My Hawker-Crawl Report

A fortnight ago, thanks to this forum. I had created a shortlist of must-do hawker food in S’pore. Here’s my report :

1. Jumbo Seafood : After hearing so much of their Chilli Crabs, we visited their

Riverside branch. The service was a bit distracted, the Chilli Crabs too sweet (too touristy ?) and the steamed/ fried bread took ages to come. Guess we should have visited the Dempsey Hill branch, as recommended by the experts here. Or taken the ‘No Signboard’ alternative.

2. Lau Pau Sat : The outdoor Satay at ‘FatMan’ was impeccable. We then proceeded inside to the ‘Oriental Seafood’ counter, run by friendly Malaysian folks-this being our stall of preference the last time too. Their KangKong in Sambal sauce was excellent, the pepper crab good, the fried stingray passable. Overall, this market scores over Newton anytime.

3. Newton Centre : I find this place aggressively patrolled by food touts-each one trying to push his or her stall counter. Anyway, we settled for one serviced by a pony-tailed lothario whose mobile effervescence was far more impressive than the food served. Sorry Newton.

4. Tekka Market : This makeshift place in Serangoon was worth the visit for its superb and award-winning ‘RotiPrata’, served by an elderly duo, in the middle of the first row, opposite the briyani counter. The mutton prata roti was amazingly thin and crispy and the complimentary curry was the perfect partner in crime. What a find !

5. Gayatri : For the iconic ‘Fish Head Curry’, we chose Gayatri over Muthu’s as per suggestions on this forum. However, I still rate Muthu’s higher. Somehow, the Muthu’s curry seemed to have more secrets hidden within, apart from the fact that the décor is more cool and classy. The fried squid at Gayatri was a winner though. (One word of caution. Do check your bill at Gayatri. They conveniently added a few extra items !).

6. Maxwell Road Foodcourt : The grand finale belongs to the one and only ‘Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice’. We humbly bow down to the Tian Master. There are three other Chicken Rice stalls here. But only one queue. And that belongs to Tian Tian. It took me 45 minutes (no joking) to get to the head of the queue. But it didn’t matter, even if I had missed the flight back home. The Chicken was soft as butter, the delicately fragrant rice a touch of heaven. And let’s not forget the vegetable (Kaylang) which was the best money can buy. Hey, I’m just a tourist and not an expert on Singapore ; but even Anthony Bourdain thinks ‘Tian Tian’ rocks!

My Hawker-Crawl Report

Is the Maxwell Food Court anywhere near Peoples Park Complex?

My Hawker-Crawl Report

Thanks for your report, we are off on our first trip to Singapore soon and your comments will definitely help us with our dining choices.

Just a couple of queries, the outdoor satay at Lau Pau Sat is the stall you are referring too called %26#39;Fatman%26#39;? Or should we be looking for something else? And the same query at Maxwell Road - is the stall called %26#39;Tian Tian%26#39;?

Thanks for your help

Fatman satay is stall #1 (statay only available after 7pm when they close a street to set up the stalls). If you dont have a favourite, its wortwhile buying the minimum quatity and trying another stall (there were about 12 different ones the last time). They all have thier own style.

Tian Tian is stall #10 at Maxwell Road Foodcourt. 1145am or after 245pm is a good time to avoid the crowds for this particular stall.

The satay sounds great! I dont suppose anyone could tell me if Lau Pau Sat is walking distance from the Conrad Centennial?

Or if not, what the best way to get there would be?

Thanks!

15-20min gentle walk in the evening (satay only available in the evening). Walk down to the main road infront of Suntech City infront of your Hotel, which is Nicol highway; walk towards the Esplanade theatres and toward the river, the name of the road now changes to Esplanade drive. Walk over the bridge over the Singapore river and there is a fork in the road, the right hand one (still going straight is called Robinson road. 5-10 walk futher along is Lau Pa Sat. which you will pretty much walk into. so asically on a striaght road from pretty much outside your hotel. Or take a Taxi.

Perfect Mankster, thank you!!

And thanks for writing such a useful report. It is most appreciated.

I%26#39;m so looking forward to our trip in March!

AC

Hi Woody,

Thanks for the interesting post-report! Usually when we give suggestions, we could only suggest it from our point of view. When you guys return with the report it lets us understand more about your preferences and your thoughts! Appreciated.

As for Zeehan%26#39;s query, the Maxwell Foodcourt is not very near the people%26#39;s park complex. You could walk at a shorter distance if you know how to take the shortcuts by cutting through the streets, and it will take about 15-20mins.

cheers,

Suying

Guess I’ll reserve the following food joints for my next trip :

No Signboard / Old Swee Kee / Palm Beach Seafood / Amoy Street Centre.

In the meanwhile, thanks to the sweet Emily, the gentle Cameltoe, the dependable MeOnly, the goody Mr. Marty, the polite BB Mars, the voracious Esorlegin, and the very pretty Suying. Knowledge is Power.

Peace %26amp; Love,

Woody.

Woody

Reserved 1 morning in your next trip for the best Masala Thosai with a cup of Hot Milo / Milk Tea.

Let us know when is Ur next trip (Post nearer when are coming) %26amp; I let U the know the restaurant.

Glad U enjoy Ur makan (eating) trip ^__^.