There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about visiting. Unlike the polished air-conditioned food courts popping up across the island, this old-school round market still carries the heartbeat of classic Singapore hawker culture — the clatter of plates, the aroma of wok hei drifting through the air, and long-time stall owners who have been feeding generations of residents for decades.
From comforting bowls of fishball noodles to crispy carrot cake, fragrant nasi lemak and old-school wanton mee, this bustling food centre is where Easties gather for affordable and seriously satisfying meals. If you’re planning a makan trip around Tampines, here are 12 stalls worth queueing for.
1. Yong Huat Chicken Rice 荣发鸡饭 (#01-12)
Few things in Singapore are as comforting as a good plate of chicken rice, and Yong Huat Chicken Rice 荣发鸡饭 delivers exactly that familiar kampung-style satisfaction. Their roasted chicken glistens beautifully under the stall lights, coated with a savoury caramelised sheen that makes it nearly impossible to walk past without stopping.
The meat remains surprisingly tender and juicy despite the crisp roasted skin, while the fragrant rice absorbs every bit of flavour from the chicken stock. What keeps regulars returning though, is the value-for-money portions. Even during peak hours, the queue moves steadily as hungry diners patiently wait for their comforting plate of goodness.
The atmosphere here feels incredibly homely too — from the friendly stall owners to the simple presentation that reminds many of old neighbourhood coffee shops from the past.
Signature Dish: Roasted Chicken Rice
Operating Hours: 9:15am – 2:00pm
Closed: Monday
2. Pu Ti Vegetarian 菩提斋素食 (#01-30)
Vegetarian food doesn’t always have to be complicated or overly modernised. At Pu Ti Vegetarian 菩提斋素食, the dishes stay refreshingly traditional, offering old-school flavours many grew up eating during vegetarian fasting days.
Their fried bee hoon is simple yet comforting, pairing beautifully with rich curry vegetables that coat every strand with fragrant coconut and spice flavours. The lontong here is another crowd favourite, served with soft rice cakes drenched in savoury curry gravy.
What makes this stall stand out is how unpretentious the food feels. No gimmicks, no trendy meat substitutes — just hearty vegetarian cooking done the traditional way.
Signature Dish: Vegetarian Fried Bee Hoon / Lontong
Operating Hours: 5:30am – 1:30pm
Closed: Friday
3. Xin Xing Carrot Cake 欣兴菜头粿 (#01-44)
The sound of sizzling carrot cake hitting a hot wok is enough to pull anyone toward Xin Xing Carrot Cake 欣兴菜头粿. Their white carrot cake may look simple at first glance, but every plate carries that irresistible combination of crispy edges, soft interiors and smoky wok fragrance.
Each cube of radish cake is fried till lightly charred, giving it a lovely texture contrast. The egg coating adds richness without becoming overly greasy, while the preserved radish lends bursts of savoury sweetness throughout.
At just a few dollars a plate, it’s one of those classic hawker breakfasts that never fails to satisfy.
Signature Dish: Fried Carrot Cake
Operating Hours: 6:00am – 1:00pm
Closed: Monday
4. Yi Le Shu Shi 伊乐熟食 (#01-10)
Breakfast lovers will probably find themselves gravitating toward Yi Le Shu Shi 伊乐熟食, especially for their fragrant glutinous rice. The rice here is soft, sticky and generously topped with freshly toasted peanuts, creating a deeply comforting bite with every spoonful.
Unlike the usual steamed version, the fried skin develops a lightly smoky aroma from the hot oil, while still retaining that signature sticky, mochi-like texture that png kueh lovers adore. The contrast between the crispy exterior and tender filling makes every bite incredibly addictive. While the fried bee hoon and noodles are more straightforward, the real secret weapon is the fiery chili sauce that elevates everything on the plate.
This is the kind of stall many office workers and elderly residents have likely been visiting for years.
Signature Dish: Fried Bee Hoon / Glutinous Rice
Operating Hours: 7:00am – 2:00pm
Closed: Tuesday
5. Hui Lai 惠来 (#01-23)
Value-for-money noodle stalls are becoming increasingly rare, which is why Hui Lai 惠来 continues drawing loyal customers daily. Their bowls are generously packed with ingredients despite wallet-friendly prices.
The minced meat noodles come loaded with fishballs, mushrooms, dumplings and springy noodles that hold the sauce beautifully. Their soup carries a light sweetness that makes the meal feel extra comforting, especially on rainy mornings.
Signature Dish: Fish Ball Noodles
Operating Hours: 7:00am – 1:00pm
Closed: Monday
6. Nasi Lemak Specialist (#01-14)
The fragrance from this stall alone is enough to tempt passers-by. Their nasi lemak uses fluffy long-grain basmati rice infused with coconut aroma, creating a lighter yet fragrant base compared to regular nasi lemak rice.
The crispy turmeric chicken wing is one of the highlights here — golden brown on the outside while remaining juicy inside. Pair that with crunchy ikan bilis, roasted peanuts, spicy sambal and soft begedil, and you get a deeply satisfying local feast.
Their sambal deserves special mention too, striking a lovely balance between sweetness and spice.
Signature Dish: Nasi Lemak
Operating Hours: 7:30am – 1:00pm
Closed: Monday
7. Rajarani Thosai (#01-33)
For lovers of crispy prata-style delights, Rajarani Thosai is a must-visit. Their masala thosai arrives beautifully crisp on the outside while remaining soft within, wrapped around generously spiced potato filling.
The accompanying dhal is rich and flavourful without becoming too overpowering, while the chutneys add refreshing tanginess to balance the meal. Portions here are generous too, making it a hearty breakfast or lunch option.
Many regulars swear this is among the better thosai stalls in the East.
Signature Dish: Thosai
Operating Hours: 7:00am – 1:30pm
Closed: Wednesday
8. Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee 砂勞越哥撈麵 (#01-45)
Sarawak kolo mee fans will likely appreciate the authentic flavours at Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee 砂勞越哥撈麵. Their noodles are springy and lightly tossed in savoury seasoning, allowing the ingredients to shine without becoming overly oily.
The signature bowl comes generously topped with char siew, dumplings, wantons and even braised ribs for a seriously filling meal. While some longtime patrons mention slight changes over the years, the flavours remain satisfyingly nostalgic.
Queues can get long, but the hearty portions make the wait worthwhile.
Signature Dish: Kolo Mee
Operating Hours: 6:00am – 2:00pm Daily
9. 137 Lor Mee Prawn Mee 137卤面虾面 (#01-09)
Lor mee lovers shouldn’t skip 137 Lor Mee Prawn Mee 137卤面虾面, where thick braised gravy meets crispy fried fish nuggets in glorious fashion.
The gravy here isn’t overly starchy, allowing the garlic and vinegar notes to come through nicely. Their fried fish remains impressively crispy even after soaking in the sauce, while the generous toppings — including pork belly, braised egg and fishcake — make every bowl feel indulgent.
It’s rich, savoury and deeply addictive.
Signature Dish: Lor Mee
Operating Hours: 6:30am – 1:00pm
Closed: Monday
10. House of Dessert 甜品之家 (#01-02)
No hawker feast feels complete without dessert, and House of Dessert 甜品之家 offers a colourful spread of traditional sweet treats to cool down after a heavy meal.
From classic hot and cold desserts to assorted local favourites, this stall is perfect for ending your food adventure on a sweeter note. It’s simple, nostalgic and wonderfully old-school.
Signature Dish: Assorted Traditional Desserts
Operating Hours: 7:00am – 1:00pm
Closed: Monday / Thursday
11. Teo Kee Mushroom Minced Pork Noodle 潮记香菇肉脞面 (#01-05)
One glance at the persistent queue tells you Teo Kee Mushroom Minced Pork Noodle 潮记香菇肉脞面 has built a loyal following over the years.
Their braised pork ribs are beautifully tender and packed with flavour without becoming overly salty. The braised chicken feet and eggs soak up the aromatic gravy wonderfully, while the noodles pair nicely once mixed with extra braising sauce.
The soup also carries a subtle sweetness from the pork bones, making the entire meal feel extra comforting.
Signature Dish: Pork Rib Noodle
Operating Hours: 6:00am – 2:00pm
Closed: Monday / Tuesday
12. Xing Ji Wanton Mee 星记 (#01-35)
Old-school wanton mee fans will probably fall in love with Xing Ji Wanton Mee 星记. This long-running stall continues drawing steady queues thanks to its nostalgic flavours and springy noodles.
The noodles are cooked al dente and tossed in savoury sauce with just enough chilli to give a gentle kick. Their chilli paste stands out too, featuring hints of dried shrimp that add extra depth.
The wantons may be smaller in size, but they carry that classic old-school texture many older Singaporeans remember fondly. Even the soup — lightly seasoned with soy sauce and spring onions — tastes wonderfully traditional.
Signature Dish: Wanton Mee
Operating Hours: 6:00am – 1:00pm
Closed: Tuesday / Wednesday
Tampines Round Market & Food Centre
📍 Address:
137 Tampines Street 11, Singapore 521137
Whether you’re craving old-school noodle dishes, crispy carrot cake, hearty nasi lemak or nostalgic wanton mee, remains one of the East’s most comforting places for a satisfying hawker feast. Come hungry — because one round here is never enough.
