Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre stands quietly along Upper Bukit Timah Road, but it commands attention with some of the most respected hawker fare in Singapore.
Currently, it has shifted to a temporary location at 2A Jalan Seh Chuan, following the demolition of the original food centre to make way for a new integrated development slated for completion in 2029.
Despite the move, many beloved hawker stalls have continued operations at the interim site — and the queues prove it. If you’re wondering where to find your go-to carrot cake, satay bee hoon, or Hokkien mee, the answers are still sizzling just a few minutes from Beauty World MRT.
1. He Zhong Carrot Cake
Unit: #01-057
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 10 PM (Tuesdays to Sundays), 7 AM – 12 PM (Mondays)
Known for its white carrot cake, served in thick, egg-coated blocks stacked like bricks. The texture is soft with just the right spring, and the seasoning is restrained — garlic, chai poh, and egg doing the heavy lifting.
2. Sin Chew Satay Bee Hoon
Unit: #01-037
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 8:30 PM (Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays)
Satay bee hoon is fading from the local scene, but this stall keeps it alive with a deeply nutty, spice-rich sauce poured over thin vermicelli, cuttlefish, tau pok, and pork slices. Available in three portion sizes. Cuttlefish kang kong is also on the menu. Long queues are the norm.
3. Leng Kee Fish Soup
Unit: #01-062
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
The broth is clean and mild, perfect for those who want something light. Sliced batang fish is fresh and generous. Sides include mee sua, porridge, and braised trotters.
4. Chin Hock Mutton Soup
Unit: #01-032
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 7:30 PM (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays), 11:30 AM – 3 PM (Mondays and Fridays) (Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays)
A stalwart of traditional Teochew-style mutton soup, Chin Hock serves clear herbal broths with robust, gamey depth. Cuts include tender mutton ribs, tripe, tendon, and meatballs. The herbal profile leans earthy, without being medicinal, and the chilli vinegar dip adds a sharp counterpoint.
5. 133 Penang Authentic
Unit: #01-063
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
This stall brings Penang to Singapore with dishes like char kway teow and prawn mee. Assam laksa packs tang and spice. The 133 Special Noodle offers a savoury punch in every bite.
6. Nyonya Chendol
Unit: #01-69
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Shaved ice towers over each bowl, draped in thick, fragrant gula melaka and creamy coconut milk. Chendol variants include Red Bean, Sweet Corn, and the indulgent XO Durian. The texture of the chendol jelly is soft but firm, offering a satisfying bite that balances the richness of the syrup and milk.
7. Seng Heng Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Unit: #01-049
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 3 PM (Closed on Sunday)
Both roasted and steamed chicken are offered, with the roasted version winning points for crispy skin and juicy meat. Rice is fluffy, fragrant, and not overly greasy. The house chilli is tangy and sharp.
8. Yong Seng Satay
Unit: #01-005
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 8:30 PM (Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Known for tender pork satay with a perfect meat-to-fat ratio. Chicken and mutton options are available. The peanut sauce is gritty and flavourful, lifted with a scoop of pineapple mash. Expect a wait.
9. Yonki Carrot Cake
Unit: #01-014
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM (Closed on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays)
Specialising in black carrot cake. Generous with dark soy sauce and eggs, resulting in a sticky, sweet, and savoury medley. The texture is soft with just enough sear on the edges.
10. 52 Prawn Noodle
Unit: #01-052
Opening Hours: 8 AM – 3 PM (Mondays – Thursdays), 8 AM – 7 PM (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
Run by a former ramen chef, this stall offers prawn noodles with Japanese precision. Choose between pork ribs, fresh prawns, or their signature bowl. The broth is rich and the dark sauce adds depth.
Getting There: Bukit Timah Wet Market & Food Centre (Interim)
Address: 2A Jln Seh Chuan, Singapore 599213
By MRT:
Beauty World (DT5) – Exit C
Walk along Upper Bukit Timah Road toward Jalan Jurong Kechil. Turn left into Jalan Seh Chuan. The market is about a 4-minute walk from the station (approx. 300 meters).
By Bus:
- Opp Beauty World Ctr (Bus Stop 42091) – Buses: 41, 66, 67, 75, 77, 170, 173, 961, 970
- Beauty World Ctr (Bus Stop 42089) – Buses: 41, 61, 66, 67, 75, 77, 170, 173, 963, 970
Each stall brings something different to the table, but they share a common thread: long hours, meticulous preparation, and decades of hawker pride. Bukit Timah Market doesn’t shout for attention. It simply feeds those who know where to go. Until the new integrated market opens in 2029, this is where the flavours stay alive.
