Amoy Street Food Centre caters to all palates
Ever since my first review at Big Bowls Project, I’ve realised how much of a gem Amoy Street Food Centre really is. From wholesome fish soup to curry puffs and noodles awarded with the Michelin Bib Gourmand, here’s a list of 20 must-tries when you’re at this food paradise of a hawker centre.
1. Big Bowls Project
We visited Big Bowls Project to try out their salmon rice bowls, and were definitely impressed by what we saw. Every bowl comes with a side of refreshing cucumbers, sliced cherry tomatoes and a jiggly onsen egg. We recommend their Szechuan Black Bean Salmon ($8), and Mentaiko Salmon ($9.50) bowls. Get the Szechuan Black Bean Salmon if you like your fish salty. The Mentaiko Salmon is nice and smoky. You can also opt to have salad greens instead of rice in your bowl.
Big Bowls Project Review: Muslim-Owned Hawker Stall With Mentaiko Salmon And Truffle Salmon Don
Unit: #02-90
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm
Tel: 8183 0250
Website
Big Bowls Project is a halal-certified eatery.
2. Pepper Bowl
The amazing thing about Pepper Bowl is that no dish costs more than $6! I highly suggest you top up $0.80 for an onsen egg, to give your meal a little more variety! Get their Spring Onion Pork Rice ($5.50), which comprises stir-fried pork tossed with spring onions. The pork is coated in a syrupy sweet sauce, while the meat is tender and juicy. If you’re a lover of all things spicy, you should definitely give their Black Pepper Beef Rice ($6) a try.
Pepper Bowl Review: Black Pepper Beef Bowl Stall In The CBD With Nothing More Than $5
Unit: #02-102
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 2:30pm
Pepper Bowl is not a halal-certified eatery.
3. Lagoon In A Bowl
Image credit: @one_plain_breath
Lagoon In A Bowl is known for their healthy grain bowls. Their signature is the Mentaiko Salmon Bowl ($10). Albeit a little pricey for hawker fare, you may find this unique salmon bowl rather value for money! Created by the owner of Don, a hawker stall dishing out huge donburi bowls, all the bowls sold here contains butterfly pea rice meant to imitate a blue lagoon. Meanwhile, the slab of torched mentaiko salmon represents a fish in the ‘water’. This delectable analogy tastes as good as it looks, too.
Unit: #01-48
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 3pm
Tel: 9119 2619
Website
Lagoon In A Bowl is not a halal-certified eatery.
4. Han Kee Fish Soup
Image credit: @thehungry_soldiers
If you’re prepared to brave the storm of office workers lining up outside Han Kee Fish Soup and wait for your turn, you’ll be rewarded with a hearty bowl of wholesome fish soup for lunch! Order their Sliced Fish Soup ($5), it’s one of the cheapest dishes on the menu, and worth every penny. The broth is simple and light, yet brimming with umami. The slices of fish soaking inside taste so clean and fresh, they have a slight springiness as you chew.
Unit: #02-129
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm
Han Kee Fish Soup is not a halal-certified eatery.
5. A Noodle Story
Image credit: @jasyapxl
And the Michelin Bib Gourmand goes to…A Noodle Story! This award-winning noodle stall sells ramen with a unique local twist. A bowl of their Singapore Style Ramen ($10.80/$13.80) comes with tender chashu pork belly, a snazzy potato-wrapped prawn, juicy wontons and a lava egg with a gooey core. These ingredients are stylishly arranged atop springy noodles tossed in XO sauce. The noodles are also accompanied by a small, savoury bowl of soup.
Unit: #01-39
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:15am to 1:30pm, 5:30pm to 7pm, Sat 11am to 1:15pm
Tel: 9027 6289
Website
A Noodle Story is not a halal-certified eatery.
6. Piao Ji Fish Porridge
Image credit: @unsophisticatedpalatesg
Piao Ji Fish Porridge is another fish soup stall in Amoy Street Food Centre with the ability to give Han Kee Fish Soup a run for their money. Freshly sliced fish simmer in a tasty, hearty broth. A classic bowl of Fish Soup costs $7, but you can add in prawns at the price of $10, for a stronger seafood taste. Throw in a bowl of rice to complement your soup at an extra $0.50. The queue at this stall is equally as intense as the one over at Han Kee Fish Soup, so do come to the food centre mentally prepped to wait in line.
Unit: #02-100
Opening hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 11am to 3:30pm
Piao Ji Fish Porridge is not a halal-certified eatery.
7. Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee
Image credit: @reggum
You seldom see lor mee as appetising as the one at Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee! Prices for a bowl of Lor Mee start at $4, but you are advised to get larger portions, for a more filling serving. Succulent bits of meat are scattered among the noodles, and the sour flavour from the vinegar pierces through the salty, thick gravy with a satisfying oomph. The standard at this stall dropped a while ago, but when the cravings strike, I say the lor mee here is still worth a try.
Unit: #02-79/80
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 7:30am to 2:30pm
Tel: 6291 1439
Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Hong Kee Beef Noodles
Image credit: @jenteo27
Tuck into a comforting bowl of beef noodles at Hong Kee Beef Noodles! Yet another awardee of the Michelin Bib Gourmand, this place has been in operation for over 50 years now, and offers beef noodles in both soup and dry forms. It’s possible even your grandparents have sampled the food here, in their younger days. Get the Beef Noodles with Soup ($6)! The soup is said to have been simmered for 24 hours before it is ready to be served, so you can imagine just how flavourful it must be. Not to mention, the lean slices of beef are cooked to medium-rare perfection – you can tell from the redness in the centre!
Unit: #01-42
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 7:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 2:30pm
Hong Kee Beef Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff
Image credit: @chutoro
The last recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand at Amoy Street Food Centre goes to J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff. You can find the popular pastry pretty much anywhere, but once you’ve tried the ones sold here, it’ll be hard to want to get your curry puffs elsewhere. The crust of their Curry Puff (from $1.20) is flaky and thin, and you can get it stuffed with a variety of moist fillings, from classics such as sardine and curry potato to more unique choices including yam and black pepper chicken.
Unit: #01-21
Opening hours: Tue, Thurs-Fri 8am to 4pm, Sat 8am to 12pm
J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff is not a halal-certified eatery.
10. Coffee Break
Image credit: @coffeebreak_sg
If you’re just looking for something light to sip or snack on, take your cravings to Coffee Break. As its name suggests, this place sells regular Kopi ($1.60) and Teh ($1.80), but also does more contemporary beverages such as Pumpkin Spice Latte ($4) and Hazelnut Mocha ($4). They also put a spin on traditional toast, slathering them with interesting spreads such as Earl Grey Creme ($3.50) and Black Sesame ($3.50). These artisanal sandwiches and drinks have earned the stall much media attention and become a crowd-favourite amongst the working population in the CBD.
Unit: #02-78
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 7:30am to 2:30pm, Sat 9:30am to 2:30pm
Tel: 8100 6218
Coffee Break is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee
Image credit: Cassie via Google Maps
Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee is known for their charcoal-grilled bread and Hainanese kopi. As they make their own kaya, you wouldn’t want to miss their Kaya Toast ($1.80 for two pieces), which is supposedly thin and crisp with a generous amount of kaya and butter. You can also add on two eggs for $1.40 or get a cup of Kopi O with your meal for $1.
Unit: #02-95
Opening hours: Sat-Wed 5:30am to 3pm
Tel: 9710 2907
Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery
12. Grandma Ban Mee
Image credit: @madyums
Here’s one for ban mee lovers—Grandma Ban Mee only has five items on their menu with their noodles available in three options: Chilli, Dry, and Soup. Their Ban Mee Chilli ($5) is a favourite and is said to be moderately spicy with well-seasoned mushrooms, anchovies, and a gooey onsen egg. The soup version is also popular and known to be on the lighter side.
Unit #01-07
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 2pm
Website
Grandma Ban Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
13. Gyu Nami
Image credit: @thesmalleaters
If you fancy Wagyu beef for lunch, head over to Gyu Nami and indulge in a bowl of hearty donburi from $15—applicable only when you dine in. On the menu are Wagyu Beef Donburi, Salmon Mentaiko Donburi, and Unagi Donburi, each coming with their own bowl of miso soup. You also have the option to top up $5 for sides such as Tamago Mentaiko and Chicken Yaki Tori sticks.
Unit: #02-126
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 3pm
Website
Gyu Nami is not a halal-certified eatery.
14. Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodles
Image credit: Kim Wee Soh via Google Maps
With long lunch queues being a testament to their popularity, Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodles serves good food and good looks—the stall is manned by Gilbert Li who was voted 2005’s Most Handsome Hawker. A bowl of Small Fishball Noodles costs $4 and goes up to $10 for the Large portion. You can also get a bowl of Fishball Soup ($5) packed with prawns, pork slices, innards, fish cakes, and minced meat.
Unit: #01-14
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 4pm
Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery.
15. Amoy Street Fried Kway Teow
Image credit: Kim Wee Soh via Google Maps
If you’ve got a long lunch break with time to kill, consider queueing at Amoy Street Fried Kway Teow for a plate of wok hei goodness topped with blood cockles, sausages, bean sprouts, and fish cake. Starting from $4 for a basic plate, the Chaw Kway Teow is said to be on the sweet side and is drenched in dark soy sauce, giving it a wet texture.
Unit: #01-01
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am to 2:30pm
Amoy Street Fried Kway Teow is not a halal-certified eatery.
16. Rayyan’s Waroeng Upnormal
While fusion food is becoming increasingly common, it’s rare to find Balinese-Japanese dishes like the ones at Rayyan’s Waroeng Upnormal. The stall sells classic dishes from Ayam Penyet ($5.50) to more unique ones including Tempura Pollock Fish ($6.50). If rice is a must-have in your meal, you can opt for their hearty donburi such as the Balinese Gyudon ($6.50) and Tempura Prawn Eggbowl ($6.50).
Rayyan’s Waroeng Upnormal Review: Ayam Penyet and Balinese Donburi at Amoy Street Food Centre
Unit: #02-86
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 2pm
Tel: 9799 7373
Website
Rayyan’s Waroeng Penyet is a halal-certified eatery.
17. Mad Roaster
Save a few dollars on your daily cuppa when you visit Mad Roaster, a stall known for their affordable coffee. Aside from the usual suspects such as Cold Brew (from $4.50) and Americano ($2.90), they also serve Honey Butter Latte ($4.20), a beverage with melted honey and sea salt. Toasties are also available with popular picks being the OG Grilled Cheese ($6) and Kimchi Grilled Cheese ($6).
Mad Roaster: Hawker Stall Has Chocolate Babka And Honey Butter Coffee At Amoy Street Food Centre
Unit: #02-107
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 3pm, Sat 11am to 2pm (Closed on public holidays)
Website
Mad Roaster is not a halal-certified eatery.
18. Quan Ji
Open for both lunch and dinner, Quan Ji offers a hearty range of choices from sweet and sour pork ribs (from $12) to har cheong gai (from $13). Interestingly, their most raved-about dish remains off the menu and is none other than the Wong Po Lou Meen (from $20): a fragrant plate of yellow noodles tossed in lard and oyster sauce. During our visit, we fell in love with their silky omelette and chewy noodles, which were coated with a nice layer of lard for that rich and fatty flavour.
Quan Ji Review: Secret Wok-Fried Egg Noodles At Amoy Street Food Centre
Unit: #01-56/57
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am to 1:30pm, 4:30pm to 10pm
Quan Ji is not a halal-certified eatery.
19. The Original Vadai
Image credit: @happyfudfud
While vadai may be popularly known as a pasar malam snack, they’ve made their way into hakwer centres thanks to The Original Vadai. Try the Prawn Vadai ($1.20) and Ikan Bilis Vadai ($1.20), or the Cheese Vadai ($4.50) for something more adventurous. Go ahead and ask for more complimentary green chillis if you prefer a little more spice with your vadai.
Unit: #02-84
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 3pm
Website
The Original Vadai is a halal-certified eatery.
20. Swan City Noodle House
Image credit: Swan City Noodle House
Considered the close cousin of kolo mee, kampua noodles are unique to Sibu, Sarawak, and are drier with lighter sauces. Swan City Noodle House offers bowls of Sarawak Kampua Noodles ($5) as well as other specialities including Sarawak Laksa ($6.50) and Kolo Mee ($4.50). According to online reviews, customers appreciate their decent noodle portion that comes with a generous amount of ingredients.
Unit: #02-105
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 9am to 3pm
Website
Swan City Noodle House is not a halal-certified eatery.
Amoy Street Food Centre has it all
I hope you’re now convinced about how heavenly the spread is over at Amoy Street Food Centre. It’s rare to come across a hawker centre with so much good food sold at decent prices. Beat the CBD crowd at their own game and head on over to these must-try stalls as early as you can, next time the hunger pangs strike.
For more great eats near Balestier, check out our 15 Balestier food guide or Tekka Centre, which is found right outside Little India MRT Station!
This article was originally written on 4 June 2018.
The post 20 Amoy Street Food Centre Stalls To Visit When You’re In The CBD appeared first on EatBook.sg – Local Singapore Food Guide And Review Site.
