Singapore Hawker Culture - History & The 4 Best Hawker Centers
Hawker culture is an important part of Singapore’s tradition and heritage. It’s a way of life for the Singaporeans.
What is hawker culture?
It’s about people from diverse backgrounds sharing the authentic dining experience and enjoying foods passed down through generations of hawkers.
It originated as far back in the 1800s when the migrants started selling affordable home-cooked meals out of stalls scattered along streets and parks. The hawker/food centers of today are under one roof, often in open-air food court settings.
Sadly, the hawker culture in Singapore is in a danger of disappearing. The majority of hawkers are in their twilight years (around age 60) and many of them have retired or are retiring every year. In recent years, some efforts have been made to preserve the hawker culture. In March of 2019, Singapore submitted its nomination to inscribe Hawker Culture on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Culture Heritage of Humanity.
1, Old Airport Road Hawker Centre
This hawker center on Old Airport Road, originally named Old Kallang Airport Road , was built in 1972 to resettle hawker stalls around Kallang after the closure of Kallang Airport in 1955.
What to Eat there:
-Laksa
Laksa: Coconut Curry Noodle Soup
One of the Laksa Stalls at Old Airport Road Hawker Centre
-Curry Puff
Popular Curry Puff Stall at Old Airport Road Hawker Centre
Chicken Curry Puff Freshly Made at the Stall
Homemade Barley Drink
How yo Get There:
2 minutes walk from MRT Dakota Station
5 minutes walk from MRT Mountbatten Station
2, Maxwell Food Centre
Located near the Central Business District, Maxwell Food Centre started as a wet market in 1928. After the WWII, it became “People’s Restaurants” where cheap and nutritious meals were provided to the masses. It was then converted into a food center in 1987.
What to Eat There:
-Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese Chicken Rice: Tender Slices of Chicken on a Bed of Fragrant Rice Cooked in Chicken Stock
-Duck Noodles
Duck Noodles: Succulent Roasted Duck with Yellow Egg Noodles in Dark, Soy-Based Sauce
Locals Dining at Maxwell Food Centre
-Almond Jelly
Almond Jelly: Light and Refreshing Chinese Dessert
How to Get There:
10 minutes walk from MRT Chinatown Station (exit Pagoda Street)
3, Newton (Circus) Food Centre
Newton Food Centre has been open since 1971. Amongst the busy intersection surrounded by a few schools, the government decided to build a food center in a “garden setting”. It’s popularity comes not only from the variety of delicious foods but also from it being featured in the block-buster movie “Crazy Rich Asians”.
What to Eat there:
-Satay
Prawn Satay: Grilled Prawns on Skewers
Chicken Satay: Curry Flavored Grilled Chicken on Skewers
-BBQ Stingray
BBQ Stingray: Cooked in Banana Leaf and Served with Spicy Sambal Sauce
-Chili Crab
Chili Crab: Cooked in Thick, Sweet and Savory Tomato-Chili-Based Sauce
How to Get There:
7 minutes walk from MRT Newton Station
4, Albert Hawker Centre
Albert Hawker centre is located in the cheap shopping district of Bugis, in the junction of Queen Street, New Bugis Street and Albert Street. It was named after Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England. Many Chinese restaurants, medicine shops and food stalls came under the roof of this food center.
What to Eat There:
- Hokkien Prawn Mee
Hokkien Prawn Mee: A Mixure of Yellow and Rice Vermicelli Noodles Stir Fried with Prawn, Other Seafood and Meats
-Traditional Wonton Noodle
Wonton Noodle: Traditional Yellow Noodles With Crispy Fried Wontons and Pork
-Sliced Fish Soup
Sliced Fish Soup: Fish and Vegetables in Clean, Flavorful Broth Served with White Rice
How to Get There:
2 minutes Walk from Victoria Station
5 minutes walk from MRT Bugis Station