Peter SchimkeNot only are hawker centres one of the best places to find delicious local food, they’re also an integral part of Singapore’s heritage. Over the years, these humble food centres have become meetings places for local communities to enjoy each other’s company over a great meal. Whether you’re in the mood for Indian, Malay, Indonesian, Chinese or even Thai cuisine, you’ll be able to find a suitable and excellent meal at one of Singapore’s many hawker centres.
But not all hawker stalls are the same. I’ve heard of many who will travel across the city to hunt down famous hawker food. At the same time, the hawker culture in Singapore is developing into an experimental phase. Here are some hawker stalls that don’t fit the conventional ‘traditional’ description.
1. Hambaobao
Image credit: Hambaobao
Image credit: Hambaobao
As the name suggests, this hawker stall specialises in steamed buns called baos. While this may seem pretty common, Hambaobao spins its own twist on the traditional food and elevates it to the level of delicious hamburgers. Offering a range of different flavours, everything is homemade and cooked to order. While some other restaurants would easily charge $15 for a hamburger, you can get a hambao for only $4.50! Add another dollar and you’ll get an extra portion of potato fries. I can’t think of anything that’ll give you more value for your money!
Stacked with fresh veggies, yummy sauces, and tasty meats and fish, their burgers are to die for. How about a crispy pork belly burger (bao burger) with small cucumbers, tender pork belly and teriyaki sauce all over it? Doesn’t that sound simply sumptuous?
Where: Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-49
2. Craft Beer Newton Circus
Image credit: Newton Craft Beer
The combination of beer and food is definitely not a new innovation. However, a beer hawker is surely not a common sight. I’m not referring to the usual drink stalls selling Tiger and Guinness, but ones that sell craft beer from all around the world.
An increasingly popular trend in Singapore, you won’t want to miss out these ales and stouts, while eating excellent local food! The Newton Circus Hawker Centre is home to Newton Craft Beer. Although craft beer tends to be a little pricier, this hawker offers its crafts at very affordable prices. A jug of English Pale Ale only costs a mere $20! You can also look forward to other varieties like Brown Rony, Dunkel, Porters, Ciders, Red Ales, and others hailing from England, Australia, and Germany.
Where: Newton Circus Food Centre, Stall 45
3. A Noodle Story
Image credit: A Noodle Story
Image credit: A Noodle Story
A noodle stall doesn’t sound like anything spectacular since they can be found almost anywhere. However, you probably won’t find anything close to A Noodle Story.
Boasting as the only Singapore-style ramen shop, the hawker-preneurs at A Noodle Story give a twist to the regular wanton mee noodles, creating dishes with braised char siew, onsen eggs, potato prawns, and scallions. The best part? These quality ramen are sold at hawker prices! For only $4.50, it really gives you the bang for your buck!
Where: Amoy Street Food Centre, #01-39
4. Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery
Image credit: Hungry Island
Forget about BreadTalk, this local hawker offers special pastries for a gastronomical culinary experience! Tucked away in Serangoon, this nondescript stall is easily missed as there are no fancy signs hinting at the sweet delights fresh out of the oven. The Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery impresses with tastes, not with crazy designs like many modern bakeries nowadays. With a wide selection of buns and breads, this stall certainly differs from your usual dessert shop in the local food centre. Be sure to try their banana bread, red bean bun as well as the otar bun!
Where: Serangoon Garden Market and Food Centre
5. Timbre +
Image credit: Timbre+
This isn’t just another interesting hawker stall, but an entire food centre by itself. Located within the start-up concentration area at Ayer Rajah Crescent, Timbre+ offers a variety of hipster cuisines. Modelled after a traditional hawker centre, this upgrade doesn’t just bring lovers of good food and beer together, but also creates a platform for F&B incubators and various food start-ups. There, you’ll find food trucks and containers selling different cuisines from all around the world, from chilli crab and bak kut teh to American grill dishes and creative Japanese fusion food.
Where: 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent
These innovative stalls are only the tip of the iceberg! Indeed, Singapore’s hawker food centres aren’t disappearing, but reinventing themselves. Let’s celebrate these creative chefs and look forward to an even greater hawker food scene!
