A piece of sad news for many hawker food lovers – both Tanglin Halt Market and Tanglin Halt Food Centre will be gone by the time we’re done 2021. While the exact date has not been confirmed, it’s time to pay a visit to some of their notable hawkers while you still can!
Tanglin Halt Delicious Duck Noodles
It’s pretty uncommon to see a duck hawker who only sells duck noodles and not rice, but this stall has been doing things this way since 1969. A bowl of Dry Duck Noodles (from $3) comes with noodles topped with duck meat, in a spicy, sweet dark sauce. Served on the side is a rich, umami herbal broth to complement your meal. You can also choose to add on sides such as duck feet and gizzards.
Tanglin Halt Market #01-20, 48A Tanglin Halt Road, Singapore 142048
Opening Hours: 5am – 2pm (Tues – Thurs, Sat), Closed Mon, Fri, Sun
Chef Hainanese Western Food
Having lived in Commonwealth for a good part of my life, Chef Hainanese Western Food was one of my trusty go-tos and I’m sad to see them go. You’ll often find long queues here during dinnertime and for good reason. The price is affordable, the portions are generous and the food tastes great. I’m not exaggerating when I say that they have one of the best pork chops ($6) in Singapore.
Tanglin Halt Food Centre #01-04, 1A Commonwealth Drive, Singapore 141001
Opening Hours: 7pm – 9pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs
Mei Wei Xiao Chi
Mei Wei Xiao Chi is the OG economic bee hoon stall in Tanglin Halt and it’s where to go for a cheap and hearty meal. Choose from noodles, bee hoon, or kway teow and add on ingredients such as fried eggs, fish fillets, luncheon meat and chicken wings (which are a must-try). Mei Wei Xiao Chi also sells Peanut Porridge, Green Bean Soup, Red Bean Soup and Bubor Hitam at just $1.10 each!
Tanglin Halt Market #01-02, 48A Tanglin Halt Road, Singapore 142048
Opening Hours: 6pm– 1am (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues
Wei Yi Laksa & Prawn Noodle
You can choose your Laksa ($3/$5/$8) here in various combinations of ingredients – prawns and cockles, or prawns, chicken and tau pok. The stall only opens four days a week, and you’ll find a line of people during peak hours, so make sure to pick the right day and timing to visit for a taste of this!
Tanglin Halt Market #01-20, 48A Tanglin Halt Road, Singapore 142048
Opening Hours: 5:30am – 12:30pm (Tues, Wed, Sat, Sun), Closed Mon, Thurs, Fri
Guangzhou Mian Shi Wanton Noodle
This is where I would go for a meal at midnight, and like many of the other stalls here, you’ll most probably find a line. These Wanton Noodles ($3.50) are as old-school as it can get. The sauce is no-frills and simple, paired with some pieces of char siew. It might not sound incredibly appetizing, but it’s the “growing up” taste here that you get, which is getting harder to find out there.
Tanglin Halt Market #01-04, 48A Tanglin Halt Road, Singapore 142048
Opening Hours: 4pm– 12am (Tues – Sat), Closed Sun, Mon
Queenstown Lontong
Queenstown Lontong might be on the quieter side of Tanglin Halt Food Centre, but its long line in the mornings show that it doesn’t fly under the radar in any way. Its recipe has been passed down through three generations, and apart from Lontong, you’ll also find Nasi Lemak, Mee Rebus, Mee Siam, Mee Soto, Laksa and Soto Ayam on the menu, all at $3 each.
Tanglin Halt Food Centre #01-21, 1A Commonwealth Drive, Singapore 141001
Opening Hours: 7am – 2pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun
Shun Xing Hot & Cold Desserts
This is one of the few places left in Singapore where you can get local desserts at just $1! These include classic sweet treats such as Cheng Tng, Red Bean Soup, Green Bean Soup, Tao Suan, Chendol, Bo Bo Hitam, Bo Bo Cha Cha and Ice Kachang. Other more ‘premium’ items such as Durian Ice Kachang, Soursop Ice and Aloe Vera Ice are also very affordable, at just $2. We love ourselves some old school tastes at old school prices.
Tanglin Halt Food Centre #01-30, 3A Commonwealth Drive, Singapore 141001
Opening Hours: 7am – 9pm (Mon – Sun, with periodic off days)