Holland Village Market & Food Centre: 12 stalls to try at this laid-back hawker gem

1. Ah Fong Noodle

Why visit? Taking over the unit once occupied by the much-loved Ming Fa Fishball Noodles is no small feat, but Ah Fong Noodle has built its own following at Holland Village Market & Food Centre since stepping in. 

The signatures here are its bak chor mee and fishball noodles. Regulars return for the generously sized handmade meatballs, and well-balanced noodles. Rather than relying on an overly punchy sauce for its bak chor mee, Ah Fong prefers to let the quality of its ingredients shine through. 

Crowd favourites: The double taste meatball noodle (from S$4.50) features both pork meatballs and Fuzhou meatballs, the latter with a springy fish paste exterior encasing a juicy, savoury minced-pork filling. The noodles are also served with braised mushrooms, minced pork, and lettuce, then tossed in a light vinegar-chilli sauce.

The stall also stands out for its chicken cutlet noodle (from S$5), another popular order. The cutlet is often fried-to-order, resulting in a crisp coating, and comes with half a ramen egg for an extra boost of protein. If you’re especially hungry, the jumbo bak chor mee (from S$5.50) offers a generous mix of the stall’s highlights in one satisfying bowl.

2. 126 Mini Wok

Why visit? Beloved by residents in the area, this zi char stall at Holland Village Market & Food Centre offers more than 30 dishes spanning noodle, rice, and curry-based plates, with most priced below S$6. As a nice touch, the heartily portioned dishes are served in stainless steel mini woks that help retain their heat throughout your meal.

Don’t forget to ask for the sambal, which is particularly popular for its flavour and just the right level of spice. Thanks to its consistent quality, freshly cooked dishes, and solid wok hei, 126 Mini Wok attracts queues during peak hours, so be prepared to wait.

Crowd favourites: The stir fried beef hor fun (S$6) comes with plenty of wok hei, while the beef remains tender and the noodles retain a satisfying bite. Go for the black pepper beef hor fun (S$6) if you prefer a saucier, glossier version.

The curry pork rice (S$5.50) and sweet and sour pork rice (S$5.50) are also well worth ordering. Both are generously sauced and well-seasoned, rather than watered down. Even the plain white rice here is cooked well — neither dry nor soggy — making for a hearty, satisfying meal. 

3. Holland V Fried Bee Hoon

Why visit? Ask anyone who grew up in the neighbourhood where to go for breakfast, and Holland V Fried Bee Hoon is likely to come up almost immediately. During the morning rush, you’ll spot plates of its noodles on almost every table at Holland Village Market & Food Centre.

The fried bee hoon (from S$1.20) is lightly stir-fried rather than greasy, with just the right amount of savouriness to make it memorable. The pale noodles may look unassuming, but everything comes together beautifully — the bee hoon has a delicate texture while still retaining a pleasant bite, and a dollop of sambal provides a clean, spicy kick.

Crowd favourites: Customise your noodles with add-ons such as a fried chicken wing (from S$1.60), luncheon meat (S$0.60), or stir-fried cabbage (S$0.60).

The standout is the fried twa kwa (S$0.50), which is crispy on the outside and tender within. The sunny side up egg (S$0.50) is also fried to perfection, with a runny yolk that adds a luscious touch to your noodles of choice.

4. 363 Katong Laksa Holland Village Nasi Lemak

Why visit? The draw here at Holland Village Market & Food Centre is having two completely different specialities under one roof — a laksa that leans more fragrant than fiery, and a nasi lemak spread that’s been refined over decades. 

Many residents in the area have fond memories growing up with 363 Katong Laksa. The stall has a long history, having once operated from a full-fledged restaurant nearby before scaling down to its current unit, bringing its recipes, some of which date back from 1988, along with it.

Crowd favourites: Go for the premium laksa (S$6.80), generously topped with prawns, fishcake, cockles, and tau pok in a gravy that strikes a careful balance between the depth of dried shrimp and the creaminess of coconut milk — neither too rich nor too thin.

The nasi lemak chicken thigh set (from S$6) comes with all the right accompaniments: Fragrant rice, a fried egg, peanuts, ikan bilis, and a sambal that packs a punch. The well-marinated chicken thigh is crispy with every bite, yet not overly oily. Add the otah (S$1.30) for an extra layer of smoky, spicy richness.

We rate 30 stalls selling nasi lemak in Singapore!

5. Twirl Pasta

Why visit? Here’s an unexpected find in a Singapore hawker centre — a quality pasta stall that often sells out by 7pm. Twirl Pasta stands out for its cafe-quality dishes, elevated by thoughtful housemade touches, including the pesto, chicken chop, and chicken karaage, all made from scratch.

The man behind Twirl Pasta is James Low. After nearly 30 years in the corporate world, he decided it was time for a career change at the age of 50 and left the IT industry. The father of two, who has always had an interest in F&B, trained under Chef Choo Signature at Golden Mile Food Centre through the Hawkers’ Development Programme before opening Twirl Pasta in 2024.

Crowd favourites: The spaghetti aglio olio with chicken chop (S$9.50) pairs garlicky pasta with a crisp, tender chicken cutlet — a combination that delivers on both fronts. For something richer, the spaghetti alfredo with bacon and mushroom (S$8.50) is creamy and comforting. 

The grilled salmon with housemade pesto spaghetti (S$14) is the stall’s signature dish. The smoky, crisp-skinned salmon pairs well with the nutty, herbaceous pesto spaghetti, making for a satisfying meal with contrasting textures and balanced flavours.

6. Mei Di Noodle Store

Why visit? Mei Di Noodle Store doesn’t need flashy branding to maintain a loyal following. This unassuming minced pork noodle specialist has been serving Holland Village residents for years, earning a reputation for its consistently satisfying bowls.

Portions here are generous, with plenty of toppings, while the rich sauce coats the noodles beautifully. There’s also free-flow pork lard for those who enjoy an extra layer of crunch, flavour, and indulgence.

Crowd favourites: The mushroom minced pork noodles (from S$4) features springy noodles tossed in a deeply savoury sauce and topped with stewed mushrooms and well-seasoned minced pork. The tender pork liver stands out, too.

The prawn laksa (from S$5.50) is equally compelling, with two large, fresh prawns. This thicker, richer take on laksa never becomes cloying, while the tau pok eagerly soaks up the gravy, releasing its flavour with every bite.

7. Yu Ji Claypot & Stewed Soup

Why visit? Less famous than its claypot rice counterpart at Holland Drive Food Centre — but no less deserving of attention — Yu Ji quietly does double duty as both a claypot rice and soup stall, with impressive range. Beyond its excellent claypot rice, the stall serves up a rotation of 14 different soups, making it a favourite among regulars seeking a comforting meal.

The claypot rice wins fans with its generous portions and well-balanced flavours. The rice develops just the right amount of char without becoming overly hard, while the ratio of oil to dark soy sauce evenly coats every grain. The cherry on top? The tender, well-marinated meats which complete the bowl.

Crowd favourites: The traditional claypot rice (from S$6.80) comes with tender chicken pieces and vegetables over rice finished with dark soy sauce, plus a few charred, smoky grains at the bottom for added texture. The claypot sesame oil chicken (S$6.50) is fragrant and warming, with the chicken having fully absorbed the nutty sesame oil flavours.

On the soup side, the herbal stewed fresh chicken (S$7) and salted vegetable duck soup (S$4.80) are both worth ordering, especially on a cooler evening.

8. Hua Soon Western Food

Why visit? For old-school western food done right, Hua Soon Western is the name residents in the area point to first. The stall has been a fixture at Holland Village Market & Food Centre for decades.

Run by a friendly senior couple, the cooking here remains homely, unpretentious, and fuss-free. During peak hours, expect a queue and a wait time of at least 15 minutes.

Crowd favourites: The chicken chop with cheesy fries (S$8) is the stall’s signature. The chop is slathered in a savoury mushroom sauce and topped with a fried egg, while the fries come blanketed in nacho cheese, sweet corn, and coleslaw. The black pepper chicken chop (S$7) is a leaner, punchier alternative.

Fans also love the fried rice (from S$4), prized for its subtle wok hei, and the chicken wing (S$1.80 each, minimum order of two). The wings are freshly prepared, crisp, and coated in a thin, lightly seasoned batter, while the meat remains tender and juicy.

9. Lee Ji Xiao Chi

Why visit? Run by Madam Lee Seok Ngoh, a hawker in her seventies who has been cooking here for decades, Lee Ji Xiao Chi has recently gained attention through word of mouth and social media. While many first-timers now stop by out of curiosity, it’s the nostalgic home-style cooking and wallet-friendly prices that keep regulars coming back.

The food draws diners for a few reasons — it’s simple, comforting, tastes very homemade, and goes down easily. Choose from a range of noodle soups, fried noodles, and fried rice, all of which go for under S$5.

Crowd favourites: The seafood soup (S$5) features sliced fish, prawns, and pork in a delicate broth. Instead of the usual lettuce, it comes with a different leafy green that gives the soup a subtle twist.

The fried bee hoon (S$5) is the white-style version, served with scrambled egg, prawns, pork, and vegetables. The noodles have an excellent texture, the ingredients are fresh, and the light gravy is just the right consistency without being too thick or runny.

10. Hong Li Mei Wei Xiao Chi

Why visit? Run by an elderly couple, this old-school stall serves a wide variety of familiar hawker favourites at prices that are increasingly hard to find. The menu spans fried bee hoon, fried kway teow, fried Hokkien mee, fried rice, noodle soup, and more, with most priced below S$4. 

The cooking is simple rather than heavy on wok hei, making for comforting flavours that never get tiring. Regulars know the best way to enjoy a meal here: Pair the noodles with one of the homemade side dishes on display!

Crowd favourites: The fried rice (S$4) is a must-order, bringing back childhood memories with its smoky grains and generous bits of real char siew. Be sure to add the stall’s signature side, the chye poh egg (S$1), fried to order with irresistibly crispy edges and packed with sweet, crunchy preserved radish that’s not overly salty.

The fried kway teow (S$4) is another popular order, made with the broader type of kway teow that soaks up plenty of flavour. Give it a toss and the light wok hei immediately hits you.

11. Liang Ji Wanton Noodle

Why visit? Taking inspiration from Pontian-style wanton mee, Liang Ji puts its own spin on the Johor favourite. Diners can choose from several sauce combinations, including tomato, black sauce, or a chilli-and-black sauce mix, giving regulars plenty to explore across multiple visits.

The lean char siew is a departure from the fattier cuts commonly found elsewhere, and you can add both soup and fried wantons to your bowl for the best of both worlds.

Crowd favourites: The wanton mee (from S$4.50) is best ordered dry, tossed in the chilli with black sauce option that balances sweetness and heat together nicely, then topped with crispy lard for added crunch. 

Don’t skip topping up for extra fried wantons (from S$6). Light, crisp, and packed with a well-seasoned filling, they’re easily the highlight of the bowl.

12. De Sheng Handmade Noodles Fish Soup

Why visit? Ban mian fans in the neighbourhood flock to De Sheng Handmade Noodles Fish Soup for one simple reason: The noodles are handmade on-site, giving them a thicker, chewier texture than the machine-cut versions. 

The stall is also known for its fish soup, which offers a lighter alternative to ban mian. Better yet, the stall is also well known for its generous portions!

Crowd favourites: Both the soup and dry ban mian (from S$4.50) come in hearty servings, with each bowl filled to the brim with noodles, minced meat, vegetables, and a raw egg that gets gradually cooked by the hot soup or noodles (if ordering dry). 

The fried fish bee hoon soup (from S$5) is prepared Teochew-style, with a clear, clean, and refreshing broth. If you prefer something richer, you can also ask for milk to be added if you prefer a richer, creamier soup.

For more places to eat around Singapore, check out places to get your frozen yoghurt fix, or swing to the nearby Holland Drive Market & Food Centre and Star Vista for more neighbourhood eats.