Introduction: Why hawker centres are the heart of Singapore
If you want to truly understand Singapore, start with its street food. The best place to begin is at a hawker centre, where local flavours, traditions, and daily routines come together in one vibrant setting.
A hawker centre in Singapore is more than just a place to eat. These open-air food courts are where everyday life happens. You’ll hear conversations in multiple languages, see multi-generational families sharing a meal, and taste dishes shaped by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Eurasian influences. Even celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Dua Lipa, Bill Gates, and Lady Gaga have visited hawker centres to experience Singapore’s food culture firsthand.
But for first-time visitors, hawker centres can feel overwhelming. With so many stalls and unfamiliar dishes, it’s easy to feel unsure about where to start, how to order, or whether dietary needs can be met. This guide offers five simple and practical tips to help you eat like a local at any hawker centre in Singapore, so you can enjoy the food without the guesswork.
5 tips on how to eat like a local in a hawker centre in Singapore
Tip 1. How locals choose their stalls
Locals never walk into a hawker centre and choose a stall at random. They look for signs that quietly suggest a dish is worth the wait.
- Follow the queue: The most reliable signal is the line. If there is a long queue in front of a stall, chances are it serves consistently good food. Locals are usually quick and efficient, but they will wait patiently for something that tastes worth it. A busy stall at a hawker centre is a good sign.
- Look for awards and features: Many popular stalls proudly display signs from the Michelin Guide, Makansutra, or local newspapers. These recognitions mean the stall has been reviewed and recommended by food critics, writers, or influencers. While awards are not everything, they often point you toward long-standing quality.
- Notice specialization: The best stalls in a hawker centre often focus on just one or two dishes. If a menu has twenty items, it might be catering more to tourists than locals. Look for stalls that have spent decades perfecting a single recipe. Simplicity usually signals confidence.
If you’re not sure what to look for or feel overwhelmed by options, consider joining a local food tour like the ones offered by Everyday Tour Company. It’s a great way to learn how locals really choose what and where to eat at hawker centres.
Tip 2. Master the art of “Chope”-ing
In Singapore, there are no formal reservations at a hawker centre, but locals have created their own efficient system for saving seats. It’s called “chope”, and it’s a uniquely Singaporean way of marking your spot.
To chope a seat means placing a personal item on the table to let others know it is taken. At any busy hawker centre, you’ll see tissue packets, umbrellas, or name cards left on tables. These are signals that someone has already claimed the seat and has gone to queue for food.
Here’s how to do it like a local:
- Find an empty table or a few open seats.
- Place your chope item on the table.
- Go and queue for your food confidently.
Don’t worry about feeling awkward. This is normal behaviour at almost every hawker centre across Singapore. If you forget to chope your seat, you might find yourself walking around with a full tray of food and nowhere to sit.
This simple system keeps things moving smoothly at even the busiest hawker centres in Singapore, and once you try it, you’ll see how well it works.
Tip 3. Speak like a local (or Try!)
You don’t need to speak Singlish fluently to enjoy a meal at a hawker centre, but learning a few local phrases can make the experience more enjoyable and help you blend in. Locals appreciate the effort, and it often leads to friendlier interactions.
Start with how you order. Instead of saying, “Can I get one Hainanese chicken rice, please,” try using casual and familiar phrases like:
- “Aunty, one chicken rice, less rice.”
- “Uncle, makan here.”
In Singapore, “aunty” and “uncle” are respectful and informal ways to address older stall vendors at a hawker centre. You don’t need to know them personally—these terms are used to show friendliness and politeness.
Here are some useful local phrases to help you sound like a regular:
- Da bao = takeaway
- Makan = eat or dine in
- Mai hiam = no chili
- Siew dai = less sugar (usually for drinks like kopi or teh)
Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, stall owners at hawker centres will usually smile and appreciate the effort. Trying to speak like a local makes the experience more personal, and you may even get a little extra on your plate for being brave enough to try.
Tip 4. What to eat like a local
A hawker centre is where Singaporeans go not just for a quick meal, but for food that feels like home. These dishes are packed with flavour, history, and comfort. Locals often return to the same stalls for years because the taste never changes—and that’s exactly how they like it.
If you’re unsure what to order at a hawker centre, start with these classics:
- Hainanese Chicken Rice
Often called Singapore’s national dish. It features poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock, and comes with a trio of dipping sauces: chili, ginger, and soy. Light, clean, and deeply comforting. - Char Kway Teow
A smoky plate of flat rice noodles stir-fried with Chinese sausage, cockles, bean sprouts, and egg. The magic comes from wok hei, the charred aroma created by high-heat cooking. - Laksa
A spicy, coconut-based noodle soup with prawns, fishcake, and herbs. The broth is rich and creamy, with a gentle heat that builds as you slurp. It’s messy in the best way. - Hokkien Mee
Yellow noodles and rice noodles cooked in a prawn and pork broth, then stir-fried with squid, prawns, and garlic. Served with sambal chili and a squeeze of lime for extra zing. - Carrot Cake (Chai Tow Kway)
Despite the name, there’s no carrot in this dish. It’s made from steamed white radish cake, chopped and fried with egg, garlic, and preserved radish. You can order it “white” for a clean, eggy flavour or “black” for a sweet soy sauce version. Many locals go for a mix of both.
Pro tip: Want to find the stalls that locals actually eat at? Join the Everyday Street Art + Street Food Tour, where guides introduce you to hidden favourites across Singapore’s most loved hawker centres. You’ll not only taste the food, but also learn the stories behind each dish.
Tip 5. How to order like a pro
Once you know what to eat, the next step is learning how to order like a local at a hawker centre. While the atmosphere may seem informal, there is an unspoken rhythm to how things work.
- Bring cash. Most stalls only accept cash. Some may use local QR payment apps like PayLah or PayNow, but international cards and apps such as Venmo or Apple Pay are rarely accepted. Keep small notes and coins handy to make transactions quicker.
- Order one dish at a time. Each stall is an individual business. If you want chicken rice, a drink, and dessert, you’ll need to queue at three different places. This is part of the hawker culture. Locals are used to it and often build their own customised meals by mixing dishes from various stalls.
- Be ready to share a table. During busy hours, it’s perfectly normal to ask someone if you can sit with them. Just say, “Can I share this table?” and they’ll usually nod without hesitation. Tables turn quickly, and everyone understands that space is shared.
Dining at a hawker centre in Singapore is about more than just eating. It’s a shared social experience where people of all backgrounds come together over affordable and unforgettable food.
Bonus : Where locals actually eat at hawker centres
Maxwell Market and Lau Pa Sat may be the most photographed, but ask any Singaporean where they actually eat, and you’ll likely hear these names instead. These hawker centres are beloved for their deep roots, consistent flavours, and stalls that have fed generations. Here’s where to go, and what to eat when you get there.
1. Tiong Bahru Market
Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898
Located in one of Singapore’s oldest and trendiest neighbourhoods, Tiong Bahru Market blends heritage with a touch of modern charm. It’s clean, easy to navigate, and packed with quality food that locals return to again and again.
What to try:
- Lor Mee 178 (#02-23)
A favourite among lovers of bold, savoury flavours. This stall serves thick yellow noodles in a dark, starchy gravy made with braised meat, garlic, vinegar, and egg. What makes it stand out is the addition of crispy shark nuggets—a nostalgic topping that’s rare to find today. Go early in the morning to avoid disappointment.
- Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice (#02-67/68)
Messy, comforting, and packed with flavour. This no-frills stall is run by second-generation hawkers who continue serving old-school plates of pork chop, braised cabbage, and stewed pork belly, all drenched in rich, spicy-sweet curry. It’s not pretty, but it’s deeply satisfying.
- Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee (#02-01)
A Michelin Bib Gourmand award-winner known for Hokkien mee that is smoky and rich. The noodles are slow-fried, soaking up a robust prawn broth, then topped with prawns, squid, and a generous dollop of sambal chili. The queue moves quickly, so don’t be discouraged by the crowd.
2. Old Airport Road Food Centre
Address: 51 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390051
Nestled in a residential area, this hawker centre is a local favourite for its variety, generous portions, and some of the best wok-fried dishes in the city.
What to try:
- Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (#01-12)
One of the most popular stalls for char kway teow. Expect a smoky, perfectly balanced plate of flat noodles stir-fried with Chinese sausage, cockles, fishcake, and egg. The stall uses a special house-made sauce and wok heat mastery that keeps regulars coming back.
- Carrot Cake (#01-26)
Don’t let the name fool you! This dish has no carrots. Made from radish cake, it’s pan-fried with eggs and preserved radish to create a crispy, savoury delight. You can order the white version for a cleaner flavour or the black version for a sweeter taste with dark soy sauce. Many locals order both in one plate.
3. Golden Mile Food Centre
Address: 505 Beach Road, Singapore 199583
Often overlooked by tourists, this multi-level hawker centre is a hidden gem. Located in a quieter part of town, it’s known for variety, value, and some rare dishes that are hard to find elsewhere.
What to try:
- Do Po Hainanese Chicken Rice & Curry Chicken Noodle (B1-53)
A stall loved for doing both light and hearty dishes equally well. The chicken rice features smooth, juicy chicken and fragrant rice with punchy chili sauce. Their curry chicken noodle is just as popular, with yellow noodles, coconut-based broth, tofu puffs, and tender bone-in chicken that melts apart with a spoon.
- Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee (B1-34)
This stall’s version of Hokkien mee has all the right qualities. The noodles are infused with prawn and pork stock, stir-fried with prawns, squid, and pork belly, and served with sambal and lime for a burst of heat and tang. Smoky, savoury, and satisfying.
- Charlie’s Peranakan Food (B1-30)
A rare find for authentic Peranakan cuisine made with heart. Charlie and his wife serve dishes like babi pongteh (braised pork belly in fermented bean sauce), ayam buah keluak, and nasi ulam. These dishes require slow, hands-on preparation, which explains the slightly higher price. The flavour, however, is worth every cent.
Conclusion: The taste of Singapore is in its streets
Hawker centres are more than food courts. They’re where tradition meets everyday life. Tables are shared. Menus are short. Flavours are long-lasting.
Want to skip the guesswork and go straight to the good stuff? Our friends at Everyday Tour Company run food tours which are designed for curious eaters who want the real story behind the food. We take you to our favourite hawker stalls, share the history, and help you order like a pro.
