Chinatown, Singapore's food court, pulsates with vibrant energy, a testament to its rich heritage and cultural tapestry. But beyond the bustling streets and historical landmarks lies another captivating aspect—its phenomenal food scene. From Michelin-endorsed delights to down-home hawker staples, Chinatown Singapore Food offers a symphony of flavours guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds.

So, what to eat at Chinatown Complex? This guide will take you on a delectable journey through some of the must-try establishments in Chinatown, catering to every budget and craving.

Instagram/tangkaykee

Tang Kay Kee is a family-owned hawker stall situated in Chinatown, Singapore, with its roots dating back to the 1940s. Renowned for their fish soup, the stall's secret recipe has been passed down through generations since their pushcart days.

The fourth generation manages the stall, which is overseen by young hawker Debbie. They recently introduced a contemporary concept: modern zi char lunch bowls, available on weekdays.

Patrons can enjoy their Slow-cooked Spicy Braised Pork Belly Rice Bowl and Har Cheong Gai Rice Bowl, each priced at S$6. These dishes are both delicious and hearty, featuring highlights such as tender pork belly, addictive battered enoki mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked runny yolk egg.

Address: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross St, #01-70

Opening hours:

Google Review Ah Gong Minced Pork Noodles

Ah Gong Minced Pork Noodle is a hawker stall famous for its distinctive bak chor mee recipe, which is free from MSG. They serve this dish in dry and soup varieties, using a clay pot to maintain its temperature.

For a budget-friendly option, you can sample the S$2.50 soupy bak chor mee, a favourite among the elderly. Although the broth is delicate and flavorful, the mee kia noodles can become overcooked due to the heat retained by the clay pot.

Another choice is the Signature Bak Chor Mee, priced at S$5. This version gives noodles a superior texture and includes the stall's signature chilli for a spicy twist. The highlight of this dish is the handmade meatballs and dumplings, which are well-seasoned and have a homemade essence.

Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-02, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 8 AM - 2 PM, 5 PM - 7.30 PM

Google Review/Steamov

Craving some Chinatown food at night? Look no further than Steamov! This spot near Outram Park MRT Station is open until 4 AM, perfect for satisfying those late-night cravings. They serve personalised hot pots with various broths to choose from so you can create your delicious midnight feast.

Ingredients glide on a conveyor belt, and each skewer costs S$1.35 or S$4.05. Patrons can craft their own unique hot pot experience and customise their dipping sauces from an expansive sauce station.

Address: 325 New Bridge Road, Singapore 088760

Opening hours: Daily, 11 AM - 4 AM

Google Review/Simon Y

You will want to see Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee on your quest to find the best street food Chinatown Singapore offers!

At Curry Chicken Mee, which specialises in a single dish, you can choose a combination of yellow noodles and bee hoon, providing a delightful textural variety. The dish features tender poached chicken, soft potatoes, and tau pok that melts in your mouth.

The highlight is the rich and creamy curry broth, which has a hint of spice. They also offer a homemade chilli sauce, perfect for enhancing the flavours of the chicken and tau pok.

Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-58, Hong Lim Complex

Opening hours: Daily, 7 AM to 9 PM.

Google Review/Janice Lim

Friends Kitchen HK, a new establishment on Neil Road, expands its menu offerings beyond those of its previous location at Springside Walk. The venue features a second floor with private dining rooms, a fully stocked bar, and an outdoor courtyard perfect for alfresco dining. It's conveniently situated near Maxwell and Chinatown MRT Stations.

Several dishes are a must-try. The Australian Beef Brisket Beef Ball Horfun is particularly popular, featuring a generous serving of horfun topped with beef balls and tender braised beef brisket in a rich broth.

Address: 78 Neil Road, Singapore 088841

Opening hours: Wed-Mon: 11 AM - 3 PM, and 5 PM - 11 PM

Instagram/blueskiescottonclouds

Dong Fang Hong Sotong Ball Seafood Soup, situated in Hong Lim Food Centre, is operated by three sisters. Renowned for its speciality, the Sotong Ball Seafood Soup, the dish includes handmade sotong balls, fish balls, meatballs, and fish dumplings.

A substantial bowl of ee mian noodles costs S$10.12. The noodles are bouncy and pair perfectly with the rich broth, which is crafted from flower crabs, fish, and chicken.

For those who enjoy chewier noodles, the Small Sotong Ball Seafood Soup costs S$7.42 and can be ordered with mee tai bak for an extra S$0.67. The stall is conveniently close to Chinatown MRT station, but it often becomes crowded and warm.

Address: Blk 531A Upper Cross Street, #01-47, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, Singapore 051531

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, 11 AM - 2 PM

Instagram/dinggarden.buffet

Yearning for Chongqing-style grilled fish? Visit Ding Garden Buffet in Chinatown, a late-night buffet spot. They provide an all-you-can-eat grilled fish option for lunch at S$44.41++ or dinner/weekends at S$49.81++.

Alternatively, opt for a more economical hotpot & BBQ buffet at S$34.96++, with an additional charge for the soup base. Both buffets allow two hours to indulge in a vast selection of seafood, meats, vegetables, and shabu shabu.

Reaching Ding Garden Buffet is convenient – it's a brief stroll from Chinatown MRT Station (spot the large Transformer statue), then take the lift to level 3. They offer an excellent choice for an affordable and personalised hotpot or grilled fish experience!

Address: 191B New Bridge Road, Singapore 059423

Opening hours: Daily 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM

Instagram/xiaogegemochi

If you're a lover of mochi, make sure to visit Xiao Ge Ge Snowball Mochi in Chinatown. This dessert stand features XXL mochi balls with diverse fillings such as sweet potato, mango, and durian. The mochi has a thin, stretchy exterior packed with a cream-based filling, sometimes including fruit pieces.

Prices begin at S$4.86. They also serve other popular Taiwan-inspired treats like boxcakes and White Rabbit Rolls. The box cakes, starting at S$13.23, are available in flavours like Taro Purée and Purple Rice Taro Purée, each featuring layers of sponge, cream, and flavoured fillings.

Some desserts even include pork floss! Everything is freshly made daily and free from preservatives, allowing you to enjoy guilt-free indulgence.

Address: 5 Banda Street, #01-90, Singapore 050005

Opening hours: Daily 10 AM - 8 PM

Instagram @Yole Cafe

Yole offers more than just its signature frozen yoghurt and ice cream; it also offers plated desserts such as the Pistachio Brioche (S$25.38+), where soft slices of brioche are generously spread with pistachio butter, adorned with fresh fruits and accompanied by pistachio ice cream.

For those seeking a lighter option, consider the Honey Orange Toast (S$20.11+), featuring multi-grain bread topped with fresh cream, slices of orange, and cranberry puree. Yole also serves its ice cream in various styles, including cones (S$11.88+) or waffle bowls (S$13.36+), with a selection of toppings.

With a beach-inspired ambience and a diverse menu, Yole Cafe is an ideal destination in Chinatown for indulging in delightful sweet treats.

Address: 30 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059189

Opening hours: Daily 11 AM to 10 PM

Facebook Kok Sen Restaurant

Kok Sen, a renowned zi char eatery, is celebrated for their signature Big Prawns Hor Fun (starting at S$25.65). This dish showcases generous prawns immersed in a robust sauce infused with wok hei. The sauce boasts a deep, smoky essence complemented by a subtle kick of spices. A small serving comfortably serves two average appetites or one hearty eater.

Another highly recommended dish is their Claypot Yong Tau Foo (starting at $20.25). This dish features an assortment of vegetables filled with a delightful blend of fish and squid paste, simmered in a rich braising sauce. The vegetables retain their crispiness while the filling is smooth and flavorful. The sauce, though slightly salty on its own, pairs perfectly with rice.

Address: 2-4 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089112

Opening hours:

Exploring Singapore Chinatown food is more than just a culinary adventure. It's a journey through Singapore's rich heritage and cultural tapestry. Each dish tells a story, reflecting the influences that have shaped this vibrant city-state.

So, grab your Sydney to Singapore flight tickets, embrace Chinatown's sights, sounds, and smells, and embark on a delicious exploration of Singapore's culinary soul.