Built in the 19th century, Lau Pa Sat has long dominated our local food scene. The food market has a wealth of history behind it, and it’s come a long way since its humble beginnings as a fish market. Today, it is no longer your typical food court. Newly unveiled in November, Food Folks @ Lau Pa Sat is a new dining and food retail space, born out of Singaporeans’ love of good food and shared foodie experiences. Here, you’ll find a good mix of hawker, street and mod-Sin food run by a mix of foodpreneurs, as well as second and third-generation hawkers. Whether you like local or Western fare, here are some stalls that you should check out at Food Folks @ Lau Pa Sat.
1. Shi Hui Yuan (Stall 23)
A Michelin Bib Gourmand stall for four consecutive years, Shi Hui Yuan is touted as ‘Singapore’s original hor fun’. It’s hard to imagine hor fun as an expensive dish today, but back in the 1960s it was only served in restaurants! The founders of Shi Hui Yuan, Mr Fong Pak Thim and his wife, wanted to create their version of local hor fun that is both nutritious and affordable for everyone. Today, they have six outlets in Singapore, including their flagship store at Food Folks @ Lau Pa Sat. Their braised sauce is made with over 30 herbs, so this isn’t your run-of-the-mill hor fun from your typical tze char stalls. The sauce has been continuously stewed over 30 years with meat and bones from chicken and duck, and each plate of hor fun is packed with more than 1500mg of collagen! You can have your hor fun with braised chicken, duck or spare ribs. We highly recommend the Blissful Set ($7.80) that gives you a taste of everything!
2. GOPIZZA (Stall 24)
GOPIZZA started off as a small food truck in Korea, fueled by the frustration of not being able to enjoy an affordable portion of pizza for one. The brand has made its way to Singapore, and unlike other pizza chains, GOPIZZA serves on-the-go, single pax fire baked pizza. For those who are eating out alone and craving for pizza, this serves as the perfect solution! Every order is made fresh, thanks to their specially patented oven that is able to produce piping hot pizza in just under five minutes. Some must-trys include the Korean Bulgogi Pizza ($13.90) and the Bacon Potato Pizza ($13.90) which sounds like the ultimate comfort food. With 14 different pizzas on the menu, you’re to find one that’ll hit your sweet spot.
3. Chef Kang's Prawn Noodle House (Stall 26)
You might recognize Chef Kang as the one-star Michelin chef behind his eponymously named restaurant. Naturally, his hawker extension is a must-try! The Chef Kang’s Prawn Noodle House’s Prawn Soup Ramen (S$12.90) is a Food Folks exclusive sold only at Lau Pa Sat. The fusion dish is immaculate and we might even like it more than his signature prawn noodles! The rich prawn broth, which Chef Kang personally makes each day, is made with prawn heads, shells, shrimps and chicken feet. It is incredibly robust yet light at the same time. Chef Kang has two other dishes, King Prawn Noodle Soup With Prawn Paste Spare Ribs ($10) and Hot Stone Prawn Paste Spare Ribs Rice ($10). No matter which you choose, the dishes are nothing short of amazing and you’re in for a good time.
4. SMOL (Stall TK1)
If you wanna eat healthy, then you can’t go wrong with SMOL. Serving healthy and delicious grain bowls to health-conscious diners since 2017, the female-founded company started out of a tiny 100sq ft kitchen. In 2019, they launched their first brick and mortar store, and you can find them in the ‘Love Healthy’ zone at Food Folks. Defined as ‘feel good food’, you can also find vegan-friendly options here. Such as S’tay The Night ($11.90), a Food Folks exclusive which features jackfruit ‘satay’ and peanut sauce! Other noteworthy dishes include Chix in a Hurry ($11.90), Fowl Play ($13.90) and Pesto Joy ($12.90).
5. Creme & Cone (Stall TK3)
End your meal off on a sweet note at Creme & Cone. Hand-churned in small batches daily, the gelato here is made with no artificial flavourings or preservatives, and low in fat and sugar. With yummy flavours like Lychee Rose, Pulut Hitam, Ondeh Ondeh and Sour Plum, it’s worth forgoing your usual bowl of ice kachang for this! The gelato is best with their signature gourmet waffle cones that are handmade and hand-rolled. And for an innovative alternative twist, pair your gelato with their IG-worthy, scrumptious waffle pops with a medley of delicious toppings!