11 best stalls for Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre’s last hurrah
Ah, Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre.
The yesteryears of my carefree joys condensed into one. Once upon a time when I was a young girl, I still remember how my mum would bring me along to wet market sprees and how my dad used to dabao breakfast home from a couple of hawker stalls there.
Along with most residents living in the Bukit Timah area, all these treasured memories will soon turn to dust. Sobs.
Established in 1976, this 2-storey facility has housed 95 market stalls and 84 food stalls for close to half a century! If you haven’t heard, it is making way for Bukit Timah Community Club, an integrated complex that will consist of a new market and hawker, an indoor sports hall and other facilities, slated to open in 2029.
Therefore, over 90 of the facility’s stallholders will move to an interim site (that will house 87 market stalls and 82 food stalls) at Jalan Seh Chuan. According to the hawker stall owners I’ve talked to, the relocation will be completed on 1 October, and stalls will cease operations around 14 September.
From the decrease in occupied stalls, this might also mark the last time we see some stalls at the existing Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre.
Google Reviews do not matter here. Rooted from my dad’s past experiences and my poignant memories as a child, here are 11 Best Stalls for Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre’s Last Hurrah.
EH WAIT. Do note that some Opening Hours may be inaccurate.
1. 118 Beancurd | Soya Bean Drinks (#02-118)
Show some love for my childhood breakfast spot.
Helmed by a friendly elderly couple, 118 Beancurd | Soya Bean Drinks has always occupied the tau huay-shaped void in my heart. Encompassing a comforting simplicity rarely found in this modern age, the stall sells traditional beancurd and soya bean drinks that are freshly handmade without any preservatives or gypsum gum powder.
My usual pick is Beancurd (S$1) paired with a warm cup of Soya Bean (S$1)! Both are not excessively sweet, and the Beancurd has a silky-smooth texture that greatly complements the never-diluted Soya Bean. If you’re looking for something refreshing, opt for a Michael Jackson (S$1.50) that features velvety grass jelly in their signature soya milk.
Blown away by the price? Join the queue.
Tue to Sun: 5.30am – 9am
Closed on Mon
2. He Zhong Carrot Cake (#02-182/185)
Oh, I bet you have heard of this.
If you never heard, you probably have seen loyal customers enjoying it first. Now manned by a third-generation owner, He Zhong Carrot Cake offers chunks of addictive Carrot Cake (S$3/ S$4/S$5) in different portions, but TBH, the smallest can suffice for 2-3 people.
Boasting a layer of crispy fried egg that conceals a soft interior within, this made-to-order carrot cake is a tasty treat that’s widely enjoyed. I really appreciate how the blocky delight retains its shape even after the wok-frying process as it perfectly locks in the moisture of the chai tow kway!
FYI, the stall owns another unit that is open on weekends.
+65 8498 9211
Tue to Sun: 6am – 8pm
Closed on Mon
3. Yong Seng Satay (#02-123)
Is this the oldest satay stall in Singapore?
With over 70 years of sensational satay legacy, Yong Seng Satay is said to serve “the best satay in Singapore”. Best enjoyed with their proprietary peanut sauce that has a sour tang which cuts through the zesty sweetness of pineapple puree, their Chicken, Pork and Mutton Satay are priced at S$0.80 per skewer.
Testament to the thick clouds of smoke that surround the ancient stall, these satays are packed with a smoky flavour. Seriously, you can smell it from a mile away eh. Although burnt bits are bound to be found, the skewers are well charred and there is a good balance between meat and fat.
My dad swears by this.
+65 9626 5173
Thu to Mon: 11am – 9pm
Closed on Tue & Wed
4. Sin Chew Satay Bee Hoon (#02-162)
Let’s talk more satay.
Never seen without a queue, Sin Chew Satay Bee Hoon has been around since 1956. Drenched in a thick blanket of creamy satay sauce, the Satay Bee Hoon (S$5/ S$6/ S$7) is, of course, the titular favourite. Be sure to mix that peanut-filled gravy in!
Topped with a generous portion of ingredients like lean pork, tau pok and prawns, the stringy noodles nicely soak up the gooey goodness to yield a full-bodied taste profile of sweet, nutty, salty and spicy. The Cuttlefish Kang Kong (S$5/ S$6/ S$7) is also a side dish that cannot be missed ok.
Still as messy, twice as sinfully good.
+65 9826 0782
Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun: 11am – 2.30pm & 5pm – 8.30pm
Closed on Mon, Tue & Fri
5. Zhong Zhong Fine Spice (#02-148)
Another one of my family favourites!
From Fishballs (S$0.80), Fried Beancurd Skin (S$1.30) and Fried Shrimp Crackers (S$2) to Chicken Cutlet (S$2), prepared to be wowed by a mouth-watering array of golden-brown ingredients at Zhong Zhong Fine Spice. Similar to many regulars, we usually go for their Wu Xiang (S$1.50) that is lightly fried before serving.
If you are unfamiliar with this great-for-sharing fried platter, Wu Xiang (Five Spice) consists of different fritters that include fishcake, shrimp crackers, ngoh hiang and tau kwa. Complete your meal with a plate of Bee Hoon (S$1.30/ S$1.80).
And, don’t forget to dip your favourite ingredients into that enigmatic pink sauce.
Wed: 10am – 12am
Thu & Fri: 12am – 8am & 10am – 12am
Sat: 12am – 8am & 10am – 7pm
Sun: 10am – 7pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
6. Seng Heng Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (#02-177)
Who knew something so simple could taste so good?
Notorious for selling out by 2pm, Seng Heng Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice offers plates of Roasted and Steamed Chicken Rice that range from S$4 to S$5. Aside from the chicken, another determinator behind every plate of high-quality chicken rice is the rice (you guessed it). And they hit the mark.
While the long slices of boneless chicken are succulent and easy to consume, the rice is fragrant without being too greasy (the grains have never clumped together)! Another highlight is the devilishly plain-looking soup – it has gingery undertones that greatly complement the essence of chicken.
I am eyeing their Lotus Root Soup (S$3.50) next.
+65 9662 4263
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm
Closed on Sun
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7. Leng Kee Fish Soup (#02-192)
Don’t confuse this with Leng Kee Satay Fried Oyster.
Since 1997, Leng Kee Fish Soup serves heartwarming bowls of Fish Soup (S$6/ S$8/ S$10). Word on the street is that they do not skimp on their ingredients, as evidenced by these thick slices of fish and a good mix of tofu as well as colourful veggies.
The cornerstone behind every ho jiak Fish Soup is the Soup. Highlighted with briny fish sauce, their light broth has gentle notes of umami perfect with a spoonful of fluffy rice. Other than Fish Soup, the stall also has other fish-related items like Fish Porridge (S$5/ S$6/ S$8) and Sliced Fish Mee Sua (S$5/ S$6/ S$8).
I heard that their Braised Pig’s Trotter (S$5/ S$6/ S$8) is a must-try too!
+65 9685 6138
Thu to Tue: 9am – 6pm
Closed on Mon
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8. Sheng Cheng Fishball Noodles (#02-165)
A lesser-known stall compared to the media famous ones above.
However, it is famous among customers here! Opening in the wee hours at 5 in the morning, Sheng Cheng Fishball Noodles is said to sell out before the clock hits noon. So, you won’t be surprised to hear that their Fishball Noodles (S$4/ S$5/ S$6) are of tip-top quality.
Be sure to spot QQ fishballs and soft slices of fishcake nestled on a bed of al dente noodles (choose among regular yellow noodles, mee pok and mee kia)! As for the fishball soup, it leans towards a clean-tasting pork broth that has no traces of MSG.
Tick tock, time to drag yourself out of bed for this.
Daily: 5am – 1pm (Opening Hours are not Verified)
9. Siew Kee Curry Mixed Veg Rice (#02-153)
With queues forming at peak lunch hours, this is another mainstay among residents.
Siew Kee Curry Mixed Veg Rice is where you can find solid cai fan at reasonable prices. With a wide range of dishes to choose from, 1 Meat + 2 Veg + Rice is priced at S$3.50, while 2 Meat + 1 Veg + Rice goes for S$4.50. Not bad lah.
What dishes? Expect a delectable spread that includes their highly-raved Assam Fish, Gu Lok Yuk (Sweet & Sour Pork), Sesame Chicken and more. For a spicy kick, remember to ask the stall auntie to drizzle some curry zhup! Or simply settle on some piping-hot Curry Chicken.
Welcome home to 家常菜 (home-cooked food) at its best.
Mon to Sat: 10am – 8pm
Closed on Sun
10. 183 (#02-183)
According to my dad, therein lies some mean plates of Chee Cheong Fun.
Okay okay, their full name is 183 Chee Cheong Fun | Pork Dumpling | Yam Cake | Nonya Dumpling. As reflected in their non-descript signboard, you can expect old-school delights that are sure to tickle your tastebuds.
While the Chee Cheong Fun (S$1) are gelatinous silks of rice noodles, the Bak Zhang (S$4.50) is loaded with savoury meat and comes in an iconic triangular shape. To those who have complex palates though, the Chee Cheong Fun may not be your cup of tea as there are no fillings within.
But what gives that extra oomph of flavour to the otherwise plain bite is the thick and savoury dark sauce bathing on top!
Daily: 5am to 7pm
11. Nyonya Chendol
Yeah, you heard that right. Having outlets dotted all around Singapore, Nyonya Chendol sells well-loved desserts at a crazy affordable price. Although their Yishun outlet was the one awarded with a Bib, fret not, their Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre outlet does not lose out.
They have 4 variations of cendol: Original Chendol (S$2), Red Bean Chendol (S$2.50), Sweet Corn Chendol (S$2.50) and Durian Chendol (S$3.50). My personal fave is definitely the Red Bean one. Drizzled with coconut milk, the sizeable shaved ice dessert is topped with sweet red beans, saltish gula melaka and chewy pandan jelly.
Quench your thirst with that.
+65 9827 4818
Daily: 10am to 9pm
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Visit these hawker stalls before this archaic location loses to the cruel hands of time (and revamp works)! Other than the aforementioned 11, you’ll be surprised to discover what else you can find there. Trust this Bukit Timah resident.
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