12 must-try stalls at i12 Katong newest SG Hawker
As we all know, hawker centres are a go-to for most Singaporeans, offering affordable, diverse, and delicious local food all in one place.
What better place to sample a variety of hawker dishes under one roof than at SG Hawker?
SG Hawker’s newest outlet, in addition to i12 Katong, brings together a mouthwatering variety of treats from diverse hawker stalls, all in one convenient location. Be it traditional delights or dishes with modern twists, there is something for everyone.
SG Hawker has a nostalgic interior that aims to bring back striking old-school memories. With vintage-style paintings and old-school windows, the ambience at SG Hawker transports you back several decades.
So, come along— what better way to experience the local and modern interpretations of food than sampling as many dishes as you can? Here are the 12 stalls at the newest SG Hawker outlet in i12 Katong and what you can expect.
1. KL Dai Pai Dang
First up was KL Dai Pai Dang where we got to experience the taste of KL’s finest Tze Char and claypot without having to travel to KL city.
That said, we definitely had to try their signature Char Kway Teow (S$6.50) which had a deep wok hei and large prawns. I liked that the kway teow was cooked with lots of dark soy sauce which gave it an even smokier yet sweet undertone.
The stall not only sold Char Kway Teow but also one of the hot favourites – Claypot Chicken Rice (S$6). When the bowl first arrived, you could instantly get the smoky aromas from the claypot and that’s when you know the rice is going to be flavoured with that deep smokiness.
Diners are encouraged to mix the rice evenly and smash the salted fish in while mixing. Every bite of rice had the burst of brininess from the salted fish as well as the tender and juicy chicken, which I enjoyed.
2. Ju Bao Xuan Mala Hotpot
Next up was the Ju Bao Xuan Mala Hotpot which also happens to be the winner of the Singapore Food Masters 2022 so you know they definitely serve up some mean Mala (S$2.80/100g). The mala ingredients were pretty standard, I must admit, but what was slightly different was that the mala hotpot was more than just spicy. I could taste the layers of spices that went into coating each ingredient.
While Mala hotpot can be easily found elsewhere, you must try the Signature Grilled Fish Meal (S$13.80). There are several things I like about it.
Firstly, the price offers incredible value, especially for a whole fish, and secondly, the fish was tender and juicy. Coated with chilli oil which gives it that slow burn and kick of numbness, this made every mouthful, with rice on the side, very enjoyable.
3. Nam Kee Pau
It was a no-brainer for this to be among the top few on the list. If you have not had Nam Kee Pau before, then you must be living under a rock! Conveniently located in many shopping malls, Nam Kee Pau can also be found at SG Hawker in i12 Katong.
My go-to is their Amy Yip Pau (S$5), a large pau that’s probably bigger than most people’s palms, packed with juicy meat and flavourful ingredients. The meat on the inside is very substantial and the skin of the pau is thin to ensure that you are not just chewing on pau the entire time.
Not just that, the pork on the inside is juicy and oozes with juices when you bite into it. To top it off, there is also half an egg on the inside.
If that’s too big, you might want to try their smaller version, ironically named the Big Pau (S$2.30). Both were a great grab-and-go kind of meal for busy adults in the area who just need a quick bite.
4. Wenkangji
With over 20 years of experience in the F&B scene, the founder and his wife started out opening their first hawker stall specialising in Cantonese-style wanton noodles and roast meats. With such a long history, you definitely do not want to miss out on trying their Wanton Noodles (S$7.80).
First off, the noodles were not overcooked and maintained their snappy texture followed by a chewy middle section. Now the star of the bowl – the char siew. It had been smoked and roasted on a charcoal grill which elevated each bite with that woody smokiness yet the char siew was well-marinated with a sweet, almost honey-like glaze.
5. Ipoh White Coffee
Originating from no other place than Ipoh, Malaysia, the term white coffee is actually derived from coffee beans in Ipoh being roasted with margarine at a lower temperature, giving it a lighter roast. Their best seller Ipoh White Coffee (S$2.20) is a beautifully balanced cup of coffee sweetened with condensed milk, making it rich and creamy. I would say this is a great introduction for anyone who hasn’t tried coffee before. For days when I may not want something too strong, this would definitely be my go-to!
If coffee is not your cup of tea, then give their Iced 3 Layer Milk Tea (S$3.50) a shot instead.
6. Huang Chao Hometown Food
It’s not a hawker without mixed rice or what most would call, Cai Fan, in Chinese. What I struggle with sometimes is the lack of variety at a cai fan store so it definitely helped that Huang Chao Hometown Food cooks up fresh batches of dishes every single day.
Some of the popular dishes are their Crispy Fish known for its crispy exterior and silky tender interior as well as everyone’s go-to favourite – the Sweet and Sour Pork. To balance out the strong flavours you can also go for a lighter vegetable dish like their Stir-Fried Cabbage.
Now ironically, I struggle to choose what I want to have for lunch. Besides, what could possibly go wrong with mixed rice?
7. Formosa Hotplate
Formosa Hotplate is an Asian-Western fusion-inspired stall that serves up fast food style hotplate with the authentic taste of Taiwan. We had the Chicken Hotplate (S$6.80) with black pepper sauce. I must say that the dish looks quite similar to another competitor’s restaurant but what sets them apart is that they offer a pasta option instead of rice and this is very much the Taiwanese style.
The chicken is soft, juicy, and mildly seasoned, frequently with a peppery marinade that adds a robust, spicy flavour. As the dish comes on a hot iron plate, the chicken continues to cook, resulting in a somewhat crispy outside while keeping the interior moist. The rice in the middle also soaked up all the sauces from the chicken, infusing the rice with a sweet meaty flavour.
8. Dan Lao
This one stood out to me, as I don’t think I’ve seen any other stalls specialising in scrambled egg rice like Dan Lao does. This is perhaps a Singaporean rendition of an Oyakodon, a traditional Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl. Except, this time it’s served with a creamy scrambled egg.
We tried the Chicken Cutlet (S$7) which was their signature dish. On the top of the silky egg were large chunks of chicken cutlet which I must say was well-breaded and retained its moisture on the inside. The egg was also silky smooth and paired perfectly with the rice, making every bite addictive. My only gripe would be that I would have liked more sauce to give it that additional depth of flavour and to gel the different elements together.
9. Lien Mama Grass Jelly
After all that food, you’ve got to cool off with an ice-cold dessert, right? My recommendation is the Lienmama Signature (S$4.30). It’s a culmination of various different toppings on a bed of grass jelly.
Toppings include sweet potato and taro balls as well as boba pearls and green beans… the list goes on. I fancy the variety of options in such a small bowl as well as with shaved ice on top.
10. Penang Road’s Famous Chendol
For dessert lovers, you can also hit up their Durian Chendol (S$4.70) which has been featured in The Straits Times. The creamy durian mousse mixed with the nutty, velvety coconut milk on top of shaved ice is perfect for cooling down in Singapore’s blistering weather.
On the other hand, the Chendol (S$2.70) offers a refreshing balance of sweet and creamy flavours, with rich coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and a hint of earthy pandan. The chewy green jelly and shaved ice add a delightful texture, making it both indulgent and cooling.
11. Japanese Korean Cuisine
Korean food seems to be a staple at many hawkers as well, therefore, the Japanese Korean Cuisine stall is not a surprising offer. Standard offerings like Saba Fish Set (S$6.50) and the Bibimbap (S$5.50) are a must-order here.
One surprising thing for me was the freshness of the Saba fish. It was well seasoned and did not have any fishy smell to it, which was very much appreciated.
The crispy skin provided a smoky, salty crunch that contrasted with the soft, flaky flesh within. The oiliness of the fish created a buttery mouthfeel, while the flavour is earthy and powerful.
12. Huang Chao Teochew Noodle House
Almost like saving the best for last, Huang Chao Signature Noodles is known for its Teochew-style noodles.
My go-to at any hawker, which is also a reliable choice, is the Minced Meat Noodles (S$5.80). What sets them apart from other minced meat noodle stores is their addition of Teochew fishballs, which are packed with minced meat for a burst of savoury meatiness.
The noodles were soft but chewy, providing the ideal texture for soaking up the delicious sauce from the minced meat. Each bite contained the meat’s intense, somewhat salty, and sweet flavours, which is balanced by the noodles’ soft texture.
The noodles are also tossed in vinegar and chilli for a kick of acidity and spice in every bite. Overall, every mouthful had an all-rounded flavour profile with sweetness from the meat and sourness from the vinegar.
*This post is brought to you in partnership with SG Hawker.
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