Where locals eat in Singapore

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

12 places in Singapore · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: chinmeechin.sg

1. 1

   Hjh Maimunah

   Kitchener Road (City Square Mall food court branch); other outlets exist

   Get: the beef rendang, sambal goreng and grilled chicken

   Office crowds queue at lunch.

   180 Kitchener Rd, #B3-04, Food Republic, Singapore 208539 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Chin Mee Chin Confectionery

   Katong

   Get: the kaya toast set with soft-boiled eggs and kopi

   Katong residents fill it on weekends.

   Also on these lists: Breakfast and sandwiches in Singapore, Long lines in Singapore.

   204 East Coast Road, 428903 Singapore · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Song Fa Bak Kut Teh

   Bak kut teh · Clarke Quay

   Get: the peppery pork rib soup with you tiao

   Refills of broth come free.

   Also on the list: Long lines in Singapore.

   11 New Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 059383 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Sin Hoi Sai Eating House

   Zi char · East Coast

   Get: the chilli crab and san lou bee hoon

   Open till late, so it fills for supper.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Swee Choon Tim Sum

   Dim sum · Jalan Besar

   Get: the salted egg custard buns and mee sua kueh

   The supper queue runs past midnight.

   Also on the list: Long lines in Singapore.

   191 Jalan Besar · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee

   Hokkien mee · Old Airport Road

   Get: the dry-style Hokkien mee

   It sells out fast, so come early.

   51 Old Airport Road, #01-32, Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee

   Tiong Bahru Food Centre

   Get: the Hokkien prawn mee with thick bee hoon

   Regulars have come for decades.

   30 Seng Poh Rd #02-01, Singapore 168898 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Zam Zam

   Indian Muslim · Kampong Glam

   Get: the mutton murtabak and chicken biryani

   Serving the neighbourhood since 1908.

   697-699 N Bridge Rd, Singapore 198675 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Spring Court

   Cantonese · Chinatown

   Get: the homemade popiah and crispy chicken

   A family Cantonese room since 1929.

   52-56 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058348 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    328 Katong Laksa

    East Coast (Katong)

    Get: the laksa with cockles, eaten with a spoon

    Small or large is the only choice.

    Critics: 78% liked it, from 4 reviews (2016 to 2018). Gone quiet: nothing new written in three years. Read Michelin Guide 2018, Michelin Guide 2017, Michelin Guide 2016, Time Out Singapore.

    Also on these lists: Long lines in Singapore, New and hot in Singapore, Singapore: what to eat and where, Where the famous eat in Singapore.

    51 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow

    Char kway teow · Dakota (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

    Get: the char kway teow, dry style with cockles

    Each plate is fried to order.

    Critics: 64% liked it, from 4 reviews (2019 to 2026). Read Michelin Guide 2019, Time Out Singapore, SethLui 2026, Eatbook.sg 2025.

    The crowd: 3.1 of 5 on Google (via SethLui) (410 ratings).

    51 Old Airport Road Food Centre, #01-12, 51 Old Airport Road, 390051, Singapore · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Jian Bo Shui Kueh

    Tiong Bahru Market

    Get: chwee kueh with chye poh for breakfast

    A Tiong Bahru Market morning habit.

    Also on the list: Singapore: what to eat and where.

    30 Seng Poh Rd #02-05, Singapore 168898 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing