ICYDK, the Hakka, or 客家, are historically thought to have largely descended from Northern Chinese people migrating to the south due to social unrest and upheavals. And as a result of this movement and assimilation, Hakka cuisine has developed to become unique on its own while incorporating certain influences from neighbours such as the Cantonese. Hakka dishes such as yam abacus seeds, thunder tea rice and yong tau foo have also since become favourites in the local food scene. Consequently, we’re spotlighting Hakka food in this article, with 10 hawker stalls and restaurants to enjoy hearty Hakka food in Singapore.
Mimiteo’s Kitchen was founded by a stay-at-home mother of two who wanted to cook her husband’s favourite dish – the abacus seeds – as he was craving it. She learnt it through videos, recipes and trial and error, eventually settling on her winning recipe that led to the creation of the home-based business. Due to the scale, her pre-orders sell out quickly, so keep your eyes peeled on her Instagram for the latest updates.
Order via her Instagram here
Said to be the oldest Hakka restaurant in Singapore, Plum Village was founded over 50 years ago and is currently helmed by a third-generation owner. It’s most known for yong tau foo, which is stuffed with a combination of meat and fish paste, and also serves up abacus seeds, salt-baked chicken and mei cai kou rou (preserved vegetable and pork).
Plum Village Restaurant is at 16 Jln Leban, Singapore 577554.
Hakka Taste started in Batu Pahat, Malaysia in 1960 before an offshoot was started here by third-generation member Fico in 2022. There are two-star dishes here — the yong tau foo and bak chor mee. The former comes stuffed with fish and pork paste while the latter comes with meatballs, all of which come from family recipes.
Hakka Taste is at 115 Canberra Walk, #01-01, Singapore 750115, and 151 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, #01-3030, Singapore 560151.
As the name implies, Hakka Leipopo serves up soulful traditional thunder tea rice. The hawker stall was founded by former piano teacher Kumiko Tan who missed the taste of lei cha from her hometown in Malaysia. Besides lei cha, Hakka Leipopo also has yong tau foo if you’re up for a heartier meal.
Hakka Leipopo is at 115 Bukit Merah View, #01-61 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, Singapore 151115.
Located near Marymount MRT, Mei Zhen Delicacies pulls long lines of fans queueing up for Hakka delicacies such as abacus seeds, Hakka yam cake and soon kueh. Come here early as the store closes in the early afternoon. Its abacus seeds are particularly popular — the morsels boast a nice chew and are cooked with shallots, onions, and mushrooms for a more umami flavour.
Mei Zhen Hakka Delicacies is at 320 Shunfu Road, #02-26 Shunfu Mart, Singapore 570320.
Previously at Tanglin Halt, Hakka Thunder Tea Rice has now relocated to Margaret Drive. Despite the move, the hawker stall hasn’t waned in popularity as fans queue for its hearty lei cha matched with savoury yong tau foo. They are only open for lunch between 10.30am and 3pm so plan accordingly.
Hakka Thunder Tea Rice is at 38A Margaret Dr, #02-34 Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, Singapore 142038.
Here’s a place for those who work in the CBD. Ah Lock & Co has the mission of preserving and innovating the comforting Hakka rice bowl, resulting in various protein iterations such as beef, salmon, crispy chicken and meatball. Once done, finish your meal with a sweet treat in the form of min jiang kueh, another star item at Ah Lock.
Ah Lock & Co is at 7 Wallich St, #B2-22/23/24 Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884.
Walking distance from Paya Lebar MRT, Thunderbolt Tea boasts a family recipe that is over a century old, and the bowl comes topped with a wholesome mix of leeks, white cabbage, long beans, sayur manis (sweet leaf), firm tofu, chye poh (pickled radish) and dried shrimps. The eatery is headed by millennial hawker and second-generation owner Wong Pixiang who left his airforce career to preserve and celebrate his grandmother’s recipe. PS: Add the fried pork shoulder that’s marinated with a secret family recipe for a moreish experience.
129 Geylang East Ave 2, #01-100, Singapore 380129
Ever heard of Hakka kway chap? Hakka Lau Wei, which is a play on Melaka-born owner-chef John Lau, presents his family’s Hakka-style that has a strong herbal scent and sweetness compared to the typical Teochew braise we’re familiar with. In fact, John Lau can trace his roots back to the Teochew regions of China, thereby explaining the amalgamation.
51 Guillemard Rd, Singapore 399705
A hawker stall housed within Chinatown Complex, Hakka Fun HamCha & Yong Tou Fu was founded by Malaysian couple Alan Kok and Michelle Yee in 2018. True to the signboard, thunder tea rice (which you can order with puffed rice for added texture) with a thick herbaceous soup, and yong tau foo are the main staples here, both of which are recipes coming from their respective families.
Hakka Fun HamCha & Yong Tou Fu is at 335 Smith St, #02-123 Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335.