Tastemakers Guide to Best Hawkers in Chinatown

This stall at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre is a foolproof choice for when you're in the mood for consistently good kway chap. Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim also likes it for its affordable price and generous portions — definitely a plus for larger appetites or post-workout meals! The cook is known to pile the plates, but don't let that stop you from adding on a portion of duck to your basic Kway Chap Set (from $3.50). The bird is their specialty after all, and the meat is tender yet with great bite. Other add-ons to consider are Pig's Ears ($1) and Large Intestine ($1.50). That's exactly what Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim ordered, and his heaping plateful of goodness came up to a very, very decent $6. Burp!
Avg price: $5
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim

Wok hei is without a doubt one of the deciding factors for good plate of char kway teow, and our Burpple Tastemakers are happy to report that it's a score at this popular Hong Lim Market & Food Centre stall. The Char Kway Teow (from $3) here sees slippery noodles slicked in a flavoursome black sauce (a bonus if you like your char kway teow wet). Burpple Tastemaker Jean Kao also gives it top marks for the generous amount of egg stirred in and bountiful cockles. While this dish doesn't feature Chinese sausage like most char kway teow stalls do, the cook makes up for it with his heavy hand on the pork lard — yum!

Pro tip: Skip the crazy queues and visit at tea time. Jean came by at 4pm and waited in line only for a decent 20 minutes.
Avg price: $5
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Jean Kao

Not to be confused with the Michelin-starred Tai Hwa in Crawford, this bak chor mee stall in Hong Lim Market & Food Centre commands similar long queues during peak meal times. And, according to Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim, the look and taste of both renditions are both pretty similar. With prices starting from $4, the generous serving of Bak Chor Mee sees noodles tossed in a mix of chilli, soy sauce and black vinegar, topped with minced pork, pork slices, liver and pork balls. In Julius' opinion, the x-factor is all thanks to the deep-fried pieces of sole fish (ti por), which he says brings "a certain savoury and smokey enhancer to the entire dish".
Avg price: $5
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim