From open-air satay stalls to Michelin-approved hawker food, there’s something to satisfy every palate at Lau Pa Sat (Hokkien term for “old market”), a beloved culinary gem nestled in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District. It is Singapore’s only hawker market gazetted as a national monument.
Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian-era building, this iconic hawker centre offers a feast for the senses, with its tantalising array of local and international flavours. As it’s close to popular attractions like Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, Lau Pa Sat makes a great foodie destination for mid-day lunches and late-night suppers. It even has a number of Michelin Bib Gourmand hawkers, promising some satisfying Singaporean cuisine for both locals and tourists!
With so many hawker stalls to choose from, where do you even start? Well, start with our nine must-eats at the hawker centre which commemorated its 130th anniversary last year.
1. Best Satay 7 & 8 (Stall FC4 & FC5)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 7pm to 3am; Saturday & Sunday – 3pm to 3am
No trip to Lau Pa Sat is complete without indulging in some satay (grilled marinated meat on skewers, served with spicy peanut sauce, ketupat [rice cakes], cucumber and onion).
Get your satay from Best Satay 7 & 8 which has been serving grilled chicken, beef, and mutton satay since 2002.
When night falls, savour your sticks of satay along Singapore’s largest open-air Satay Street on Tat Street.
2. Thunder Tea Rice & Thunder Spize (Stall 25)
Open daily from 10am to 10pm
Who says hawker food has to be oily, greasy or fried? Head to Stall 25 for a taste of Thunder Tea Rice.
This halal take on traditional Hakka Lei Cha Fan features a bowl of rice topped with a colourful assortment of chopped vegetables and a fragrant green tea soup packed with herby flavours. It’s a nutritious and flavourful meal that’s packed with dietary fibre, vitamins and antioxidants.
It also serves Basil Chicken Rice with Egg and sides such as Hakka-style beancurd. The stall also houses Thunder Spize which sells Japanese- and local-inspired fusion dishes like Spize Katsu Chicken Set, Waa Fiery (spicy Maggi noodles topped with a katsu chicken cutlet), and Lemongrass Chicken.
3. Butter & Cream (Stalls 5-6)
Open daily from 10am to 10pm
Those with a sweet tooth will love Butter & Cream’s array of pastries and cakes, all made with high-quality ingredients and handcrafted with love.
This popular bakery stall’s signature dish is the thick, chunky muffins in flavours like Volcano Cheese, Moonlight Choco Cheese, Bananarama, and Blueberry Bliss. It also sells doffins hnut-muffin fusions), egg tarts and cheesecakes.
4. Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang (Stall 71)
Open daily from 10am to 10pm
Take your tastebuds on a culinary journey to Indonesia at Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang. This chain has made it into Singapore’s Michelin Bib Gourmand Guide since 2021, bearing the culinary world’s stamp of approval.
Tuck into piping hot fragrant coconut rice, spicy grilled chicken, and a variety of accompaniments like fried anchovies, peanuts and sambal (chilli sauce). You can even swap out the grilled chicken for fried chicken, fish cutlet, or otah otah (spicy fish paste wrapped in banana leaves and grilled or ed), or opt for different sambal varieties.
5. LiXin Teochew Fishball Noodles (Stall 32)
Open daily from 8am to 10pm
One of Singapore’s most popular dishes is fishball noodles. This simple dish is one of the best embodiments of the humble origins of hawker food.
LiXin Teochew Fishball Noodle offers a Michelin Bib Gourmand-approved classic rendition of this beloved dish, featuring springy noodles, flavourful fishballs and a savoury broth. You can opt for a dry version where the springy noodles are tossed with soy sauce, vinegar and chilli sauce, and topped with tender fishballs, fishcakes, and minced pork.
6. Golden Shoe Hokkien Mee (Stall 26)
Open daily from 10am to 10pm
Golden Shoe serves the “wet” version of Hokkien mee that’s particularly gravy-heavy, but it’s so popular amongst diners because the gravy doesn’t feel greasy or oily at all. Instead, flavourful, aromatic noodles are expertly stir-fried to achieve the coveted “wok hei” (smoky flavour), making every bite of this dish so deliciously irresistible.
Crispy fried pork lard is the perfect garnish, adding some crunch and depth of flavour to each generous serving.
7. Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (Stalls 74-75)
Open daily from 11.30am to 10pm
For a taste of classic Singaporean char kway teow, head to Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation. This stall is known for its flavourful and smoky noodles, stir-fried with fresh ingredients using traditional cooking methods.
Brimming with “wok hei” smokiness, each plate of char kway teow comprises rice noodles, yellow noodles, leafy greens, bean sprouts, prawns, Chinese sausage and egg, topped with fresh cockles.
8. Warong Pak Sapari (Stall 58)
Open daily from 10am to 10pm
Enjoy more authentic Indonesian flavours at Warong Pak Sapari, another Michelin-recommended stall.
Helmed by a third generation hawker, it serves a variety of mee soto (noodles in a chicken broth) and mee rebus (noodles in gravy) dishes that are rich and flavourful, generously topped with meat, begedil (fried mashed potato) and green chilli that packs a spicy punch!
9. Munchi Pancakes (Stall TA)
Open daily from 8am to 8pm
Get a taste of traditional Singapore pancakes with a modern twist at Munchi Pancakes.
Besides the classic peanut and coconut flavours, there are unique flavours like custard, black sesame, Belgian chocolate, matcha, red bean, hazelnut, Biscoff, Oreo cheese, strawberry cheese, cream cheese, blueberry cheese, Earl Grey and Thai milk tea.
TIPS
Best time to visit Lau Pa Sat
Visit during off-peak hours, such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon, to avoid the lunchtime crowds. If you’re trying to grab a seat at Satay Street (which is only set up in the evenings), arrive early (before 8pm) to secure a table.
Payment methods
Lau Pa Sat stalls accept various payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and mobile payment options like PayNow and GrabPay.
Seating
Lau Pa Sat offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. The indoor seating provides a more air-conditioned and comfortable environment, while the outdoor seating offers a lively atmosphere, especially in the evenings.
Etiquette
Tray return kiosks are available around the hawker centre, so be mindful of food waste and dispose of your trash responsibly. If you’re ordering your food to-go, you can bring your own reusable containers, water bottles and utensils to reduce waste.
This article has been edited and adapted from Now Boarding by Changi Airport’s “Lau Pa Sat food guide: 9 must-eat hawker stalls and dishes”
