11 best eats in Bukit Panjang that’ll prove it’s anything but boring
If there’s a hill I’m willing to die on, it’s that Bukit Panjang isn’t boring, despite the dubious smirks from my friends. Well, not in the food arena at least; you just need to know where to look.
Having lived and eaten in the area all my life, I’ve come to learn that it houses many food gems. Not convinced? Take it from a resident to unveil the 11 best eats in Bukit Panjang that’ll prove it’s anything but boring!
1. Zheng Wei Braised Duck Noodle • Rice
Zheng Wei Braised Duck Noodle • Rice has got to be Bukit Panjang’s best-kept secret. Nestled in the nondescript Bangkit 257 Coffee House, the stall is well-loved by residents of the area and never fails to garner lunchtime queues.
It’s in its name; Zheng Wei is well-known for their Braised Duck Noodle (S$4/S$5) and Braised Duck Rice (S$4/S$5). The former with a best-of-both-worlds mix of yellow noodles and kway teow has been a staple of my diet for as long as I can remember.
You won’t have to worry about not eating your fill here as even the smaller portion comes with a generous serving of succulent duck slices. The zhup is pleasantly herbal, with a perfect sweet-savoury balance that complements the gamey duck.
If you can handle the heat, don’t scrimp on the sambal at the counter. Its incredibly fragrant blend is guaranteed to elevate your dish.
If you don’t fancy duck, you can also choose from the stall’s range of other braised delights, such as Kway Chap (S$5/S$6/S$7) and Braised Meat Rice (S$4/S$5).
257 Bukit Panjang Ring Rd, Singapore 670257
Tue to Sun: 5.30am – 1.30pm
Closed on Mon
2. You Xiang Teochew Noodles
As we all know, a surefire way to guarantee yourself a good meal would be to follow the queues. In Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, that’ll lead you to You Xiang Teochew Noodles.
The stall sells classic Teochew noodles such as Fishball Noodles (S$2.70) and Mushroom Minced Meat Noodles (S$3.50). With nothing priced above S$3.50 and each bowl cooked to order, it’s no wonder You Xiang racks up the longest queue in the hawker centre daily!
You can’t go wrong with their Fishball Noodles. These come with your choice of noodles and a topping of fishballs, fishcakes and a fish dumpling.
I opted for dry mee pok – the springy noodles were al dente and coated in a piquant spicy sauce. The fishballs, albeit small, were delightfully bouncy and tasty.
You Xiang also takes pride in handmade sides like Fried Fish Cake (S$1) and Ngor Hiang (S$1). I completed my meal with their Taiwan Meatballs (S$1.20 for 2 pieces), better known as Fuzhou meatballs. The juicy minced pork flavour bursts with flavour in your mouth and will leave you wanting more than just 2.
2 Bukit Panjang Ring Rd, Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, #01-13, Singapore 679947
Fri to Wed: 9am – 8.30pm
Closed on Thu
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3. Traditional Handmade Mee Hoon Kueh • Ban Mian • U Mian
If you’re a noodle fanatic like I am, look no further than Traditional Handmade Mee Hoon Kueh • Ban Mian • U Mian. This handmade noodle stall has its own corner within the bustling Kim San Leng coffeeshop at Bangkit where it has been for years. Its menu has stayed affordable, too!
Contrary to its name, the stall does not sell ban mian. It does have Handmade You Mian (S$3.50) and is popular for its hand-torn Mee Hoon Kueh (S$4), though. I’ve had the latter on several occasions before but didn’t manage to secure a bowl on my most recent visit.
“Come early next time, I don’t have all day to hand-tear mee hoon kueh because life’s short,” the uncle quipped. I took the chance to try his Handmade You Mian and added an Egg (S$0.50).
The noodles had a great bite, while the soup was clean-tasting and comforting, complete with delicate spinach stalks.
Apart from handmade noodles, the Mee Sua (S$3.50) and Koka Mee (S$3.50) seem to be popular as well. Also, do come prepared to wait as each bowl of noodles is cooked to order.
259 Bukit Panjang Ring Rd, #01-36, Singapore 670259
Daily: 6.30am – 2pm
4. Hai Xian Zhu Zhou (Uncle KKM)
It’s safe to say that no Bukit Panjang food guide is a legitimate one without Hai Xian Zhu Zhou. Dubbed ‘Bukit Panjang Ke Kou Mian’, the stall remains synonymous with the area despite having opened a second outlet in Yishun.
While its name translates to ‘seafood porridge’ in English, don’t be led astray. While Hai Xian Zhu Zhou does have porridge dishes, it’s better known for its ke kou mian, or koka noodles. In fact, I know of people who’ve travelled to my humble ‘hood solely for them.
Their popular items include the Delicious Koka Noodle (S$3.50/S$4/S$4.50) and Spicy Koka Noodle (S$4/S$4.50/S$5). Having grown up eating my fair share, you have my word about how delicious these are. The springy noodles and flavourful broth, combined with chunks of tender minced meat, make for a deeply satisfying meal.
Another reason for Hai Xian Zhu Zhou’s popularity is its supper-suited opening hours. They begin doling out bowls of their hearty noodles from 4am, making the stall a popular post-party destination.
163A Gangsa Rd, Choh Dee Place, Singapore 671163
Fri to Wed: 4am – 2.30pm
Closed on Thu
233 Yishun Street 21, Singapore 760233
Thu to Tue: 7am – 2pm
Closed on Wed
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5. 90’s Chef
Hai Xian Zhu Zhou aside, supper spots are real rarities in sleepy little Bukit Panjang. If soupy ke kou mian doesn’t tickle your fancy or your hunger pangs can’t wait till 4am, 90’s Chef is another spot for you to grab some late night grub.
90’s Chef is tucked away in a relatively secluded coffeeshop along Senja Rd, this Western stall opens until 3am. It sports brightly-coloured signboards that beckon a look at their nosh.
Their offerings include crowd favourites like Chicken Chop (S$8.50), Fish & Chips (S$8.50) and Steak Ribeye (S$14.50). Seemingly pricey as they come, you’ll get what you pay for as these not only taste great but also come in sizable portions!
The Chicken Chop I had was grilled to perfection with crisp edges, and I particularly enjoyed the creamy yet moreish mushroom sauce it came doused in. It was paired with a side of crispy golden fries, coleslaw and a sinful bun.
Peckish? You can choose from 90’s Chef’s array of midnight munchies such as Cheesy Fries (S$4.50) and Popcorn Chicken (S$5.50), which I noticed many walking away with huge boxes of.
Order Delivery: foodpanda
635C Senja Rd, Singapore 670629
Daily: 11.30am – 3am
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6. Onigirazu Don
Onigirazu Don is the coolest hawker gem in Bukit Panjang yet. Helmed by a young couple, this Japanese stall started off as a home-based business before opening in Senja Hawker Centre in Dec 2022.
Onigirazu Don stands differentiated from conventional Japanese hawker stalls, priding itself on its range of Onigirazu, which are essentially onigiris in compact sandwich form.
You can choose from 4 types, namely: Spam & Cheese (S$3.50), Kare Katsu (S$4.20), Wafuyo Smoked Duck (S$5) and Fish Fillet & Cheese (S$4.20). The ingredients are layered and sandwiched in fluffy short-grain rice and crispy seaweed, making for brilliant snacks you can have on the go.
If you want to have something more substantial, the stall has a variety of donburis, such as Oyako Don (S$3.50) and Yakiniku Beef Oyako Don (S$7.90). There are also Japanese curry rice options, including Chicken Katsu Curry (S$6.50) and Tempura Ebi Curry (S$7.50). You can substitute your curry rice with udon for just an additional S$0.40!
Order Delivery: foodpanda
2 Senja Cl, Senja Hawker Centre, #02-04, Singapore 677632
+65 8793 7244
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm & 5pm – 8.30pm
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7. Yummy Fried Rice
Din Tai Fung’s pork chop fried rice is a perennial favourite and we’re blessed to have so many hawker stalls offering affordable alternatives. Enter Yummy Fried Rice, a stall in Bangkit 257 Coffee House that does that and more.
Yummy Fried Rice’s key offering is its fried rice, which comes in 4 delicious types: Egg (S$4.30), Mala (S$5.30), Chilli (S$5.30) and Secret Sausage (S$6.10). You can choose to complete your dish with Pork Chop, Chicken Cutlet or Shrimp for an additional S$2.
I had the Pork Chop Mala Fried Rice (S$8.30) and as the stall’s name suggests, it was nothing short of yummy. The mala was pronounced and aromatic yet not too spicy, complemented by an incredible wok hei. The sizable slab of pork chop that accompanied it was tender, with a subtle XO sauce-esque tang.
You can get a full DTF-style fix at Yummy Fried Rice, as they even sell Xiao Long Bao (S$8) and Chilli Oil Dumplings (S$5.50) alongside Pork Chop Noodles in Mala Sauce (S$5.50) and Tomato Soup La Mian with Chicken Cutlet (S$5.50).
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
257 Bangkit Rd, Bangkit 257 Coffee House, #01-65, Singapore 670257
Daily: 9am – 8.30pm
155 Bukit Batok Street 11, Bukit Batok West Shopping Centre, #01-322, Singapore 650155
Daily: 9.30am – 8.30pm
302 Woodlands Street 31, S-11 Woodlands 302 Food Court, #01-277, Singapore 730302
Daily: 11am – 8.30pm
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8. Fiordilatte Gelateria Artigianale
Sweet tooths, rejoice! Fiordilatte Gelateria Artigianale is about to be your new favourite Bukit Panjang haunt. It’s a new dessert cafe in Senja Heights that specialises in ice cream, waffles and beverages.
The shop is clean and minimally furnished, making for a cosy ambience in which you can grab coffee with friends or seek respite on a hot day.
Fiordilatte boasts more than 15 flavours of gelato, made with fresh ingredients sourced locally and imported from Italy. Some noteworthy flavours include Pistachio, Ube and White Truffle.
These come in Single (S$4.50) or Double Scoops (S$8.80), with Premium flavours costing an additional S$1 and Super Premium flavours an additional S$2.
Who can say no to a trusty pairing of ice cream and waffles? With the buttery aroma of fresh waffles wafting through Fiordilatte, I certainly couldn’t.
You can get a Single Scoop with a Single Waffle for S$9 or a Double Waffle for S$13.30, with an additional scoop or waffle for S$4.30 each. My personal combination of refreshing Lychee Sorbet with a warm, crisp Single Waffle was divine and a much-needed pick-me-up.
642 Senja Cl, Senja Heights, #01-02, Singapore 670642
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 11.30pm
Sat: 9am – 11.30pm
Sun: 9am – 11pm
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9. Hai Nan Hometown Curry
A rule of thumb we can usually live by is never to settle on the first thing you lay your eyes on, because it’s usually not worth it. Well, it shouldn’t apply when you’re at Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, where the first stall that greets you is Hai Nan Hometown Curry.
Serving up all things curry, Hai Nan Hometown Curry is quite the gem hidden in plain sight. My go-to is a plate of sinful yet comforting Curry Pork Chop Rice (S$6), which features a mound of white rice drenched in their homely Hainan-style curry and topped with pork chop that is breaded and fried to a golden-brown crisp upon order.
Purists can opt for some simple Curry Noodles (S$4) or Curry Chicken (S$6/S$8/S$12) that can be paired with Rice (S$0.70/S$1) or Bread (S$1). The curry is neither too spicy nor lemak, so I always find myself licking the bowl clean.
Though I’m usually averse to the funk of cabbage, the Curry Vegetables (S$1.50) here are cleaned and cooked well, so I’d recommend getting it as a side for that bit of fibre.
2 Bukit Panjang Ring Rd, Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, #01-01, Singapore 679947
Tue to Sun: 9.30am – 9pm
Closed on Mon
20 Ghim Moh Rd, 20 Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre, #01-49, Singapore 270020
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 7.30pm
Closed on Sun
4 Woodlands Street 12, Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre, #01-49, Singapore 738620
Mon to Sat: 10am – 9pm
Closed on Sun
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10. Pin Wei Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun
Are you team sweet or savoury chee cheong fun? If you’re the latter, Pin Wei Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun is just the place for you.
Pin Wei first started its journey in Pek Kio Market and has since opened multiple outlets islandwide, including one in Senja Hawker Centre. It has even earned itself a Michelin Bib Gourmand award along the way.
The stall specialises in Hong Kong-style chee cheong fun. Known as the savoury version, these silky smooth rice rolls are laden with an umami house-made sauce. You can watch them in action, as they skillfully make the rice rolls from scratch at the stall.
Pin Wei’s menu is a straightforward one, with just 4 types of chee cheong fun. My personal favourite is the Char Siew (S$4), which comes studded with a generous amount of sweet char siew, perfectly complementary to the savoury sauce.
Seafood lovers can opt for the Prawn (S$5) and Scallop (S$6) versions, while those down for something lighter can go for the Plain (S$3) version. Whatever you choose, Pin Wei’s chee cheong fun makes for a delightful breakfast or a satisfying snack.
2 Senja Cl, Senja Hawker Centre, #02-27, Singapore 677632
Mon to Fri: 6.30am – 2pm
Sat & Sun: 6.30am – 8pm
41A Cambridge Rd, Pek Kio Market & Food Centre, #01-25, Singapore 211041
+65 8180 2014
Tue to Sun: 6.30am – 2pm
Closed on Mon
216 Bedok North Street 1, Blk 216 Bedok Food Centre & Market, #01-45, Singapore 460216
Tue to Sun: 6.30am – 2pm
Closed on Mon
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11. Project Penyek
Project Penyek is a halal-certified stall that specialises in ayam penyet. It was started in ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre and has since opened a second stall in Senja Hawker Centre.
For the uninitiated (though that’s very unlikely), ayam penyet is an Indonesian dish that literally means ‘squeezed chicken’. It consists of a piece of fried chicken made tender by the act of smashing, then typically served with rice, sambal, cucumber slices and cubes of tau kwa.
Eating at Project Penyek has become a regular dinner affair of my mom’s ever since she first tried out their fare. The stall offers a whole 9 different types of ayam penyet that even picky eaters can’t say no to.
Their most popular item is of course the Nasi Ayam Penyet (S$6). The best part? We can’t choose between the shiok sambal, the crispy chicken and the pieces of deep-fried batter sprinkled onto the dish that give it the most satisfying crunch.
Another crowd favourite is the Nasi Ayam Bakar (S$7), which comes with grilled chicken. You can even opt for the Nasi Goreng Ayam Penyet (S$7.20), wherein your ayam penyet is paired with fragrant fried rice instead of white rice.
2 Senja Cl, Senja Hawker Centre, #02-17, Singapore 677632
+65 8689 3747
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 8pm
Closed on Sun
6 Jalan Bukit Merah, ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, #01-25, Singapore 150006
+65 8689 3747
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 6pm
Closed on Mon
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