15 places for the best chwee kueh in Singapore

Soft, crunchy, sweet and salty — chwee kueh is a simple but satisfying dish, marrying the most foundational and comforting textures and flavours in life. Also known as shui kueh, which roughly translates to “water cakes”, it consists of three components.

First, as its name suggests, a blend of water and rice flour is steamed in metal discs to produce soft airy cakes. It’s subtle in flavour, serving as a vehicle for the second component, chai poh. 

A sweet-savoury relish made of preserved brown turnip, it is often stewed in oil for hours, producing a distinct aroma that can be recognised from afar. Finally, a sweet chilli paste, typically sambal, is served on the side, and can take the dish to another level.

The ideal texture and flavour of this Teochew delight is very much up to one’s preferences. But one thing is clear, it’s a popular hawker favourite that’s beloved by many.

Whether you prefer your chwee kuehs firmer, or your chai po on the salty side, we’ve compiled 15 chwee kueh stalls in Singapore to satisfy every craving.

1. Bedok Chwee Kueh

Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, 01-19, 208B New Upper Changi Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (7am to 8pm)

Why visit? This Michelin Bib Gourmand stall is the go-to spot for many chwee kueh fanatics. The rice cakes at Bedok Chwee Kueh are so tender they sometimes fall apart, and they always come doused with fragrant chai poh.

It has outlets islandwide, such as in Clementi and Chinatown, but can be trusted to consistently deliver a good plate of chwee kueh no matter which outlet you choose. 

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites: The chwee kueh here is steamed in bigger bowls, resulting in a huge rice cakes equivalent to two smaller pieces! Get them by the piece, starting at S$1.20. 

2. Jian Bo Shui Kueh

Multiple outlets islandwide 
Operating hours vary across stores

Why visit? Also known as the Tiong Bahru chwee kueh, this household name has been serving up chwee kueh since 1958 and is now helmed by the third generation.

The rice cakes are smooth and “QQ”, offering up some resistance to the hefty serving of crunchy chai poh. Flavours and textures are balanced well here, and it’s really no wonder why Jian Bo Shui Kueh has consecutively received the Michelin Bib Gourmand for the past three years. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Prices for chwee kueh start at five pieces for S$3.30, and you can even get an additional scoop of chai poh for S$1. Remember to scoop a dollop of some of its fresh chilli paste, which has a strong hae bee hiam flavour to it. 

3. Aunty Chwee Kueh

Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, 01-24, 137 Tampines Street 11
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (6am to 2pm)

Why visit? Beyond chwee kueh, Aunty Chwee Kueh sells a variety of traditional Teochew pastries such as soon kueh, yam cake, png kueh and bak zhang.

It is run by a friendly couple, Andrew and Kelly, who started their business nine years ago. Their stall here, however, opened around 2020. The rice cakes are soft but retain enough of a chew, and the chai poh is on the savoury side.

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites: Get your chwee kueh fix here at four pieces for S$2. If you’re peckish for more, the soon kueh (S$1) is also worth a try.

4. Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh

Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre, 01-54, 20 Ghim Moh Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (6.30am to 5pm)

Why visit? Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh is a fan favourite for nostalgia, boasting a long history since 1959 and only serving up one item through the years — chwee kueh.

The handmade rice cakes are delicate, and the chai poh is known to be savoury, having been braised in pork lard over charcoal for a long period of time. It’s the go-to place for those who grew up in the area.

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites: The only thing you only have to do here is decide how many chwee kuehs you want. Prices start at four pieces at S$2.40, and if you’re not great at math, there’s a helpful signboard that lets you know how much to pay for your pieces.

5. Pek Kio Handmade Chwee Kueh

Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, 01-28, 41A Cambridge Road 
Open: Monday to Sunday (7am to 2pm)

Why visit? Located in Pek Kio Food Centre, this stall serves up supersized handmade chwee kueh. The pillowy soft rice cakes are about palm-sized, and its faint sweetness is a great complement to the chunky chai poh, which leans towards the salty side. Pek Kio Handmade Chwee Kueh also has regular-sized chwee kueh for those with regular-sized appetites.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Try out the XL chwee kueh (S$1.50 per piece), but as they are known to sell out before noon, the regular chwee kueh (five pieces for S$1.50) is equally wobbly-soft and does the trick, too.

6. Sembawang Hills Chwee Kueh

Sembawang Hills Food Centre, 01-36, 590 Upper Thomson Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (6am to 5pm)

Why visit? Nestled within Sembawang Hills Food Centre, this no-frills chwee kueh stall offers the classic dish in its own style. Unlike the typical melt-in-your-mouth-soft rice cakes, the ones at Sembawang Hills Chwee Kueh are firm and bouncy.

There’s a nice balance of sweet and salty to the chai poh that has a hint of dried prawns, and it’s notably less greasy, which makes for the perfect light snack.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Prices for the chwee kueh start at four pieces for S$1.40. The stall also sells a decent chee cheong fun topped with sesame seeds and an optional chilli paste at the side.

7. Xiang Xiang Chwee Kueh

Multiple outlets islandwide 
Operating hours vary across stores

Why visit? Xiang Xiang Chwee Kueh is a franchise snack stall that can be found in many hawker centres in Singapore, such as Whampoa Market 5 and Block 16 Bedok South Market & Food Centre. 

Besides chwee kueh, it features popular breakfast items such as chee cheong fun and nonya dumplings. The chai poh is roughly chopped and is a nice contrast with the silky rice cakes that are on the firmer side. Its chilli is noteworthy, packing a spicy punch.

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites: The chee cheong fun (S$2.20 onwards) is topped with a housemade sauce and is not to be missed. As for the chwee kueh, prices start at four pieces for S$1.80. You can get a combination of both if you’re feeling peckish.

8. Kovan Chwee Kueh

Bendemeer Market and Food Centre, 01-64, 29 Bendemeer Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (5.30am to 11.30 am)

Why visit? You know a stall is good when it has only one item on the menu. Located in Bendemeer Food Centre, this chwee kueh spot is known to attract long queues for a reliable plate of the popular breakfast dish.

The rice cakes are supple and subtly sweet, and come with a huge dollop of flavourful chai poh. Kovan Chwee Kueh closes when it sells out, so be sure to arrive early.

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites: Have as many chwee kuehs as your heart desires here. Prices start at four pieces for S$1.60, putting each piece at an affordable price of S$0.40.

9. Ah Mah Chwee Kueh

Jalan Batu Hawker Centre, 01-01, 4A Jalan Batu
Open: Monday to Saturday (6am to 4pm)

Why visit? Situated within Jalan Batu Hawker Centre, Ah Mah Chwee Kueh is a chwee kueh stall that interestingly also offers traditional desserts.

It attracts a loyal following, who say that the rice cakes here are thick and soft, while the chai po is chunky and sweet, and is layered on generously. The dish is also less oily than usual and perfect for those looking for a healthier option. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Satisfy your breakfast cravings with its signature chwee kueh (five pieces for S$2). Craving something sweet after? Its dessert menu changes, but have a refreshing bowl of bo bo cha cha (S$1.50) if it’s available.

10. Chwee Kueh Lao

Yuhua Village Market Food Centre, 01-17, Blk 254 Jurong East Street 24
Open: Monday to Sunday (5 am to 12.30 pm)

Why visit? Be spoiled for breakfast choices at this hawker stall within the Yuhua Village Market Food Centre. There are all types of cakes on Chwee Kueh Lao’s menu — carrot cake, yam came and pumpkin cake, to name a few — but the water cakes (i.e. chwee kueh) are the ones to get.

The chwee kueh is steamed to fluffy perfection, and melts as soon as it’s in your mouth.

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites: The chwee kueh here goes for four pieces for S$2, served with flavourful chai poh. If you’re looking for something more indulgent, the carrot sticks (11 strips for S$2) are fried to crispy perfection and make for the ultimate snack.

11. Eunos Chwee Kueh

Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre, 01-40, 4A Eunos Crescent
Open: Thursday to Tuesday (8am to 8pm)

Why visit? Tucked away in Eunos Crescent Food Centre is this hidden gem marked by a nondescript white signboard. Eunos Chwee Kueh is a family-run business that only sells chwee kueh, and it does it well.

The rice cakes are the perfect balance of springy and silky-soft, and the chai poh is rich in umami. This combination, along with its spicy homemade chilli, has kept regulars patronising the stall for more than 20 years.

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites: Indulge in the old-school flavours of chwee kueh here. Prices start at four pieces for S$1.20.

12. 记得来 Homemade Chwee Kueh

Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, 02, 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh 
Open: N/A

Why visit? This one-woman operation might rack up a queue, but it is certainly worth the wait. Located in Toa Payoh West Food Centre, 记得来 Homemade Chwee Kueh serves up traditional breakfast food, but it’s said that having your chwee kueh here will ruin your taste for all other chwee kuehs in Singapore.

Price range: $ 

Crowd favourites Get your chwee kueh fix here at only S$0.50 per piece. If you’re looking for something more substantial, try the flavourful century egg porridge (S$2.50), which is served piping hot and with a whole century egg! 

13. Man Man Chi

Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, 01-38, 51 Hougang Avenue 9
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (7am to 3pm)

Why visit? Nestling within Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, Man Man Chi fuses the traditional rice cakes with the owner’s Ipoh influences, giving birth to chwee kueh drenched in rich Ipoh curry.

It also sells traditional handmade kueh and classic Ipoh dishes such as curry chee cheong fun, fried pumpkin cake, soon kueh and glutinous rice. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites A must-try for chwee kueh connoisseurs is the curry chwee kueh (S$4), which comes with soft silky rice cakes and braised vegetables. For those looking for something more familiar, stick to the curry chee cheong fun (S$4) for a hearty meal. The stall also has the regular chwee kueh (four pieces for S$2) if you just want your chai poh fix.

14. Siglap Chwee Kuey

MacPherson Market & Food Centre,  01-98, 89 Circuit Road
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (5am to 12pm)

Why visit? This low profile breakfast spot is located within Macpherson Food Centre and sells the usual suspects such as chee cheong fun and traditional Teochew kuehs.

The chwee kueh is steamed and served in a metal foil, producing a smooth and springy texture. The chai poh is fragrant and crunchy, certainly holding its own among the bigger names.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: The chwee kueh can be purchased by the piece (S$1.30) here. In the mood for something different? The png kueh (S$0.80) and soon kueh (S$0.70) are your wallet-friendly classics.

15. Tiong Bahru Chwee Kueh

Tangs Plaza, Tangs Market Basement 1, 310 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Saturday (10.30am to 9.30pm), Sunday (11am to 9pm)

Why visit? Get your fix of this humble breakfast in the heart of town. Tiong Bahru Chwee Kueh, not to be confused with Jian Bo Shui Kueh, is located in the basement of Tangs Market.

Though a little pricier than its heartland counterparts, the chwee kueh here is on par — smooth, firm and complete with crunchy chai poh.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: The chwee kueh retails at S$2.60 for four pieces. Light breakfast items such as the soon kueh (S$1.60) and png kueh (S$1.60) are also available.

Still on the hunt for great grub? Read our stories on the best VivoCity food options or Tom’s Palette’s refreshed Bugis outlet.

Jian Bo Shui Kueh and Man Man Chi are on the GrabFood delivery service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited. Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre, Pek Kio Market & Food Centre, Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, and Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre are also on GrabFood under its Mix and Match initiative.

Do explore the new GrabFood Dine-in service for awesome deals. 

You can also book a ride to these chwee kueh stalls.