Tiong Bahru Market stands as a food icon within one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods. Built with a heritage feel yet functioning like a modern food hall, it draws in hungry patrons from all walks of life. From Michelin Bib Gourmand stalls to third-generation family businesses, here are 10 stalls you should prioritize on your next visit to this hawker landmark.
1. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee
Unit: #02-01
Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM (Closed on Mondays and Sundays)
This stall has earned multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand awards. Their Hokkien Mee is cooked in small batches with a rich prawn and pork stock that clings to the noodles without turning soggy. Ingredients include prawns, squid, pork belly, and fish cake, served with lime and a sharp sambal chili. The light wok hei complements the dish’s wet style.
2. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Unit: #02-82
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Started in 1988 by a local resident who trained under a former Mandarin Hotel chef, this stall offers both steamed and roasted chicken. The steamed chicken stands out for its smooth skin and tender bite. Fragrant rice cooked in garlic and ginger stock and house-made chili sauce round out the experience. Add-ons like handmade Ngo Hiang offer extra variety.
3. Jian Bo Shui Kueh
Unit: #02-05
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 8 PM
Founded in 1958, this stall is synonymous with chwee kueh in Singapore. The rice cakes are soft and topped with chunky preserved radish and a rich, dried shrimp sambal. They’ve swapped pork lard for vegetable oil, staying health-conscious without compromising flavor. Traditional snacks like yam cake and rice dumplings are also available.
4. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice
Unit: #02-67/68
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 2:45 PM (Closed on Thursdays)
This 70-year-old institution serves plates drenched in rich curry that blends Hainanese and Nonya styles. The mild coconut-based curry pairs well with dishes like crispy pork chop, braised pork belly, and sambal squid. The pork chop, coated in biscuit crumbs, is especially well-loved. Queues start forming in the morning, and most items sell out by early afternoon.
5. Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup
Unit: #02-29
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 7:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
A Teochew-style soup stall run by the third generation of the Koh family. Their clear, peppery broth is simmered with pork bones and offal, including liver, intestines, and tripe. Salted mustard vegetables give it a tangy edge. Try the large intestines stuffed with glutinous rice and chestnuts, a hidden gem not on the menu board.
6. Lor Mee 178
Unit: #02-23
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 1:45 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
This stall makes its name with shark meat nuggets tossed into bowls of thick lor mee gravy. The battered fish stays crisp in the slightly sweet sauce. You can customize your bowl with garlic, chili, and aged black vinegar. Less starchy than other versions, the dish is easy to finish without feeling overwhelmed.
7. Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow
Unit: #02-11
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM (Closed on Tuesdays – Thursdays)
Famous for its appearance on Anthony Bourdain’s show, this stall offers traditional char kway teow with great wok hei. The noodles are fried one plate at a time, ensuring each serving is consistent. Ingredients like cockles, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, and egg build a deeply savory profile. It’s a no-frills, full-flavor experience.
8. Min Nan Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle
Unit: #02-31
Opening Hours: 8 AM – 2:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Dating back to the 1950s, this stall gained new attention after a local TV feature. Choose between soup or dry versions. The soup has a sweet prawn aroma, while the dry version is tossed in a balanced, spicy-sour sauce. Pork ribs are tender and pair beautifully with fresh prawns.
9. Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodle
Unit: #02-30
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 1 PM (Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays)
The highlight here is the “Bu Jian Tian” char siew, cut from the pig’s armpit for maximum marbling. Roasted in charcoal batches, the slices are thick, sweet, and charred around the edges. Springy noodles come in a savory sauce, while the soup and wantons are kept basic to let the pork shine. This cut usually sells out before noon.
10. Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk
Unit: #02-69
Opening Hours: 5 AM – 12 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Started in 1985 by Mr. Low Teck Seng, this stall produces fresh soya bean milk and silky beancurd from scratch daily. The beancurd texture is notably smooth, and the drink retains strong soybean flavor without being cloying. Lines form as early as dawn. Items sell out before mid-morning.
Getting to Tiong Bahru Market
Address: 30 Seng Poh Rd, Singapore 168898
By MRT:
Take the East-West Line to Tiong Bahru MRT Station (EW17). Exit via Exit A and walk approximately 8 minutes to the market.
By Bus:
Nearby bus stops serve multiple lines. Board buses 5, 16, 33, 63, 75, 123, 195, or 851 and alight near Tiong Bahru Road or Seng Poh Road.
By Car:
Set your GPS to Tiong Bahru Market Car Park, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898. Parking is available in the market’s basement lot, but spaces fill quickly during peak hours.
Tiong Bahru Market continues to offer one of Singapore’s most rewarding hawker experiences. Whether you’re seeking traditional breakfast fare, Michelin-rated dishes, or heritage flavors passed through generations, the variety here is unmatched. Arrive early, queue patiently, and use this Tiong Bahru food guide to make every visit count.
