Singapore (singapore)
food
Last Updated: February 10, 2020
The wonders of Tiong Bahru Food Centre are no secret to us all. The massive array of stalls is practically a food haven for anyone.
We give you the lowdown on 18 of the best stalls Tiong Bahru Food Centre has to offer, whatever the hour, whatever the weather.
One of the simple joys in life is to enjoy a simple breakfast. Jian Bo Shui Kueh offers a grab-and-go breakfast with their Shui Kueh at S$2.50 for five pieces.
It’s a sinfully oily for a breakfast plate. But it’ll definitely satisfy your grumbling stomach. Of course, you can also opt to get Steamed Yam Cake (S$2.50) or Chee Cheong Fun (S$2.50).
Jian Bo Shui Kueh 楗柏水粿: #02-05 | Opening Hours: 6am – 9pm (Daily)
One of my favourite Malay dishes for breakfast is mee siam. The Mee Siam (S$3) at Ali Corner features light-weight bee hoon with a clear, sour, and spicy broth.
Although, best skip the chilli if you’ve got a low tolerance to spice.
Two friendly makciks tend the store daily, and it’s just something about their spirit that cheers you up already!
Ali Corner: #02-17 | Opening Hours: 6am – 2pm (Tues to Sat), Closed on Sun & Mon
Tau suan is no longer just for dessert. Picture this: a hot bowl of Tau Suan (S$2) on a cool morning.
I’d say they make a great breakfast option, given mung beans are high in protein and important vitamins, giving you a boost for the day. The sticky sweet gravy is best paired with freshly fried you tiao.
Tiong Bahru Tau Suan 中峇鲁豆爽: #02-55 | Opening Hours: 6am – 1pm (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mon
Breakfast isn’t complete without a warm cup of soybean milk, I feel.
What’s more, the owner of Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk, affectionately known as Ah Seng, sells each item for S$1 only.
Ah Seng prepares the soybean milk, bean curd, and grass jelly throughout the wee hours prior to opening so that their customers get it fresh in the morning.
Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk 德盛豆花水: #02-69 | Opening Hours: 6am – 1pm (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mon
A favorurite of Tiong Bahru Hwa Yuen Porridge customers is the Pork Porridge (S$3). The porridge served here has a silken texture which makes every mouthful enjoyably smooth, and easy to swallow. It’s also not overly sticky to the point of being cloying.
The porridge is also extremely fragrant, and not bland at all, as one might expect from a mediocre bowl of porridge. There is a hint of sesame oil, which makes it all the more flavourful.
The porridge also comes with a good mixture of pork cuts. There were thin slices of pork liver, lean meat, as well as miniature pork balls.
This stall has been in business for many, many years, and up till today, they still serve porridge that will warm every part of your body and soul.
Tiong Bahru Hwa Yuen Porridge 華園粥品: #02-74 | Opening Hours: 7.15am – 10pm (Daily)
Right after the sun rises, you can already pick up a plate of Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4) from Lau Chen Carrot Cake & Popiah.
The plate we got was brimming with large chunks of kueh, as well as generous portions of chye poh fried with egg.
It’s a true breakfast classic, with the never-ending debate between which is better — the black or white version. If you’re looking for more flavour, the black version will definitely satisfy those taste buds.
Lau Chen Carrot Cake & Popiah 老陈菜頭粿和薄餠: #02-83 | Opening Hours: 7am – 3pm & 5pm – 8pm (Thurs to Tues), Closed on Wed
Despite only being recently awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee has been open for business for decades. Their famous Prawn Mee comes in three different portions (S$4/S$5/S$6).
The noodles were bursting with deep flavour, and carried a strong wok hei tang. The portion of seafood was decent, with tender prawns and succulent sotong interspersed between the noodles.
Beware, the lunch queue is extremely long, so you’d want to come early to get your spot in the queue!
Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee 鴻興炒蘇東蝦麺: #02-01 | Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm & 4.30pm – 7pm (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mon
At Tow Kwar Pop, the tow kwar is still hand-grilled, making it absolutely phenomenal.
Think airy and fluffy on the inside, with a charred fragrance and a crispy exterior. It’s garnished with beansprouts and cod fish slices.
The sauce had a good depth of flavour, and was highly addictive. You’ll be poppin’ the tow kwar in your mouth in no time. Each Rojak Set is priced at S$4 or S$5.
Tow Kwar Pop: #02-06 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 5pm (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mon
178 Lor Mee (卤面178) is one of the gems found at the landmark Tiong Bahru Food Centre. One of the highlights of this stall is that they offer a version with shark meat instead of the traditional fish.
The taste of this deadly sea predator has been likened to that of a cross between chicken and alligator, but just a tad chewier.
Expect a load of crispiness with the Lor Mee (S$3.50, S$4 with shark nuggets) from this stall too. One of my favourite parts of this dish is the crispy batter that goes perfectly with the gravy. Simply heavenly!
178 Lor Mee (卤面 178): #02-23 | Opening Hours: 7am – 2.30pm (Daily)
Sporting another long queue at lunch is Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodle.
As the namesake suggests, they stay true to the flavour of Wanton Mee (S$4/S$5).
Each plate was laid out with char siew marinated in sweet sauce. Albeit on the wetter side, the slivers of gravy retain the moisture of the noodles.
It’s no wonder they draw in crowds!
Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodle 忠于原味雲吞麺: #02-30 | Opening Hours: 8am – 1.30pm (Tues to Thurs & Sat & Sun), Closed on Mon & Fri
We come to the most basic meal of the average Singaporean — roasted chicken rice. Hai Shan Roasted Chicken Rice serves up fuss-free Roasted Chicken Rice (S$3).
There’s nothing too fancy nor over-the-top with the dish, but it’s fast and convenient for a quick lunch at Tiong Bahru Food Centre before popping back to work.
It brings a sense of nostalgia back to your school canteen days, where food was simple and healthy.
Hai Shan Roasted Chicken Rice 海山烧腊·鸡饭: #02-32 | Opening hours: 7am – 2pm (Thurs to Tues), Closed on Wed
It’s no surprise that the well-loved fried kway teow would be on a list of delicious hawker food. Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow serves a simple, but incredibly satisfying Fried Kway Teow (S$3/S$4) that will fulfil every fried kway teow-lover’s dream.
The lup cheong (Chinese sausage) and hum (cockles) were flavourful, making the char kway teow all the more glorious. With more than 40 years of history, Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow certainly remains one of the best in town.
Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow 中峇鲁炒粿條: #02-11 | Opening Hours: 11am – 10.30pm (Thurs to Tues), Closed on Wed
If you want to skip the lunch queue at Min Nan Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle, you can bide your time and grab your Pork Ribs Prawn Mee (S$4.50/S$5.50) at dinner hour instead.
The dish is true to its name, whereby pork ribs are incorporated into the signature bowl of prawn mee. The addition of pork ribs enhances the flavour of the broth, resulting in a seafood-pork stew that’s sure to leave you satiated.
Min Nan Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle 閩南排骨虾面: #02-31 | Opening Hours: 10am – 3pm & 5pm – 9.30pm (Fri to Wed), Closed on Thurs
If beef is up your alley, you’ll love Joo Chiat Beef King. Imagine thick slices of beef smothered with a thick gravy, on a bed of noodles. Hungry yet?
Aside from Beef Brisket Noodles (S$4.50), you can choose to get a clear bowl of Beef Ball Soup (S$3.50) instead.
Considering myself a fan of beef noodles, I’d say the dry version will give you the best experience.
Joo Chiat Beef King 如切牛腩王: #02-35 | Opening Hours: 8.30am – 8.30pm (Wed to Mon), Closed on Tues
For another meaty meal, Tiong Bahru Braised Duck’s Duck Rice and Duck Porridge are hot favourites amongst crowds.
The dishes include generous amounts of duck meat. Each dish comes in three serving portions priced at either S$3, S$4, or S$5.
Almost as simple as classic chicken rice, why not have a plate of duck rice to spice up your evening?
Tiong Bahru Braised Duck 中峇鲁卤鸭: #02-43 | Opening Hours: 9am – 8pm (Wed to Sat & Mon), Closed on Tues & Sun
No hawker centre is complete without an iconic Western stall. Hot Plate Western Food grills up a storm with classic meats and sides.
Seasoned right and accompanied with great sauce, a sizzling hot plate of lean Pork Chop (S$5.50) definitely makes the cut.
Skip the fancy restaurants and take your date here instead.
Hot Plate Western Food: #02-54 | Opening hours: 8.30am – 2.30 pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm (Daily)
Shout out to fruit juice enthusiasts; Fresh Juice Ice Blend is your pit stop when you’re around Tiong Bahru Food Centre.
We got the Apple Yakult Juice (S$2.50) and Mango Milkshake (S$3). The juices were refreshingly cold for the hot day. On top of the prescribed menu, you can even customise your own blend!
They definitely deserve plus points for quick, fresh, and affordable blends.
Fresh Juice Ice Blend: #02-07 | Opening Hours: 8am – 8.30pm (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mon
Aside from being a martial arts enthusiast, the owner of No. 250 Long Ji Soya Bean Drink sells Soya Bean Drink (S$0.80) that equally packs a punch.
The drink is thick and smooth, and wonderfully fragrant. It’s great as a refresher any time of the day!
No. 250 Long Ji Soya Bean 龍記豆花水: #02-63 | Opening Hours: 6am – 4pm (Wed to Mon), Closed on Tues
There’s no limit to the rich culture and tantalising fare that lies in the heart of Tiong Bahru.
I was deeply honoured to be able to bask in the food haven that is Tiong Bahru Food Centre. A whopping 83 stalls is a definite food paradise for us foodies!
Price: $
Our Rating: 5 / 5
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898
30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898
