In the olden days, hawkers were cooks who set up their wooden carts along the road. Small tables are set up for their customers to sit on while eating. Over the years, hawkers centers have popped up to provide a more organized and easier way for folks to get their favorite hawker dishes. The essence of it remains the same: great food that is affordable and accessible.
With that, what makes one hawker center more popular than another? I think it’s the food quality, the value for the taste and of course, the location. But that’s just me.
Here we take a look at our top five hawker centers in Singapore, arranged in no particular order. After this, go out and try one, or two, or all of them. You won’t regret it.
1. Old Airport Road Food Center
Highly regarded as the best hawker center in Singapore. Almost all of the hawker dishes around are available here, and from the best hawker stalls in the city. While it had undergone a renovation back in 2007, this hawker center is where you’ll see how it was like way back. The stalls are close together and the air is hot and humid, with the fans not helping at all. However, those factors don’t stop the Old Airport Road Food Center from being the most popular and best renowned hawker center in Singapore. Be prepared for the lines in many stalls, including Chuan Kee Satay for the best Hainanese-style satay this side of town.
2. East Coast Lagoon Village
This hawker center by the bay provides a more laid back and casual vibe for those who are looking for the hawker center experience. As with most hawker centers, it’s self-service. Remember your table number as some stalls will deliver your food to you or yell out the number so you can pick your order up. The chili crab seems to be the favorite choice for most tourists, but satay seems to come in a close second. Although do order black pepper crabs at Leng Heng BBQ Seafood if you have time to wait. The place is often crowded not just by the hungry crowd, but also by people who just want to spend time relaxing.
3. Chinatown Food Street
My problem with this place is that I didn’t know when to stop walking. What started out as a short stroll from the MRT ended up a long walk because I felt that the next stall would have better options. Better to pick just one and stick with it, or you’ll never get to eat. Chili crabs and cereal prawns seem to be the perennial favorite, but do try some delicacies that are not available in your hometown. Afterwards, take a stroll to the shops that sell souvenirs and other knick-knacks. Buy a dessert or two as well.
4. Singapore Food Trail
Located at the base of the Singapore Flyer, the Singapore Food Trail can be considered as a more high end hawker center. Prices are slightly higher than older hawker centers, but the choices are varied and good enough for the tourist who doesn’t want to go further than the central business district. Its 60’s theme and decor makes for a quirky atmosphere, as it tries to echo how it was when hawkers were first starting out. Many of the stalls here are from those who have already established themselves in the hawker business. Try the bak chor mee from High Street Tai Wah Port Noodle or the bak kut teh from Sing Ming Road Rong Chen Bak Kut Teh.
5. Maxwell Food Center
Chinatown is always a popular destination, and Maxwell is no exception. It was converted into a hawker center in 1986, but has been around since before the war. Be prepared for the overwhelming choices, but if you have time check out Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Anthony Bourdain himself has declared it to be the best, so expect the lines. You can also take your pick from noodles, dim sum and other stalls that offer lighter fare for those in-between-meals cravings.
Hawker Center tip:
Be prepared for crowds, particularly at the more popular hawker centers. If you spot an empty table but you’ve yet to order your meal, place a packet of tissue on the table. This is widely understood as a sign that the seat is taken.
Photos by One More Bite Blog, Clemson, chooyutshing, Icemoon and JesusAbizanda
