15 places for Hainanese curry rice in Singapore for a taste of nostalgia

Across Singapore’s robust food scene, few dishes evoke the same sense of nostalgia and comfort as much as Hainanese curry rice does

First brought to life by Hainanese immigrants during the British colonial rule, this gloriously messy dish — with its gooey curry glaze and array of savoury sides such as chap chye (stewed cabbage), lor bak (braised pork), and indulgent fried pork chops — is a staple for many Singaporeans young and old. 

What differentiates Hainanese curry rice from the ubiquitous economical rice dish we probably consume all too often, is its curry — its characteristically thick consistency is sometimes achieved by adding potato starch. The result is a silky and lustrous sauce that drapes over the rice, coating the plate of rice and its ingredients in a flavourful sheen. 

We’re never one to say no to some good ole curry rice, and if you’re the same then let us take you back in time with the best Hainanese curry rice stalls in Singapore.

1. Sin Chie Toke Huan Hainanese Curry Rice

1018 Upper Serangoon Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (5pm to 2.30am)

Why visit? Nestled along Upper Serangoon Road is Sin Chie Toke Huan, an old-school eatery that draws lines into the wee hours of the night for its traditional Hainanese curry rice. 

Having been around for a few decades, it’s considered as an institution for many residing in the area. Unlike the typically thick and gooey curry, its mildly-spiced thinner style offers a unique variation that pairs well with its heavier sides.

Crowd favourites: Like most economical rice stalls, there is no official price list here. However, expect to spent about S$5.50 for a plate of Hainanese curry rice with three sides, including two vegetables and one meat — our picks are the braised cabbage, prawn paste chicken and otah, which is packed with thick chunks of fish.

Round off your supper with the Teochew chendol (S$3), a refreshing mix of coconut milk, gula melaka, red bean and assorted jellies over shaved ice. 

2. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice

Tiong Bahru Market, 02-67/68, 30 Seng Poh Road
Open: Friday to Wednesday (8.30am to 2.45pm)

Why visit? Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice is a go-to for many for a good plate of the beloved Hainanese curry rice. This humble stall is highly raved for the quality of its curry, which employs a blend of Hainanese and Nonya-style curries for a unique flavour.

Every plate it serves out is doused in that glistening sheen of savoury curry, and once you take a bite, you’ll see why it draws those queues, which can sometimes take up to half an hour.

Crowd favourites: Get a plate of rice (S$0.50), and take your pick from the variety of dishes available — we recommend the crispy pork chop (from S$2), which comes thinly sliced, well-fried but still remains yet tender, as well as the sambal sotong (from S$2) and braised cabbage (from S$1).

3. Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice

Multiple stores islandwide.
Open: Operating hours vary across stores

Why visit? Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice is a familiar name to most Singaporeans. Founded almost a century ago by Mr Lee Ah Hock, Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice began as a food cart at (you can probably guess) Beach Road, and now boasts five outlets islandwide.

As one of the more popular spots to get Hainanese curry rice in Singapore, be prepared for a crowd and a potential queue, especially during peak periods at its flagship store at Jalan Besar. 

Crowd favourites: Have your pick of side dishes to accompany your plate of rice (S$0.80). You won’t go wrong with the pork chop (S$2) that comes perfectly seasoned and tender, and some stir-fried cabbage (S$1). Smothered in a thick, flavourful curry sauce, this plate is one that’s definitely worth the wait.

Check out our review of Vivocity’s Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice.

4. Victory Hainanese Curry Rice

Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre, 01-40, 69 Geylang Bahru
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 10pm)

Why visit? Another great place to get Hainanese curry rice in Singapore is Victory Hainanese Curry Rice, a hawker stall tucked away in Geylang Bahru Food Centre.

This hidden gem is favoured amongst regulars for its variety of sides that comes in generous portions, complete with a heaping scoop of its mildly-spicy and creamy gravy.

Crowd favourites: Get a plate of curry rice, which comes rich in flavour and well-spiced, and opt for two meats and a vegetable dish, which will set you back by about S$4.

Do try the ngoh hiang, a type of meat roll wrapped in beancurd, and the pork cutlet, both of which come crispy on the outside and succulent within.

5. Beo Crescent Curry Rice

40 Beo Crescent
Open: Thursday to Tuesday (7am to 2.30pm)

Why visit? Established in 1988, Beo Crescent Curry Rice, also known colloquially as No Name Hainanese Curry Rice, is no stranger to any self-respecting foodie — it’s one of the more famous spots to get Hainanese curry rice in Singapore, boasting a flavourful and lighter style of curry.

This inconspicuous stall can be identified by a lengthy but swift moving queue that can take up to 20 minutes during the lunch time rush. 

Crowd favourites: Opt for a plate of curry rice with two vegetables and a meat (S$4.80) for a taste of home.

The crispy pork (S$4) also comes highly recommended — bite-sized pieces of fatty pork are generously padded with breading, fried to perfection, and pair perfectly with the spicy curry. 

6. Tian Tian Hainanese Curry Rice

Kimly Coffee Shop, 01-253, 116 Bukit Merah View
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (10am to 9pm)

Why visit? Helmed by fourth generation hawkers, Tian Tian Hainanese Curry Rice is located in the heart of Bukit Merah and attracts snaking queues during mealtimes for its quality Hainanese curry rice.

Corporate workers turned hawkers Aloysious Booi and his brother, Jamie, took over the over 40-decade old business from their father, and today, they continue to serve up one of the better curry rices around, all while keeping prices affordable. 

Crowd favourites: Among the sets available, we recommend getting the classic pork chop and vegetable set (S$4). If you’ve got space for more, add on an egg (S$1) or additional vegetables (S$1) for a more substantial meal.

For those who like your rice smothered in curry, don’t hesitate to request for extra!

7. Eleven Fingers (Eu Kee) Scissors Curry Rice

269B Queen Street, 01-235
Open: Monday to Friday (8am to 6pm), Saturday to Sunday (11am to 6.30pm)

Why visit? For a taste of traditional curry rice, head down to Bugis where Eleven Fingers Scissors Curry Rice, also known as Eu Kee to some, resides. Despite its limited menu, regulars regard it as the choice spot when it comes to Hainanese curry rice.

What sets this stall apart is its curry — thick, viscous and spicy, it glazes each grain in a rich gloss. When paired with dark sauce drizzle, it creates a mouthwatering combination of flavours that makes it worth the venture even if you’re not in the area. 

However, we suggest you head down early to avoid disappointment, as some side dishes sell out before closing. 

Crowd favourites: The limited menu also means simpler decision making: Like most old-school stalls, there is no official price list, but expect to pay about S$5.30 for curry rice with a pork cutlet, fried egg and cabbage.

8. Hong Seng Curry Rice

Redhill Food Centre, 01-74, 85 Redhill Lane
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? Another popular spot to get curry rice is Hong Seng Curry Rice, a popular economical curry rice stall located in the Redhill Food Centre.

Founded in 1995 by the matriarch of the Lim Family as a means to feed her family of seven back then, it’s now become one of the draws of the iconic food centre. 

Crowd favourites: There are a couple of sets to choose from with protein options like pork chop, curry chicken and braised pork belly, but we recommend the signature fried chicken set (S$4.70) that comes complete with a fried egg and french beans.

For those looking for a bang for your buck, opt for the value meal (S$5.30), a popular choice that comes with the fried cutlet, egg, tempura prawn, cabbage and ikan bilis.

9. Kim’s Curry Hainan

J99 Eating House, 01-402, Block 186 Toa Payoh Central
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 8pm)

Why visit? While Kim’s Curry Hainan is a relatively new player in the curry rice scene, it stands out with its selection of traditional and modern gravies, which you can mix and match to your heart’s desire. 

The family business first started in tingkat and catering in 1999, but its curry gravy recipe itself dates back to 1974, when it was first developed by the owner’s late grandfather. This age-old curry recipe was later perfected by his Aunty Florence, and you can sample it to this day at its very own hawker stall in Toa Payoh Central.

Crowd favourites: We recommend trying the signature Kim’s curry combo set (S$6.80), and pairing it with a unique blend of the original curry and chilli “mala” gravy for an extra numbing spice.

For those who are die-hard traditional curry rice fans: Get the crispy pork chop set (S$5) with the braised pork “lor bak” gravy and curry sauce for guaranteed satisfaction.

10. Havelock Hainanese Curry Rice

Sims Vista Market & Food Centre, 01-70, 49 Sims Place
Open: Tuesday to Saturday (6.30am to 3.30pm)

Why visit? For over 50 years, the elderly couple at Havelock Hainanese Curry Rice has been serving up consistently good curry rice that nourishes both stomach and soul — over the years, it has built quite a reputation for its lighter and sweeter style of curry.

Its no-frills approach also means that prices are relatively lower here, so be sure to head down for an affordable yet comforting plate of nostalgia.

Crowd favourites: Two sides to accompany your curry rice will set you back about S$4 here. Try its famous pork chop (S$2.50) and a perfectly fried egg (S$0.70) that comes with a gooey yolk.

Doused with a grand total of three types of curry, it’s a dish worth waking up in the morning and heading all the way down to Sims Place for.

11. Golden Scissors Curry Rice

Old Airport Road Food Centre, 01-40, 51 Old Airport Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 5.30pm)

Why visit? At the food haven that is Old Airport Road Food Centre, Golden Scissors Curry Rice holds its own for good old traditional fare. This fairly new stall serves up homey-tasting scissor cut rice sets at wallet-friendly prices. 

The consistency of the curry is said to be well-balanced and fragrant, a perfect pairing with the lor bak “zhup” (or sauce).

Crowd favourites: There are five sets to choose from, or you can pick your dishes a la-carte style. Among them, we recommend the pork chop curry rice (S$4.20), which is accompanied by the usual suspects: an egg and stewed cabbage.

If you’re gunning for more protein, get the minced pork ball (from S$2), which is succulent and flavourful.  

Editor’s note: Old Airport Road Hawker Centre is closed from June 1 to September 30 for upgrading works. 

12. Golden Mile Curry Rice

Golden Mile Food Centre, 01-110, 505 Beach Road
Open: Monday (12pm to 8pm), Tuesday to Sunday (11am to 8pm)

Why visit? Golden Mile Curry Rice may not have an online presence, but it is well known amongst office folk and seasoned patrons of the food centre for a reliable plate of Hainanese curry rice. 

This budget-friendly hawker stall is over 50 years old, and is known for its mildly spicy yet robust curry, served alongside generous portions of rice and sides.

Crowd favourites: We recommend the pork chop rice set (S$3.70), which comes with thick pieces of pork strips atop fluffy white rice, finished with a liberal scoop of creamy curry gravy and drizzle of dark sauce.

If you’re craving something else, they have other sets with varying meats like chicken and braised pork, ranging from a very budget-friendly S$3.70 to S$5.20.

13. Hai Nan Hometown Curry

Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market, 01-01, 2 Bukit Panjang Ring Road
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (9.30am to 9pm)

Why visit? Hai Nan Hometown Curry which was originally at Jurong West Market and Food Centre, is now located at Bukit Panjang, and is known for serving up a simple plate of home-style Hainanese curry rice.

This outlet is the secondary outlet of the popular stall at Ghim Moh, and regulars swear by its consistency across outlets. (Do note the Ghim Moh outlet is temporarily closed at the time of writing.)

Crowd favourites: Get the curry pork chop rice (S$5), which comes with golden orange pork strips and potatoes to complete.

For something a little different, we recommend trying the curry chicken (from S$5). Soak up the creamy curry with some bread (S$1) and have a bite of succulent chicken leg — it’s the perfect marriage.

14. An Lock Curry Rice

North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre, 01-109, 861 North Bridge Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 3pm)

Why visit? With over 20 options for side dishes, An Lock Curry Rice is the Hainanese curry rice place to go to customise your ideal plate of curry rice.

The economical rice stall has been around for over a decade and is loved for its dishes which are simple yet homely. Since it’s only open in the earlier part of the day, from 8am, head down for a soulful breakfast to start your morning right.

Crowd favourites: Get the breakfast of champions: A curry rice with two vegetables and one meat dish (S$3.50). Our picks for the sides include the classics — fried pork chop, stewed cabbage, and its tender char siew.

Extra curry sauce can be requested, and we definitely recommend that you do!

15. Legend Scissors Cut Curry Rice

732 Yishun Avenue 5, 01-380
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 7.30pm)

Why visit? Adorned with a cute cat on its signboard, Legend Scissors Cut Curry Rice is a hidden gem founded by two childhood friends, Chon Joon, who used to be a chef at a now-closed Spanish restaurant, and Chin Tek, who has worked at hawker stalls for over twenty years.

Opened in 2020, the stall is steathily but surely making a name for itself with its hearty Hainanese curry rice, born from Chin Tek’s mother-in-law’s recipe.

Crowd favourites: There are a couple of standardised sets available here, but get the chicken chop with braised pork, cabbage and egg (S$5.50) for the full experience.

Hungry for more? Check out articles on the latest new openings around town — Toku Nori at Telok Ayer is a new hand roll bar making waves for its modern approach, while June Coffee is the latest offshoot of the popular September Coffee. 

Sin Chie Toke Huan Hainanese Curry Rice, Beach Road Scissor Cut Curry Rice, Hong Seng Curry Rice, Kim’s Curry Hainan, Golden Scissors Curry Rice, and Hai Nan Hometown Curry are on the GrabFood Delivery Service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.  

Do explore the GrabFood Dine Out service for awesome deals. 

Alternatively, book a ride to these places for Hainanese curry rice in Singapore.