Flanked between two MRT stations—Little India and Rochor—Xin Tekka is one of the new food halls in town. Home to a repertoire of local hawker legends, rediscovered restaurateurs and new-generation foodpreneurs, this food hall spans across two floors occupying a space of 10,000sqft.
If you are looking for a new place to explore, Xin Tekka is definitely one of them. To ease you in your hunt for unique hawker delights and reinterpreted recipes, I present to you eight stalls at Xin Tekka that is bound to satiate your inner Asian foodie!
1. Pang’s Hakka Noodles
Chef Pang Kok Keong’s first venture after parting from Antoinette, Pang’s Hakka Noodles not only showcases rich Hakka culinary heritage, it also pays tribute to Chef Pang’s mother who was a hawker herself.
His Signature Hakka Noodles (S$7) features springy Hakka noodles tossed in fragrant oil and homemade minced pork sauce. Served with sambal, the heat from the spice cuts through the savouriness of the noodles, creating more interest in each bite.
A steaming hot bowl of Hakka Stuffed Tofu Soup (S$4) is an option for those looking for something light and comforting. Filled with a mixture of freshly made yong tau fu, this bowl of rich and flavourful soup makes for the perfect pairing with your bowl of Hakka noodles.
Pang’s Hakka Noodles: Tel: +65 9021 7507 | Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm, or till sold out (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram
2. Casa Bom Vento Express
Helmed by Chef Lionel, Casa Bom Vento Express is back after a four-year hiatus. Famous for its authentic Eurasian-Peranakan food, Casa Bom Vento Express serves some of the oldest dishes with recipes dating back 500 years.
Served in a cylinder form, the Tian of Ayam Buah Keluak with Blue Pea Rice (S$7.70) represents the auspicious element of metal symbolising strength and decisiveness. The dish is made by hand-cut fresh herbs, aromatics and ground roots, resulting in a deeply flavoured and fragrant plate not to be missed.
Casa Bom Vento Express’s Nonya Dry Laksa (S$8.20) is a cultural fusion dish prepared using spaghetti and laksa paste. Unlike traditional thick rice noodles, the use of spaghetti provides the dish with a firm chew that is sure to delight both the young and old!
Casa Bom Vento Express: Tel: +65 8866 7866 | Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm, or till sold out (Mon to Sat, Closed on Sun and Public Holidays) | Facebook | Instagram
3. RW Express
Serving the best North-Indian cuisine has to offer since 1997, RW Express is founded by Mr Kalpanath Singh who currently owns three popular Indian restaurants in Little India.
Marinated in rich spices, the Tandoori Chicken (S$10, half) uses boneless chicken thighs and is grilled to perfection with precise temperature controlled by adding charcoal intermittently into a clay oven.
For an authentic North-Indian dining experience, the Mutton Biryani (S$8) features tender, melt-in-your-mouth mutton which has been lovingly treated with a blend of herbs and spices. Served on a fluffy bed of basmati rice, the Mutton Biryani is a hearty meal all by itself!
RW Express: Opening Hours: 10.30am – 8pm (Daily)
4. Rong Guang BBQ Seafood
Back in 1985, car mechanic turned self-taught chef, Chef Joe, opened Rong Guang BBQ Seafood at Redhill. The eatery later moved to Makansutra Gluttons by the Bay in 2012 and won over the hearts (and bellies) of locals and tourist in the area.
Back after a one-year hiatus, Rong Guang BBQ Seafood continues to serve their signature Portuguese Sambal Stingray (from S$16) at Xin Tekka. Each serving of Portuguese Sambal Stingray is drenched in an amalgamation of flavours from the chilli paste, garlic, belacan paste and onions, resulting in a dish that is piquant yet unexpectedly delightful.
Dining in a group? Then opt for Seafood In A Bag (S$98.90). Filled with four different kinds of seafood—crabs, prawns, clams and scallops, this dish is literally a bag full of treasures from the sea!
Rong Guang BBQ Seafood: Tel: +65 9789 6435 | Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Alhambra Satay
Alhambra Satay started off at Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre. Committed to staying true to its original Javanese recipes since its inception in the renowned Satay Club, the eatery’s satay are individually hand-cut piece by piece and marinated to perfection.
Chicken, Beef and Mutton (S$9 for 10 sticks with Rice Cake) are the three options available. Served alongside their irresistibly crunchy and flavourful peanut sauce, the decadent gravy enhances each sweet-savoury satay stick with a layer of nuttiness everyone will enjoy.
Potato lovers will enjoy Alhambra Satay’s Kentang Ball (S$6). Sitting on a pool of rich soto ayam (chicken gravy) is a rounded deep-fried ball filled with mashed potato and minced beef. A scoop of Kentang Ball together with a mouthful of soto ayam is the combination that sure work wonders!
Alhambra Satay: Opening Hours: 9am – 8pm (Tue to Sun, Closed on Mon) | Facebook | Instagram
6. Liang Ji Kway Teow King
Known for his mouth-watering char kway teow and carrot cake, Chef Dominic Neo from Liang Ji Kway Teow King initiated the ‘Bring Your Own Egg’ promotion at Xin Tekka during National Day 2020.
Apart from a plate of Fried Kway Teow (S$5/S$7) that is filled with the robustness and fragrance of wok hei, Chef Dominic’s Hae Bee Hiam Fried Rice (S$6/S$8) is another plate of delicacy that is the epitome of a simple yet delicious affair. Both dishes are served with a heart-shaped fried egg that shows diners the amount of love he puts into his cooking!
Food adventurers will surely enjoy his innovative interpretations of the conventional carrot cake that comes in flavours such as cheesy floss and spicy hae bee hiam.
Liang Ji Kway Teow King: Tel: +65 8433 6335 | Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram
7. Hosay’s Delicacy
With five successful outlets islandwide, Hosay’s Delicacy at Xin Tekka offers their Signature Mee Pok (S$7.20) alongside new and exclusive dishes.
A bite into their Signature Mee Pok and you will immediately taste the difference. Their in-house noodles are thicker than normal, thus they encapsulate its flavours within each strand. The hearty bowl of minced meat noodles is served with an umami-packed soup broth that screams with flavours from the ocean.
My personal favourite was the Teochew Special Porridge (S$7.20). Brought to my table in a claypot, this was a dish that carried the rich seafood sweetness from Hosey’s signature broth. It was warm and satisfying, a bowl that I will surely crave for during sweater weathers.
Hosay’s Delicacy: Opening Hours: 9am – 8pm (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram
8. Da Boomz Delights
Da Boomz Delights started out as a popular home-based business which found a loyal following after making its appearance at food fairs, bazaars and pop-up events.
In order to cater to requests from their regulars, owners Wardah and her partner decide to start their first physical store in Xin Tekka offering a delightful array of Malay kuehs as well as traditional and uniquely flavoured Apam Balik.
Their fluffy signature Classic Apam Balik (S$8.40) features the well-liked peanut and corn filling, whilst their Copa Cabana (S$8.40) is a chocolate lovers dream consisting of a chocolate base stuffed with banana slices and molten chocolate.
Not forgetting the Durian King (S$8.40) which is a moreish sweet treat filled with creamy, sweet durian filling that will leave durian fans crying for more!
Da Boomz Delight: Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon to Sat, Closed on Sun) | Facebook | Instagram
Price: $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Xin Tekka
2 Serangoon Road, Tekka Place Annex Building, #01–55/56/57/58/59, Singapore 218227
Xin Tekka
2 Serangoon Road, Tekka Place Annex Building, #01–55/56/57/58/59, Singapore 218227