Recently back in business after a brief hiatus and short stint as a nasi lemak stall, Hammee’s doles out restaurant-quality burgers at wallet-friendly prices (roughly $10 including fries). Besides their signature juicy cheeseburgers, which feature your choice of either a single or double patty, they also do a mean fried chicken burger and a solid fish burger made using 100% Alaskan pollock coated with crispy panko crumbs. Try not to visit during peak periods if you can, though, as the wait can often stretch up to over an hour.

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Fuel up on a cold and rainy day with a nourishing meal of piping-hot porridge from this popular outfit. Hong Kee Porridge serves comforting bowls of traditional, Cantonese-style porridge highlighting various ingredients: such as pork, century egg, fish and cuttlefish. Our favourite is the pork option. It’s packed with sliced pork, minced pork and liver, plus a dusting of spring onions and white pepper to finish. Whatever your selection, this is sure to warm you up from the inside out. Prices start at $3. 

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Beat the heat with a thirst quencher from Asip Drinks. The vendor is known for its vibrant cold-pressed juices (around $3) made with all manner of fresh fruits and veggies. Create your own concoction by mixing and matching ingredients, or opt for one of their signature drinks. We like the refreshing Aircon that features cucumber, lime and mint; plus the ABC Yakult, which jazzes up the classic apple, beetroot and carrot juice with a hit of the beloved probiotic drink. Don’t forget to take a picture of your colourful beverage for the ‘gram. 

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Feast on springy wanton noodles and comforting bowls of dumpling soup at this outfit. For upwards of $3, you can get a plate of springy, al dente egg noodles coated in a light sauce, and accompanied by slivers of char siew, plump wantons and some leafy greens. You may choose to add pork ribs for a heartier meal, and those who want a spicy kick should grab some pickled green chillies or extra chilli sauce. Prefer a soup dish? There’s the dumpling soup with large and juicy pockets filled with plenty of meaty goodness. 

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This chicken rice stall is one of the food centre’s more popular establishments. It’s run by an elderly couple (fun fact: they reportedly named the stall after their son) that’s been dishing out their version of the humble staple for over two decades and counting. A helping of the specialty roasted chicken rice comes with lightly flavoured rice, pieces of fresh cucumber and chicken that’s moreish, moist and tender. Be sure to load up on the stellar chilli sauce as well. Prices start at $2.50 for a single serving.

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If you’re after a hearty, meat-centric feast, then make a beeline for Salai by Meatdrop. One of the latest entrants, this Muslim-owned establishment doles out a bombastic range of meat dishes (vegetarians should stay away for their own good). There are Wagyu and pulled pork burgers complete with thick, juicy patties; grilled steaks; smoked lamb ribs; and nachos smothered in pulled beef and various fixings. Come here with an empty stomach, and you’re sure to leave satisfied. Expect to pay upwards of $10.

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Want some carrot cake to start your morning on the right note? Stop by Liang Liang Fried Carrot Cake, where you can enjoy an old-fashioned take on the dish. For approximately $3, you’ll receive a heaping plate of white or black carrot cake that’s been fried to perfection. The white option is made with lots of egg and salted vegetables. Meanwhile, the black version is coated in a generous layer of dark sauce for a pleasing sweet-salty taste. Both offerings have a lovely fluffy texture and a good amount of wok hei.

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A favourite among the area’s residents, Chinatown Ah Po Braised Duck Rice specialises in just one dish, but pulls it off wonderfully. The long queue you’ll likely encounter during the busy lunch period is a testament to that fact. Each serving includes succulent duck meat swimming in a scrumptious sweet-salty braising sauce and topped with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro, plus fragrant rice. Order an additional braised egg if you wish, and don’t forget to grab some tangy chilli sauce as well. Anticipate forking out about $3.

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End your meal with a sweet treat from Xi Le Ting, where nostalgic Chinese desserts are served by an adorable elderly owner. Go straight for the signature cheng tng, which retails for just $1. Your order will be delivered in a blue-and-white bowl filled with dried longan, dried persimmon, white fungus, barley and sago floating in a sweet liquid. Other offerings include green bean soup, red bean soup and sweet wheat porridge – the latter is pretty hard to find these days, so do take the chance to try it here.

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Huang Da Fu is known for its affordable, top-quality minced meat noodles. Fork out $3 and you’ll get a bowl of noodles of your choosing, with each strand coated in a delicious mix of chilli, black vinegar and other sauces. Firm meatballs, pork slices, mushrooms, liver and a generous amount of minced meat complete the dish. The joint operates pretty much round the clock between Monday and Saturday (from 6am to 3pm, and again from 6pm to 3am), making it a convenient choice if your cravings hit at odd hours.

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