23 best food spots in Toa Payoh to pay-oh visit to [Dec 2024 update]

Once a squatter district that rose from the marshlands of Singapore’s early days, Toa Payoh is a prominent estate regarded by many as one of our island’s best food neighbourhoods. With lorongs 1 through 8, you bet there’s plenty to eat here.

With the SL office conveniently located in the heart of this bussin’ neighbourhood, you can count on us for an up-to-date list of exceptional spots out of the plethora that Toa Payoh offers. Without further ado, here are 23 best food spots in Toa Payoh to pay-oh visit to (ha, see what we did?).

1. Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo

Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo - Storefront
Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo - Storefront

First set up as a humble pushcart more than 7 decades ago, Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo has stood the test of time and is currently run by its 4th generation of owners. This crowd favourite establishment specialises in Hakka-style yong tau foo stuffed with meat paste. For those that don’t quite fancy that, the stall offers plenty of fish paste options as well.

Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo - Fried YTF & Soup
Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo - Fried YTF & Soup

Take your pick from an extensive range of ingredients priced at an affordable S$0.80 each, with the likes of Bitter Gourd, Broccoli, Fish Paste Tofu. Must-gets include the stall’s signature Fried Meatballs, Meat Roll, Meat Paste Tofu and Pumpkin Potato Rosti, a crispy fritter reminiscent of Japanese kakiage.

Steeped in yellow soybeans and plenty of ikan bilis, Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo’s broth is light yet incredibly flavourful. Pair it with some eggy Yee Mian (S$0.80), and you’ll have the perfect dish for rainy days.

124 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310124
+65 9093 2009
Thu to Tue: 6.30am – 8.45pm

203 Toa Payoh North, Hai Fong Coffeeshop, #01-1121, Singapore 310203
+65 9790 0563
Daily: 7am – 7pm
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2. Uno Beef House

uno beef house - storefront
uno beef house - storefront

If you reside in or frequent Toa Payoh, you should be familiar with the ever-popular Uno Beef House. With over a thousand reviews and a stellar rating of 4.2 stars on Google, this stall found its way onto our best-rated series. Call that Western food royalty or something!

uno beef house - overview
uno beef house - overview

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t pass up a hearty steak. Better yet, when it’s priced at a mere fraction of those in restaurants but delivers on quality all the same. Feel me? The Black Pepper Ribeye Steak (S$18) is exactly what you need.

Served on a sizzlin’ hotplate, each hunk of steak is doused in a luscious black pepper sauce and served with baked beans and a golden-brown potato ball. The meat itself is beefy, flavourful and so tender you’ll find your knife gliding through it like it’s butter.

Meanwhile, those down for something a little more wallet-friendly can opt for the Fried Rice with Chicken Chop (S$7.50), Fish & Chips (S$8.50) and Black Pepper Pork Chop (S$8.50).

168 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Maxim Coffee Shop, Singapore 310168
+65 9677 6007
Thu to Tue: 11.30am – 9pm
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3. Fire Rice

fire rice - store front
fire rice - store front

With an uptick of hawker stalls that serve tasty renditions of Din Tai Fung-style egg fried rice, gone are the days of having to fork out a pretty penny for a plate from the restaurant itself. Among the ranks of these prolific establishments is Fire Rice, which is helmed by a team of ex-DTF chefs.

fire rice - prawns on sambal fried rice
fire rice - prawns on sambal fried rice

Those with a penchant for spice will adore the Sambal Fried Rice (S$5) and Sambal Shrimp Fried Rice (S$7.20), which includes a large portion of crunchy shrimp. Fried with eggs and a hae bee hiam-laced sambal, each spoonful of Sambal Fried Rice is aromatic and flavourful.

Alternatively, you won’t go wrong with the Black Pepper Pork Chop Fried Rice (S$7). This classic dish features some good ol’ fried rice dotted with spring onions and fluffy eggs, topped with a hefty slab of pepper-kissed pork chop. 

125 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Johnson Eatery, Singapore 310125
Mon, Wed to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sun: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 8pm
Closed on Tue & Sat

4. Hua Fong Kee Roasted Duck

hua fong kee - storefront
hua fong kee - storefront

Hua Fong Kee Roasted Duck should be no stranger to long-time residents of Toa Payoh. This Cantonese roast meat stall has been around since 1988 and continues to draw regular queues — of both new and regular patrons.

hua fong kee - duck rice, dumpling soup and noodles
hua fong kee - duck rice, dumpling soup and noodles

A sensible choice would be the Roasted Duck Rice (S$4), a tantalising dish of rice adorned with a generous portion of duck, slathered in a sweet-savoury braised sauce. The duck slices are, of course, the main attraction — each morsel is tender and juicy, with the embrace of a crispy, gelatinous layer of skin that imparts a subtle char.

If you’d like to try Hua Fong Kee’s other roasted delights, get the triple threat combo of Char Siew, Roasted Pork, Chicken/Duck Rice (S$8.50). Also, don’t forget to help yourself to some of their chilli dip — bright and zesty with a mild kick, it complements the meats to a tee.

128 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310128
+65 6253 2884
Fri to Wed: 7.30am – 8pm
Closed on Thu
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5. Rahmath Cheese Prata

rahmath cheese prata - storefront
rahmath cheese prata - storefront

For die-hard cheese prata lovers like myself, Rahmath Cheese Prata is the stuff of dreams. Regarded as one of the best prata spots in Singapore, this family-run stall racks up the longest queues in Toa Payoh Vista Market.

rahmath cheese prata - cheese prata dish
rahmath cheese prata - cheese prata dish

The namesake Cheese Prata (S$2.20) is a simple creation — a single piece of cheese is slapped onto prata dough, which is then fried and deftly folded into a neat square. Don’t underestimate it; the melty cheese adds a satisfyingly sharp saltiness to the fluffy, buttery dough. You’ll head straight for nothing else on your next visit.

Up your cheese prata game a little with some Cheese Prata with Egg (S$3.20), Cheese Prata with Mushrooms (S$3.20) and, even better: Cheese Prata with Mushrooms and Egg (S$3.70). Or else, opt for classics like Egg Prata (S$1.80), Onion Prata (S$1.30) and Appam (S$3 for 2 pieces).

74 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Vista Market, #01-08, Singapore 310074
+65 8712 9115
Tue to Thu & Sun: 5.45am – 2.20pm
Fri: 5.45am – 12.30pm
Sat: 6am – 2.30pm
Closed on Mon

6. Kim Keat Hokkien Mee

Kim Keat Hokkien Mee - storefront
Kim Keat Hokkien Mee - storefront

Known widely for Hokkien mee served in bubbling claypots, Kim Keat Hokkien Mee was bound to make this list. At the reins of the stove is second-gen owner Kelvin Lee, who works hard to uphold his late father’s legacy.

Kim Keat Hokkien Mee - claypot hokkien mee
Kim Keat Hokkien Mee - claypot hokkien mee

Take a look at that beaut. Kim Keat’s signature Claypot Hokkien Mee comes in 5 sizes — from 2 pax (S$11) to an impressive 6 pax (S$33).

The 2 pax claypot (pictured) comes chock-full of noodles studded with a generous portion of seafood, including prawns, lala and sotong that lend texture and a briny sweetness. Immersed in a delicious umami prawn broth, the noodles lean wet and are downright slurp-worthy. Pair them with some of the stall’s piquant sambal.

Unlike the usual Hokkien mee, this one’s topped with deep-fried pork belly in place of pork lard. Crispy and unctuous in the best way possible, these nuggets will leave you craving for more.

92 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-264, Singapore 310092
+65 9011 4400
Thu to Mon: 11am – 8pm
Closed on Tue & Wed
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7. Kuey Chap

kuey chap - stall front
kuey chap - stall front

Ah, another one from the best-rated series; you Toa Payoh residents are beyond blessed. The simply-named Kuey Chap is a wildly popular stall that has been doling out bowls of — you guessed it — kway chap since 1967.

Unlike most other kway chap stalls that operate bright and early in the day to serve the hearty dish for breakfast, this one opens from 5.30pm onwards for dinner and supper. Perfect for night owls like myself!

kuey chap - overview
kuey chap - overview

Kuey Chap offers bowls of silky Kway Chap (S$0.70) along with an assortment of dishes to jazz up your meal, such as Pork Meat (S$1.50), White Fish Cake (S$0.80), Ngoh Hiang (S$1), Tau Kwa (S$0.60) and Egg (S$0.60).

Fans of innards can look forward to selections like Small Intestine (S$1.50), Large Intestine (S$4), Fen Chang (S$3), Pork Skin (S$0.60), Pork Stomach (S$1.50) and even Pork Tongue (S$1.50). The last thing you’ll have to worry about here is gamey, ‘smelly’ intestines, as the ones here are cleaned and braised to perfection.

93 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-40, Singapore 310093
Tue & Wed, Fri to Sun: 5.30pm – 11pm
Closed on Mon & Thu

8. Wanglee Cafe

Wanglee cafe - front view
Wanglee cafe - front view

There can never be too many Nanyang kopitiam-style eateries in Singapore, if you ask me. Wanglee Cafe is one such spot, specialising in familiar Singaporean and Malaysian favourites that’ll remind you of grandma’s cooking — as they proudly say.

Run by the folks behind the now-defunct Yu Huang Premium Seafood Soup, this cosy eatery swung open its doors earlier this year and soared to popularity in no time.

Wanglee cafe - overview
Wanglee cafe - overview

A must-try is their Chilli Ban Mian (S$6.80), which features ban mian topped with minced pork, veggies, beancurd skin rolls, a poached egg, ikan bilis and a dollop of chilli. The al dente handmade noodles are tossed in a savoury dark sauce, complemented by creamy egg yolk and aromatic house-made chilli made from hae bee-laced Hong Kong XO chilli paste.

Or else, tuck into a comforting bowl of Century Egg Minced Pork Porridge (S$3.80) or start your morning right with some Kaya Butter Toast (S$2.80), which stars a winning combination of sweet house-made kaya and creamy butter. Wash it all down with a super gao cup of Kopi (S$1.60).

92 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-274, Singapore 310092
+65 8731 5597
Fri to Wed: 7am – 5pm
Closed on Thu
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9. Fiie’s Cafe

fiie's cafe - storefront
fiie's cafe - storefront

Fiie’s Cafe is known for 2 things — its fierce owner and its fantastic fried chicken. Affectionately named otherwise as Mr Grumpy Fried Chicken, this (in)famous nasi ayam goreng stall in Lucky Plaza found a second home in Toa Payoh. Seriously, what an honour!

fiie's cafe - Nasi Ayam Goreng
fiie's cafe - Nasi Ayam Goreng

The stall offers just the one dish: Nasi Ayam Goreng (S$6.50), with several add-ons like begedil and quail eggs for S$1 each, as well as Additional Chicken (S$5) and Additional Rice (S$1).

The Nasi Ayam Goreng still stands as one of the best I’ve ever eaten, especially the fried chicken. Think: tender meat encased in skin that’s fried to an impeccable crisp — it truly deserves every bit of praise it’s garnered. The sambal’s great, too, with a pleasant piquancy and subtle spice that I’m sure even kids will enjoy. 

73 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, D’Koffie, Singapore 310073
Mon to Thu & Sat: 10.30am – 4pm
Fri & Sun: 11am – 4pm
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10. 根叔美食世家 (Gen Shu Mei Shi Shi Jia)

gen shu mei shi shi jia - storefront
gen shu mei shi shi jia - storefront

Restaurant-quality Hong Kong dim sum at wallet-friendly prices? Yes, please. 根叔美食世家 (gen shu mei shi shi jia), or Uncle Kun’s Delicacies, is a hidden gem in Toa Payoh Vista Market where you can enjoy exactly that.

The stall is named after its owner, Chef Lam Kun, who hails from Hong Kong. He brings decades of experience to the table, including a 15-year stint as head chef and consultant at Mouth Restaurant.

gen shu mei shi shi jia - dim sum
gen shu mei shi shi jia - dim sum

Get the iconic Scallop Glutinous Rice (S$4.80), a one-of-a-kind lor mai kai that is shaped like an oblong. This unique dish is loaded with dried scallops, chicken, mushrooms, salted egg, Chinese sausage and dried shrimps, and can’t be found elsewhere in Singapore.

Many also wax lyrical about the Signature Yam Cake (S$3.20), which features large slabs of soft yam cake doused in savoury sauce and garnished with spring onions, fried shallots and peanuts.

74 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Vista Market, #01-03, Singapore 310074
+65 9739 1318
Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun: 5.30am – 12pm
Wed: 5.30am – 12.30pm
Closed on Mon & Fri

11. Ocean Curry Fish Head

ocean curry fish head - storefront

Ocean Curry Fish Head is essentially two stalls in one. They’ve got trays of cai fan fixings ready for time-strapped peeps looking for a quick lunch, on top of an extensive menu of zi char dishes well-suited for families and groups ready for a sit-down feast.

ocean curry fish head - curry fish head

Unsure of what to get? The answer’s right in the stall’s name: Curry Fish Head (S$30 for Half, S$40 for Whole). This signature dish features a rich, flavourful Peranakan-style curry, a generous portion of ingredients like okra and eggplant and, of course, fresh fish head and flaky flesh. One spoonful and you’ll understand exactly why this is the establishment’s claim to fame.

Stuff yourself silly with other zi char dishes, including Sambal Prawns (S$6/S$10/S$15), Sambal Cockles (S$7/S$12/S$15) and Mutton Rendang (S$6/S$10/S$15).

92 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-264, Singapore 310092
+65 6252 2168
Wed to Mon: 11am – 9pm
Closed on Tue
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12. Lai Heng Mushroom Minced Meat Noodles

lai heng mushroom minced meat noodles - storefront

Known for its unadulteratedly delicious bowls of noodles, Lai Heng Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle is the most popular bak chor mee stall in Toa Payoh.

This family-run biz has thrived for nearly 4 decades, and made headlines in 2022 when its owner announced his intention to retire. With the baton of ownership now held by its second generation, the stall is still going strong. Phew!

lai heng mushroom minced meat noodle - bak chor mee

The Mushroom Bak Chor Mee comes in Small (S$5), Medium (S$6) and Large (S$7) sizes, and both Soup and Dry variations are offered — the latter being the crowd favourite choice. Your choice of noodles is tossed in vinegar and a tasty sauce, then topped with plenty of pork slices, pork liver and juicy mushrooms. Definitely request for some fried pork lard, and for some of their shiok chilli.

Many say that you won’t go wrong with the Soup version either, and recommend having it with kway teow.

73 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, De Tian Coffeeshop, #01-611, Singapore 310073
+65 9620 2074
Thu to Tue: 8am – 3.30pm
Closed on Wed
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13. Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Food Centre Fish Soup

Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Fish Soup - Storefront
Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Fish Soup - Storefront

In Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Food Centre sits this unassuming fish soup stall with no name. It’s a popular lunch and (early) dinner spot regardless, but here’s the catch: they open for just 3 days a week, from 12pm to 6pm. You best hope that your fish soup cravings coincide with their operating schedule!

Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Food Centre Fish Soup - Fish Soup with Bee Hoon
Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Food Centre Fish Soup - Fish Soup with Bee Hoon

We hope you’re hungry; the portions here are generous, to say the least. The Minced Meat Fish Soup (S$7/S$9/S$12), for one, is loaded with savoury minced meat chunks and thick slices of fresh batang fish seasoned and cooked to flaky perfection. The soup itself is clean-tasting, with notes of cabbage and fried garlic. For a little more oomph, add in some of the stall’s fermented bean chilli.

Good old Sliced/Fried Fish Soup (S$6/S$9/S$12) aside, the stall offers goodies like Tom Yum Seafood Soup (S$7/S$9/S$12), Red Grouper Fish Soup (S$10/S$12/S$15) and even Salmon Fish Soup (S$7/S$9/S$12).

75 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh, #01-07, Singapore 310075
Tue, Wed & Fri: 12pm – 6pm
Closed on Sun, Mon, Thu & Sat

14. Il Piccolo Pizzeria

il piccolo pizzeria - storefront
il piccolo pizzeria - storefront

If you’re nursing a craving for Italian food, Il Piccolo Pizzeria is the perfect spot for your next meal. This humble stall boasts a huge menu that features a jaw-dropping 43 pastas and 20 pizzas, on top of many other dishes like baked rice, desserts and unique options that you won’t expect to find at a local coffeeshop. All we can say is: go forth and conquer.

il piccolo pizzeria - overview
il piccolo pizzeria - overview

Gnocchi is a pretty rare find in Singapore, let alone in a coffeeshop. Il Piccolo Pizzeria begs to differ with their Gnocchi Di Patate (S$7.50), which happens to be one of their most highly-raved dishes. Chewy, pillowy soft potato dumplings with asparagus and mushrooms in an indulgent tomato cream sauce — this showstopper is sure to satisfy any gnocchi lover.

Some other standouts include the homely Beef Lasagna (S$7.50) paired with indulgent cream sauce, along with the Parma Ham Pizza (S$11 for 7”, S$19.50 for 12”), a hand-stretched creation topped with stretchy cheese, savoury prosciutto crudo and a creamy egg in the centre. We’re dead serious when we say that these dishes could very well pass as restaurant fare.

78C Toa Payoh Central, Singapore 313078
+65 9152 0571
Thu to Sun: 10am – 9pm
Mon & Tue: 9am – 5pm
Closed on Wed

15. Xi’an Famous Food

Xi'an Famous Food - Storefront
Xi'an Famous Food - Storefront

Have you ever had biang biang noodles? Here’s your chance if you haven’t. Xi’an Famous Food is one of the only spots in Singapore that offer this Shaanxi dish, among a variety of Xi’an specialties. You can find this eatery tucked away in the Toa Payoh Food Alley, which resides in close proximity to the MRT station.

Xi'an Famous Food - Dishes Overview
Xi'an Famous Food - Dishes Overview

For the uninitiated, biang biang noodles are a Chinese delicacy that gets its name from the loud sound of stretched noodle dough being pummelled on a countertop.

I highly recommend Xi’an Famous Food’s 3-in-1 Biang Biang Noodles (S$7.40), which sees noodles topped with tomato scrambled eggs, cucumber slices, xiao bai cai and spiced pork cubes. Thick and wide with an al dente texture, the hand-pulled noodles are a delight to slurp and savour, especially when tossed with the accompanying ingredients.

The Cumin Burger (S$6.10) makes for a nice snack, with cumin-marinated pork and green peppers sandwiched between a lightly charred mantou-esque bun.

190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Food Alley, #01-518, Singapore 310190
+65 8693 8921
Daily: 10am – 10pm

16. Han Kki

han kki - storefront
han kki - storefront

Right next to Xi’an Famous Food in Toa Payoh Food Alley is Han Kki, a casual eatery with authentic Korean fare at wallet-friendly prices. Its name, ‘han kki’ means ‘one meal’ in Korean — you’ll find a good mix of homely appetisers, rice and noodle dishes, hearty meat dishes and piping hot stews that’ll leave you utterly satisfied.

han kki - dishes
han kki - dishes

The meat and soup dishes are served with a bowl of rice each, making for quick, easy meals perfect for those dining solo. The Dakgalbi (S$11) is a great choice, starring juicy chicken chunks stir-fried with vegetables in a tasty sweet-spicy sauce. There’s also a Stir-fried Spicy Pork (S$11) option, and the Pork/Beef Bulgogi (S$11/S$12) for those who don’t handle spice well.

We also recommend the Beef Doenjang Jjigae (S$13), a belly-warming stew packed with ingredients such as beef, silken tofu, zucchini and mushrooms. Complete your meal with some tasty side dishes like Rose Tteokbokki (S$13) or Kimchi/Seafood Pancake (S$11/S$13).

190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Food Alley, #01-516, Singapore 310190
+65 6908 8908
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
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17. Hougang 6 Miles Famous Muah Chee

hougang 6 miles famous muah chee - storefront
hougang 6 miles famous muah chee - storefront

Finding a muah chee stall in Singapore can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack — it’s sad but true. We know a place, though! Hougang 6 Miles Famous Muah Chee continues to hold the fort for the beloved traditional snack.

In fact, this long-standing stall in the Gourmet Paradise kopitiam of HDB Hub stays true to the craft and makes its muah chee from scratch, by hand. A true hidden gem.

hougang 6 miles famous muah chee - muah chee
hougang 6 miles famous muah chee - muah chee

The muah chee here comes in 2 flavours: Peanut and Black Sesame, and is priced at S$3, S$3.50 and S$6 for Small, Medium and Large sizes. While it may seem a little pricey, it’s definitely justified by the sheer labour that goes into each serving. For instance, each batch of dough is handmade and pounded daily, while the peanuts are painstakingly ground by hand. 

Each bite-sized piece of muah chee is shaped and nipped by hand to preserve their bounciness, before it is dipped in shallot oil and rolled in a mix of toasted peanuts and sesame seeds. What you’ll receive is a plate of soft, chewy morsels coated in aromatic, nutty goodness.

So, the next time you’re looking for something sweet to munch on after your meal, you know where to look.

480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Gourmet Paradise, #B1-01, Singapore 310480
Sat to Tue & Thu: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Closed on Wed

18. Soon Heng Rojak

soon heng rojak - storefront
soon heng rojak - storefront

Soon Heng Rojak is another wildly popular stall in HDB Hub’s Gourmet Paradise kopitiam, so much so that they’ve implemented a digital system to manage the massive queues they draw. It goes without saying that their Chinese rojak is a real crowd pleaser, and has been for the better part of 30 years.

soon heng rojak - rojak
soon heng rojak - rojak

The menu’s straightforward — just Traditional Rojak in 3 sizes: Small (S$4.50), Medium (S$6) and Large (S$8), and the option to add Century Egg for an additional S$1.50.

You’ll be presented with a medley of ingredients, including fresh cucumber, turnip and pineapple slices, taugeh, tau pok, chewy jellyfish slivers and everyone’s favourite you tiao. They’re all tossed in a sweet, robust sauce of fermented prawn paste, sugar and ginger flower, complemented by a literal truckload of ground peanuts that add texture and a pleasant nutty dimension.

480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Gourmet Paradise, #B1-23, Singapore 310480
Tue to Sun: 10am – 9.30pm
Closed on Mon
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19. Ah Chuan Oyster Omelette

ah chuan oyster omelette - storefront
ah chuan oyster omelette - storefront

Nestled in Kim Keat Palm Food Centre is Ah Chuan Oyster Omelette, a household name in the orh luak arena. We mean it — this stall has amassed a wealth of accolades, awards and endorsements over its decades of existence.

ah chuan oyster omelette - oyster omelette
ah chuan oyster omelette - oyster omelette

The stall’s titular Oyster Omelette (S$5/S$8/S$10) is the dish to get. Piled on each plate is a glorious heap of fluffy eggs with crisped edges and pockets of gooey, chewy tapioca, accompanied by chubby Korean oysters that burst with the fresh essence of the sea.

Sounds irresistible, doesn’t it? We’ll have you know that this orh luak emerged victorious in a showdown we did a few years back. ‘Nuff said.

That aside, the wok hei-laden White Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5) is worth a try.

22 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, #01-25, Singapore 310022
Thu to Mon: 8am – 4pm
Wed: 6am – 6pm
Closed on Tue

20. Min Kee Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle

min kee tanjong rhu wanton mee - storefront
min kee tanjong rhu wanton mee - storefront

Min Kee Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle is another gem in Kim Keat Palm Food Centre. While you can seldom go wrong with wanton mee, this stall does it just right. What’s more, a bowl of their noodles is priced from just S$3.50. Yes, in this economy. The long queues are pretty much self-explanatory.

min kee tanjong rhu wanton mee - wanton noodle
min kee tanjong rhu wanton mee - wanton noodle

What’s most interesting about Min Kee Tanjong Rhu’s Wanton Noodles (S$3.50/S$4.50) is that you get to choose the sauce you’d like your noodles tossed in. There are 5 types, including: Black, Ketchup, Chilli, Chilli Ketchup and Black Chilli, a delectable mix of dark sauce and chilli more commonly found in Malaysian-style variations.

You can also opt to have the noodles sans sauce — you have our word that it’s equally delicious, and allows for the sweetness of the thick char siew slices to shine through. You’ll also be presented with both fried and boiled wantons stuffed with well-seasoned meat.

22 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, #01-49, Singapore 310022
Wed to Mon: 7.30am – 2.30pm
Closed on Tue

21. Nine Stone Avenue — Seletar Sheng Mian • Mee Hoon Kway

seletar sheng mian - storefront

Nine Stone Avenue — Seletar Sheng Mian • Mee Hoon Kway is one of my favourite mee hoon kueh stalls in Singapore, hands down. I’m pretty sure that’s the case for many other handmade noodle aficionados as well, as this stall in Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Market sports a snaking queue like no other during lunchtime.

Seletar Sheng Mian & Mian Fen Guo - noodles
Seletar Sheng Mian & Mian Fen Guo - noodles

Trust me when I say that the Mee Hoon Kueh Dry (S$5/S$6) here is to die for. Torn by hand from dough stretched and kneaded on the daily, the mee hoon kueh noodles are irregularly shaped in the best way and bear an impeccable al dente texture. They’re tossed in a savoury dark sauce mixture and served with prawns, spinach, minced pork and a dollop of chilli that lends a mild spicy kick.

Don’t sleep on the Mee Hoon Kueh Soup (S$5/S$6) and its Sheng Mian Soup (S$5/S$6) counterpart, though! Bathed in a comforting pork bone broth, these QQ noodles are perfect rainy day pick-me-ups.

210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, #01-05, Singapore 310210
Fri to Tue: 6am – 2pm
Closed on Wed & Thu
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22. Changi Village Fried Hokkien Mee

changi village fried hokkien mee - storefront

Changi Village Fried Hokkien Mee… in Toa Payoh? Yes, it also happens to serve the best Hokkien mee in Lorong 8 Market — in my opinion, at least.

This outlet is 1 of the establishment’s 9 stalls in Singapore. Fret not about inconsistencies or differences in standard; the ingredients come from the same central kitchen and each plate is fried fresh to order by cooks with years of experience behind the wok.

Changi Village Hokkien Mee - hokkien mee
Changi Village Hokkien Mee - hokkien mee

The Hokkien Mee (S$5/S$8) here has just the right amount of ‘wetness’, featuring a good mix of thick bee hoon and yellow noodles clad in a moreish zhup that begs to be polished off the plate. It’s embedded with prawns, sotong, pork belly and slivers of fried, lightly charred eggs that lend the dish a rich aroma. Of course, there’s wok hei too.

210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, #01-32, Singapore 310210
Fri to Tue: 11.15am – 8.30pm
Closed on Wed & Thu

23. Tian Tian Fa

Tian Tian Fa - Stallfront
Tian Tian Fa - Stallfront

Tian Tian Fa is a modest stall in Lorong 8 Market that has a limited online presence but fare that very much speaks for itself. Wok-kissed carrot cake, char kway teow and oyster omelette… are you salivating yet?

You’ll see that Tian Tian Fa’s opening hours are rather peculiar: 6am – 12am, as we’ve been told by its owner. From experience, however, the schedule pretty much depends on the uncles’ mood — so take heed when you make a trip down. They’re open for breakfast and lunch on most days, at least.

Tian Tian Fa - all dishes
Tian Tian Fa - all dishes

As someone whose dad is a carrot cake hawker, I’m admittedly picky about my chai tow kway. The Black Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5/S$6) here, though, ticks off all the right boxes in my books. The radish cake chunks are soft, silky and coated plentifully in that sweet dark sauce. It’s complemented by savoury chye poh and egg bits, as well as a prominent wok hei.

The Char Kway Teow (S$4/S$5/S$6) makes for a pretty satisfying meal as well. As with the Black Carrot Cake, the mee and kway teow mix is fried to sweet, smoky perfection.

210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, #01-42, Singapore 310210
Daily: 6am – 12am

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