Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre: 12 must-try stalls for delicious local fare

1. Hakka Leipopo — Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre

Why visit? If you think thunder tea rice (lei cha) is just a plain bowl of vegetables, Hakka Leipopo might just change your mind. Started by a former piano teacher who first learnt to make lei cha for her husband, the concept — which has outlets in two other hawker centres — has become a favourite for its hearty, well-balanced bowls packed with fresh ingredients.

Its tea paste is made with herbs sourced from Malaysia, while many of the yong tau foo items are filled with Pontian fish paste, giving the stall a distinctly Hakka touch. It’s the kind of wholesome meal that leaves you feeling satisfied rather than weighed down.

Crowd favourites: The lei cha (from S$5.30 for the white rice option) is the signature, arriving with mounds of greens including mani chye and green beans, heaps of peanuts and fragrant dried shrimp, and a silky broth made from ground vegetable and fresh herbs. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you that food can be an act of care.

For the full experience, go for the lei cha and yong tau foo combo (from S$8.90 for three pieces), where the fried yong tau foo pieces are handmade the traditional Hakka way — stuffed with fresh pork and mackerel fish paste, resulting in a juicier, richer texture.

Read our interview with Hakka Leipopo’s founder here.

2. Zhen Hao Wei

Why visit? Hidden among its Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognised peers, Zhen Hao Wei is one of those stalls this writer wishes more people knew about. Admittedly, there’s nothing flashy about it, but it serves a menu of classic steamed dishes done exceptionally well. Think herbal soups, pork patties, and steamed chicken. 

Everything arrives fresh from the steamer, making it a perfect choice after one too many greasy hawker meals. Come with a group so you can order a spread of dishes to share. 

Crowd favourites: The best-selling steamed mushroom sausage chicken (S$5.50) features chunky pieces of chicken steamed to a perfect tenderness, while slices of Chinese sausage and mushroom infuse the savoury, ginger-laced soy sauce with layers of umami. 

The steamed pork pate with dong choy (S$4.50) is a personal favourite. The preserved vegetables bring a salty brininess, while the pork is juicy and delicate. It’s a deceptively simple dish that keeps you coming back, and is especially addictive with a bowl of rice (from S$0.50 for white rice).

3. 786 Char Kuay Teow

Why visit? This halal char kway teow stall was started over a decade ago by Anis, a Muslim convert and former Chinese banquet chef. 786 Char Kway Teow occupies the same unit where the hawker’s grandmother once ran a zi char business, and its signature char kway teow is adapted from her recipe. 

Newly included in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2026 selection, the stall shows that a good plate of char kway teow isn’t defined by pork lard or lup cheong. Instead, it’s about knowing how to build depth through technique and a thoughtful choice of ingredients.

Crowd favourites: There’s only one dish to order — the char kway teow (from S$4.50), featuring a mix of flat rice noodles and yellow egg noodles with eggs, bean sprouts, fish cake and cockles. The noodles are first steamed, then stir-fried in a herb-infused oil, and finally finished with a blend of dark sauces for that unmistakeable wok-hei fragrance.

Add extra cockles (S$2) if you’re a fan, and don’t skip the house-made chilli, which leaves an enduring but satisfying heat.

4. Na Na Homemade Curry

Why visit? If you’re after old-school Peranakan-style curry that doesn’t pull its punches, Na Na Homemade Curry is well worth seeking out. What started as a single hawker stall inspired by founder Yap Hock Kee’s mother, Grandma Khim’s treasured family recipe, has since grown into 12 outlets across Singapore. 

The Bukit Merah View branch has notably been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status for a decade. Still dubbed “Marina South Curry” by old-timers, it remains unapologetically spicy, rich, and robust. It can get busy at lunchtime, with queues of up to half an hour, so we recommend planning your visit accordingly.

Crowd favourites: The curry mutton (S$5.50) is tender, nestled in a smooth coconut milk curry with potatoes that builds a lingering heat with each bite. Order it with rice (S$0.80) or white bread (from S$0.80) to soak up every last drop.

For those who prefer something a little lighter and brighter, get the curry fish meat (from S$6.50), served with vegetables like tomatoes and okra that lend a fresher flavour to the curry.

5. Yong Chun Wan Ton Noodle

Why visit? Started by next-gen hawker couple Gary and Linda, Yong Chun Wan Ton Noodle has been serving old-school wanton mee at Bukit Merah View for over 10 years, using a recipe handed down from one of their mothers. 

The couple start preparing from as early as 3am, and their dedication has earned them the Michelin Bib Gourmand award for the past three years. Among the wanton mee stalls at the hawker centre, Yong Chun consistently draws the longest queue. It’s not uncommon to wait 30 minutes, even on a weekday morning. 

Crowd favourites: The wanton noodle (from S$4) is the order, best enjoyed dry. The springy egg noodles are blanched to a perfect al dente texture and dressed in a lardy, savoury-sweet sauce with a gentle chilli warmth. Each wanton is generously filled with firm yet bouncy minced pork.

For something lighter, try the dumpling soup (from S$4.50), with dumplings filled with juicy meat and crunchy radish, making for a fun and satisfying bite. The shredded chicken hor fun (from S$4) is also available for noodle fans who prefer a lighter bowl. 

6. Unforgettable Carrot Cake

Why visit? Unforgettable Carrot Cake has been frying up old-school carrot cake for over 50 years, staying true to the techniques passed down by Ng Hock Chye’s late parents. 

Its name is a nod to the prized wang bu liao (“unforgettable”) fish — also known as the Empurau fish, commonly found in Sarawak, Malaysia, which earned its moniker for its unforgettable taste. The stall is just as memorable for its crisp-edged, wok-fried carrot cake and has since earned a Michelin Selected distinction.

Crowd favourites: You can only order either black or white, as there’s no half-and-half option. The black carrot cake (from S$4) is the house favourite. Its dark sweet sauce has a deeper, more savoury profile, complemented by the heat from chilli. Fried using a special technique for better heat control, each piece develops a crisp, lightly charred exterior while staying soft and tender inside. 

On the other hand, the white carrot cake (from S$4) lets the flavour and textures of the actual radish cake pieces shine through. 

7. Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang

Why visit? Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang is one of the hawker centre’s main draws but it is only open for a whopping two and a half hours a day. The stall has been serving Chinese-style mutton soup for over 35 years, using New Zealand mutton for its milder flavour. A Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient since 2018, this stall is extremely popular. Arrive early, as it often sells out before closing.

Crowd favourites: The mutton ribs soup (from S$6) is the signature, featuring a light herbal broth, fall-off-the-bone-tender ribs, and a handful of chopped ginger and coriander. Remember to dip the meat in some of the tangy chilli, which helps cut through the gaminess. Complete it with some white rice (S$0.40) for simple, honest comfort.

You can also customise your bowl with tripe, tendon, meatballs, or — for the more adventurous —- mutton brain. We hear the soup is refillable, so don’t miss out on a second helping.

8. Double Happiness Fried Hokkien Mee

Why visit? One of Bukit Merah View’s more underrated stalls, Double Happiness Fried Hokkien Mee serves up old-school Hokkien mee in the wetter, saucier style. Run by a hawker couple trained under the Hawkers’ Development Programme, the relatively new stall has quickly built a following for its generous portions and crisp, golden pork lard.

Crowd favourites: The Hokkien mee (from S$5) features yellow noodles and thick bee hoon coated in a rich, prawn-infused gravy, allowing every strand to soak up the stock’s deep seafood flavour.

Don’t forget to mix in the house chilli. It adds a bright zing that lifts the entire plate without overwhelming the prawn’s delicate sweetness.

9. Red Sea Homemade Yong Tau Foo

Why visit? Built around a family recipe passed down from his mother-in-law, Mr Peh opened Red Sea Homemade Yong Tau Foo in 2015. Every morning begins at 5am, when he and his wife Fiona start preparation for over 30 handmade yong tau foo items — from blending the fish paste to simmering a pork bone and soybean broth for three hours.

Crowd favourites: While the typical order would be the soup version, go straight for the dry yong tau foo with noodles (S$5.20), which comes with premium egg noodles and five pieces of yong tau foo. Tossed in a savoury-sweet dark sauce with subtle caramel notes, the springy noodles are more flavourful than a typical dry yong tau foo dish.

The handmade fish paste is soft, delicate and juicy, making even the simplest stuffed tofu and vegetables shine. The accompanying soup doesn’t disappoint either. Lightly peppery with a natural sweetness from soybeans, it’s clean, comforting and perfect to sip on the side. 

If you’re after a heartier meal, the laksa (S$6) is also worth a try. The broth is made with the family’s own rempah paste, which gives it a distinctive, flavourful punch.

10. Hong Xing Handmade Fishball — Bukit Merah Hawker Centre

Why visit? Fishball noodles are one of those deceptively simple dishes that leave nowhere to hide. With just noodles, fishballs and soup, every component has to be spot on — and Hong Xing Handmade Fishball nails them all. 

Run by third-generation owner William Lin, who is affectionately known as “Hawker Hunk” online, the concept has built a loyal following over the years for its handmade fishballs and springy noodles, and now has 10 stores islandwide.

Crowd favourites: The dry fishball noodles (from S$4) are cooked to a perfect al dente bite and coated in a deeply savoury sauce that clings to every strand. The handmade fishballs are satisfyingly bouncy, while the accompanying soup is light, clean and flavourful. 

Each bowl also comes with two handmade meatballs, studded with bits of flatfish that lend an extra layer of umami. If you prefer something lighter, go for the fishball soup (from S$4).

11. You Yi Minced Meat Noodle

Why visit? One of Bukit Merah View’s newer additions, You Yi Minced Meat Noodle has quickly built a loyal following for its old-school bak chor mee. Its version is defined by the unmistakable fragrance of ti poh (dried sole fish), generous toppings and crisp pork lard. Queues move quickly, but it’s best to come early, especially on weekends. 

Crowd favourites: The minced meat noodle (S$5) comes with your choice of noodles and is generously loaded with minced pork, sliced pork, pork lard, dumpling, fishball and meatball, alongside a bowl of soup. The highlight is the ti poh — a crisp shard of dried sole fish crowns each bowl, infusing the noodles and broth with a deeply savoury, slightly bittersweet aroma.

For the full experience, go for the signature minced meat noodle (S$7), which comes with additional ingredients like fish maw, making it a more indulgent take on an already generous bowl.

12. Bukit Merah View Roasted Chicken Rice

Why visit? Unassuming and quietly popular with regulars, this chicken rice stall proves you don’t have to spend much for a satisfying meal. Plates start from just S$3 (a rarity these days!), but there’s nothing budget about the quality. From the fragrant rice to the succulent roast meats, every component is executed with care. 

Crowd favourites: The chicken rice (from S$3) is the staple order. Fragrant with sesame oil, the chicken is tender and juicy, while the rice lets the meat take centre stage.

If you have a bigger appetite, add on the roast pork and char siew. Starting from S$7 for the trio, it’s a hearty plate that remains one of the better-value meals in the hawker centre.

For more eat-spiration, check out the latest list of Michelin Bib Gourmand winners, and Chin Mee Chin Confectionary’s newest outlet at Nex.