When it comes to satisfying my cravings, there’s nothing better than hawker food. Apart from their wet market, Whampoa Hawker Centre has a morning and afternoon food market, so you can try a variety of food throughout the day.

Here are 11 stalls that are definitely worth queuing for, with a few from each market. You might want to take a trip down to try it for yourself after reading!

—Morning Market—

1. Guang Dong Xiao Shi å»£æ±å°é£Ÿ

A bowl of laksa may seem too heavy for breakfast, but there are those who love to start their day with some delicious laksa. Head over to Guang Dong Xiao Shi 廣東小食 in Whampoa’s morning market for creamy bowls of laska.

If the usual laksa dish isn’t enough for you, take it up a notch with cockles and baby abalone in their Baby Abalone Laksa (S$4). Enjoy this steaming hot bowl of laksa that’s full of fresh seafood, springy noodles and crispy fried beancurd skin, especially on a rainy morning. What’s not to love?

It’s spicy, rich and absolutely flavourful, so when you head there, make sure it’s on your list.

Guang Dong Xiao Shi 廣東小食: #01-21 | Opening Hours: 6.30am – 1.30pm (Mon – Fri), 6.30am – 2pm (Sat & Sun)

2. Yu Chu La Mian Xiao Long Bao å¾¡åŽ¨æ‹‰é¢å°ç¬¼åŒ… 

For a hearty breakfast, you can get your fix of springy noodles and handmade dumplings at Yu Chu La Mian Xiao Long Bao å¾¡åŽ¨æ‹‰é¢å°ç¬¼åŒ… in Whampoa Hawker Centre.

Who says you can’t have Xiao Long Bao (S$3 for five pieces) for breakfast? Each dumpling is filled with hot soup, which flows out when you bite into it. The minced meat within the dumplings was also well-seasoned and tender.

I felt five wasn’t enough for me, so I would definitely recommend a second serving!

Yu Chu La Mian Xiao Long Bao å¾¡åŽ¨æ‹‰é¢å°ç¬¼åŒ…: #01-45 | Opening Hours: 6am – 2pm (Mon & Tue, Thu – Sun), Closed on Wed

3. Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Tan 新恒蘴粿条摊

Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Tan 新恒蘴粿条摊 serves good bowls of noodles, so you should give it a try if you’re at Whampoa Hawker Centre for breakfast.

My personal favourite breakfast food is always bak chor mee or fishball noodles, so I had to try their Mixed Fish Ball Noodles (S$3). From the looks of the dish, I thought the noodles would be dry. Luckily after stirring in the sauce, they were quite springy and moist.

The portion was just nice for me, and what made it so good was the in-house chilli. Just adding in a little bit provided that spicy kick I was looking for.

Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Tan 新恒蘴粿条摊: #01-14/15 | Opening Hours: 5am – 12noon 

4. Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon 美芝路鱼头米粉

Most days, I start my mornings with fried dishes like carrot cake. But some days, I like to treat myself to something that’s warm and wholesome.

At Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon 美芝路鱼头米粉 in Whampoa’s morning market, I find comfort in having a bowl of Double Fish Bee Hoon (S$5.50).

With springy thick bee hoon and freshly fried fish, this is a heavy breakfast. Their fish broth was very satisfying, with enough flavour to keep you coming back for more.

Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon 美芝路鱼头米粉: #01-46 | Opening Hours: 8am – 2pm (Sun – Tue, Thu & Fri), Closed on Sat & Wed

5. Mat Noh & Rose

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One thing that people told me never to miss out when at Whampoa’s morning market is Mat Noh & Rose’s Ginger Fried Chicken Rice (S$3.50, S$6.50 for option of drumstick).

I didn’t think it would be any different from regular chicken rice, but the ginger taste really comes through in their fried chicken. You should definitely try it for yourself when you’re there!

Mat Noh & Rose: #01-27 | Opening Hours: 9am – 3pm (Mon – Sat), Closed on Sun

—Afternoon Market—

6. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak

If you’re at Whampoa Hawker Centre, don’t leave without stopping by Balestier Rojak.

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You have to get the famous Balestier Rojak (S$) with your makan kakis, because rojak always tastes better when shared.

Expect crunchy cucumbers and crispy flavourful you tiao (dough fritters) in this dish, which makes a great afternoon snack. To avoid long queues, you might want to head over slightly before or after lunch hours.

Balestier Rojak: #01-06 | Opening Hours: 10am – 3pm (Daily)

7. Ming Ji Roast Duck & Herbal Soup æ˜Žè®°çƒ§è…Šç‚–汤

In a good hawker centre, you can always find a stall that sells good roasted meat. For Whampoa Hawker Centre, I felt that Ming Ji Roast Duck & Herbal Soup æ˜Žè®°çƒ§è…Šç‚–汤 serves a good selection of roasted delights that includes roast pork, char siew and roast duck.

We got one portion each of the Roasted Pork (S$5), Char Siew (S$5) and Roasted Duck (S$6).

Considering how this was just a single portion, the serving was rather generous. Each bite was delightful, with a crispy and charred outer layer and juicy meat within.

You should definitely dip the meat into the braised sauce for the best experience. So if you’re ever around Whampoa Hawker Centre and craving some good roast meat, Ming Ji is where you should go.

Ming Ji Roast Duck & Herbal Soup æ˜Žè®°çƒ§è…Šç‚–汤: #01-08 | Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon, Tue &  Thu – Sun), Closed on Wed 

8. Yu Ji Pig’s Organ Soup & Herbal Mutton Soup 宇记猪什汤•药材羊肉汤

Nothing warms me up on a cold day like a good hearty bowl of soup. If you happen to crave for some wholesome soup, head over to Yu Ji Pig’s Organ Soup & Herbal Mutton Soup 宇记猪什汤•药材羊肉汤 in Whampoa Hawker Centre.

You can expect fresh innards and pork in their Pig’s Organ Soup (S$3.50). The natural sweetness of the meat balances out the salty soup, and made the dish very delectable.

In addition, it doesn’t have a strong gamey flavour, so you can enjoy it even if you’re not a fan of gamey dishes.

Yu Ji Pig’s Organ Soup & Herbal Mutton Soup 宇记猪什汤•药材羊肉汤: #01-81 | Opening Hours: 10.30am – 11pm (Daily) 

9. Nan Xiang Chicken Rice 南香鸡饭

Another stall I’d recommend at Whampoa Hawker Centre is Nan Xiang Chicken Rice 南香鸡饭. They offer a range of fragrant roasted and steamed chicken, with various sides including my favourite, tauhu goreng.

We opted for a takeaway portion for S$6, with roasted chicken breast over fragrant rice and sides of bok choy and tauhu goreng. It’s the perfect size for one person, so pick up a packet for a quick and yummy lunch.

Nan Xiang Chicken Rice 南香鸡饭: #01-21 | Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Wed & Fri – Sun), Closed on Thu 

10. Hi Leskmi Nasi Lemak 樂興椰浆饭

Hi Leskmi Nasi Lemak 樂興椰浆饭 is located at the corner of Whampoa Hawker Centre, and we thought it might be worth a try because of their regular snaking queues.

We ordered one of the sets with fried egg, otah and chicken wing. At S$4.20, it wasn’t very cheap but their portion was pretty generous. I would definitely go back for their fragrant coconut rice, and choose some of the different sides as well.

Hi Leskmi Nasi Lemak 樂興椰浆饭: #01-24 | Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri & Sun), Closed on Sat

11. Nyonya Chendol

I absolutely love traditional desserts, and I like talking to the friendly stall owners too. We chanced upon Nyonya Chendol within Whampoa Hawker Centre, and we decided to have dessert for lunch.

I was really happy with the generous portion given for the bowl of Chendol with Red Bean (S$2). At that price, this bowl was definitely value-for-money and worth every bit of your calories.

The dessert tasted quite authentic, and it satisfied the Peranakan in me.

Nyonya Chendol: #01-17 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10.30pm (Daily)

If you’re in the area, drop by for a quick bite and let us know which is your favourite stall!