It runs in our blood, it beats in our hearts. Hawker culture is an undeniable part of being a Singaporean, and as much as we hate the heat, the oil and the crowd sometimes, we all love some hot and delicious hawker food. What once was so close to us, though, has become farther than ever before – it will be until after May 4 that we finally get to enjoy some old school fried chicken wings or peppery bak kut teh on the spot.
While you can always try your hand at whipping up some of your favourite hawker delights at home, enjoying the actual thing during Circuit Breaker season isn’t completely out of the question. It’s still business as usual at many hawker and coffeeshop stalls, and all it takes is a call or a few taps on the phone to have chicken rice, bak kut teh or nasi lemak delivered right to your doorstep. Alternatively, you can also simply takeaway. Just remember to wear a mask and follow these safety tips!
Quell your hawker cravings by ordering from these 10 heritage eats around the island:
Chicken rice is one of the most popular dishes in Singapore, and Wee Nam Kee is one of the biggest brands to lead the iconic dish by the hand. The traditional hainanese chicken rice store, which started in 1987, has won numerous awards throughout the years, making its name known in Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan. Besides their Chicken Rice ($5.20), you can also try their Dumpling Noodles ($5.80) and add on a side of crowd favourites Salted Egg Pork Ribs ($10.70) and Hot Plate Beancurd ($10.70).
To order: Delivery available on Deliveroo, FoodPanda and GrabFood. Takeaways also available, you may call the respective outlets an hour in advance to place your order.
Where: Wee Nam Kee has multiple outlets.
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Unlike most hawkers, Fishball Story hasn’t collected generations of inheritance. Instead, it was started by a millennial Douglas Ng, who was inspired to make fishballs out of his love for his grandmother’s recipe.
That doesn’t make it any less impressive however, as it’s been awarded a Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand. It was also only two years into Douglas’ hawker career, with no other background in F&B – what a feat!
Order from their simple delivery menu with the Signature Fish Ball Noodle ($4.70), Fish Ball Soup ($4.70) and Mix Soup – Fish Ball and Fish Cake ($4.70). If you’ve grown a liking towards their meatballs, you can also get fish balls and fish cakes at $10 per pack.
To order: For delivery, whatsapp or text 9800 5036. Payment can be made via Paynow to the same number. Delivery charge ranges from $6 to $14 based on location, going to drivers or riders to tide them through this difficult period. Takeaways also available, drive thru can be arranged.
Where: Telok Ayer Market, 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Ah Chiang’s Porridge would be favoured by those who like some tradition and simplicity in their meals. The porridge here is smooth, sticky, tasty and on the healthier side, making it a go-to for most living in the Tiong Bahru area where it first began. Expect good things, because it’s cooked with traditional Canto-style methods using the founder’s original recipe, as well as fresh ingredients like fish from Pasir Panjang Fishery Port and pork from Tiong Bahru Market (no doubt the secret to their succulent meatballs!). You’ll never run out of choices, because they have a whole selection of pork, fish, century egg and cuttlefish porridges from $3.80 onwards, with noodle soups from $3.30 and yummy sides for you to choose from.
To order: Delivery available on Deliveroo, FoodPanda and GrabFood. Alternatively, enjoy 10 per cent off when you order and pick-up from the JEM outlet (call 6970 9236 to order).
Where: Ah Chiang’s Porridge has multiple outlets.
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We all know full well the appeal of traditional fried chicken wings, tender and juicy on the inside once your teeth sink past the crispy brown crunch on the outside. The fragrance of those wings is unbeatable, even the thought of it gets your mouth watering.
One of the most well-known hawkers to make such chicken wings is Eng Kee, and you can still indulge in their wings during circuit breaker. Have them alone at $1.50 per piece ($15 per platter) or in a set meal at $3.30, or venture into their other dishes like their recommended Kway Teow Mee ($1) with any sides you’d like, like Taiwan Sausage ($1.30), Luncheon Meat ($0.60) and other beehoon delights and you’ll find yourself a cheap, delicious and filling meal.
To order: Order from them directly here, for both pick-up and delivery. Delivery is also available on Deliveroo, FoodPanda and GrabFood.
Where: 117 Commonwealth Dr, Singapore 141091, tel: 9233 9330
With an established reputation as one of the best Bak Kut Teh in Singapore, Founder Bak Kut Teh has welcomed fleets of Singaporeans, tourists and even celebrities through its doors over 40 years. Bak Kut Teh lovers will appreciate their use of fresh and meaty pork ribs, simmered in a specially formulated broth of aromatic herbs and spices that’ll warm you down to your soul. Of course, their must-try is the Signature Founder Bak Kut Teh ($10.49), as well as others like the Ninki Bak Kut Teh ($8.35), Premium Short Ribs ($11.56) and Premium Ribs ($12.63). Complete your meal with their delectable side dishes (from $1.60), soups ($2.14) and vegetables (from $6.21) too!
To order: WhatsApp your orders to 8896 5136, at least three hours in advance on weekends and two hours in advance on weekdays. Minimum spend is $30 for free delivery.
Where: Founder Bak Kut Teh has multiple outlets.
Family owned businesses are typically defined by inherited recipes, but that didn’t stop Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap to stop evolving with their creations. While it still serves its noteworthy Braised Duck Rice ($4.50), Braised Duck Porridge ($4.50) and its extensive list of Kway Chap dishes such as Pork Belly ($5) and Small Intestines ($6.50), this hawker stall has whipped up new dishes that’ll gain the fondness of younger crowds or those who love Japanese cuisine. Share their Bento Combo Jumbo Set ($10.20) with yam rice balls, braised duck, beancurd, offals, pickled vegetables and Japanese-style eggs, or go for a more toned down version in the Bento Braised Duck Set ($7.20). Alternatively, try The Quack Ramen ($8.50) or The Quack Donburi ($8.50) so you can have Japanese and authentic braised duck in a single bowl.
To order: For delivery, order from them directly here. Closed on Fridays.
Where: 335 Smith St, #02-156 Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335, tel: 9018 9052
Missing out on your weekly zi char with the family? While we can agree that the essence of zi char is being served dish by dish, you can still enjoy its wide and affordable comfort food menu from your own home.
Just a stone’s throw away from Toa Payoh MRT, Lai Bao serves up such dishes with an influence of 1960s’ zi char thanks to the Singaporean duo’s generations-old recipes. If you’re planning a family feast, we suggest you go for their traditional-style Sixties FIsh Head Charcoal Steamboat (from $25), Grandma’s Recipe Pork Belly (from $13), Deep-Fried Teochew Duck Fritter (from S$12) and Charcoal Silken Tofu (from S$7). Lacking seafood variety? Pop in a Lai Bao Chilli Crab or Lai Bao 13 Spices Black Pepper Crab (from $45).
To order: WhatsApp call or message them directly at 8896 5136 at least one day in advance, delivery with minimum purchase of $30 required. Self-pickup also available. Also available on FoodPanda and GrabFood.
Where: 168 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1040, Singapore 310168, tel: 6261 5825
Yishun’s known for many things indeed, one of which is the amazing food, like this humble laksa place residing under a HDB. Though it’s been around for over 20 years, 928 Yishun Laksa still sees large crowds during its operating hours, leading patrons to head over early in a bid to avoid queueing for long.
Perhaps the one silver lining of this circuit breaker shows it’s time to consider other alternatives to have a taste of this laksa. Rejoice, as this famous laksa stall delivers, with its prices kept affordable from $3. Slurp away on a large bowl of Laksa, with generous servings of cockles, egg, taupok, crab sticks and noodles. A dollop of sambal will satisfy all the spicy cravings you’ve been putting off in your home cooked meals.
To order: WhatsApp 9278 8282, delivery fee of $5 applies.
Where: 928 Yishun Central 1, #01-155, Singapore 760928
Most Singaporeans would have tried or at least heard of Zam Zam, an unpretentious eatery situated in Bugis, serving locally adored murtabak, prata and biryani since 1908. While the two-storey establishment is worth checking out, during circuit breaker you might want to consider ordering in its famous murtabak in lamb ($6), beef ($5) or chicken ($6). For more variety packed in a single meal, check out their set deals such as Egg Prata with Chicken Set ($6.50) and top it off with a nostalgic beverage like a Teh ‘C’ Halia ($1.80). This might knock you off your diet, but it’s definitely worth it. Click here to take a look at the menu.
To order: Call 6298 6320, 6298 7011 or 6296 7790. Enquire for delivery charges.
Where: 697 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198675
You’ve seen it with fried anchovies, egg, otah, fried chicken or fish – and it always comes with coconut milk rice. But as good as nasi lemak gets, you probably haven’t tried ayam taliwang, which is an Indonesian grilled chicken from Lombok at once sweet, spicy and tangy.
A couple brought the dish to Singapore by opening up their stall appropriately named after their star dish. Their special recipe for the chicken still has its marinade made by hand, so make sure you try it out! Enjoy the addictive chicken at home by getting your hands on their famous Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang Set ($7.90), or head for one of their set meals with the choice of chicken, fish or cuttlefish fillet ($5), as well as an option for kids at $5. You can also choose to order for the whole family with the Family Pack Set Meal ($29), or the whopping Juggernaut Pack Set Meal at only $40 for four Jumbo sets, six chicken wings and four drinks.
To order: For delivery, order directly here or from Deliveroo, FoodPanda, GrabFood or WhyQ.
Where: Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, 51 Hougang Ave 9, #01-40, Singapore, 530917; 51 Yishun Ave 11, #01-33, Singapore 768867. Call 8750 5240.
If you’re in the mood for a variety of different dishes from Yishun Park Hawker Centre, Deliveroo is also offering a Mix & Match alternative with 15 per cent off the entire menu for orders above $15.
You can also check out Facebook pages Hawkers United and CB Food for hawkers and deals with delivery and takeaway options. Let’s support our local food and beverage outlets!
