Maxwell Food Centre is one of Singapore’s most beloved hawker centres, drawing loyal locals and hungry tourists with its heritage-rich eats and affordable meals. With over 100 stalls offering everything from Hainanese chicken rice to Fuzhou oyster cakes, deciding where to start is half the battle. This curated list highlights 10 stalls worth queuing for, each offering its own take on Singaporean comfort food.
1. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Unit: #01-10/11
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Tian Tian is easily the most talked-about stall at Maxwell. Known for its succulent poached chicken and fragrant rice cooked with chicken stock, ginger, and pandan, the dish is finished with a mildly sweet soy-based sauce. The late Anthony Bourdain praised it. Gordon Ramsay lost a cook-off to it.
2. Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice
Unit: #01-07
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Just a few steps from Tian Tian, Ah Tai serves a rendition by its former head chef. The chicken is tender with skin that slips off like silk, and the rice has a satisfying depth. Many regulars swear the queue is shorter and the quality just as good.
Craving more chicken rice beyond Maxwell? Check out our full list of the 10 Best Chicken Rice Stalls in Singapore for more iconic spots across the island.
3. Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
Unit: #01-05
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Oyster cakes are increasingly rare, but this stall keeps the tradition alive. Each deep-fried patty is crisp outside and packed inside with minced pork, oysters, and chives. The texture contrast between crunchy shell and juicy filling makes it addictive.
4. Zhen Zhen Porridge
Unit: #01-54
Opening Hours: 5:30 AM – 2 PM (Closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Zhen Zhen’s thick Cantonese porridge is boiled down until the grains dissolve into a creamy base. Options like fish porridge and shredded chicken with century egg are especially popular. Topped with sesame oil, fried shallots, and preserved vegetables, it’s breakfast or lunch done right.
5. Jin Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon
Unit: #01-77
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 7:30 PM (Closed on Thursdays)
This stall’s Cantonese-style fish soup is rich and milky, thanks to a long-simmered broth of fish bones, old hen, and soybeans. Choose between fried or fresh Spanish mackerel slices, with thick bee hoon noodles. A splash of evaporated milk adds sweetness and depth.
6. Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum
Unit: #01-92
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays)
Run by a fourth-generation hawker, this dim sum stall serves hand-folded dumplings, crispy guo tie, and hearty hot and sour soup. The dumplings are packed with juicy minced pork and chives, offering flavors that are rich but not greasy. Fresh batches sell out quickly.
7. Fu Shun Jin Ji Shao La Mian Jia
Unit: #01-71
Opening Hours: 12 PM – 5 PM (Mondays – Fridays), 11:30 AM – 8 PM (Saturdays) (Closed on Sundays)
This roast meat stall draws long lines for its char siew, roast duck, and crispy pork belly. The char siew is roasted over charcoal, caramelized outside and smoky inside. The pork belly crackles with each bite, while the duck is juicy and aromatic.
8. Hock Lai Seng Teochew Fishball Bak Chor Mee
Unit: #01-26
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 3 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Operated by the grandson of Ah Ter Fishball Noodles, this stall offers Teochew-style bak chor mee with a choice of eight noodle types. The mee pok is springy, tossed in a balanced mix of sambal, vinegar, and mushroom sauce. Fishballs are handmade and perfectly bouncy.
9. Old Nyonya
Unit: #01-04
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
This husband-and-wife team serves authentic Peranakan cuisine, from coconut-rich laksa to rendang chicken steeped in a spice blend. Their laksa features prawns, fishcake, and tofu puffs. Other highlights include Mee Siam, Lontong, and Bubur Cha Cha for dessert.
10. Alimama Green Chilli Chicken Rice & Prawn Noodle
Unit: #01-09
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 8:30 PM
This stall’s Green Chilli Chicken Rice stands out with a crispy fried chicken leg topped with a piquant green chilli paste. The dish comes with plain rice and a mild coconut broth. It’s spicy, aromatic, and satisfying without being overwhelming.
How to Get to Maxwell Food Centre
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
By MRT:
- Take the Downtown Line or North East Line to Chinatown MRT Station (NE4/DT19). Use Exit A and walk about 7 minutes.
- Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station (EW15) on the East West Line, Exit G. Walk approximately 5 minutes.
- Take the Thomson–East Coast Line to Maxwell Station (TE18). Use Exit 2 to reach Maxwell Food Centre.
By Bus:
- Buses stopping nearby: 80, 145, 166, 197. Alight at the bus stop along South Bridge Road or Neil Road.
By Car:
- Parking is available at nearby buildings like URA Centre or Craig Place, but lots can fill quickly during peak hours.
Maxwell Food Centre continues to hold its place as one of Singapore’s most iconic food destinations. From heritage recipes to new blood pushing quality hawker fare, each visit is a fresh experience worth revisiting.
