If you’re after local eats that speak for themselves, North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre delivers. Located away from the crowds yet close enough to the city, this hawker hub rewards the patient with time-honoured dishes, generous portions, and strong local character. Below are ten of the most popular stalls you need to try, along with how to reach the market efficiently.
1. Soon Huat Prawn Noodles
Unit: #01-105
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 2 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Soon Huat has earned its Michelin Bib Gourmand for good reason. Its prawn noodles are layered with peeled prawns, fish cake, lean pork, and a broth that balances richness with nostalgia. The dry version stands out for its spicy chili and crispy pork lard. Meticulous prep often means long queues, but the results are consistently rewarding.
2. Koka Wanton Mee
Unit: #01-99
Opening Hours: 9 PM – 1 AM (Closed on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays)
Run by three generations of the Yip family, this late-night spot is a cult favourite among supper seekers. The wanton mee features thin, springy noodles with char siew, mushrooms, shredded chicken, and wantons stuffed with pork and dried sole fish. Expect long waits — up to two hours isn’t unusual — but loyal fans keep coming back for the familiar, comforting flavors.
3. Shan Yuan Teochew Kway Teow Noodle
Unit: #01-95
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Open 24 hours, Shan Yuan is a saviour for anytime cravings. Their bak chor mee combines springy noodles with minced meat, pork liver, fishballs, and pork slices. The handmade vinegar chili sauce adds heat and sharpness for those who want a punchier bowl. Consistency and flexibility are this stall’s strengths.
4. Ah Lock Curry Rice
Unit: #01-109
Opening Hours: 8 AM – 3 PM
Ah Lock offers the type of meal that feels homemade. You pick from a wide variety of cooked dishes, then everything gets generously drenched in curry or braised gravy. Highlights include crispy pork chop, sweet char siew, and a balanced curry that doesn’t overpower. The earlier you go, the better your selection.
5. Ke Shuang Xing Lor Mee
Unit: #01-104
Opening Hours: 6 AM – 2 PM (Closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Ke Shuang Xing keeps things straightforward and satisfying. The lor mee features thick yellow noodles in a flavorful gravy with braised egg, fried wantons, ngor hiang, and either chicken or fried fish. Their laksa is equally popular, rich with cockles and coconut-spiced broth. Self-serve garlic, vinegar, and parsley allow you to tailor each bowl.
6. Lao Huang Hakka Niang Tou Fu
Unit: #01-108
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 1 PM (Closed on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays)
This family-run stall specializes in Hakka-style yong tau foo, using a mix of minced meat and fish paste. Selections like bitter gourd, tofu, and eggplant are handmade and boiled to order. Pair them with their fragrant minced meat noodles tossed in lard, or enjoy them with a clean, ikan bilis-based soup. The hands-on preparation adds texture and taste to each bite.
7. Hoe Hokkien Mee
Unit: #01-93
Opening Hours: 8 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Hoe’s version is wetter than most, with broth-soaked noodles that soak up prawn stock flavor. The mix of thick bee hoon and yellow noodles comes loaded with prawns, pork belly, squid, and egg. Their sambal chili, boosted with hae bee hiam, brings smoky, spicy depth. Even small orders are generously portioned.
8. Tian Yi
Unit: #01-112
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 3 PM (Closed on Mondays and Sundays)
A comfort stop for dessert lovers, Tian Yi offers traditional Chinese desserts that are nutrient-packed and hearty. Their green and red bean soups include longan, lotus seeds, sago, and more than 40 other ingredients. Bubur cha cha, pulut hitam, and cuttlefish peanut porridge round out the extensive lineup. Everything here is warm, sweet, and satisfying.
9. Xiao Ling Fried Carrot Cake
Unit: #01-103
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 12 PM
This husband-and-wife stall serves both black and white versions of carrot cake. The black version impresses with its wok hei and sticky sweet sauce clinging to crispy cubes. They also offer deep-fried carrot cake sticks, which are crunchy outside, tender inside — a rare and nostalgic snack. It’s an under-the-radar stall with strong neighborhood support.
10. An Le Kway Chap
Unit: #01-113
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 2 PM
An Le delivers a solid Teochew-style kway chap, with silky flat noodles in a light herbal broth. The accompanying braised platter features offal, egg, and tofu, tender and full of savory depth. While it doesn’t draw the same crowd as some others, it holds its place with quiet consistency. Great for those looking for an honest, hearty bowl.
How to Get There
Address: 861 N Bridge Rd, Singapore 198783
By MRT:
Take the East West Line or Downtown Line to Bugis MRT Station. Use Exit B and walk about 5–7 minutes towards North Bridge Road via Victoria Street and Arab Street.
By Bus:
Bus services 2, 12, 33, 130, 133, and 960 stop nearby. Alight at the North Bridge Road bus stop opposite Golden Landmark Shopping Complex.
By Car:
Set your GPS to 861 North Bridge Road. Limited parking is available at the food centre and nearby open-air car parks. Avoid peak mealtimes if you’re driving.
North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre has earned its reputation one stall at a time. For those who appreciate good food and authentic preparation, this hawker centre delivers substance without show. Each visit is an opportunity to try something memorable — all it takes is time and a good appetite.
