21 delicious food finds in Tiong Bahru (Hawkers included)

A well-known food cluster, Tiong Bahru is steeped with cafes and delicious hawker food and it’s no secret. Here’s a compilation of our favorites.

Jian Bo Shui Kueh

If you’re looking for breakfast in Tiong Bahru Market, most patrons would be familiar with the Chwee Kueh from Jian Bo Shui Kueh. The kueh has a firm bite to it and it wasn’t too dry which we liked. The chye poh was fragrant and very generous in servings. They also added sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture. For $2.50, you get 8 pieces of kueh so even if you’re really hungry, this would probably would good for your breakfast. Remember to add in the sambal chilli!

HarriAnn’s Delights

How about glutinous rice for breakfast from HarriAnn’s Delights? Served with fresh shallots and crunchy peanuts, this makes for a wonderful breakfast or even an appetizer. They’re also well known for their nonya kuehs and yam cake! For the nostalgic foodie, this is probably the stall for you to go to!

Min Nan Prawn Noodles

Prawn noodles is a popular choice for breakfast and lunch. If you follow TV well, then you might remember Min Nan Prawn Noodles from the Buzzling Cashier on Channel 8! The broth offers rich savory notes that are complemented well by the use of shallots. The crunchy beansprouts add an interesting texture but I think the real star was the use of meatballs and fishballs in the dish. For those that are looking for a little more, the pork ribs prawn noodles sees 3 large prawns and chunky ribs for just $4!

Tiong Bahru Char Kway Teow

It’s heartening to see old hawkers still manning their store despite their old age. Tiong Bahru Char Kway Teow is one such stall where its helmed by an 88-year-old uncle. It wouldn’t occur to me as one of the best but it didn’t disappoint. Owing to his old age, the waiting time may be significantly longer than other stores but we think it’s worth the wait. It wasn’t as wet but we liked that it wasn’t as oily. Personally, we preferred it to be sweeter. Probably would tell uncle to make it darker during our return.

Lee Hong Kee Roast Meat

If you’re a meat-lover like me, then Lee Hong Kee Roast Meat would probably appeal to you. Despite the long queues, Singaporeans didn’t seem to mind queuing for a plate of hearty char siew rice! We ordered $10 worth of roast meat and char siew to quell your meaty cravings. We had no problems clearing the roast meat (Sio Bak) which was superbly crispy and fatty. Not the best, but we reckon it’s definitely worth the queue. However, we weren’t quite as impressed with the char siew which was a tad too dry and not as tender as what we’d expect. You can opt for rice or noodles to go with your meat of choice – don’t miss out!

Tiong Bahru Lor Mee

Starchy foods isn’t for everyone, but the Tiong Bahru Lor Mee is. This is probably one of the main reasons people travel all the way to the Tiong Bahru Market. You can opt for your favorite noodles but I like the traditional yellow noodles with bee hoon. Another popular option is yellow noodles with kway teow. For $3, this lor mee is really a top contender if you’re a lor mee fanatic. The gravy is rich, savory and sticky. Nothing too starchy in my opnion. It comes with a generous serving of ngoh hiang, fish cakes, fried fish, meat slices and wanton so that every bite is guaranteed to be satisfying. They also offer $4 and $5 options that you can opt for if you’re starving. Remember to add in your chili of choice for an added fiery punch!

178 Lor Mee

You would think that there’s only 1 lor mee stall in Tiong Bahru Market, but 178 Lor Mee really gives Tiong Bahru Lor Mee a good run for their money. The main difference between the 2 lor mee is that 178 Lor Mee uses fried ingredients in the dish which can be a little heavy for most. I loved fried stuff so I was more than happy to finish the entire bowl. While, the gravy here is thicker and gooier, I preferred the more flavorful gravy from the Tiong Bahru Lor Mee.

Tiong Bahru Fishballs

Snack Time! Tiong Bahru Fishballs is no stranger to most foodies. Using only 100% fish meat, the fish cakes, fishballs boast a springy texture. The uncle here tells us that they don’t use flour which makes this tastier than other fish balls that do use flour. The fish meat is fresh and it’s not oily. Our personal favorite is the giant fish cake which goes for large fish cake which goes for $4. What’s your favorite?

Tiong Bahru Pau

Part 2 of snack time – Tiong Bahru Pau! For those that prefer their meat to fish, how about a warm rou pau or a couple of siew mai. We loved the big pau which conceals a generous juicy pork filing underneath the fluffy bun. We also liked the char siew bao which had the right amount of seasoning and wasn’t overly sweet. Personally, I think the big pau would be more than enough to fill your tummy if this was breakfast.

Zhong You Yuan Wei Wanton Noodles

Not sure if pigs have armpits since they have no arms. Nonetheless, the pig’s armpit happens to be the fattiest part you can get out of a pig. (I’m not trolling) Here at Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodles, they serve pig’s armpit wanton mee for $5. The price is significantly higher than usual wanton mee, but we were pleasantly surprised with the superior quality of the char siew and it made the $5 worth the money. The char siew was well executed with the right amount of charred portions which complemented the fatty portions of the meat. Remember to go earlier if you intend to get the armpit (hear it sells like hot cakes)!

Liang Liang Garden

For dessert, we ordered the Milo Dinosaur Ice Kachang from Liang Liang Garden! Its unusual but it works especially if you love milo. The ice kachang covered in a blanket of milo powder. I enjoyed that they gave sufficient milo powder so that when the ice melts, it doesn’t become too diluted. It’s an interesting dessert that I’ve yet to see it in other store elsewhere. They also serve other traditional hot and cold crowd favorites, what’s your favorite?

Tiong Bahru Bakery

Probably one of the most popular bakeries around, Tiong Bahru Bakery is famous for their delightfully crisp croissants which feature a light yet crusty exterior with a buttery mouthfeel. Amongst their wide selection of pastries and breads, you can also get the Mozza & Ham Focaccia ($8) which offers a good balance of savory and sweet notes – a must-get if you love savory pastries. We will definitely be back to try more of their masterpieces, but what’re your favorites?

Cream and Custard

Like some other cafes, Cream and Custard bakes their cakes daily using homemade tart and sponge bases. Helmed by resident chef, Melissa believes that her customers will be able to taste the effort and love put into the cake which is why she only bakes with her heart. Her beautiful designs, innovative designs and rich flavors are testament to her passion and love for baking. Her recent invention, The Black Ball, comprises of a spherical passionfruit curd and chocolate hidden within a chocolate shell. Using only the finest ingredients like 100% fruit puree and President full-fat cream, they only make a limited number of servings daily so you’d better go earlier to avoid disappointment. We tried the eye-catching Galaxy Cake ($8.80) which consists of a rum and cherry center and a bitter chocolate and blackcurrant jelly exterior. Personally, it was one of those desserts that you just can bear to eat because it’s just so perfect-looking.

Drips Bakery

Yet another place to soothe your sweet tooth cravings is Drips Bakery which offers practically anything you could want. From teacakes to fruit tarts and even salads, you’re bound to find something that will tickle your fancy. Because it looks nicer in photos, we got their seasonal mix fruit tart ($9.20) was has a splendid combination of raspberries, blueberries, custard all held together by a rounded and crispy tart. The combination was just right for me, the mellow acidity of the berries was well contrasted with the overall sweetness of the custard and the tart. I liked that the berries weren’t sour but had the right amounts of sweetness to combat the slight tartness. If you’re looking for a place to sit back and chill, then you’ll be glad to know that they also serve a decent range of teas and coffees.

Flock Cafe

If you’re looking for a lunch and dinner around the vicinity, you’ll realize that there’re quite a number of cafes in Tiong Bahru. Flock Café is an indie-inspired that offers a cozy ambience that is worth a second visit. From burgers to scrambled eggs on toast to eggs benedict, their fairly versatile menu is bound to ensure that everyone can find something that they like. We heard that they had recently introduced a few new dishes to their menu so we decided to have a go at one of those. We got the Fish and Pancakes ($16.80) and was not disappointed. While the fish fillets could’ve been bigger, we liked that it was well-executed – a crisp exterior and fork-tender flesh. The pancakes, however, didn’t impress as much as the pancakes.

Plain Vanilla Bakery

Specializing in cupcakes and layered cakes, Plain Vanilla Bakery offers only the freshest ingredients to ensure that you don’t waste those calories when savoring their cupcakes. Cupcakes tend to give me the impression that they’re too sweet, but I was pleasantly surprised by the cupcakes served here at Plain Vanilla Bakery. A couple of their favorites include the Red Velvet Cupcake and the Dark Chocolate Cupcake with Varlrona Chocolate Nibs. We had the Vanilla Bean Cupcake and I must say I will be back to try the rest. Aptly priced at $3.90, the tiny bundle of joy makes for a wonderful picture for your Instagram feed. The sponge was delightfully soft and moist, just right. The frosting was light and the sweetness was spot on. Too bad it’s so small I finished it in a couple of bites. If you love cupcakes, this is one not to be missed.

Orange Thimble

Another notably café worth visiting is the Orange Thimble which offers quite spots for you to chill within. If you sit near the window, you wouldn’t have any problems reading a book. Whether its chilling with friends or just a simple lunch, this café stands as a strong contender. Reviving old traditional flavors, the Ondeh Ondeh cake ($8) makes for a lovely dessert. The pandan-infused sponge cake had the right amount of moisture with a hint of coconut that blends really well with the gula melaka cream. If you’re not in the mood for sweet, I’m quite sure that their savory items would have make for a fine dessert.

Whisk Cafe

Recognizing that not everyone loves cakes and pastries, Whisk Café focuses on a select few artisanal beverages such as hot chocolates, teas and of course coffees. Of course, you can also opt for some pastries and cakes to accompany your beverages. We got their Latte ($5.50) and Hot Chocolate ($6.50) and had a pleasant afternoon catching up with some old friends. I personally liked the hot chocolate because it wasn’t too thick and its sweetness wasn’t overpowering. The flavors were robust and it didn’t leave a dry aftertaste which I appreciated. Given the well decorated European-inspired interiors, this café is one that worth the visit over and over again.

Chapter 55

Another great option for lunch and dinner, Chapter 55 offers a rich repertoire of Mediterranean dishes accompanied with a good selection of drinks and dessert. You’ll be spoilt for choice here! The interiors were well lit and were spacious enough so it wasn’t too stuffy. For starters, we got their Buffalo Wings which were marinated in a delectable and spicy sauce. Served hot, the wings were simply addictive and you’ll probably find it difficult to resist another once you had one. Resistance is truly futile. We ended off our short visit by ordering a Bonito Thin Crust Pizza ($23). The pizza’s thin crust made it easy to chew on and the combination of ham, bonito flakes and Japanese mayonnaise was divine! Personally, I liked that their food is meant for sharing so you might as well jio your friends along for this one!

PS. Cafe Petit

Despite its smaller seating capacity, PS. Café is another place that you can look forward to sit back and chill. First opened in 1999, PS. Café now has 9 branches spread across central so you’ll always be able to find a spot for afternoon teas, brunches or even a romantic date! One of the must-try items on their menu would definitely be the truffle shoestring fries ($15)! The portions are ginormous, you’d probably need 3 or 4 people to finish it. The flavor of truffle was simply aromatic and I liked that it lingers even after you’ve finished the fries. As with all finger food, it’s so addictive you won’t realize how many fries you’ve eaten until it’s all gone! If you’re still not satisfied, you can opt for the PS. Big Bacon and Eggs ($24). You get to pick 2 eggs done the way you like: scrambled, poached, fried or omelet. Enjoyed together with crispy bacon, rocket roasted mushrooms and a sausage of your choice: beef or chorizo for a $3 top-up. I’m a sucker for bacon and scrambled eggs and this didn’t disappoint.

Open Door Policy

If you’re looking for fancy date ideas, we reckon Open Door Policy is probably the best option in Tiong Bahru. Be prepared to spend a little more than the other places but you won’t be disappointed by quality of the food. Like some other places in Singapore, Open Door Policy grows their own herbs in house to ensure optimal quality and freshness. They recently revamped and came up with this concept about a year back.

Priding themselves in Italian food, we got the Roasted Pork Rack ($38++) with spicy pineapple saucem purple sweet potatoes and baby kalian. The portions are not filling and the service wasn’t quite as efficient. Nevertheless, the dish itself was worth the time and money. The pork rack is cooked sous vide and retains a certain chewiness and sweetness that is unlike what you’d get outside. While firm to bite, the meat peels off easily – the perfect texture for me.

The Apple Cheese Cake ($16) also caught our eye for dessert. Made from a walnut-based crust and a cashew-based cream, the supposedly sweet dessert was unlike that of a traditional cheese cake. It’s relatively less sweet and loses the cheese flavor for a nuttier palate. With the additional of lemon and coconut into the cream, the light zest contrasts the sweet cashew milk base. The sweetness comes from the walnut crust with has been embedded with dates. I liked the innovative dessert but if you’re looking for something like a regular cheesecake, then this isn’t for you. With the quiet and cozy interiors, Open Door Policy is one place you shouldn’t miss out.

It’s no surprise that Tiong Bahru has no shortage of good food and hopefully this guide has helped you to decide where to visit the next time you pop by Tiong Bahru to meet up with friends or family!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes/stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!