Hidden Food gems in Singapore's Neighbourhood

Riddhi Jain22 June, 2025

If you have brunch plans on your calendar and 90% of the photos on your camera roll are of food, this is for you. From rooftop cafes in Hillview to garden-side gelato, we've done the research to offer you 28 shiok makan locations in Singapore.

Singapore’s culinary scene is world-renowned, with Michelin-starred restaurants and celebrity chefs drawing global attention. But beyond this fine-dining lies a vibrant tapestry of humble hawker stalls and family-run eateries that have quietly perfected their craft over generations.

These are the Hidden Food Gems in Singapore, which are tucked away in residential neighborhoods or bustling food centres, but are beloved and popular among locals. For those who love street food more than fancy restaurants, these hidden food spots in Singapore offer a taste of the island’s true culinary soul: affordable, authentic, and bursting with flavor.

Be sure to check out the street sellers and tiny cafés that serve regional delicacies that showcase Singapore's vast cultural diversity in addition to the well-known food courts. Your culinary adventure in Singapore will be remarkable as you experience the exquisite blending of flavors from Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Western influences into the local cuisine.

Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Mee – Tiong Bahru Market

Despite being dubbed "Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Mee," which means "true to the original taste," this Tiong Bahru Food Center booth is most often known as the "Bu Jian Tian" Char Siew stall.
Known as the "roast pork that doesn't see the sky," the stall has been in business for over 30 years and is well-known for its "Bu Jian Tian" Char Siew Wanton Noodles. The stall’s noodles are long, thin, and springy, tossed in a savory sauce that’s both aromatic and comforting.

Location: Tiong Bahru Market #02-30, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898
What to eat: Order the signature wanton mee, featuring springy noodles, succulent wantons, and a flavorful sauce. For a complete experience, pair it with their dumpling soup, and savor a classic that has stood the test of time.

Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo – Chinatown Complex

A few well-known names immediately come to mind when discussing yong tau foo booths. Many people consider Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu in Chinatown Complex Food Centre to be among the best YTF stalls in Singapore, while for you, it can be Yong Xiang Xing Dou Fu or Poy Kee Yong Tau Foo.
Even though this stand is frequently sold out by 1 pm, it has a devoted following of customers who line up as early as 7 am to get a bowl of their YTF, making it one of the best hidden Food spots in Singapore. The stall is famed for its affordable and delicious yong tau foo, made with house-crafted fish paste stuffed into tau pok, tofu, and tau kee.

Location: 335 Smith Street, #02-88, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Singapore 050335
What to eat: Try the Four Piece Yong Tau Foo with Bee Hoon or Noodle, or the Six Piece Yong Tau Foo if you want more variety. Don’t miss the optional add-ons like thick fish cake, eggplant, and extra ikan bilis for a truly satisfying meal

Loo's Hainanese Curry Rice – Tiong Bahru

A true legend since 1946, Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice is revered for its rich, aromatic curry that takes three days to prepare. Many Singaporeans have long considered the famous Curry Rice booth, which was once housed in the coffee shop across from Tiong Bahru market, to be among the greatest spots to get real Hainanese curry rice! Recognized with the World Gourmet Summit Hawker Series Hall of Fame, this place is one of the top yet hidden food gems in Singapore.

Location: Tiong Bahru Market, just across from their original location.
What to eat: Order a plate of Hainanese curry rice topped with curry, braised cabbage, lor bak, and their iconic pork chop. Don’t forget the frilly fried egg with dark soy sauce for the full experience.

Fu He Turtle Soup – Berseh Food Centre

For more than 30 years, Fu He Turtle Soup & Delights has been providing stew soups and turtle soup at Berseh Food Centre. Its menu is regarded as extensive; in fact, there are so many options that you can simply stand in front of the stall, unsure of what to eat. Then you see that there are additional items on the side. There are other categories, such as soup, zi char items, steamed fish, and claypot rice, in addition to the famous Claypot Stewed Turtle Soup, which is best served with Taro rice.

Location: Berseh Food Centre
What to eat: The Claypot Stewed Turtle Soup is the star, best paired with fragrant taro rice. Other highlights include black chicken soup and a rotating selection of herbal stews—perfect for a nourishing meal steeped in tradition.

Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee – Hong Lim Market

The third-generation owner of Heng Kee is Mr. Tay, also known as Ah Huat. He and his mother operate the stall that his grandfather established almost 40 years ago. Long lines form early in the morning, and it continues to be a crowd-pulling attraction for years to come.
A disorganized display of Hainanese-style poached chicken fronts the stall. However, because the meat is juicy and soft, you should never judge a book by its cover. Large, spongy tofu puffs dance in the steaming pot of soup, and the sauce is thick and powerful, thanks to a curry recipe that has been used for more than 50 years.

Location: Hong Lim Food Centre, Level 1
What to eat: Order the Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee, and savor the harmonious blend of silky noodles, succulent chicken, and rich curry gravy. It’s a dish that draws long queues from the moment the stall opens.

Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap – Chinatown Complex

Run by the Chew family for over 30 years, Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap is known for its generous portions and innovative twists. Duck Rice and Kway Chap Bento is their signature dish, which is a very substantial meal that includes juicy kway chap, lean pork, pickles, Japanese-style runny yolk lava eggs, soft braised duck, and savory duck rice folded into balls. One of his inventions to attract the attention of the younger generation is this bento. Once Melvin took over, he made several changes, such as adding a little more sweetness and thickness to the braising gravy or "lor".

Location: Blk 335, Smith Street #02-156, Chinatown Complex
What to eat: Go for the Duck Rice Bento or the classic kway chap. Don’t miss their tangy house-made chili sauce, which elevates every bite. The “dry kway” is also a unique offering for those who prefer less soup.

Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa – Alexandra

Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa at Alexandra Village Food Centre is a celebrated hidden food gem in Singapore, renowned for its rich, lemak laksa broth and Bib Gourmand recognition. Originally served in a claypot, the laksa is now typically presented in a regular bowl, but still features a creamy, coconut-based gravy that clings to thick rice noodles, tau pok, fish cake, prawns, and juicy cockles. The stall’s origins trace back to Depot Road, and it continues to attract long queues for its comforting, aromatic flavors.

Location: Alexandra Village Food Centre
What to eat: Order the Claypot Laksa, loaded with thick rice noodles, tau pok, fish cake, cockles, and a spicy, aromatic broth. It’s comfort food at its finest, perfect for rainy days or whenever you crave something hearty.

To-Ricos Kway Chap – Old Airport Road Food Centre

To-Ricos Kway Chap has built a loyal following for its silky smooth kway (rice sheets) and tender braised meats. The stall’s secret lies in its meticulously prepared braising sauce, which infuses every ingredient with deep, savory notes. The reason they go by the name To-Ricos is that the owner had sold fried chicken under the To-Ricos franchise name from Brazil. Thus, they adopted the same name when they began marketing Kway Chap.

Location: Old Airport Road Food Centre

What to eat: A typical order includes kway, braised pork belly, pig’s intestines, tau pok, and hard-boiled egg. The balanced flavors and melt-in-your-mouth textures make this a must-try for fans of traditional Teochew fare.

928 Yishun Laksa – Yishun

Located in the void deck of an unremarkable HDB tower, this literal no-name shop, affectionately known as Yishun 928 Laksa, has long lineups throughout lunchtime. Despite all of the debate surrounding the district, the citizens of Yishun can proudly defend this one. You can discover that the operational space was both brightly lit and comfortably roomy, with the perfect amount of natural light to fill the room. Although most of the heat was kept at bay by the wide, retractable roof, it is impossible to escape the otherwise unbearable Singapore humidity. We strongly advise wearing casual clothing before visiting.

Location: 928 Yishun Central 1, #01-155, Singapore 760928
What to eat: Order the signature laksa, which comes with thick bee hoon, tau pok, fish cake, and cockles, all swimming in a rich, coconut-based broth. Add extra sambal for a fiery kick.

Chey Sua Carrot Cake – Toa Payoh

Chey Sua Carrot Cake is a household name among locals, renowned for its unique style of fried carrot cake, which makes it a popular hidden food spot in Singapore. Operated by two sisters who took over the booth from their parents about 30 years ago, Chey Sua Carrot Cake has been in business for more than 50 years. While Grace prepares the ingredients and accepts orders, Shirley fries the carrot cake.
The only meal on the menu is White Carrot Cake, which is made with red carrot and white radish and then cooked with eggs, rice flour, and chye poh. For a solid yet soft texture, Chey Sua still creates their carrot cake from scratch, heating the radish cubes in-store with aluminum bowls for a whole night.

Location: Toa Payoh Lorong 1 Food Centre
What to eat: Go for the white carrot cake, which is less sweet and lets the natural flavors of radish and egg shine. The crispy edges and fragrant aroma make it a standout among Singapore’s many carrot cake stalls.

FAQs

1. What are some hidden food gems in Singapore that locals love?

Ans: Locals are passionate about places like Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Mee, Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice, Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo, and Chey Sua Carrot Cake. These hidden food gems in Singapore are cherished for their authenticity, heritage recipes, and unique flavors that you won’t easily find in tourist hotspots.

2. Where can I find authentic hawker food away from tourist crowds?

Ans: Neighborhood food centres such as Tiong Bahru Market, Berseh Food Centre, Alexandra Village, and Old Airport Road Food Centre are home to many hidden food spots in Singapore. These places tend to attract more locals than tourists, offering a genuine hawker experience.

3. Are hidden food spots in Singapore expensive?

Ans: Most hidden food spots in Singapore are very affordable, with dishes typically ranging from $3 to $8. These stalls focus on quality and tradition rather than high prices, making them accessible to all.

4. Is it easy to reach these hidden food places using public transport?

Ans: Yes, Singapore’s extensive MRT and bus network makes it easy to reach most of these hidden food gems in Singapore. Food centres like Tiong Bahru Market, Chinatown Complex, and Old Airport Road Food Centre are all within walking distance of MRT stations.

5. What hidden food spots in Singapore offer vegetarian options?

Ans: While many stalls specialize in meat or seafood, some, like Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo, offer vegetarian-friendly items such as tofu, eggplant, and vegetables. Additionally, most food centres have a variety of stalls, so vegetarians can usually find suitable options nearby.

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