If delicious but inexpensive food is your thing, then visiting hawker stalls in Singapore should be at the top of your list. These massive dining complexes have food stands with every kind of food you can imagine. While it’s likely you’ll get something tasty wherever you choose, Singapore is home to two hawker stalls that each earned a Michelin star. Michelin star food for just a couple of bucks? Of course, I had to try it! Here’s everything you need to know about Michelin star hawker stalls in Singapore.
Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle
Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle, also known as Hawker Chan, is located in the Chinatown Complex Food Centre, the largest hawker center in Singapore with over 260 stalls. This hawker stall earned its Michelin star in 2016. Its signature dish is soya sauce chicken with rice. Make sure to go early because they are known to run out before the end of the day. Best of all? The meal costs only a few dollars.
Getting to Hawker Chan
Hawker Chan is located on the second floor of the Chinatown Complex at stall #126. The Chinatown Complex is about a 20-minute walk from the Downtown Core. It can be easily accessed from the Chinatown MRT station.
The Line at Hawker Chan
We went to the Hawker Chan stall just before it opened at 10:30 am. There were about five people ahead of us in line, and we waited about 20 minutes to order and get our food. Part of this time was waiting for the stall to actually open. If you don’t feel like waiting, you can visit the sit-down version of the stall on Smith Street across from the Chinatown Food Complex though people say the hawker stall is better.
The Food at Hawker Chan
While the soya sauce chicken with rice is the star dish, there are several other options including noodle dishes. I enjoyed the meal but having no point of comparison, I can’t really say if it was “the best” soya sauce chicken or worthy of a Michelin star. If anything, it’s worth going for the experience.
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle is located in a small food center in Kallang, Singapore. The stall is known for its bak chor mee, or minced meat noodles. The Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle hawker stall also earned its Michelin star in 2016.
Getting to Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle is located at 466 Crawford Lane. It’s walking distance to Kampong Glam, the Muslim Quarter. It’s about a ten-minute walk from the Lavender and Nicoll Highway MRT stations.
The Line at Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
We stupidly went at lunchtime and got to experience the line in full force. I think we waited for about 1.5 hours before getting to order. This food center is pretty small, hot, and crowded with limited seating. I recommend going when it opens at 9:30 am to avoid some of the crowd.
The Food at Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
I didn’t love this dish mainly because I’m not an adventurous eater. The noodles are mixed with black vinegar and I’m not a huge fan of vinegar. Also fish balls and liver are things I have never had before and will likely not have any time soon. Exotic elements aside, the noodles and minced pork were tasty.
Michelin Bib Gourmand Hawker Stalls
If you are looking for some other types of food, here’s a list of hawker stalls that were awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status. It’s not a Michelin star hawker stall, but it’s something!
- Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang
- Eminent Frog Porridge
- Rolina Singapore Traditional Hainanese Curry Puffs
- Outram Park Fried Kway Teow
- Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow
- Tai Wah Pork Noodle
Final Thoughts
If you spend a few days in Singapore, you’ll likely visit at least one hawker stall. While I don’t think my meals at either Michelin star hawker stall were quite as good as I was expecting, it’s still worth trying Hawker Chan and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle for the experience. Just be sure to arrive early to save yourself some time waiting in line!
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