Who doesn't know the famous Maxwell Food Centre? Here are the best hawker stalls to fill up on local food.
As far as hawker centres in Singapore go, Maxwell Food Centre is an institution in its own right. First established in 1929 as a food market with fresh produce stalls, Maxwell (as it’s fondly known by us locals) added cooked food stalls and eating areas a year later, before transforming into a proper food centre in 1987. And the rest is history, as they say. This complex may be largely known for Chinese food (any Hainanese chicken rice lovers in the house?), but it has its fair share of other cuisines too.
Ready to dig in? Note that the food centre can get pretty crowded during the day, especially at lunchtime. We recommend dropping by after 2pm, when most people return to the grind. Now, let’s find out the best stalls you should try at Maxwell Food Centre, shall we?
All the good food from top hawker stalls in Maxwell Food Centre
1. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Connoisseurs will be no stranger to this grand doyenne of Hainanese chicken rice and its snaking queues. If you’ve got time to kill, get in line and you’ll be treated to a plate of flavourful rice and a generous portion of tender chicken. Tian Tian’s accompanying garlic and chilli sauce complements this dish spectacularly. “Overrated,” say detractors, but pay no heed to them!
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, #01-10/11, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
2. Zhen Zhen Porridge
Steaming hot bowls of porridge bring back childhood memories for most people, so Zhen Zhen Porridge should be your first-class ticket to that nostalgia trip. It’s criminally cheap here – a hearty bowl goes for $3 only. Where else can you find such affordable food in this economy? Whether you opt for fish or chicken porridge, you’ll get a rich, smooth, hearty bowl with lots of meat and aromatic shreds of ginger. Upgrade with a century egg for the ultimate local breakfast.
Zhen Zhen Porridge, #01-54, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
3. Jin Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon
“I kinda feel like something light for lunch,” says everyone at the nearby offices at some point in the week. The resounding response to that is, of course, “fish bee hoon!” Make your way to this historic food stall for a steaming, milky bowl of fragrant fish soup, supple rice noodles and plenty of fresh sliced fish. This might just be your lunch staple from now on.
Jin Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon, #01-77, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
4. Hajmeer Kwaja Muslim Food
There’s been some debate in our office on where to find the best mamak food in Singapore. Personally, this stall has always been my go-to, especially during my active clubbing years. (I’m a bedworm nowadays.) Enjoy a delicious plate of maggi goreng or go for the standard “one plain, one egg” pratas. If you’re feeling a little extravagant, the mutton chop slaps hard.
Hajmeer Kwaja Muslim Food, #01-103, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
5. SMH Hot & Cold Drinks
If you’ve listened to our Honeycombers podcast, you’d know my top place to get a frothy cup of teh cino. However, if I’m not in the mood to travel, this stall’s rendition is a stellar substitute. Get the coffee version if you require more caffeine in your system. Otherwise, you can sip on teh (or kopi) tarik, teh halia, or the Milo dinosaur. The perfect companion to your meal, we say.
SMH Hot & Cold Drinks, #01-102, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
6. Somerset Delicacies
This goes out to everyone who must have carbs for every meal. Somerset Delicacies specialises in fried rice and noodles, and you’ll most definitely be spoiled for choice here. The belacan fried rice is the stall’s top seller: every freshly prepared plate emits a deliciously fragrant scent and is topped with prawns, slivers of crab sticks and eggs, chopped spring onions, and vegetables. If you prefer noodles, drop your dollars for the dry fried hor fun.
Somerset Delicacies, #01-60, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
7. The Green Leaf
Nothing screams comfort food more than Malay cuisine, which can get in spades (or, in this case, plates and bowls) from this stall. But don’t be fooled by the name – you won’t be scarfing down plant-based food. The menu boasts beloved familiar dishes like mee rebus, lontong, nasi goreng kampong, and more. Of course, its star offering is the nasi lemak, which you shouldn’t miss. Don’t forget to bag some traditional kuehs to munch on later when you have to fight the post-lunch slump.
The Green Leaf, #01-100, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
8. Mr. Appam
We’re sure you know this story by now. But ICYMI: a Vietnamese hawker mistakenly bid for a stall assigned to sell Indian food (yes, even hawker centres have quotas), and she made the best of her situation by learning how to make appam (thin pancakes originating from South India). You can go for the classic putu mayam, or choose from unique renditions such as egg, peanut sugar, banana, and durian.
Mr. Appam, #01-99, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
9. Sisaket Thai Food
It’s not just local food that’s spotlighted at Maxwell – you can find international cuisines here too. One of the more popular stalls is Sisaket, which offers authentic Thai fare. The green curry rice and pad Thai are crowd favourites, though the basil chicken (or beef) with rice deserves a shoutout too. If making decisions isn’t your strongest suit, you can’t go wrong with the classic pineapple fried rice.
Sisaket Thai Food, #01-85, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
10. Hu Ru Beverages
Sugarcane juice already hits hard on its own, but know what makes it even better? A slice of lemon. The sweet and citrusy combination elevates this cool, refreshing drink, which is perfect for combating our putrid weather. Stand back and watch your drink being made after placing your order. You’ll be lulled into a zen state, and when you collect your drink and take your first sip, you’ll sigh in relief. Until you have to walk out into the sun again…
Hu Ru Beverages, #01-75, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
Be sure to have plenty of stomach space when you head over to Maxwell Food Centre!
