10 Essential Foods to Try in Singapore's Chinatown: A Food Lover's Guide

Chinatown, Singapore's bustling food hub, brims with lively energy, reflecting its rich history and diverse culture. Beyond the lively streets and iconic sites lies an extraordinary food landscape. From Michelin-starred dishes to cherished hawker fare, Chinatown's culinary offerings present a delightful blend of flavors sure to excite your palate.

Wondering what to savor at Chinatown Complex? This guide will lead you on a delicious exploration of must-try eateries in Chinatown, suitable for every budget and appetite.

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1. Tang Kay Kee Fish Head Bee Hoon

Tang Kay Kee is a cherished family-run hawker stall located in Chinatown, Singapore, with origins tracing back to the 1940s. Famous for their fish soup, the stall’s secret recipe has been lovingly handed down through generations since its days as a pushcart vendor.

Managed by the fourth generation, the stall is now run by young hawker Debbie. They recently launched a modern twist: contemporary zi char lunch bowls, offered on weekdays.

Customers can savor the Slow-cooked Spicy Braised Pork Belly Rice Bowl and the Har Cheong Gai Rice Bowl, both priced at S$6. These hearty dishes feature succulent pork belly, crispy battered enoki mushrooms, and a perfectly runny yolk egg, making them irresistibly tasty.

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2. Ah Gong Minced Pork Noodles

Ah Gong Minced Pork Noodle is a renowned hawker stall celebrated for its unique bak chor mee recipe, crafted without MSG. They offer both dry and soupy versions, served in a clay pot to keep the dish warm.

For a wallet-friendly choice, you can try the S$2.50 soupy bak chor mee, a popular pick among the older crowd. While the broth is light and full of flavor, the mee kia noodles may get overcooked due to the heat retained by the clay pot.

Another option is the Signature Bak Chor Mee, available for S$5. This version enhances the noodle's texture and comes with the stall's special chili for an added kick. The highlight is the handmade meatballs and dumplings, which are well-seasoned and carry a homemade touch.

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3. Steamov

Craving some late-night Chinatown cuisine? Look no further than Steamov! Located near Outram Park MRT Station, this venue is open until 4 AM, making it perfect for those midnight munchies. They offer customizable hot pots with a variety of broths, allowing you to craft your own delicious feast.

Ingredients travel on a conveyor belt, with each skewer priced at S$1.35 or S$4.05. Guests can design their own unique hot pot experience and personalize their dipping sauces from a wide selection at the sauce station.

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4. Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee

You won't want to miss Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee in your search for the finest street food that Chinatown Singapore has to offer!

At Curry Chicken Mee, which focuses on a single specialty, you can opt for a delightful mix of yellow noodles and bee hoon, adding a wonderful textural contrast. The dish is served with succulent poached chicken, tender potatoes, and tau pok that practically dissolves in your mouth.

The star of the dish is the rich and creamy curry broth, infused with a subtle spice. They also provide a homemade chili sauce, which is ideal for elevating the flavors of the chicken and tau pok.

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5. Friends Kitchen HK

Friends Kitchen HK, a fresh addition on Neil Road, broadens its menu selections compared to its former location at Springside Walk. The restaurant boasts a second floor featuring private dining rooms, a well-stocked bar, and an outdoor courtyard that is perfect for alfresco dining. It’s conveniently located near Maxwell and Chinatown MRT Stations.

You won't want to miss several standout dishes. A highlight is the Australian Beef Brisket Beef Ball Horfun, which features a hearty portion of horfun topped with succulent beef balls and tender braised beef brisket, all served in a flavorful broth.

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6. Dong Fang Hong Cuttlefish Ball Seafood Soup

Dong Fang Hong Sotong Ball Seafood Soup, located in Hong Lim Food Centre, is run by three sisters. Famous for its signature dish, the Sotong Ball Seafood Soup, it features handmade sotong balls, fish balls, meatballs, and fish dumplings.

A generous bowl of ee mian noodles is priced at S$10.12. These bouncy noodles are a perfect match for the flavorful broth, made from flower crabs, fish, and chicken.

For those who prefer chewier noodles, the Small Sotong Ball Seafood Soup is available for S$7.42, and you can add mee tai bak for an additional S$0.67. The stall is conveniently located near Chinatown MRT station, but it tends to get busy and warm.

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7. Ding Garden Buffet

Craving Chongqing-style grilled fish? Head over to Ding Garden Buffet in Chinatown, a perfect late-night dining option. They offer an all-you-can-eat grilled fish deal for lunch at S$44.41++ or for dinner and weekends at S$49.81++.

For a budget-friendly alternative, try the hotpot & BBQ buffet priced at S$34.96++, with a small extra fee for the soup base. Both buffet options allow you to enjoy two hours of a wide array of seafood, meats, vegetables, and shabu shabu.

Getting to Ding Garden Buffet is easy—just take a short walk from Chinatown MRT Station (look for the giant Transformer statue), then use the lift to reach level 3. It's a fantastic choice for a personalized hotpot or grilled fish experience at an affordable price!

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8. Xiao Ge Ge

For mochi enthusiasts, a visit to Xiao Ge Ge Snowball Mochi in Chinatown is a must! This dessert stall offers XXL mochi balls filled with a variety of flavors, including sweet potato, mango, and durian. The mochi features a thin, stretchy outer layer filled with a creamy filling, often with bits of fruit inside.

Starting at S$4.86, prices for their treats are quite reasonable. They also offer a variety of popular Taiwan-inspired delights such as box cakes and White Rabbit Rolls. The box cakes, beginning at S$13.23, come in flavors like Taro Purée and Purple Rice Taro Purée, each layered with sponge, cream, and delicious fillings.

Some desserts even feature a sprinkle of pork floss! Everything is made fresh every day and contains no preservatives, so you can indulge without guilt.

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9. Yole Cafe

Yole is not just about its famous frozen yogurt and ice cream; it also features exquisite plated desserts like the Pistachio Brioche (S$25.38+), where soft brioche slices are lavishly coated with pistachio butter, topped with fresh fruits, and served alongside pistachio ice cream.

For a lighter treat, try the Honey Orange Toast (S$20.11+), which includes multi-grain bread piled high with fresh cream, orange slices, and cranberry puree. Yole also offers its ice cream in various styles, such as cones (S$11.88+) or waffle bowls (S$13.36+), complete with a range of toppings.

With a beach-themed atmosphere and a varied menu, Yole Cafe is the perfect spot in Chinatown for enjoying delightful sweet treats.

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10. Kok Sen Restaurant

Kok Sen is a famous zi char restaurant, known for its signature Big Prawns Hor Fun (starting at S$25.65). This dish features large prawns swimming in a rich sauce infused with wok hei, delivering a deep, smoky flavor with a hint of spice. A small portion is perfect for sharing between two moderate eaters or satisfying one big appetite.

Another must-try is their Claypot Yong Tau Foo (starting at S$20.25), which includes a variety of vegetables stuffed with a tasty blend of fish and squid paste, all simmered in a flavorful braising sauce. The vegetables stay crunchy, while the filling is smooth and delicious. Although the sauce may be a bit salty on its own, it pairs wonderfully with rice.

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Discovering the culinary scene in Singapore's Chinatown is not just about food; it's a deep dive into the country's rich heritage and cultural diversity. Every dish offers a narrative, showcasing the various influences that have crafted this lively city-state.

So, book your flight from Sydney to Singapore, immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and aromas of Chinatown, and set off on a delightful journey through Singapore's culinary heart.