14 must-try yong tau foo stalls for a comforting bowl of YTF

Yong tau foo is a Hakka dish that has become ubiquitous with the office lunch crowd and tables “choped” (or reserved) with tissue packets and umbrellas. The name translates to “stuffed tofu” and has taken on a life of its own in the hands of Singapore’s innovative hawkers. 

Whether you’re a self-professed OL (office lady) who loves her yong tau foo (YTF) lunches, or just someone who really, really loves these stuffed delights, we’ve got you covered. 

We round up 14 yong tau foo stalls offering the quintessential OL lunch done in different ways, but has earned our stamp of approval all the same.

1. Orchard Yong Tau Foo  

Cuppage Plaza, 01-09, 5 Koek Road
Open: Monday to Saturday (9am to 5.20pm)

152 Ubi Avenue 4, 01-01
Open: Monday to Saturday (8am to 3.20pm)

Why visit? Hidden in plain sight, this yong tau foo stall along the local well-known Orchard shopping belt draws the crowds at lunchtime. Opened in 2002, Orchard Yong Tau Foo serves up freshly stuffed vegetables and beancurd skin in a piping hot broth gently flavoured with soy beans and ikan bilis. 

Those who might not be able to make it all the way to town, here’s some good news if you live in the east. Having operated for years at their small corner stall in Cuppage Plaza, it has recently expanded to a food court in Ubi. 

Prices start at S$6.30 for seven ingredients.

Crowd favourites: With one of the best yong tau foo broths around, most customers default to the soupy option. But if you do opt for the dry option, you’ll be given a small bowl of the slightly opaque, MSG-free delicious soup.

2. 109 Yong Tau Foo 

90 Circular Road
Open: Monday to Saturday (11am to 10pm)

Why visit? The yong tau foo stall with the latest closing time on the list, 109 Yong Tau Foo caters to the lunch and dinner crowd in the Clarke Quay and Boat Quay area. It occupies two storeys in the shophouse, giving you the option of air-conditioned seating on the second floor.

Here, you’ll find plenty of flavour-packed ways to enjoy your pick of yong tau foo ingredients — you can opt for the laksa soup or choose the fried version, which comes with your choice of noodles and a ladle of thick brown gravy. 

Prices start at S$6 for six ingredients.

Crowd favourites: Kway teow (flat rice noodles) and your choice of yong tau foo ingredients drenched in a generous pour of thick brown gravy seems to be the combination of choice for most customers to enjoy their bowl here.

3. Tiong Bahru Yong Tao Hu 

56 Eng Hoon Street, 01-46
Open: Monday to Sunday (7am to 4.30pm)

Why visit? When in the charming old estate of Tiong Bahru, Tiong Bahru Yong Tao Hu is a unanimous favourite looking for a place to have the Hakka dish. 

The good folks at Tiong Bahru Yong Tau Hu are fiercely protective of its secret fish cake recipe, having had over 34 years to perfect their craft (at the same location, no less). The menu is pretty straightforward and only offers bee hoon soup, laksa or dry (drenched in a sweet red sauce). 

Bowls go for S$5 for the dry version and S$7 for soup.

Crowd favourites: It’s famed for its bouncy fish balls and springy bee hoon, which make for a light lunch that won’t put you in a food coma.

4. 928 Ngee Fou (Hakka) Ampang Yong Tou Fou

930 Upper Thomson Road
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (9am to 6.30pm)

Why visit? Talk about a long history; this Hakka-style yong tau foo stall, run by the Pang family, traces its roots all the way back to 1971. The entire family is roped into the morning preparations that begin before the sun rises at 5am.

Some of the things that make the 928 Ngee Fou (Hakka) Ampang Yong Tou Fou stall unique is that the stall owners are the ones who choose the ingredients, depending on the size of the party. It is also one of the few stalls around that serves its yong tau foo in true Hakka style — with a thick bean sauce. 

You can expect to spend about S$6 per person.

Crowd favourites: From the crisp fried beancurd skin (tau kee) stuffed with fish paste, to the soft fall-apart-in-your-mouth tofu and eggplant, get a mix of fried and boiled items to have the best of both worlds with that addictive black bean sauce.

5. Fong Yong Tau Foo 

Multiple outlets islandwide.

Why visit? Located in the unassuming neighbourhood of Bukit Merah, Fong Yong Tau Foo’s offerings are anything but traditional. It boldly mixes classic YTF ingredients with more modern and trendy options such as bacon-wrapped enoki and fish cake with surprise fillings. 

In addition to your typical selection of noodles, you can also pair your yong tau foo with chee cheong fun (steamed rice rolls), Maggi noodles, tom yum soup, and even spaghetti. Here, your imagination’s the only limit. 

Prices start at S$5.60 for seven ingredients.

Crowd favourites: Even though there’s a wide variety to choose from, customers tend to stick with the classic chee cheong fun. However, the mentality here is not to be afraid to try unidentifiable pieces of food items at the store, because you might be in for a pleasant surprise.

6. Katong Yong Tau Foo

Katong Shopping Centre, B1-85/87, 865 Mountbatten Road  
Open: Friday to Wednesday (9.30am to 7.30pm)

Why visit? The laksa broth is the reason most diners visit Katong Yong Tau Foo for a hot, piping bowl of YTF. With a heady soup of creamy coconut milk and spices, the broth gives just the right kick, while not being too jelak, so you can still enjoy it well with your chosen ingredients. 

Apart from the usual suspects of tofu and vegetables stuffed with fish paste, you’ll also find more interesting items, such as vegetable fritters. 

Prices start at S$5.60 for seven ingredients.

Crowd favourites: The fragrant and creamy laksa soup is the true star of the show; don’t leave this place without trying it.

7. Xi Xiang Feng Yong Tau Foo 724  

Ang Mo Kio Central Market & Food Centre, 01-23, 720 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 
Open: Tuesday to Saturday (7am to 6pm)

Why visit? One of the few to offer Cantonese-style yong tau foo, Xi Xiang Feng Yong Tau Foo 724 has a perpetual queue, no matter the hour of the day, but fans will tell you that it’s worth the wait. 

With three decades under its belt, this well-loved stall has its soup recipe down pat. Unlike a clear broth you might find at most YTF stalls, it serves up an opaque and tasty soup that’s been simmering for hours. 

It’s also one of the more affordable yong tau foo options available, with bowls starting at S$4.80 for six ingredients.

Crowd favourites: We highly recommend going for the bee hoon noodles, which are delivered to the stall fresh daily, giving them a different, more QQ (bouncy) mouthfeel from the dried variety.

8. Hui Ji Fishball Noodles and Yong Tau Foo  

Tiong Bahru Food Centre, 02-44, 30 Seng Poh Road
Open: Thursday to Tuesday (5.30am to 2.30pm)

Why visit? While Hui Ji Fishball Noodles and Yong Tau Foo is known for its springy fish balls and generous portions of fish ball noodles, don’t dismiss the yong tau foo. This Tiong Bahru yong tau foo keeps things simple by letting the ingredients speak for themselves. 

Prices here are affordable, starting at S$3.50 or S$4 for a fixed set of ingredients.

Crowd favourites: Like most yong tau foo dishes, it’s the sum of its parts. Fresh tofu, fried or soft beancurd skin-wrapped fish paste and vegetables stuffed with fish paste go perfectly with your noodle of choice. Don’t forget to add a generous drizzle of that sweet, savoury red sauce.

9. Fu Lin Tofu Yuen

Multiple outlets islandwide.

Why visit? Having made a name for themselves with its fried variation of yong tau foo, Fu Lin Tofu Yuen will change your mind about yong tau foo being labelled as a “plain” dish.

Its rendition of the dish offers a punchier flavour, thanks to a quick flash in the deep fryer and its unique meat gravy, making it a hit with those looking for a tastier way to eat their vegetables. These folks are also responsible for Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen at Telok Ayer, which operates as a yong tau foo place during the day and a bar at night. 

Prices start at S$4.80 for six ingredients.

Crowd favourites: It’s all about the crunch — the fried you tiao (dough fritter), fried beancurd skin and fried tofu add texture and are delicious when paired with Fu Lin’s thick meat gravy.

10. Hup Chong Hakka Yong Dou Foo 

Blk 124 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, 01-459
Open: Thursday to Tuesday (6.30am to 2.30pm)

Why visit? This Hakka-style yong tau foo stall is well-known for both its meat paste (ngoh hiang) and fish paste-stuffed vegetables. With almost 40 years in the business and countless mentions in local publications, Hup Chong Hakka Yong Dou Foo is one of the jewels of Toa Payoh estate. 

All its ingredients are handmade in the morning from 5am and prepared in two batches to keep things fresh for lunch and dinner. You’ll also find pig intestines if you wish to add something different to your yong tau foo. 

Prices are kept impressively affordable, starting at S$4 for a minimum of five ingredients.

Crowd favourites: Made fresh and fried in two batches daily, the ngoh hiang is a crowd favourite, because it simply flies right off the shelf when the lunch crowd descends.

11. Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu

Chinatown Complex, 02-88, 335 Smith Street  
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (5.30am to 1.30pm)

Why visit? With a history dating back to the 1960s, Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu stall in Chinatown is the oldest on our list. It has intentionally kept things simple — S$3.50 for six pieces with bee hoon or noodles — making them the cheapest yong tau foo in this line-up. 

As its name suggests, it elevates its YTF with a spoonful of crunchy fried anchovies. Do note that the queue gets pretty long, so be prepared to exercise patience while waiting your turn, or you know, just read an article on our site in the meantime. 

Crowd favourites: The de facto six-piece deal (S$3.50) is a popular choice with customers, who also go for the beancurd skin and tofu stuffed with fish paste. For an added kick, get its garlic chilli sauce as well.

12. Yong Xiang Xing Dou Fu 

People’s Park Food Centre, 01-1084, 32 New Market Road
Open: Tuesday to Saturday (12pm to 4pm), Sunday (1pm to 4pm)

Why visit? Diners, be warned. You’ll most likely have to wait in line to get a bowl at this stall. Considered to be a yong tau foo institution, Yong Xiang Xing Dou Fu has its queues. But take heart, for it has streamlined its processes, so the queue moves quickly. 

It  offers only a fixed set at a set price of S$6 for 10 pieces in a clear broth. Unfortunately, there are no noodles or rice options to add on. The place also makes its own chilli sauce — a fermented bean concoction that packs a punch. 

Crowd favourites: You won’t get to choose what you want in your yong tau foo, but rest assured, you’ll be given both the steamed and fried varieties of tofu stuffed with fish paste and fish paste wrapped with beancurd skin.

13. Jason Niang Dou Fu 

321 Beach Road
Open: Monday to Friday (8am to 8pm), Saturday and Sunday (8.30am to 8pm)

Why visit? This halal-certified yong tau fu eatery might be popular with the office crowd — especially those from the surrounding areas and on weekdays — but is still a lesser-known establishment to the general public. Jason Niang Dou Fu offers a smattering of fried and boiled fish paste-stuffed options, including a wide variety of sauces to go with them.

Expect to find sauces such as chye poh sauce, laksa broth, chee cheong fun, satay sauce, and mee rebus gravy, and of course, the clear broth. We like that it also closes a little later, so you can get your fix for dinner. 

Prices start at S$4.50 for five ingredients.

Crowd favourites: The sweet and salty chye poh sauce that’s unique to this place is worth trying. Alternatively, go for the laksa sauce that’s sufficiently spicy and creamy to go with your choice of noodles.

14. My Favourite Cafe Yong Tau Foo

Lucky Plaza, 06-046/047, 304 Orchard Road 
Open: Monday to Saturday (9am to 5pm)

Why visit? My Favourite Cafe is extremely popular with the lunch crowd along the Orchard Road belt, but customer service at this Lucky Plaza mainstay can come across as a little snappy, so it’s best to know what you want before you get to the front of the queue. 

Try your best to avoid lunch hour unless you’re ready to jostle with the office crowd.

Prices start at S$6.30 for six ingredients, with the option of rice or noodles.

Crowd favourites: They’ve won over customers with its fried beef balls (crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside) and moreish Korean mushrooms. We advise coming early to get your hands on some of those meatballs before they sell out.

Hungry for more? Check out our latest stories on the newest spots in town such as Fireplace by Bedrock and the newest unlimited buffet promotion at Swensen’s. 

Tiong Bahru Yong Tao Hu, Xi Xiang Feng Yong Tau Foo 724 and Jason Niang Dou Fu are on the GrabFood Delivery Service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.  

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

Alternatively, book a ride to these places for yong tau foo in Singapore.