10 best stalls that make Tiong Bahru Market worth the visit [Jul 2026]

As someone who’s lived in Tiong Bahru my entire life, I have no complaints about my neighbourhood. The central location makes travel convenient, the painted murals and iconic horseshoe-shaped buildings form a beautiful landscape, and there’s Tiong Bahru Market to add to the abundance of food options.

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The 2-storey building houses a market on the ground floor, and over 70 cooked food stalls on the second floor, which I occasionally visit for breakfast or lunch. Fun fact: during one of my recent visits, I spotted actors Xiang Yun and Edmund Chen there.

The ground floor occasionally hosts music performances to liven up the day. These range from amateur singers singing nostalgic songs to others playing the guzheng! Sometimes when I visit, I’ll also spot the well-known umbrella painting uncle, and he’ll be painting the usual animal and floral patterns on his umbrellas while singing.

​Of course, Tiong Bahru Market is also the home of many popular hawker stalls, including longstanding brands and newer entrants. Let me share 10 of the best hawker stalls at Tiong Bahru Market, based on my 20+ years living there!

1. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice (#02-67/68)

​The first entrant is a crowd-favourite. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice has one of the longest queues (if not the longest) in the entire Tiong Bahru Market. It’s also crowned as the top curry rice stall in Singapore.

​Here, you can select from 14 ingredients to accompany your curry rice, including Sweet & Sour Pork (S$2 minimum) and Cabbage (S$1.20 minimum). The total price is calculated based on the portion of ingredients given.

​I opted for the Pork Cutlet (S$3), Meatball (S$2), Braised Pork Belly (S$3), Egg Stir Fry (S$2) and Sambal Sotong (S$5), and requested that the ingredients be separated from the rice for sharing.

​Even as someone who usually can’t take spice, the mildly spicy curry here was just right for me, and I enjoyed the tangy lemongrass flavour within the gravy.

​While I enjoyed all the dishes, my favourite was the egg stir fry, which had a distinct wok hei aroma. Before tasting the food, I was sniffing the fluffy egg because it smelled so good!

​Another must-try is the meatball. It may look just like your typical meatball, but I promise you, it isn’t. When I took a bite, the sweet-savoury meatball burst in my mouth, while the tiny pieces of onion added a pleasant crunch! The queue was definitely worth it.

Order Delivery: foodpanda
Best for: Customisable curry rice with a wide choice of dishes
Price: From S$1.60 per pax
+65 9276 6149
Fri to Wed: 8.30am – 2.45pm, Closed on Thu
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2. Skirt & Dirt (#02-66)

Before visiting Skirt & Dirt for the first time, my favourite burger was actually the Fillet’ O Fish from McDonald’s (McDonald’s haters, please don’t judge). Its fluffy bun, tartar sauce and crisp fillet patty just had me returning time and again.

​But I am now a converted Skirt & Dirt fan. Its Cheese Skirt Burger (S$9.80 for a la carte, S$11 with fries) is simply incredible. The highlight of the dish is definitely the cheese, which looks like a literal skirt.

​This feels nothing like the usual melted cheese or cold square cheese. Instead, it has the texture of a thin pancake, with a slight crisp at the bottom. The strong cheese flavour is retained, and the cheese may be huge, but I couldn’t get enough of it.

​I usually avoid oily food, but I kept attacking the fluffy oil-coated bun and the juicy, umami-filled meat patty. With the lettuce, tomato and tangy orange sauce, the burger was divine. I decided to let my mum (who usually doesn’t enjoy burgers) have a bite, and guess what: she finished it.

​With Cajun powder sprinkled over the fries, I expected the fries to turn out really salty. Fortunately, it wasn’t! The fresh fries were neither too crispy nor too soggy, offering a middle ground for fans of either version.

​Skirt & Dirt may be more pricey than McDonald’s, but I know I’ll be back for more.

Order Delivery: foodpanda
Best for: A hearty burger meal
Price: From S$6.80 per pax
+65 8434 0119
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 8pm, Closed on Mon
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3. Hwa Yuen Porridge (#02-74)

​Many say that porridge should be reserved for days you’re under the weather, but I’d opt for a comforting bowl of congee from Hwa Yuen Porridge even on days I’m completely well.

​The stall offers a range of porridge, which includes Mixed Pig’s Organ Porridge (S$6.50), Fish Porridge (S$6.50) and Frog Leg Porridge (S$10). I ordered the Pork Porridge (S$5.50), a top-selling item which came with pork liver.

​Although the dish only cost S$5.50, the stall was generous with its pig liver. After eating a few pieces, I dug into the bowl and found even more! Within the bowl, there was also shredded meat and tender pork slices, which added texture to the well-seasoned, silky porridge.

​Not to mention, their thick, smooth and gooey Cantonese porridge is the exact type of porridge I love. After devouring my bowl of porridge, I wished I could have a few more scoops.

Best for: Comforting Cantonese-style porridge
Price: From S$5.50 per pax
Tue to Sun: 7am – 3pm, Closed on Mon

4. Min Nan Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle (#02-31)

​What makes a bowl of prawn noodle soup stand out? It’s the flavourful broth and fresh prawns. At Min Nan Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle, their prawn noodles tick both of these criteria. Perhaps that’s how the brand continues to flourish even after 60+ years of establishment.

​Initially, I was a little sceptical when I inspected the thin prawn broth of my Prawn Noodle Soup (S$5.50). Many popular prawn noodle stalls have a rich and robust broth, so I thought this one wouldn’t make the mark. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the light and non-oily broth here, as it also contained a sweet and natural prawn flavour.

​The prawns here are also really fresh! They come with a firm bounce, a snappy texture and an oceanic flavour. I rarely go for the prawn head, but I soon found myself attacking it to enjoy its crispy shell and flavourful juice.

​The prawn noodles were accompanied by kang kong, and a noodle of my choice (kway teow, yellow noodle or bee hoon). I opted for the kway teow and enjoyed slurping it up alongside the soup!

Best for: Light yet flavourful prawn noodle soup
Price: From S$5.50 per pax
Tue to Sun: 8am – 2.30pm, Closed on Mon
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5. Shan Ji La Mian Xiao Long Bao (#02-41)

​Shan Ji La Mian Xiao Long Bao may not be as well-known as the other stalls on this list, but it’s definitely worth a try. I went for their top signature item: the Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (S$7 for 8pcs). The dish was already in the stall’s name, so there’s no way I was avoiding it!

​When the freshly steamed buns arrived, I ate them the way I always do. I first poked a tiny hole into the skin so that the hot soup could ooze out and cool down a little. I took a sip, and it was filled with a pleasant, meaty flavour! I devoured the juicy meat next, before finishing with the skin.

​The thickness of the xiao long bao skin was just right: not too thin to break easily, and not too thick that it was hard to bite. The steamed dumplings also tasted great, although they became a little dry after being left for a while.

​I also went for the Bei Jing Sauce Noodle (S$5), a favourite dish of mine, and opted for less noodles. The bowl was topped with more shredded cucumber than other stalls, enhancing the refreshing touch of the dish. The meat sauce wasn’t as thick as others I tried, but I enjoyed this version more because it made the refreshing cucumber flavour more noticeable.

Order Delivery: foodpanda
Best for: China-style dumplings and noodles
Price: From S$4 per pax
+65 8645 6040
Daily: 8am – 10pm

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6. Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk (#01-31)

​Soya milk may sound like something really simple, but many of the stalls I visited often go too heavy on the soy flavour or sweetness, so when I took my first sip of Soya Bean Milk (S$1.20) from Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk, it felt as though I had finally found the one.

​Their soya milk was really light, with a subtle soy flavour and just the right amount of sweetness. I initially bought just 1 cup for my family to share, but after trying it, I regretted not buying a few more.

​However, what draws the daily queue at Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk is actually their Beancurd (S$1.20). When I arrived at 10.30am, it was already sold out! I guess I’ll have to wake up earlier to try it next time.

​I decided to try the Grass Jelly Drink (S$1.20) instead, but didn’t particularly enjoy it. I initially forgot to stir the drink, and ended up drinking lots of the sugar syrup at the bottom. Fortunately, it was better after a good stir, although it was still too sweet.

​The drink also didn’t have the flavour of grass jelly or herbal tea. Instead, it felt like I was drinking sugar water with jelly. Despite that, I enjoyed the texture of the jelly, which was cut into thin pieces that easily went through my straw.

Maybe I’ll opt for the Soya Bean Milk Mix Jelly (S$1.50) next time!

Best for: A light drink or breakfast accompaniment
Price: From S$1.20 per pax
+65 9786 5103
Tue to Sat: 2am – 2.30pm, Closed on Sun & Mon

7. Lor Mee 178 (#02-23)

​Lor Mee 178 may sound like any other lor mee stall, but it isn’t. Rather than just offering a typical bowl of Lor Mee (S$4.50), the stall offers an upgraded version with Deep Fried Shark Nuggets (S$6).

​During my most recent visit to the Michelin-recognised stall, the shark meat was temporarily out of stock and was replaced with fish meat that is said to be similarly delicious. But if you’re in luck, here’s how the dish with Deep Fried Shark Nuggets and an Egg (S$0.80) would taste.

​To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of lor mee because of the off-putting thickness of its gravy, but at this stall, the gravy isn’t too gooey or starchy. I also enjoyed the subtle herbal touch of the dish.

​Despite being soaked in the gravy for a while, the shark nuggets remained crisp and were just like my favourite fish and chips, except that they had absorbed the flavour of the gravy too! It was also tender on the inside, even though the meat was more compact than regular fish.

​However, I felt they could have been more generous with their portion. Not only was the bowl of noodles smaller than anticipated, but the sliced pork belly was also sliced so thin that it looked more like fishcake slices.

Best for: Michelin-recognised lor mee
Price: From S$4.50 per pax
Thu to Tue: 7am – 1.45pm, Closed on Wed

8. Grandpa Homemade Cheung Fun (#02-32)

​Whether you love sticking to tradition or exploring unique flavours and toppings, Grandpa Homemade Cheung Fun makes a great breakfast spot. The stall offers 12 combinations of toppings and 3 different flavours. I’ve only seen so many variations of the same dish at prata stalls, never at a chee cheung fun stall!

​Most of my visits here are breakfast sessions with my dad, and he never fails to stick to tradition. During our most recent visit, we had the Original Kosong (S$3.90) and the Original Char Siew (S$5.20), which were plated with a pool of soy sauce.

​While the chee cheung fun here is moist and silky, it became a little dry after I paused to take some photos. So remember to dig in fast once the food arrives!

​It’s also thinner and wrinklier than the usual chee cheung fun, and that’s exactly what I like about it. The thin rice rolls absorb the fragrant soy sauce and sesame better!

​However, I think the sauce and char siew leaned towards the salty side, and that’s why I’m looking forward to experimenting with other flavours and toppings next time. Perhaps I could try corn and lup cheong alongside dragon fruit or spinach flavour to make the dish sweeter!

Best for: Customisable chee cheong fun
Price: From S$4.50 per pax
+65 9092 9382
Mon & Tue: 7am – 2pm, Wed, Fri & Sat: 6.30am – 2.30pm, Thu & Sun: 6.30am – 2pm
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For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, click here.

9. Jian Bo Shui Kueh (#02-05)

​Whenever I visit Tiong Bahru Market with my family, my parents would order from Jian Bo Shui Kueh without fail. This longstanding brand, established in 1958, may have many outlets, but the one here remains the nearest to us.

​At this Michelin-recognised stall, I recommend the Signature Jian Bo Shui Kueh (S$4 for 5pcs, S$6 for 8pcs, S$7.60 for 10pcs). The white chwee kueh glistens with oil and is so soft that it can be easily cut with a stick.

​The dish may appear simple, but the contrasting flavour and texture make this a snack I keep coming back for. Not only does the sweet-salty radish add fragrance to the rice cake, but the crunch from the radish also pairs well with the rice cake’s bounciness!

​Although their chwee kueh leans towards the more oily side, I wouldn’t mind having this dish occasionally. Perhaps I’d also try other items like their Steamed Yam Cake (S$3.20 for Small, S$4.80 for Large) and Chee Cheong Fun (S$3.20 for Small, S$4.80 for Large) next time.

Order Delivery: foodpanda
Best for: Michelin-recognised chwee kueh
Price: From S$3.20 per pax
+65 6753 7588
Daily: 7am – 8pm
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For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, click here.

10. Tow Kwar Pop (#02-06)

​Located right next to Jian Bo Shui Kueh is another Michelin-recognised stall. Tow Kwar Pop has a simple menu offering 4 main items: Signature Rojak (S$6.50), Traditional Rojak (S$4.50), Traditional Tow Kwar Pop (S$4.50) and You Tiao Tow Kwar Pop (S$5).

​When observing the menu, I was initially confused about the difference between the 2 types of rojak, until I noticed the annotations on the side of the menu. The Traditional Rojak is just a smaller portion of the Signature Rojak!

​I opted for the smaller portion of rojak, which was served in a pool of sweet sauce, lots of peanuts and a mix of other ingredients. This created a harmonious blend of flavours, including the sweetness of the apple, the fruity flavour of the pineapple, and the tangy green mango.

​Besides the crunch that came from these fruits, there was also the soft tapioca, tau pok and you tiao, which absorbed the sweet rojak sauce well. A nice plate of rojak!

Best for: Michelin-recognised rojak with balanced mix of fruits, peanuts and sweet sauce
Price: From S$4.50 per pax
Tue to Fri: 9am – 7pm, Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 7.30pm, Closed on Mon
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How to choose a hawker stall at Tiong Bahru Market

Choose Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice if you want a filling meal with plenty of customisation, while Skirt & Dirt suits those craving a more substantial burger.

For lighter or comforting options, Hwa Yuen Porridge and Min Nan Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle are good choices, depending on whether you prefer silky Cantonese-style porridge or a clean, prawn-forward broth.

Shan Ji La Mian Xiao Long Bao works well if you’re sharing dumplings, while Grandpa Homemade Cheung Fun, Jian Bo Shui Kueh and Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk are better suited to breakfast or a light snack. Tow Kwar Pop is a practical pick for a traditional local bite.

The right choice depends on whether you’re after a hearty meal, something comforting or a quick snack.

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