Begin your culinary tour of ABC Brickworks at Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice. One of the food centre’s most famous spots, it still cooks the dish over a traditional charcoal fire – which yields a wonderfully crispy bottom layer and a smoky aroma. Chunks of tender chicken, Chinese sausage, salted fish, Chinese wine and some leafy greens are also added to the concoction, and it’s finished with drizzles of dark sauce and sesame oil. A two-person portion costs $10. They also offer a range of nourishing soups. 

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Hokkien mee is what you’ll find at this legendary joint, which has been in business since the 1980s. It also boasts the Michelin Bib Gourmand stamp of approval – and the long queues to match. But get in line and your patience will be rewarded with some seriously fantastic Hokkien mee. Each serving includes yellow and white noodles, seafood, beansprouts and egg cooked in a fragrant prawn stock, complete with a lovely wok hei. Do also grab some of their famous chilli, which packs a punch. Prices start at $4.

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This unassuming stall has been steadily gaining attention since it nabbed consecutive Michelin Plate recommendations. The star of the show here is their prata ($1 and up). It leans towards the doughier side of the texture scale – albeit with some crispy edges – and offers a satisfying chewy bite. We personally love the onion prata, especially when dunked in the accompanying bowl of not-too-spicy curry. Other notable items on their menu include mee goreng, murtabak and mutton soup.

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It may be awhile before any of us can hop on a plane for a weekend jaunt to Penang. But there are still a number of places in Singapore where you can sample the region’s foodie fare – including this vendor. Go for the assam laska ($3 and up). It’s a flavour-packed bowl of rice noodles, sardines, pineapple slivers and chopped onions in a tangy broth, with the different components adding layers of complexity to the dish. The fried kway teow, which has a solid wok hei, is also worth a try.

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One thing’s for sure: this isn’t your average yong tau foo stall. Instead, Tofully serves a modern rendition of the traditional dish. Instead of choosing individual items, diners can select from sets complete with their choice of noodles. The signature option features the specialty fried pork meatball, stuffed tofu, fishcake, veggies, crispy bean curd skin and a ramen egg; while the standout laksa set has a similar array of ingredients swimming in a thick, aromatic and creamy broth. Expect to pay around $5.

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Make a beeline for the crowd-favourite Fatty Cheong to indulge in glistening, succulent, charcoal-roasted meats. They offer char siew, roasted pork and roasted duck, which you can opt to get with rice or noodles. The char siew rice is composed of fatty, caramelised meat sitting atop a bed of steaming white rice, while the equally tasty char siew noodles comes with thin, eggy noodles, leafy greens and an umami-rich gravy. Also on the menu are the likes of wanton noodles and dumpling soup. Prices start at $3.

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Who doesn’t love a good bowl of chendol, especially if it’s a particularly sweltering day? That’s exactly what you’ll discover at Jin Jin Dessert. The establishment sells a range of hot and cold dishes, but is particularly known for its Power Chendol. Pony up $2 for a large ball of shaved ice slathered in a thick, dark and oh-so-caramelly gula melaka sauce and plenty of coconut milk, plus the requisite squiggly green jellies and red beans. It’s a decadent dessert, and one of the best chendols we’ve tried.

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Although ABC Brickworks isn’t exactly known for its Indian and Pakistani cuisine, you can tuck into the likes of chicken biryani, palak paneer, garlic naan and tandoori fish here. The addictive garlic naan is served hot, with a great doughy consistency and lovely aroma. It pairs perfectly with a serving of butter chicken or some dal tadka. Alternatively, you can opt for one of the hearty biryani sets, which come with your choice of meat and a hefty portion of rice. Expect to pay upwards of $5 for a meal.

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Whether you’re here on a rainy day or feel like having something healthy, you can hit up Ah Er Soup. The Michelin-rated vendor plies nutritious Chinese broths ($5 and up). There’s the classic Buddha Jumps Over The Wall, which is crammed with ingredients such as chicken, fish maw, mushrooms and wolfberries in a robust broth. Other options are the homey Lotus Root Peanut Pork Ribs, plus the Watercress With Pork Ribs for those who want to load up on their greens. Be sure to try the unique pumpkin rice, too.

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If you just want a little snack, we suggest sampling the handmade buns from Bao Zai, which has been operating for over 40 years. Most customers head straight for the char siew bao ($0.70). It’s a fluffy bun with a delicious filling of juicy, well-marinated pork, and strikes a great salty-sweet-smoky balance. Still hungry? You can take your pick from the other items on their menu – which features dim sum classics such as siu mai, lo mai gai and other sweet and savoury baos.

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