Alexandra Village Food Centre: 10 Must-Try Stalls

Alexandra Village Food Centre may sit quietly along Bukit Merah Lane 1, but lunchtime here is anything but quiet. Once the office crowd arrives, queues start forming, woks begin roaring and the entire hawker centre fills with the unmistakable aroma of fried noodles, roasted meat and slow-cooked soup.

While many diners know the area for its famous drinks and neighbouring eateries, the hawker centre itself offers an impressive variety of comforting local favourites. You can enjoy nourishing Cantonese soup, smoky hor fun, traditional prawn noodles, handmade muffins and even a wholesome bowl of thunder tea rice—all under one roof.

Bring a healthy appetite, because these 10 stalls are well worth making room for.

Operating hours may change occasionally, so it is advisable to check with the individual stalls before making a special trip.

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150120

1. Hong Kong Yummy Soup (真之味)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-51, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Assorted Chinese Soup
Operating hours: 12pm – 2.30pm and 4.15pm – 8.30pm
Closed: Saturday and Sunday

When a stall specialises in Chinese soup, there is nowhere for shortcuts to hide. Fortunately, the bowls served here taste as though plenty of time, ingredients and patience have gone into every pot.

The selection usually includes familiar Cantonese-style soups filled with meat, vegetables and nourishing ingredients. Each bowl carries a clean yet flavourful broth that feels comforting without being excessively salty or oily. Depending on the soup chosen, you may find tender pork ribs, softened root vegetables, beans or Chinese herbs that have released their natural sweetness during the long simmering process.

It is the sort of meal that feels especially satisfying on a rainy afternoon—or after several days of overly indulgent eating. The stall received Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition in 2025, but prices and portions remain approachable for an everyday lunch

2. Xiao Gang Western Food (小刚西餐)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-29, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Black Pepper Chicken Chop
Operating hours: 11am – 2.30pm and 5pm – 9pm daily

Old-school Western food has a special place in Singapore’s hawker culture. It may not come with fancy plating or complicated sauces, but it delivers generous portions, familiar flavours and enough gravy to cover almost everything on the plate.

The Black Pepper Chicken Chop arrives hot from the grill with a sizeable piece of well-marinated chicken. Its surface is nicely browned while the meat remains tender and juicy inside. What brings everything together is the black pepper sauce, which has a noticeable peppery punch without completely overpowering the chicken.

Choose rice for a more filling meal or fries when you are craving the classic hawker Western experience. The accompanying sides and nostalgic sauce make this the kind of plate that transports diners back to the days when chicken chop was the ultimate school-holiday treat.

Service is generally quick, making it a convenient option even during a busy lunch or dinner period.

3. The Thunder Tea Story (擂茶物语)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-55, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Lei Cha
Operating hours: 11am – 3pm and 5.30pm – 8pm
Closed: Sunday

Thunder tea rice sometimes has an unfair reputation for being the meal people order only when they are “trying to be healthy”. One spoonful of this colourful bowl, however, proves that wholesome food does not need to be boring.

The brown rice is soft and fluffy, providing a hearty base for the generous assortment of chopped vegetables. The vegetables are lightly seasoned and carefully stir-fried, allowing their freshness and natural textures to remain intact. Crunchy greens, tofu cubes, black-eyed peas and mani cai create a mixture of soft, crisp and chewy textures in every mouthful.

The accompanying lei cha broth is creamy, minty and pleasantly herbal. It is not overwhelmingly bitter or aggressively strong, making it approachable even for diners who are relatively new to the dish. Pour a little over the rice or drink it separately—the choice depends on how “soupy” you like your lunch.

The result is homely, filling and balanced, with enough variety to keep each spoonful interesting.

4. Lye Bo Toss Noodle (黎包捞面)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-27, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Char Siew and Roast Pork Noodles
Operating hours: 9am – 2pm
Closed: Thursday

Springy noodles, roasted meat and an onsen egg already sound like a powerful combination. Add adjustable chilli oil and fragrant lard, and you have a bowl that can easily be customised according to your personal level of indulgence.

The noodles are noticeably thicker than typical wanton mee strands, giving them a firm and chewy bite. They are tossed in a savoury sauce with a slight tanginess, preventing the dish from becoming too heavy when paired with the roasted meats.

The char siew is tender and gently sweet rather than coated in bright-red colouring. Meanwhile, the roasted pork is relatively lean, with a well-roasted top layer that adds extra flavour. Break the onsen egg and mix the creamy yolk through the noodles for a richer, silkier finish.

Diners who prefer more heat can add chilli powder and chilli oil themselves. Extra noodles and lard are also available for those who believe moderation should begin tomorrow.

5. Green Grass Garden (Grass Jelly) 青草园（草冻）

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-73, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Grass Jelly
Operating hours: 11am – 8pm daily

After navigating several plates of noodles and rice, a cooling dessert becomes less of a luxury and more of a survival strategy.

The grass jelly here has a soft, smooth texture with a gentle herbal bitterness that makes it taste more authentic than versions drowned in sugar syrup. Diners can request less sweetness, allowing the refreshing flavour of the jelly to remain the main attraction.

There are also soya bean drinks and other traditional desserts available. The soya bean milk is light and pleasantly fragrant, making it an excellent accompaniment to the grass jelly or a refreshing drink on its own.

Beyond the desserts, customers often appreciate the friendly service and careful hygiene practices. Electronic payment is available too, which is useful when your wallet has somehow run out of cash after ordering “just one more dish”.

6. Ding Sheng (鼎升)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-78, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Cantonese Fried Hor Fun
Operating hours: 10am – 2.30pm and 4pm – 8.30pm daily

You may smell the wok hei before the plate even reaches your table. That powerful smoky aroma is one of the biggest reasons diners return for the Cantonese-style hor fun.

Wide rice noodles are stir-fried in batches over intense heat, giving them slightly charred edges and a wonderfully smoky flavour. The noodles are then covered with a thick, silky gravy that carries some of that wok hei instead of tasting like a separate sauce poured on as an afterthought.

The seafood version comes with a generous assortment of fish slices, prawns and cuttlefish. Crispy lard pieces add richness and crunch, while the chewy noodles hold onto the savoury gravy beautifully. At around S$5.50 for a substantial portion, it offers excellent value for diners with serious appetites.

Other cooked dishes are available, including ginger and spring onion fish slices. The aromatic gravy, Chinese wine and fresh ginger help balance the flavour of the fish, but the smoky hor fun remains the star attraction.

7. AJ Delight

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-82, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Assorted Muffins
Operating hours: 11am – 6pm
Closed: Sunday

Hawker centre muffins may sound unexpected, but these handmade treats have built a loyal following over many years. They are particularly popular with customers who prefer their cakes moist and flavourful without being overwhelmingly sweet.

The muffins have a soft, fluffy crumb that remains pleasantly moist even after being kept at room temperature. Better still, the flavours go beyond the usual chocolate chip and blueberry selections.

The Apple Crumble Muffin contains actual apple slices, adding natural sweetness and small juicy bites throughout. The Ondeh Ondeh-inspired creation features shredded gula melaka coconut, bringing together familiar Southeast Asian flavours in muffin form.

While they are certainly an indulgence, the balanced sweetness makes it tempting to eat one immediately and bring another home for later. Whether the second muffin actually survives the journey home is another matter.

8. Xing Guang Vegetarian (星光素食)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-64, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Vegetarian Mixed Rice and Daily Specials
Operating hours: 8am – 7pm
Closed: Sunday

Vegetarian mixed rice does not need to mean three pale vegetables sitting sadly beside plain rice. The display here is packed with colourful dishes, crispy items, rich curries and meat-free versions of familiar local favourites.

Customers can choose from a wide selection, similar to ordering at a regular economical rice stall. The fried vegetable croquettes are particularly enjoyable, with a crunchy exterior and a flavourful vegetable filling.

Chilli lovers should approach the homemade spicy condiment with both excitement and caution. It is fiery enough to produce tears, sweat and possibly a brief reconsideration of your life choices—but it also adds a satisfying kick to the meal.

Special dishes are prepared on selected weekdays, including Vegan Nasi Briyani on Wednesday, Vegan Nasi Lemak on Thursday and Vegan Chicken Rice on Friday. These rotating options make it worth returning on different days.

9. Gu Zao Wei Big Prawn Noodle (古早味大虾面)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-11, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Prawn Noodles
Operating hours: 7am – 8.30pm
Closed: Wednesday

A good bowl of prawn noodles should smell of seafood the moment it lands on the table. The broth here carries a deep prawn flavour that suggests the stock has been simmering for hours rather than hurriedly mixed together.

The soup version is warming and robust without becoming unpleasantly salty. It comes with prawns and tender pork slices, creating a satisfying balance of seafood sweetness and meaty richness.

Those who prefer dry noodles can expect the strands to be coated in a savoury, spicy mixture that delivers plenty of flavour in every bite. The prawns are generously portioned for the price, while the pork slices remain tender without any strong or unpleasant smell.

Priced affordably at around S$4.50, it is the sort of traditional bowl that reminds many diners of the prawn mee they enjoyed during childhood—simple, comforting and full of old-school flavour.

10. Xiang Jiang Soya Sauce Chicken (香江鼓油鸡)

Address: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-77, Singapore 150120

Signature dish: Soya Sauce Chicken Noodles
Operating hours: 8am – 2pm and 4pm – 6pm
Closed: Monday

The queues here often provide the first clue that something delicious is happening behind the counter.

The Hong Kong-style noodles are cooked until springy before being tossed in a rich, savoury soya sauce. Tender slices of soya sauce chicken sit on top, absorbing just enough of the sauce while retaining their natural juiciness.

The wantons are packed with minced meat and prawns, wrapped in smooth skins that remain tender without falling apart. For an even more satisfying meal, add a bowl of shrimp dumpling soup. The large dumplings contain prawns, pork and vegetables, with water chestnuts and black fungus providing extra crunch.

The clear soup has a comforting peppery warmth that helps balance the richer noodles. Between the tender chicken, bouncy noodles and generously stuffed dumplings, the combination offers plenty of flavour and texture—provided you have the patience to join the queue.