Margaret Drive Hawker Centre may look relatively new, but many of the flavours found inside have been feeding Queenstown residents for decades. The airy, two-storey food centre opened in 2022, bringing together several familiar hawkers who previously operated around Tanglin Halt. Located within walking distance of Queenstown MRT, it is a convenient breakfast, lunch and dinner stop for residents around Dawson, Commonwealth and Queenstown.
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Come hungry, because the selection stretches from coconut-rich lontong and old-school chicken rice to refreshing rojak, herbaceous thunder tea rice and nostalgic bowls of traditional dessert. Here are 10 stalls to try.
1. Queenstown Lontong #01-27
Signature dishes: Lontong, Nasi Lemak and Mee Soto
Operating hours: 6.30am – 2pm daily
There is no need for an alarm clock when a bowl of coconut-rich lontong is waiting for you. Formerly from Tanglin Halt, this long-running favourite is best known for its thick, aromatic gravy, soft rice cakes and generous scattering of crispy ikan bilis.
The rice cakes deserve special praise. They hold their shape when lifted with a spoon yet remain soft and tender when bitten, rather than crumbling into sad little rice fragments. The tofu and hard-boiled egg are also cooked just right, soaking up the creamy gravy without becoming dry.
A spoonful of sweet sambal brings extra heat and sweetness, while the anchovies provide a salty crunch that keeps every mouthful interesting. Ask for less sambal when you prefer the gravy to remain more savoury than sweet.
2. Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice Wanton Noodle (新記馳名雞飯雲吞面) #01-30
Signature dish: Chicken Rice
Operating hours: 9.30am – 2.30pm daily
Some chicken rice stalls flatten their chicken before chopping it, creating slices that appear larger but become rather thin. Here, the meat arrives in properly thick pieces, giving you something substantial and satisfying to bite into.
The chicken is tender and moist, with enough savoury gravy to add flavour without drowning the entire plate. Equally important is the rice, which carries a pleasant chicken aroma and remains fluffy instead of oily or heavy.
Even the accompanying soup receives proper attention. Rather than tasting like warm water with spring onions floating inside, it has a comforting chicken flavour that complements the rice. It is a straightforward meal, but when the meat is generous, the rice is fragrant and the gravy is tasty, there is very little left to complain about.
3. Hey Canton Wonton Mee (廣府仔雲吞麵) #02-33
Signature dish: Wanton Mee
Operating hours: 10am – 3pm
Closed: Monday and Friday
This is not the standard plate of noodles with a few thin slices of red-edged char siew placed on top. The menu gives traditional Cantonese noodles a more premium makeover, with options such as chicken feet, braised mushrooms and mushroom-truffle fried wontons.
The thin Hong Kong-style noodles are cooked until pleasantly springy, then tossed in a savoury sauce that coats each strand without making the dish soggy. The prawn wontons are another major attraction, with plump, fresh-tasting prawns wrapped inside delicate skins.
Those ordering the soup version can expect a light yet umami-rich broth. Add a little fried pork lard for extra fragrance and richness. The braised mushroom mixture, prepared with dried oysters, provides a deeper savoury note and turns a familiar plate of wonton noodles into something much more luxurious.
4. Soon Heng Hot & Cold Desserts (順兴清甜五味汤) #02-24
Signature dishes: Traditional Hot and Cold Desserts
Operating hours: 10am – 3pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
After a salty hawker feast, nothing resets the taste buds quite like an old-fashioned bowl of cheng tng, bubur cha cha or green bean soup. This nostalgic dessert counter is operated by an elderly couple who prepare many of the ingredients themselves, including gingko nuts, yam, tapioca and sweet potatoes.
Portions are generous, while the prices remain refreshingly affordable compared with many food-court dessert chains. Customers who prefer lighter flavours may request less syrup or reduced sweetness, making the desserts easier to enjoy without feeling as though you have swallowed half a sugar factory.
The menu is also flexible. When the ingredients are available, the friendly owners may prepare customised combinations. Fancy gingko nuts, sweet potatoes and tapioca in one bowl? Just ask politely. Traditional dessert-making may be simple, but the care involved is clear in every colourful spoonful.
5. Margaret Delight (玛格烈熟食) #02-37
Signature dish: Chicken Chop Fried Rice
Operating hours: 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Every plate is prepared individually, so this is not a scoop-and-go situation where fried rice sits under a warmer waiting for someone to rescue it. The friendly uncle cooks each order on the spot, helping the rice retain its fragrance and wok hei.
The fried rice has an old-school character, with separated grains, savoury seasoning and just enough smokiness from the wok. It is neither excessively oily nor aggressively salty, which makes it easy to finish even when the portion is generous.
A freshly fried chicken chop rests on top, providing a crispy contrast to the fluffy rice. Although the meat may be thinner than the extra-chunky chops served at western stalls, the combination still offers satisfying value. Do not ignore the chilli either—it adds a lively kick and helps cut through the richness of the fried chicken.
6. 28 Rojak (啰惹) #02-29
Signature dish: Chinese Rojak
Operating hours: 12pm – 8pm
Closed: Monday
Chinese rojak can sometimes become overwhelmingly heavy when too much prawn paste is added. This version takes a lighter, brighter approach, with a refreshing citrusy edge that prevents the sauce from dominating every ingredient.
Crunchy turnip, juicy pineapple, beansprouts, tau pok and fried dough fritters are thoroughly tossed in the sweet-savoury dressing. The youtiao and tau pok are grilled before mixing, giving them crisp edges and helping them absorb the sauce without immediately turning limp.
The finishing touch is a generous shower of chunky crushed peanuts. Rather than disappearing into the dressing, the nutty pieces provide a texture almost reminiscent of crunchy peanut butter. It works equally well as an afternoon snack, a shared appetiser or a post-meal treat when you somehow still have room after lunch.
7. Hakka Thunder Tea (客家佬擂茶) #02-34
Signature dishes: Lei Cha Rice and Hakka Yong Tau Foo
Operating hours: 9am – 3pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Lei cha is often described as healthy food, but that makes it sound far less exciting than it actually is. The rice bowl comes covered with finely chopped vegetables, tofu, preserved radish and roasted peanuts, creating a colourful mixture of soft, crisp and crunchy textures.
The accompanying green tea soup is prepared with tea leaves and aromatic herbs such as basil, mint and mugwort. First-timers may drizzle it over the rice slowly rather than pouring in the entire bowl at once. This lets you control the strength of the herbal flavour while keeping some of the vegetables crisp.
Do save space for the Hakka yong tau foo. Each piece is packed with a generous amount of minced-meat filling flavoured with salted fish and dried sole. Popular choices include tau kwa, tau kee and crispy wonton skin stuffed with minced meat. They may cost more than ordinary yong tau foo pieces, but the hearty filling makes the meal surprisingly substantial.
8. Tong Kee Chicken Rice (东记鸡饭) #01-36
Signature dish: Roast Chicken Rice
Operating hours: 9.30am – 7pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Roast chicken is the main attraction here. The whole bird is marinated and deep-fried, producing glossy golden-brown skin while helping the meat remain tender and juicy underneath.
Those who enjoy stronger roasted flavours should choose the drumstick or thigh. The meat is richer, more succulent and better able to stand up to the savoury sauce. The steamed version is available too, although it does not have the thick jelly-like layer under the skin that some chicken rice devotees specifically look for.
The rice is lightly fragrant and not excessively greasy, while the simple chicken broth brings back memories of neighbourhood chicken rice from decades ago. The chilli carries a noticeable garlic kick and a respectable amount of spice. Go easy with the sauce, though, as too much can overpower the delicate fragrance of the rice.
9. Hong Kong Ah Chun Chicken Rice & Noodle (香港阿春油鸡饭面) #02-27
Signature dish: Braised Chicken Rice
Operating hours: 10.30am – 8pm
Closed: Monday
When you need a fuss-free meal that delivers flavour without unnecessary decoration, the braised chicken rice is a reliable choice. The chicken is cooked until tender, allowing the soy-based braising liquid to work its way into the meat rather than merely coating the skin.
Each slice carries a savoury-sweet flavour that pairs naturally with the fragrant rice. Unlike heavily sauced versions that can become overwhelmingly salty, the best mouthful combines a little chicken, rice and gravy in one spoon.
Noodles are also available for diners who prefer something springier. With generous operating hours stretching from late morning until dinner, this is a useful option when several of the centre’s breakfast and lunch stalls have already pulled down their shutters.
10. Tanglin Halt Ru Yi Yuan Vegetarian (东陵福如意园) #02-36
Signature dish: Vegetarian Bee Hoon
Operating hours: 6am – 10.30am
Closed: Wednesday
Early birds get the bee hoon—and possibly the last piece of mock goose too. This breakfast favourite serves a relatively compact selection, but what it offers is prepared with confident wok hei and well-balanced seasoning.
The thin bee hoon is lightly flavoured and served with a little gravy, giving the noodles moisture without turning them oily. Compared with many vegetarian bee hoon stalls, the seasoning is gentler and allows the individual ingredients to retain their own flavours.
Complete your plate with mock goose, braised vegetables, spring rolls or popiah. The layered tofu-skin mock goose is particularly satisfying, offering crisp edges and a chewy centre that goes beautifully with the mild noodles. Arrive early, as popular items can sell out before the official closing time.
Margaret Drive Hawker Centre
Address: 38A Margaret Drive, Singapore 142038
Nearest MRT: Queenstown MRT
Getting there: Take a short walk from Queenstown MRT towards the Dawson and Margaret Drive residential precinct.
Operating days and hours may change without notice, and some stalls may close early after selling out. Check the individual stall’s latest updates before making a special trip. The centre’s address is listed by the National Environment Agency.
