Best Stall in Newton Food Centre
- Monster Day Tours
- Oct 4
- 6 min read
When it comes to experiencing authentic Singaporean cuisine, few places capture the essence of the island's diverse food culture quite like Newton Food Centre. Located in the heart of Singapore's bustling Novena district, this iconic hawker centre has been a beloved culinary destination since 1971, serving generations of locals and tourists with its vibrant atmosphere and incredible array of dishes.
Newton Food Centre stands out among Singapore's hawker centres for its perfect blend of accessibility, variety, and quality. With its rich history spanning over five decades, this open-air food paradise has evolved into a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to taste the real Singapore. The centre comes alive especially in the evenings, when the aroma of sizzling satay, fragrant spices, and fresh seafood fills the air, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.
What makes Newton Food Centre particularly special for tourists is its central location – just a short walk from Newton MRT station – and its reputation for serving some of the city's most authentic hawker fare. Whether you're craving Chinese, Malay, Indian, or seafood delights, this hawker centre delivers it all under one roof. Let's explore the top stalls that make Newton Food Centre a foodie's paradise.
R&B Express (BBQ Chicken Wings) at Newton Food Centre
Start your culinary journey with one of Newton Food Centre's most popular offerings: the legendary BBQ chicken wings from R&B Express. These aren't your ordinary chicken wings – they're marinated in a secret blend of spices, grilled to perfection over charcoal, and served piping hot with a slightly crispy exterior that gives way to juicy, flavorful meat.
The stall has perfected the art of balancing sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, creating wings that are addictively delicious. Each wing is carefully basted during grilling, ensuring every bite delivers that perfect char-grilled taste that keeps both locals and tourists coming back for more. Pair these wings with a cold beverage and you've got the perfect start to your Newton Food Centre experience.
Kwee Heng (Braised Duck & Noodles) at Newton Food Centre
For those seeking comfort in a bowl, Kwee Heng's braised duck and noodles is an absolute must-try. This family-run stall has been perfecting their recipe for years, slow-braising duck in a rich, aromatic sauce infused with star anise, cinnamon, and other Chinese spices until the meat becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.
The dish typically comes with your choice of noodles or rice, accompanied by perfectly braised duck meat, tofu, mushrooms, and hard-boiled eggs, all swimming in that deeply flavorful braising liquid. The duck is so tender it practically falls off the bone, and the sauce is complex enough to keep you discovering new flavors with each spoonful. This is Singaporean comfort food at its finest – hearty, satisfying, and deeply flavorful.
Indian Kitchen at Newton Food Centre
Newton Food Centre's Indian Kitchen brings the vibrant flavors of the subcontinent to your plate with authentic curries, tandoori dishes, and freshly made naan bread. This stall is a haven for spice lovers, offering everything from creamy butter chicken to fiery vindaloo, vegetarian delights like palak paneer, and aromatic biryanis.
What sets Indian Kitchen apart is their commitment to authentic preparation methods and fresh ingredients. Their naan bread is made to order, emerging hot and fluffy from the tandoor, perfect for scooping up rich, complex curries. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to recommend dishes based on your spice tolerance, making it accessible for both curry novices and veterans. Don't leave without trying their tandoori chicken – marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked to perfection in the traditional clay oven.
Stingray Goh Chew Kee Seafood at Newton Food Centre
Seafood lovers, this is your destination. Stingray Goh Chew Kee Seafood specializes in the iconic Singaporean dish: barbecued stingray (also known as sambal stingray). The stingray is grilled over charcoal and generously slathered with a spicy-sweet sambal chili paste that's both fiery and addictive.
Beyond their signature stingray, this stall offers an impressive array of fresh seafood including prawns, crabs, clams, and various fish, all prepared with that distinctive wok-hei (breath of the wok) flavor. The seafood is always fresh, and the cooking techniques showcase the natural sweetness of the ocean's bounty while adding layers of flavor through their expert use of sauces and spices. Be sure to order extra rice to soak up all those incredible sauces.
Hup Kee Fried Oyster Omelette at Newton Food Centre
Hup Kee has mastered one of Singapore's most beloved hawker dishes: the oyster omelette (or orh luak in Hokkien). This dish is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create something extraordinary when prepared with skill and care. Fresh oysters are combined with eggs, sweet potato starch, and vegetables, then fried on a hot griddle until crispy on the edges while remaining soft and custardy in the center.
The texture contrast is what makes this dish special – the crispy, caramelized bits against the soft, almost creamy interior, punctuated by plump, briny oysters. It's served with a tangy chili sauce that cuts through the richness perfectly. Watching the hawkers expertly flip and fold the omelette on the sizzling hot plate is almost as enjoyable as eating it.
Hajah Monah Kitchen at Newton Food Centre
For authentic Malay cuisine, Hajah Monah Kitchen is the stall to visit. This family-operated kitchen serves up traditional Malay dishes that showcase the aromatic, spice-forward flavors of Singapore's Malay community. From nasi lemak (coconut rice with various accompaniments) to mee rebus (noodles in sweet potato gravy), every dish is prepared with recipes passed down through generations.
Their rendang – a rich, slow-cooked meat curry – is particularly noteworthy, with tender meat enveloped in a thick, complex sauce featuring coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, and a symphony of spices. The satay here is also excellent, with perfectly charred meat skewers served with peanut sauce and rice cakes. Hajah Monah Kitchen offers a genuine taste of Malay heritage that you won't want to miss.
Tiong Bahru Durian Desserts at Newton Food Centre
No Singaporean food adventure is complete without trying durian – the "king of fruits." Tiong Bahru Durian Desserts makes this polarizing fruit accessible through various preparations, from pure durian flesh to durian smoothies and durian ice cream. If you're hesitant about the strong aroma, their desserts are a gentler introduction than tackling a whole durian.
The stall sources quality durian from various plantations, offering different varieties with varying levels of bitterness and sweetness. Their durian pengat (durian cooked in coconut milk and palm sugar) is particularly popular, offering a warm, comforting dessert that mellows the fruit's intensity while highlighting its creamy texture. For the brave, try the straight durian flesh to experience what locals are so passionate about.
[Image 8: Durian desserts and fresh durian at Tiong Bahru stall] Alt text: Tiong Bahru durian desserts at Newton Food Centre Singapore hawker centre
Bonus: OnTap (Beer) at Newton Food Centre
After sampling all the incredible food at Newton Food Centre, you'll want to wash it down with something refreshing. OnTap offers a great selection of draft beers, from local favorites like Tiger Beer to international options. There's something deeply satisfying about enjoying a cold beer in the open-air hawker atmosphere, surrounded by the buzz of conversation and the aromas of cooking food.
OnTap provides the perfect complement to your hawker centre experience, whether you're seeking to cool down from Singapore's tropical heat or simply want to toast to a successful food adventure. The casual, communal atmosphere of drinking at a hawker centre is quintessentially Singaporean – unpretentious, social, and focused on enjoying good times with good company.
Planning Your Visit
Newton Food Centre is easily accessible via Newton MRT station (North-South and Downtown Lines), just a two-minute walk away. The centre operates daily, though individual stall hours vary – most open for dinner service and some operate during lunch. Evenings are the busiest and most atmospheric times to visit, though be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends.
For more detailed information about stall offerings and hours, check out the official recommendations on the Newton Food Centre website. Remember to bring cash, as many stalls don't accept cards, and be prepared to share tables – it's all part of the authentic hawker centre experience.
Plan your foodie adventure now and taste the best at Newton Food Centre & beyond! Whether you're a first-time visitor to Singapore or a returning enthusiast, Newton Food Centre offers an unforgettable culinary journey through the island's rich food culture. From smoky BBQ to spicy seafood, aromatic curries to adventurous durian desserts, this hawker centre delivers authentic flavors that will make your trip to Singapore truly memorable.
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