Rice ($3.50) here is worth going for. The rice is cooked moist but not watery, a perfect combination with the well-marinated and roasted duck meat.
Compared to other stalls, the soup that accompanies the duck rice here is significantly fragrant. It has a strong aftertaste, providing an awakening effect to the entire dish.
4. Shui Kway
Shui kway ($1.20 for 4 pcs), directly translated as “water cake” in English. This stall has been here even before renovation works took place, and still retains its reputation for its secret recipe. Unlike the common chwee kueh, the “water cake” here is rich in its ingredient and flavour.
It is not greasy at all and I could literally consider it a tasty piece of “cake”. On top of that, the chye poh (preserved radish) toppings taste refreshingly different from those done by other stalls. It is not oily and not too cook, tastes like fresh radish.
This dish pairs well with a can of Coca-Cola light®, as both are not too sweet. An old recipe presented anew at Sembawang Hills food centre, just like a can of Coke, as well as a perfect pairing for a quick fix of hunger. Very much appealing to time-strapped working adults.
—Ci Yuan Hawker Centre—
Address: 662 Hougang Avenue 9, Singapore 530662
The first of the 20 new hawker centres the government has pledged to build in Singapore over the next decade, Ci Yuan Hawker Centre opens with a bang on 6 September this year. The hawker centre is located with Ci Yuan Community Club, has 40 stalls and can seat up to 640 people.
Apart from being assured of affordable food prices, another chic thing about this hawker place lies in its use of self-payment kiosks for order and payment at all stalls. This reduces manpower costs and allows hawkers to serve their customers in a more efficient and more hygienic manner.
3. Leo Satay
The Satay Cup ($2.80) at this stall is indeed an ingenious way of packaging a fulfilling and satiable snack for the time-strapped and on-the-go Singaporean. Each set contains 5 sticks of Satay, a mix of chicken and pork, as well as ketupat dipped in sauce. The cup is large and prevents drips even when eating on-the-go. One can simply dip and pop a rich stick of meat into the mouth while playing a friendly match at the nearby basketball court.
A refreshing new way to enjoy a classic dish at Ci Yuan hawker centre along with some ice-cold Coke. Enjoy your Satay Cup with a can of Coca-Cola, which gives a revitalising tinge of sweetness to the spicy Satay sauce. A perfect meal for those on-the-run in between errands.
2. Fatty Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle/Carrot Cake
The Fried Hokkien Mee ($4/$5/$6) at this hawker is really one of the best Hokkien Mee I have ever tasted, comments coming from a Hokkien Mee lover. The sauce is of a perfect blend, fragrant and not salty, unlike the sauce of most other hokkien mee served elsewhere and the noodles were fine and cooked to an excellent degree of moist.
Forewarned by the stall’s signboard to be extra spicy, the chilli that accompanies the dish sure does awaken my taste buds to a higher level of appreciation for the uniqueness of the noodles offered by this stall. The serving portions are incredibly generous. Literally so, as the smallest, $4 plate of it was filled to up to the edges of a medium-sized oval plate.
1. Teochew Handmade Fishball Noodle
With its other branches located at a few other hawker centres around the island, the branch here at Ci Yuan has the price of its noodles adjusted to the most affordable for residents around the area. It does seem improbable that the bowl Fishball Mee Pok Dry ($2.80) I ordered actually contained more noodles than the common $3.50 Mee Pok found elsewhere. Indeed a value for money.
The Mee Pok was of the perfect texture and taste, the noodles isn’t powdery nor floury in terms of taste. Another point of highlight is the fishballs. When bitten into, they give a delightful renounce between bites.
Something new to try at Ci Yuan hawker centre along with a can of Coca-Cola, the cold carbonated drink gives a freshening, cooling sensual to the palate. A good round up to a slightly oily dish.
Wait no longer. Come and try the fishball noodle here at Ci Yuan. Away from the usual, common eateries that you always frequent.
*This article is brought to you in partnership with Coca-Cola®. All opinions shared by writer are his/her own.
