A Dining Guide to Chinatown, Singapore: Regional Chinese Cuisine, Hawker Food, and Cafe Gems

PUBLISHED July 8th, 2021 06:00 am | UPDATED July 16th, 2021 01:55 pm

Any foodie would agree that Singapore’s Chinatown is chock full of tantalizing chow hidden in nooks and crannies. Housing a couple of well-loved hawker centers and hidden gems in more gentrified lanes, Chinatown has become a gastronomic haven like most of Singapore’s former ethnic enclaves (like Little India and Joo Chiat). Here are the best grub spots:

Chinatown Complex Food Centre

Chinatown Complex Food Centre might be famous for being home to the world’s first-ever Michelin starred hawker stall – Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (#02-126) – but there are plenty of gems in this humble building. Regulars would also know Ann Chin Popiah (#02-112) with its juicy jicama rolls and Old Amoy Chendol, a dessert stall run by young hawkers armed with a recipe passed down for three generations. The thirsty can also look to the pair of craft beer bars Smith Street Taps (#02-062) and Mikkeller Bar Singapore (#02-058) for 22 taps of international and local brews. For more good hawker grub, check out our guide here.

Chinatown Complex Food Centre is located at 335 Smith St, Singapore 050335. 

Peng Cheng Xiao Chu (彭城小厨)

Dip your toes into authentic Chinese Jiangsu cuisine at Peng Cheng Xiao Chu (彭城小厨), which specialises in dishes specifically from the ancient city of Peng Cheng (present-day Xuzhou). Their Claypot Braised Pork in Brown Sauce (S$18) is a classic hit with the succulent pork belly developing a melt-in-the-mouth texture after a long braising process. The fragrant and succulent Ground Pot Chicken (from S$18) served with flatbread is another must-try.

Peng Cheng Xiao Chu (彭城小厨) is located at 45 Temple Street, Singapore 058590, p. +65 9231 6152. Open daily from 11am – 10pm.

Sago House

Getting to Sago House is a journey with three flights of stairs involved, but we guarantee it’ll be worth it. Having recently celebrated their one-year anniversary, this eclectic bar on the top level of a shophouse changes up its menu weekly, so you’ll have brand new tipples to try on each visit. No other bar is bigger on both heart and creativity.

Sago House is located at 40B Sago Street, Singapore 059029. Open Tue-Sun 6pm – 11pm. Closed Mon.

Momma Kong’s

Known for their crab dishes from their famed “CB” (Crab Broth) Hokkien Mee to classic crab delicacies such as the Red Chili Crab and Black Pepper Crab, Momma Kong’s is a sharing-dish haven with a varied menu to satiate everyone’s tastebuds. If you’re feeling spoilt for choice, they have set meals that feed two or four with a spread of their most popular dishes.

Momma Kong’s is located at 34 Mosque Street, Singapore 059512, p. +65 6225 2722. Open on Tue-Fri 5pm – 10.30pm, Sat-Sun 11am – 10.30pm. Closed Mon.

Tong Heng

For handmade Cantonese pastries, there are few better than Tong Heng. Established in 1935, they dish out an extensive selection of traditional pastries, ranging from our childhood favourite the Red Bean Pastry to the savoury BBQ Pork Crisp. You’ll recognise their diamond-shaped Egg Tarts – crispy flaky crust encasing a silky-smooth egg custard filling. They taste best when they are fresh but if not, just pop it in the microwave to reheat so you can enjoy this treat warm.

Tong Heng is located at 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833, p, +65 6223 3649. Open daily 9am – 10pm.

Oriental Chinese Restaurant (东方美食)

If you’re walking through Chinatown, it would be hard to miss the Oriental Chinese Restaurant (东方美食) that remains open for 20 hours a day. Since their launch in 2005, they have been satisfying countless customers with affordable but delicious food. Their BBQ Meat Skewers are a key appetizer dish for regulars who only have endless praise for the chunky well-seasoned sticks. North-Eastern Chinese cuisine like Streaky Pork with Garlic and Celery Dumplings are what they do best. If you can handle the heat, a hidden gem is the Spicy Pork Ribs with enough spice to leave you sweating.

Oriental Chinese Restaurant (东方美食) is located at 195 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059425, p. +65 8811 2000. Open daily from 10am – 6am.

People’s Park Food Centre

Built in 1923, the People’s Park Food Centre is one of the oldest hawker centers standing in Singapore. One of our long-time favourites is Chang Jiang G1 Claypot Frog Porridge & Seafood, serving up a mean century egg porridge alongside their famous claypot fried chili frog. For something traditional, Loh Mei Specialist is one of the last remaining stalls in Singapore with this Cantonese dish of pork belly, offal, cuttlefish, and pig intestine stewed in a red fermented soybean-based gravy. Don’t forget Tonic House for nourishing soups without breaking the bank. For more stalls to try, read our guide here.

People’s Park Food Centre is located at 32 New Market Rd, Singapore 050032.

Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles

A dish created by the Hui people (predominantly composed of Chinese-speaking adherents of Islam) in the Gansu province of China, it’s no surprise this particular brand of Lanzhou beef noodles is certified Halal. The crowd favorite Mala Beef Noodles are fitted with their secret blend of chili which is just spicy enough to give your tastebuds a kick without numbing up your entire mouth. While you’re at it, grab a few sides like the Handmade Prawn Dumplings to round off your meal.

Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles is located at Chinatown Point, 135 New Bridge Road #01-43, Singapore 059413. Open daily from 11am – 9.30pm.

Grids & Circles

Grids & Circles have quickly risen the ranks as a popular healthy brunch café amongst millennials. This three-story café is a quaint little place with a penchant for supporting local artists as their space is filled with local paintings for purchase. Try their popular Salmon Ochazuke, where bacon green tea broth is poured over brown rice and salmon, and the Glowing Bowl filled with fresh, healthful ingredients like falafel, edamame, seared tofu, avocado, and plum dusted tomato.

Grids & Circles is located at 200 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058749, p. +65 6935 3546. Open daily from 8am – 6pm.

Chong Qing Grilled Fish

Launched in 2010, Chong Qing Grilled Fish was the first in Singapore to introduce Sichuan charcoal-grilled fish to the local scene. Since then, they have remained a favorite for fish fanatics. Their Signature Grilled Fish comes in 7 different flavours, infused with over 20 types of herbs and spices. A good non-spicy alternative is the Mushroom Herb Sea Bass served with heaps of mushroom and a savoury broth.

Chong Qing Grilled Fish is located at 18 Mosque Street #01-01, Singapore 059498, p. +65 6225 0087. Open daily from 11am – 10pm.

Tangled Pasta

New to Chinatown Point’s basement for takeaway only, Tangled Pasta‘s masterpieces are all insta-worthy, particularly the Smoky Ducky – a spicy tangy pasta served with smoked duck, almonds, dried berries, and sous vide egg. They shake up their menu with a few local twists like their What The Crab – A Singapore black pepper crab pasta topped with tobiko. If you’re feeling up for the challenge, add a little flair to your meal by building your own pasta.

Tangled Pasta is located at Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Rd #B1-52B, Singapore 059413. Open daily from 10.30am – 9.30pm.

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert

There’s nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold dessert on a warm day. Mei Heong Yuen Dessert is jam-packed full with heaping hills of shaved ice sure to melt off the Singapore heat. Perfect for sharing with friends, their shaved ice comes in a variety of flavors like the Milk Tea Snow Ice, Mango Snow Ice, and Sesame Snow Ice. Their Mango Pomelo Sago and Almond Paste desserts have further solidified them as a trusty Chinatown spot to pop in for some cold, sweet treats.

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert is located at 63/67 Temple Street, Singapore 058611, p. +65 6221 1156. Open Tue-Sun 12pm – 9.30pm. Closed Mon.

Top Image: Grids & Circles