Ghim Moh Market is a household name for us in Singapore. And for those living in the west, it’s a popular spot for affordable and good food. Even though the food market went through a renovation in 2015, it still retains much of its old school charm. With over 70 stalls, there is an impressive variety of stalls and dishes to choose from. Which ones are the absolute must-try? Read on to find out!
1. Jiu Jiang Shao La (#01-17)
This roast duck rice stall is one of the hot favourites in Ghim Moh Market and beckons a long queue when it’s open. Their duck is well-seasoned, tender, juicy and so sinful but also so satisfying. You can also get roast pork and char siew here, and we highly recommend the $5 three-meat plate that allows you to try out each of the stall’s specialties. Served on a bed of white rice, your meal is completed with a ladle of sauce and a side of chili sauce.
Opening hours: 10am - 2pm (Thurs - Sun)
2. Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck (#01-04)
We hope you like duck, because here’s another duck rice stall specializing in braised duck. This Michelin Bib Gourmand stall serves up Teochew-style braised duck coated in a dark and luscious sauce, over your choice of rice or noodles. A meal here will set you back just $3 to $5. We recommend getting the duck rice set which also comes with half a braised egg, braised peanuts, tau pok, cucumber and coriander, as well as some herbal soup.
Opening hours: 10am - 8pm (Mon - Wed, Fri - Sun)
3. Ghim Moh Carrot Cake (#01-16)
Whether you’re team white or team black carrot cake, eat your fill at Ghim Moh Carrot Cake. The carrot cake here is made by hand, steamed, then fried to perfection. Prices range from just $2.50 to $5. The black carrot cake is savoury sweet with great wok hei, while the white carrot cake is fragrant, eggy and chunky. Get the best of both worlds with the half-and-half plate!
Opening hours: 6:30am - 1pm (Tues - Sun)
4. Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh (#01-54)
Another Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, everything here is made from scratch with no shortcuts. Just $2 will get you four pieces of chwee kueh, which is fluffy and dense. The elderly couple who runs the stall make their chai poh with garlic and lard, which impart lots of fragrance, and the radish is chunky with a nice bite. Paired with the chwee kueh they are a match made in heaven!
Opening hours: 6:15am - 6:30pm (Mon - Sun)
5. Hin Fried Hor Fun (#01-56)
This stall specializes in fried hor fun and everything costs $5 across the board, whether you choose sliced fish, prawns or mui fan as the base of your dish. They have two types of gravy, one in a dark brown colour and the other that is off-white. The difference is that one has beef while the other doesn’t, so as to cater to folks who don’t take beef. They are often sold out before their closing time, so try not to get here late!
Opening hours: 10am - 3pm, 5pm - 8:30pm (Tues - Sun)
6. Heaven’s Indian Curry (#01-15)
There are only three items on the menu here: appam, putu mayam and thosai. We’re giving a special shoutout to their appam, which is satisfyingly crisp on the outside, while soft and fluffy in the center. They are entirely handmade here, and cooked with special mini woks to achieve the authentic taste of appam. Pairs like a dream with the grated coconut and orange sugar!
Opening hours: 6am - 2pm daily
7. Granny’s Pancake (#01-52)
End your meal at Ghim Moh Market with a sweet note. Locals love Granny’s Pancake for their min jiang kueh, which comes in a variety of flavours. Take your pick from peanut, coconut, red bean and peanut butter. The filling is tasty and not overly sweet, and it is perfectly encased in a chewy pancake with a crispy edge. With multiple branches across Singapore, it’s no wonder they’re often touted as the best place to get min jiang kueh.
Opening hours: 5.30am - 4pm daily