With inflation on the rise, finding affordable yet delicious food in Singapore can feel like searching for treasure. Prices seem to climb every week, and many favourite hawker stalls have become pricier than before. Still, there are hidden gems if you know where to look.
One of the best places to hunt for cheap eats is Chinatown Complex. Tucked away among its bustling stalls, you’ll find a world of flavours that won’t empty your wallet. Imagine the aroma of freshly steamed dim sum drifting through the air, or the sizzle of char kway teow being tossed in a hot wok.
Try the famous $3 chicken rice—a comforting plate with tender chicken and fragrant rice, served with tangy chilli sauce. Or savour a bowl of yong tau foo, where you pick your own ingredients and slurp up a hearty soup for just a few dollars. Don’t miss out on the chee cheong fun, silky rice rolls bathed in sweet sauce, or a plate of savoury carrot cake, crisp at the edges but soft inside.
Even as prices rise elsewhere, Chinatown Complex remains a haven for food lovers on a budget. Every meal here tells a story, and each stall has its own loyal following. So, next time you’re craving a tasty bargain, let your footsteps lead you to this lively food paradise.
🏮 Chinatown Complex Ambience
Authentic Local Atmosphere:
- Bustling, energetic environment with constant chatter in multiple languages
- Home to more than 200 stalls serving up a variety of delicious hawker dishes
- Mix of tourists and locals, creating a vibrant cultural melting pot
- Traditional hawker centre setup with shared seating and communal dining
- Aromatic blend of cooking spices, soy sauce, and charcoal smoke
- Lively market sounds: sizzling woks, chopping boards, and friendly vendors calling out orders
- Fluorescent lighting with colorful stall signs in Chinese, Malay, and English
- First-come, first-served seating with table sharing encouraged
Physical Setting:
- Location: 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
- Access: Chinatown MRT (Exit A, 5-minute walk)
- Hours: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm daily
- Peak Times: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM for full buzz, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM for dinner
🍜 Detailed Dish Analysis & Recipes
1. Soy Sauce Chicken Rice
Featured Stall: Hawker Chan (formerly Liao Fan) – #02-126
- Price: $2 (USD1.47) for a plate of Soya Sauce Chicken Rice, this is THE CHEAPEST Michelin Star Meal you can get anywhere
- Updated Price: Soya Sauce Chicken Rice ($3.80)
Key Ingredients:
- Whole chicken (preferably kampong chicken)
- Dark soy sauce, light soy sauce
- Chinese rice wine (Shaoxing)
- Rock sugar, white sugar
- Star anise, cinnamon stick
- Garlic, ginger, scallions
- Jasmine rice
- Cucumber slices for garnish
Cooking Method:
- Marinate chicken in soy sauce mixture for 2+ hours
- Slow-braise chicken in soy sauce, wine, and spices for 45-60 minutes
- Baste frequently for glossy, caramelized skin
- Steam jasmine rice separately
- Slice chicken, serve over rice with braising sauce drizzled on top
2. Roast Duck Rice
Price: S$4.50 Key Ingredients:
- Whole duck
- Five-spice powder
- Hoisin sauce, soy sauce
- Chinese rice wine
- Honey for glazing
- Jasmine rice
- Cucumber, tomato garnish
Cooking Method:
- Air-dry duck overnight after seasoning
- Roast in oven at high heat for crispy skin
- Baste with honey-soy glaze during roasting
- Chop into pieces, serve over rice
3. Char Siew Noodles
Price: S$4.00 Key Ingredients:
- Pork shoulder or belly
- Red fermented bean curd
- Hoisin sauce, oyster sauce
- Chinese rice wine
- Honey, sugar
- Fresh egg noodles or wonton noodles
- Bok choy, bean sprouts
Cooking Method:
- Marinate pork in sauce mixture overnight
- Roast pork until caramelized and slightly charred
- Blanch noodles and vegetables separately
- Serve noodles topped with sliced char siew
4. Chicken Rice (Hainanese)
Price: S$3.50 Key Ingredients:
- Whole chicken
- Jasmine rice
- Chicken stock
- Ginger, garlic, pandan leaves
- Sesame oil, salt
- Chili sauce, ginger sauce
Cooking Method:
- Poach whole chicken in seasoned water
- Cook rice in chicken fat and stock for fragrant grains
- Serve sliced chicken over rice with condiments
5. Claypot Rice
Featured Stall: Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice Price: prices starting at S$8 for a small pot to S$20 for a large
Key Ingredients:
- Jasmine rice
- Chinese sausage (lap cheong)
- Salted fish
- Mushrooms
- Dark soy sauce
- Sesame oil, white pepper
Cooking Method:
- Cook rice in claypot until 70% done
- Add toppings and seasonings
- Continue cooking until rice forms crispy bottom layer
- Remember to scrape right to the bottom of the pot for the crispy charred bits of rice
đź’° Current Pricing Guide (2025)
| đź’° Current Pricing Guide (2025) | ||
| Dish | Price Range | Notes |
| Michelin Soy Sauce Chicken Rice | S$3.80 | World’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal |
| Chicken Rice | S$3.50-S$4.50 | Local must-try comfort food |
| Roast Duck Rice | S$4.50-S$6.00 | Crispy skin, generous portions |
| Char Siew Noodles | S$4.00-S$5.50 | Sweet, smoky barbecued pork |
| Claypot Rice | S$8.00-S$20.00 | Wait can stretch 20 to 45 minutes |
| Mee Siam | $3.50 | Sweet-spicy gravy with vermicelli |
| Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) | S$3.00-S$5.00 | Various fillings available |
| Fresh Fruit Juices | S$2.50-S$3.50 | Passionfruit, sugarcane, lime |
| Ice Kachang | S$3.00-S$4.00 | Traditional shaved ice dessert |
| Drinks (Tea/Coffee) | S$1.50-S$2.50 | Kopi, teh, barley water |
đźšš Delivery Options
Limited Delivery Available:
- Hawker Chan: Available on major food delivery platforms (GrabFood, Foodpanda)
- Individual Stalls: Most traditional hawker stalls do not offer delivery
- Third-party Services: Some local delivery services may accommodate special requests
- Recommendation: Visit in person for authentic experience and best prices
đź“Ť Notable Stall Names & Locations
Michelin Recognition:
- Hawker Chan (Liao Fan) – #02-126
- Soy sauce chicken rice, char siew
- Opening Hours: 10:30am to 3pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Fri), 8:30am to 7:00pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Wed
- Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice
- Famous claypot rice with queue times up to 45 minutes
- Various claypot combinations available
Traditional Favorites:
- Ann Chin Popiah – Fresh spring rolls
- Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu – Stuffed tofu and vegetables
- Muslim-owned Malay Stall – Traditional Malay dishes with prices as low as $3.50
- Various Teochew Porridge Stalls – Congee with side dishes
- Traditional Dessert Stalls – Tau huay, ice kachang, chendol
🍽️ Additional Must-Try Dishes
Noodle Specialties:
- Hokkien Prawn Mee (S$4.50-S$6.50) – Dark, rich noodles stir-fried with prawns and squid in aromatic seafood stock
- Wonton Noodles (S$4.00-S$5.50) – Thin egg noodles with pork and shrimp dumplings
- Laksa (S$4.50-S$6.00) – Spicy coconut curry noodle soup with cockles and prawns
- Bak Chor Mee (S$4.00-S$5.00) – Minced pork noodles with fishballs and liver
- Fishball Noodles (S$3.50-S$5.00) – Clear or tomato-based soup with handmade fishballs
- Lor Mee (S$4.00-S$5.50) – Thick gravy noodles with braised pork and egg
- Mee Siam (S$3.50-S$4.50) – Spicy-sweet rice vermicelli with shrimp and tofu
- Bee Hoon Goreng (S$3.50-S$5.00) – Fried rice vermicelli with vegetables and egg
- Kway Teow Goreng (S$4.00-S$5.50) – Stir-fried flat rice noodles with dark soy sauce
- Ban Mian (S$4.00-S$5.50) – Hand-pulled noodles in anchovy broth
Rice & Porridge Dishes:
- Braised Duck Rice (S$4.50-S$6.50) – Tender duck in five-spice gravy over rice
- Teochew Porridge Set (S$8.00-S$12.00) – Plain porridge with assorted side dishes
- Fish Porridge (S$4.00-S$6.00) – Silky rice porridge with fresh fish slices
- Chicken Porridge (S$3.50-S$5.00) – Comfort food with shredded chicken
- Economic Rice (S$3.50-S$6.00) – Choose-your-own dishes over steamed rice
- Nasi Lemak (S$3.00-S$5.00) – Coconut rice with sambal, egg, and anchovies
- Biryani (S$5.00-S$8.00) – Fragrant spiced rice with chicken or mutton
- Hainanese Pork Chop Rice (S$5.50-S$7.50) – Crispy pork chop with tomato sauce
Street Food Classics:
- Carrot Cake (S$3.50-S$4.50) – Fried radish cake (white or black version)
- Oyster Omelette (S$5.00-S$7.00) – Crispy egg with fresh oysters and chili sauce
- Satay (S$0.80-S$1.20 per stick) – Grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce
- Popiah (S$3.00-S$4.00) – Fresh spring rolls with vegetables and sweet sauce
- Yong Tau Fu (S$4.00-S$6.00) – Stuffed tofu and vegetables in clear broth
- Rojak (S$3.50-S$5.00) – Mixed fruit and vegetable salad with thick sauce
- Kueh Pie Tee (S$4.00-S$6.00) – Crispy cups filled with vegetables and prawns
- Soon Kueh (S$3.00-S$4.50) – Steamed dumplings filled with vegetables
Malay & Indian Delights:
- Mee Rebus (S$4.00-S$5.50) – Yellow noodles in spicy potato-based gravy
- Mee Soto (S$4.50-S$6.00) – Spicy noodle soup with chicken and herbs
- Gado Gado (S$4.00-S$5.50) – Indonesian vegetable salad with peanut sauce
- Roti Prata (S$1.50-S$3.00) – Crispy flatbread with curry sauce
- Teh Tarik (S$1.80-S$2.50) – Pulled milk tea, perfectly frothy
- Murtabak (S$6.00-S$10.00) – Stuffed pancake with meat and egg
- Rendang (S$6.00-S$8.00) – Slow-cooked spiced meat curry
- Ayam Penyet (S$5.50-S$7.50) – Smashed fried chicken with sambal
Soups & Steamboat:
- Bak Kut Teh (S$6.00-S$10.00) – Pork rib soup with herbs and spices
- Fish Head Curry (S$12.00-S$18.00) – Spicy curry with fish head and vegetables
- Tom Yum Soup (S$5.00-S$8.00) – Spicy and sour Thai soup
- Sliced Fish Soup (S$5.00-S$7.00) – Clear soup with fresh fish and vegetables
- Pig’s Organ Soup (S$4.50-S$6.50) – Traditional soup with offal and rice
- Herbal Soup (S$6.00-S$10.00) – Medicinal soup with various ingredients
Specialty Snacks & Finger Foods:
- Ngoh Hiang (S$4.00-S$6.00) – Deep-fried spring rolls with meat and vegetables
- Lu Rou Fan (S$4.50-S$6.00) – Braised pork rice, Taiwanese style
- Chicken Feet (S$3.00-S$4.50) – Braised or steamed with black bean sauce
- Century Egg Porridge (S$4.00-S$5.50) – Traditional preserved egg congee
- Pig’s Trotters (S$4.50-S$6.50) – Braised in dark soy sauce
- Fish Cake Soup (S$3.50-S$5.00) – Light soup with homemade fish cakes
- Tau Kwa Pop (S$3.00-S$4.00) – Fried tofu puffs with sweet sauce
Regional Chinese Specialties:
- Teochew Kueh (S$2.50-S$4.00) – Steamed rice cakes with various fillings
- Cantonese Roast Meats (S$5.00-S$8.00) – BBQ pork, roast duck, and chicken
- Hakka Yong Tau Fu (S$4.50-S$6.50) – Stuffed vegetables and tofu
- Fujian Fried Rice (S$4.00-S$6.00) – Wok hei-infused fried rice
- Hainanese Chicken Rice (S$3.50-S$5.00) – Singapore’s national dish
- Char Kway Teow (S$3.50-S$5.50) – Wok-fried flat noodles with cockles
International Fusion:
- Korean Fried Chicken (S$6.00-S$9.00) – Crispy chicken with Korean sauce
- Japanese Ramen (S$8.00-S$12.00) – Various broth styles available
- Thai Green Curry (S$6.00-S$8.50) – Spicy curry with rice
- Vietnamese Pho (S$6.50-S$9.00) – Aromatic beef noodle soup
- Western Grilled Items (S$7.00-S$12.00) – Steaks, chops, and sausages
Unique Chinatown Complex Specialties:
- White Bee Hoon (S$3.00-S$4.50) – Simple stir-fried rice vermicelli
- Economical Mixed Vegetable Rice (S$2.50-S$4.00) – Budget-friendly vegetarian option
- Traditional Kway Chap (S$4.50-S$7.00) – Flat rice noodles with braised items
- Old-School Coffee Shop Drinks (S$1.50-S$2.50) – Kopi, teh, and traditional beverages
Beverages:
- Fresh Coconut Water (S$3.00-S$4.00) – Served in coconut shell
- Sugarcane Juice (S$2.50-S$3.50) – Freshly pressed
- Kopi/Teh (S$1.50-S$2.50) – Traditional coffee/tea
- Soy Bean Drink (S$2.00-S$3.00) – Hot or cold
- Barley Water (S$2.00-S$2.50) – Traditional Chinese drink
🎯 Pro Tips for Visiting
Payment & Logistics:
- Bring cash – not all stalls accept cards
- Some stalls now accept PayNow/GrabPay
- ATM available downstairs near escalators
- Tray return stations mandatory – fines apply for not clearing tables
Timing Strategy:
- Visit 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM for full atmosphere
- Avoid 12:00-1:00 PM if you want shorter queues
- Evening rush: 6:30-8:00 PM gets busy again
- Some popular stalls may run out of food by late afternoon
Cultural Etiquette:
- Table sharing is normal and encouraged
- Point or gesture if language is a barrier
- Don’t be afraid to ask vendors for recommendations
- Take photos respectfully – vendors are usually happy to pose
Family-Friendly Tips:
- Let kids explore and choose their own dishes
- Start with milder flavors before trying spicy foods
- Bring wet wipes – eating can get messy
- Stay hydrated – Singapore weather is hot and humid
Delivery Considerations for Food
Whyq Specialised Service: Whyq specifically focuses on hawker food delivery and may have better coverage for specific centres
- Delivery Fees: Typically range from $3-8 SGD, depending on distance and platform
- Food Quality Concerns: Some hawker dishes don’t transport well (soup noodles, crispy items)
- Bundle Orders: Some platforms allow ordering from multiple stalls in the same hawker centre
- Delivery Timing: Peak meal hours may see longer delivery times from popular hawker centres
- Minimum Order Requirements: Some hawker stalls have minimum order amounts for delivery
- In-Person Experience: Many food enthusiasts believe the authentic hawker experience requires dining in person
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