Walk a few minutes from Telok Ayer or Tanjong Pagar MRT and you'll arrive at this lunchtime gem (this is the time most of the stalls are opened) for the CBD crowd. Here's our general guide to our favourite eats from Amoy Street Food Centre.
Amoy Street Fried Kway Teow (#01-01)
Photo by Burppler Alex Chua
For Time-Tested Fried Kway Teow
If you're looking for a place in Tanjong Pagar to fill that craving for old school, street-style Fried Kway Teow, the search is over! One mouth of the Fried Kway Teow (from $3) from this classic stall will leave you wanting for more - Burppler Gladys Tan says that it “is sweet, savoury and packed of wok hei - it’s pretty legit!” As she puts it, “guilty pleasure checked!” Be sure to head down early to avoid the always-long queues.
Mad Roaster (#02-107)
Photo by Burppler Wei Zhi Chiang
For Affordable Brews & Bakes
The usual choices - think Espresso ($2.80) or a Flat white ($3.80) - are great, but at Mad Roaster you can also spoil yourself with specials like the Honey Butter Latte ($4.00) and the Matcha Latte ($4.00). They are also known for their Chocolate Babka ($2 a slice) which Burppler Khaw Han Chang ordered. “It's topped with lots of chocolate bites and the texture itself was soft. Definitely worth to buy as a snack for your tea break.” Each takeaway cup from Mad Roaster is also hand-coloured by disadvantaged persons, with a part of the proceeds going to them.
Han Kee Fish Soup (#02-129)
Photo by Burppler aggs & xi :D
For Best Sliced Fish Soup
Han Kee has been a long-time institution for fish soup in this market. The soup here is clear and light, suited to those who prefer pairing their soup with rice. Portion-wise, the $5 serving here is generous enough. However, since you're going to be in the queue for at least 30 minutes, we recommend ordering the Han Kee Fish Soup ($9) for a truly hearty bowl brimming with fresh and soft fish slices alongside leafy greens.
A Noodle Story (#01-39)
Photo by Burppler Julius Lim
For Wanton Noodles Gone Luxe
This hawker stall has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2013, working its way to being awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for several years. A Noodle Story puts a premium spin on local wanton noodles, with many braving the queues for their Singapore Style Ramen (from $9.20), featuring springy noodles laced in an umami-rich sauce, juicy prawn dumplings, a crispy potato prawn, lava egg and in Burppler Kelly Wong's words, "melt-in-your-mouth chashu bathed in a sweet and savoury gravy".
The Original Vadai (#02-84)
Photo by Burppler Jeremy Tan
For Crispy Vadai
Even prior to opening their other outlets in Joo Chiat and Golden Mile Food Centre, these guys have been frying up out delicious vadai at pasar malams for many years. Burppler Maureen Ow tried the signature prawn vadai ($1) and loved how the "prawn was surprisingly still juicy and fresh even though it was being deep-fried with the dough." Pro tip from Burppler Dex Neo, who "packed some home and toasted them for five mins to get a warm fluffy inside, and crisp crust on the outside."
Big Bowls Project (#02-90)
Photo by Burppler Zul Latiff
For Mentaiko Salmon Bowls
We love big bowls and we cannot lie. Big Bowls Projects is a trendy spot for healthy Norwegian salmon bowls with six main items on the menu. Burppler Zul Latiff tried the crowd-favourite Mentaiko Salmon Bowl ($9.50) and enjoyed how the "salmon fillet was moist and tender, with the torched mentaiko elevating it with a whisper of the salty-savoury, oceanic flavour. I must say though, that the onsen egg was particularly well done." Other salmon offerings include Black Pepper ($8.50), Szechuan Black Bean ($8), Tom Yum ($8), and Hoisin ($8.50).
Rayyan's Waroeng Upnormal (#02-86)
Photo by Burppler Jonathan Lim
For Fusion Indonesian
Looking for a satisfying ayam penyet stall in the CBD? Rayyan's is a Muslim-owned spot specialising in fusion-ised Indonesian cuisine and local favourites with a Western touch. Burppler ordered the Honey Glazed Char-Grilled Penyet ($6.50) and enjoyed the "sweet barbeque sauce atop tender chicken. Will recommend mixing all the sambal with the rice as the sambal was really flavourful." Can't take your spice? Do note that the "pieces of diced chili was really spicy, causing me to desperately gulp down my drink to numb the spice."
Koryori Hayashi (#01-11)
Photo by Burppler Khaw Han Chung
For Tasty Japanese Bowls
This hawker centre has no shortage of Japanese-inspired concepts, but we particularly love this one on the first floor for its affordable and delicious bowls. Burppler Gladys Tan initially "did not have very high expectations. So imagine my surprise when the Mentaiko Pasta ($7.50) turned out to be packed with umami and really delicious❤️ A generous dollop of Mentaiko is added to the pasta and I like that the sauce is creamy and flavourful." Other favourites include the Chicken Katsu Don ($6.50), which comes with fried pumpkin, and Sukiyaki Beef Udon ($8)!
