Chinatown is one of Singapore's densest and most affordable hawker districts, with three heritage food centres clustered around Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19): the sprawling Chinatown Complex Food Centre on Smith Street, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre on Upper Cross Street, and Maxwell Food Centre a short walk toward Tanjong Pagar. Most mains here run roughly S$4-10, and several stalls have Michelin Bib Gourmand or Michelin Guide recognition despite the low prices. Hawker stalls keep their own irregular days and hours and can sell out early, so treat times below as a guide and confirm before making a special trip.
Last verified: September 2026. Hours and prices can change — we re-check our guides regularly, but do confirm before a special trip.
- Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice
- Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee
- Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee
- Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo
- Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap
- Tai Wah Pork Noodle
- Zhen Zhen Porridge
- Shang Hai Fried Xiao Long Bao
- Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist
- Chef Leung's Hand-Milled Rice Noodle Rolls
- Hokkien Street Bak Kut Teh
- Ann Chin Popiah
- Aziz Jaffar Muslim Food
- Old Amoy Chendol
The list
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice Cantonese claypot rice · $$
Long-queue charcoal claypot rice institution in Chinatown Complex; per-person cost stays low if you share.
- Cuisine: Cantonese claypot rice
- Price: $$ · ~$5-10 per person (claypots from ~$8, larger pots ~$15+ for sharing)
- Must-try: Claypot rice with waxed sausage and chicken, Old cucumber pork rib soup
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-198/199, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Tue-Wed & Fri-Sun 3pm-9pm; closed some weekdays – confirm before going
- Halal: No
Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee Curry chicken noodles · $
Famous curry chicken bee hoon mee at Hong Lim, and one of the few Chinatown stalls open into the evening.
- Cuisine: Curry chicken noodles
- Price: $ · ~$6.50-8.50
- Must-try: Curry chicken bee hoon mee
- Where: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-58/59, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
- Area: Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx daily 8:45am-9pm
- Halal: No
Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao Northern Chinese hand-pulled noodles / dumplings · $
Hand-pulled noodles and cheap xiao long bao in Chinatown Complex; hearty portions well under $10.
- Cuisine: Northern Chinese hand-pulled noodles / dumplings
- Price: $ · ~$4.50-8
- Must-try: La mian with fried bean sauce, Xiao long bao
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-135, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Wed-Fri 11am-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-8:30pm
- Halal: No
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice Hainanese chicken rice · $
Michelin Bib Gourmand chicken rice at Maxwell, an easy walk from Chinatown MRT; single plates from about $5.
- Cuisine: Hainanese chicken rice
- Price: $ · from ~$5
- Must-try: Steamed Hainanese chicken rice
- Where: Maxwell Food Centre, #01-10/11, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
- Area: Maxwell (short walk toward Tanjong Pagar)
- Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE18); ~8-min walk from Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Tue-Sun 10am-8pm
- Halal: No
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee Char kway teow · $
Long-running char kway teow stall at Hong Lim, a classic cheap morning-to-lunch plate.
- Cuisine: Char kway teow
- Price: $ · ~$5-6
- Must-try: Fried kway teow mee
- Where: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-17, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
- Area: Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Mon-Sat 6am-3pm
- Halal: No
Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo Yong tau foo · $
Popular yong tau foo topped with crispy ikan bilis; one of the cheapest full bowls in the centre.
- Cuisine: Yong tau foo
- Price: $ · ~$3.50-4
- Must-try: Yong tau foo with noodles and ikan bilis
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-088, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Tue-Wed & Fri-Sun 5am-1:30pm
Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap Teochew braised duck / kway chap · $
Well-regarded braised duck and kway chap; single bowls stay cheap, sets feed two.
- Cuisine: Teochew braised duck / kway chap
- Price: $ · ~$4-10 (jumbo set ~$10)
- Must-try: Teochew braised duck rice, Kway chap
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-156, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Tue-Thu & Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
- Halal: No
Tai Wah Pork Noodle Bak chor mee (minced pork noodles) · $
Renowned Hong Lim bak chor mee; the smaller bowl keeps it in cheap-eats territory.
- Cuisine: Bak chor mee (minced pork noodles)
- Price: $ · ~$7-11
- Must-try: Bak chor mee (pork noodles)
- Where: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-16, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
- Area: Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Tue-Sun 7:30am-3pm
- Halal: No
Zhen Zhen Porridge Cantonese porridge / congee · $
Silky, comforting congee at Maxwell for around $4-5 a bowl; frequently sells out by early afternoon.
- Cuisine: Cantonese porridge / congee
- Price: $ · ~$4-5
- Must-try: Sliced fish and shredded chicken congee
- Where: Maxwell Food Centre, #01-54, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
- Area: Maxwell (short walk toward Tanjong Pagar)
- Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE18); ~8-min walk from Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Wed & Fri-Sun 5:30am-2pm
Shang Hai Fried Xiao Long Bao Shanghai dumplings / buns · $
Crispy-bottomed fried soup dumplings and noodles at pocket-money prices.
- Cuisine: Shanghai dumplings / buns
- Price: $ · ~$4.50-5.50
- Must-try: Pan-fried xiao long bao, Zha jiang mian
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-205, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Thu-Tue 10:30am-3:30pm & 5:30pm-8:30pm
- Halal: No
Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist Wonton noodles · $
Old-school wanton mee stall at Hong Lim with springy noodles and char siew from about $4.50.
- Cuisine: Wonton noodles
- Price: $ · ~$4.50-8.50
- Must-try: Char siew wanton noodles, Soy sauce chicken noodles
- Where: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-48/49, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
- Area: Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Fri-Wed 9:30am-3pm & 5pm-7pm
- Halal: No
Chef Leung's Hand-Milled Rice Noodle Rolls Chee cheong fun / congee · $
Freshly hand-milled rice noodle rolls, a cheap Chinatown breakfast under $7.
- Cuisine: Chee cheong fun / congee
- Price: $ · ~$3.20-6.50
- Must-try: Hand-milled rice noodle rolls (chee cheong fun), Congee
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-096, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Wed-Sun 6:30am-12pm
Hokkien Street Bak Kut Teh Bak kut teh (pork rib soup) · $
Peppery Hokkien-style bak kut teh at Hong Lim, with bowls starting around $4.
- Cuisine: Bak kut teh (pork rib soup)
- Price: $ · from ~$4
- Must-try: Peppery pork rib soup, Pig's trotter
- Where: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #01-66, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
- Area: Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx daily 8am-7pm
- Halal: No
Ann Chin Popiah Popiah (fresh spring rolls) · $
Freshly rolled popiah at about $2.20 each; a cheap snack open through the day.
- Cuisine: Popiah (fresh spring rolls)
- Price: $ · ~$2.20 per roll
- Must-try: Popiah
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-112, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx daily 8am-8pm
Aziz Jaffar Muslim Food Malay / Muslim food · $
Muslim-owned Malay stall offering cheap mee siam and mee rebus – a rare non-pork option inside pork-heavy Chinatown Complex.
- Cuisine: Malay / Muslim food
- Price: $ · ~$3.50-6
- Must-try: Mee siam, Mee rebus, Nasi sambal goreng
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-070, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx Tue-Fri 7am-2pm, Sat-Sun 7am-12pm
- Halal: Muslim-friendly (Muslim-owned stall; no MUIS certification confirmed – check for a current halal certificate on-site)
Old Amoy Chendol Dessert · $
Cooling bowl of chendol for under $3 to finish a cheap Chinatown Complex meal.
- Cuisine: Dessert
- Price: $ · ~$2.80
- Must-try: Chendol
- Where: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-008, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Area: Chinatown Complex (Smith Street)
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19)
- Hours: Approx daily 10am-8pm
At a glance: compare every spot
| Spot | Cuisine | Price | Area | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice | Cantonese claypot rice | $$ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | No |
| Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee | Curry chicken noodles | $ | Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street) | No |
| Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao | Northern Chinese hand-pulled noodles / dumplings | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | No |
| Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice | Hainanese chicken rice | $ | Maxwell (short walk toward Tanjong Pagar) | No |
| Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee | Char kway teow | $ | Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street) | No |
| Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo | Yong tau foo | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | — |
| Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap | Teochew braised duck / kway chap | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | No |
| Tai Wah Pork Noodle | Bak chor mee (minced pork noodles) | $ | Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street) | No |
| Zhen Zhen Porridge | Cantonese porridge / congee | $ | Maxwell (short walk toward Tanjong Pagar) | — |
| Shang Hai Fried Xiao Long Bao | Shanghai dumplings / buns | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | No |
| Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist | Wonton noodles | $ | Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street) | No |
| Chef Leung's Hand-Milled Rice Noodle Rolls | Chee cheong fun / congee | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | — |
| Hokkien Street Bak Kut Teh | Bak kut teh (pork rib soup) | $ | Hong Lim (Upper Cross Street) | No |
| Ann Chin Popiah | Popiah (fresh spring rolls) | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | — |
| Aziz Jaffar Muslim Food | Malay / Muslim food | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | Muslim-friendly (Muslim-owned stall; no MUIS certification confirmed – check for a current halal certificate on-site) |
| Old Amoy Chendol | Dessert | $ | Chinatown Complex (Smith Street) | — |
Your questions answered
Which MRT and area should I head to for cheap eats in Chinatown?
Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19) puts you closest to the two biggest budget clusters: Chinatown Complex Food Centre on Smith Street (use Exit A and walk up Pagoda/Trengganu Street) and Hong Lim Market & Food Centre on Upper Cross Street. Maxwell Food Centre is about an 8-minute walk toward Tanjong Pagar (or one stop to Maxwell MRT on the Thomson-East Coast Line).
How cheap is cheap? What should I budget per person?
Most single plates and bowls here run roughly S$4-10. You can eat a full hawker meal for under S$10, and snacks like popiah or chendol are under S$3. Shared dishes such as claypot rice cost more per pot but stay cheap per person when split.
Can I pay by card, or do I need cash?
Bring some cash. Many older hawker stalls are cash-only or prefer cash, though a growing number accept PayNow/QR payments. Small notes and coins make ordering faster, especially during the lunch rush.
Are there halal options in Chinatown's food centres?
Halal-certified choices are limited inside Chinatown Complex and Hong Lim, which are pork-heavy Chinese hawker centres. Aziz Jaffar Muslim Food in Chinatown Complex is Muslim-owned, but always look for the current MUIS halal certificate displayed at the stall and confirm before ordering rather than assuming.
When are these stalls open, and how do I avoid disappointment?
Hawkers keep individual, often irregular days off and many close by mid-afternoon or sell out early; a few, like Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee at Hong Lim, run into the evening. Treat the hours listed here as a guide and check the stall's latest posting or call ahead before a special trip.