Where to Find Michelin Star Hawker Stalls in Singapore
- Monster Day Tours
- Jun 20
- 8 min read
Singapore's culinary landscape is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, aromas, and cultural influences that have earned global recognition for their exceptional quality and affordability. What makes Singapore truly unique in the global food scene is the prestigious Michelin recognition bestowed upon its humble hawker stalls, making it home to some of the world's most affordable Michelin-starred meals. Since 2016, when the Michelin Guide first included Singapore, the city-state's hawker culture has been elevated to international acclaim, showcasing the extraordinary culinary talents found in these unassuming food centers.
The UNESCO recognition of Singapore's hawker culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020 further cemented its significance in the global culinary landscape. For those who want to try the best bites in one go, join this Michelin Hawker Food Tour for a curated local experience that takes you through the heart of Singapore's celebrated food scene.
1. Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (Crawford Lane)
✨ Signature Dish: Bak Chor Mee (Minced Meat Noodles)
One of the first two street food locations in the world to be awarded a Michelin star in 2016, Hill Street Tai Hwa continues to maintain its prestigious one-star rating. Founded in the 1930s, this family-run stall serves noodles cooked-to-order with meticulously prepared ingredients including crispy dried plaice, fluffy cracklings, and tender pork liver. Expect to queue any time of day for this $6-$10 bowl of perfectly layered flavors and textures that has customers returning for generations.
2. Hawker Chan (Chinatown Complex)
✨ Signature Dish: Soya Sauce Chicken Rice/Noodles
Formerly known as Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, this stall made history as the world's first hawker to earn a Michelin star. Chef Chan Hon Meng's signature soya sauce chicken is marinated with a secret recipe of herbs and spices, resulting in tender, juicy meat with a perfectly glazed exterior. The chicken is served with either fragrant rice or springy noodles, both cooked to absorb the delicious sauce, making it one of the most affordable Michelin-starred meals in the world.
3. A Noodle Story (Amoy Street Food Centre)
✨ Signature Dish: Singapore-Style Ramen
Founded by Ben Tham and Gwern Khoo in 2013, A Noodle Story earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2016 and has maintained this recognition ever since. Their innovative Singapore-styled ramen combines local flavors with Japanese techniques, featuring springy noodles topped with tender cha-su (barbecued pork), crispy potato-wrapped prawns, and a perfectly seasoned sauce. This fusion creation represents Singapore's multicultural food heritage and continues to attract long queues of both locals and tourists.
4. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (Maxwell Food Centre)
✨ Signature Dish: Hainanese Chicken Rice
Awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin, Tian Tian serves what many consider the definitive version of Singapore's national dish. Their chicken is poached to perfection and quickly chilled in ice water for optimal tenderness and silky skin texture. The real star, however, is the rice – fluffy, fragrant, and cooked with chicken fat, garlic, and a special ingredient of onion that adds a unique sweetness. Paired with their signature chili sauce, this $3.50-$5 dish has received praise from celebrity chefs like Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay.
5. Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee (Hong Lim Market)
✨ Signature Dish: Char Kway Teow
This Bib Gourmand awardee is run by 70-year-old Uncle Ng, whose day begins at 3 AM to prepare his famous wok-fried flat rice noodles12. The secret to his exceptional char kway teow lies in controlling the fire and scraping right to the bottom of the wok to achieve the elusive "wok hei" – a smoky, charred aroma that elevates the dish. Each plate features a harmonious mix of dark soy sauce, eggs, plump cockles, bean sprouts, and fragrant pork lard, creating a symphony of traditional flavors that has earned devoted followers for decades.
If this list is overwhelming (we get it—so many options!), you can always join a guided food tour in Singapore to try a few in one go—stress-free! Our Michelin Hawker Food Tour takes you to multiple award-winning stalls while sharing the fascinating stories behind each dish.
6. 328 Katong Laksa (East Coast)
✨ Signature Dish: Laksa
This Bib Gourmand recipient serves an authentic Katong-style laksa that has become legendary in Singapore's food scene. Their rich, coconut-based broth is infused with a perfect balance of spices, creating a creamy yet complex flavor profile that has even impressed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in a cook-off challenge. Served with thick rice noodles cut into shorter lengths (so you only need a spoon to eat it), fresh prawns, fishcake, and aromatic herbs, this $5.35-$7.50 bowl represents the Peranakan influence in Singapore's diverse culinary landscape.
7. Zai Shun Curry Fish Head (Jurong East)
✨ Signature Dish: Steamed Fish
While the name highlights curry fish head, this Bib Gourmand stall is ironically better known for its exceptional Cantonese-style steamed fish. Located within a coffeeshop at Jurong East Street 24, Zai Shun offers the catch of the day, including premium options like Red Garoupa and the prized Empurau. The fish is steamed to perfection – white fleshy meat that's soft yet firm, with a mild, sweet flavor enhanced by a light soy-based sauce. Their Assam Curry Fish Head is also noteworthy, featuring a spicy, tangy gravy that pairs perfectly with rice.
8. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (Tiong Bahru Market)
✨ Signature Dish: Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Open since 1988, this Michelin-recommended stall is run by Cheong Weng Wah, who grew up in the heritage neighborhood of Tiong Bahru. His chicken rice stands out for its perfectly poached chicken, which is soaked in ice water – a technique that ensures optimal tenderness of the flesh and silkiness of the skin. The fragrant rice includes a special ingredient of onion alongside the usual garlic, ginger, and spring onion, adding a unique hint of sweetness that sets it apart from other chicken rice stalls.
9. Ah Er Soup (ABC Brickworks)
✨ Signature Dish: Buddha Jumps Over The Wall
This humble soup stall made a surprise entrance in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list in 2017. Specializing in traditional Chinese herbal soups, Ah Er Soup offers nutritious broths at affordable prices, with nothing above $6.50. Their signature Buddha Jumps Over The Wall ($6.50) is considered luxurious for its price, featuring ingredients like fish maw, abalone, and Chinese mushrooms in a rich, intensely flavored broth that's been simmered for at least two hours. Other popular options include Ten Tonic Ginseng Chicken Soup and Lotus Root Peanut Pork Ribs Soup.
10. Heng Carrot Cake (Newton Food Centre)
✨ Signature Dish: White and Black Carrot Cake
A Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient since 2016, Heng has been serving exceptional chai tow kway (carrot cake) since 1971. Unlike many stalls that use factory-made carrot cake, Heng takes pride in steaming their own, resulting in a tender, almost fluffy texture. Their white carrot cake ($4-$8) is slowly fried to golden-yellow perfection with slight bits of char for a smoky kiss, while the black version is sweetened with caramel soya sauce. For the indecisive, a $6 plate gets you half of each variety – the perfect introduction to this quintessential Singaporean dish.
If you're finding it challenging to visit all these locations independently, consider joining our Singapore hawker experience that guides you through multiple award-winning stalls in one convenient tour, complete with cultural insights and behind-the-scenes stories from the passionate hawkers themselves.
11. Tai Wah Pork Noodle (Hong Lim Market)
✨ Signature Dish: Bak Chor Mee
Located opposite Outram Park Fried Kway Teow in Hong Lim Market, this Bib Gourmand awardee serves exceptional minced pork noodles that have attracted queues for years. Run by third-generation successors Gerald and Jason Tang, the stall continues the family legacy that began in the 1930s. Their signature dry-tossed bak chor mee ($6-$10) features noodles coated in a proprietary chili sauce, topped with minced pork, liver, dumplings, and crispy lard – creating a complex flavor profile that has earned devoted followers across generations.
12. Kok Sen Restaurant (Keong Saik Road)
✨ Signature Dish: Big Prawn Hor Fun
In business for over 50 years, this Bib Gourmand recipient serves zi char cuisine – a style of Chinese home cooking that is both innovative and comforting. Despite moving to another spot on the same street in 2022, Kok Sen maintains its reputation for exceptional dishes at hawker-level pricing. Must-try items include their famous Big Prawn Hor Fun with its velvety sauce and succulent prawns, the Claypot Yong Tau Foo, and the prawn paste chicken that the Michelin inspectors describe as "simply not to be missed".
13. Hoo Kee Bak Chang (Amoy Street Food Centre)
✨ Signature Dish: Bak Chang (Glutinous Rice Dumplings)
This Bib Gourmand stall specializes in traditional Hokkien-style rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. Their signature bak chang features glutinous rice mixed with salted duck egg yolk, pork, and chestnuts – a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors. Operating only three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM), Hoo Kee's limited hours have not deterred loyal customers who queue for these meticulously handcrafted dumplings that represent an important part of Chinese culinary heritage.
14. China La Mian Xiao Long Bao (Chinatown Complex)
✨ Signature Dish: Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)
Located in the bustling Chinatown Complex, this Travelers' Choice awardee serves exceptional handmade dumplings at affordable prices. Their signature xiao long bao features thin, delicate skins encasing a flavorful pork filling and hot, aromatic soup that bursts in your mouth with the first bite. Other popular items include their la mian (hand-pulled noodles) with various toppings and pan-fried dumplings with crispy bottoms and juicy fillings. The stall's commitment to traditional techniques and quality ingredients at hawker prices has earned it recognition from food critics and dumpling enthusiasts alike.
15. Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice (Jalan Besar)
✨ Signature Dish: Scissors Cut Curry Rice
This iconic stall serves Hainanese curry rice with a unique twist – all ingredients are cut with scissors before being placed on rice and drenched in a special curry gravy made from three different sauces. Despite its not-so-appealing visual presentation (with its reddish and brownish hue), the flavor combination is what keeps customers coming back. Popular toppings include pork chop, braised cabbage, and fried eggs, with prices ranging from $0.70 to $1.20 per item, making it one of the most affordable and satisfying meals in Singapore.
Tips for Your Hawker Food Adventure
Before embarking on your Michelin hawker food journey, here are some practical tips to enhance your experience:
Bring cash – Most hawker stalls only accept cash payments, so come prepared.
Be ready for queues – The most popular Michelin-awarded stalls often have long lines, especially during peak hours, but the wait is usually worth it.
Check operating hours – Many hawker stalls have specific opening times and days off, so plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.
Go early – Some stalls close once they sell out for the day, which can happen well before their official closing time.
Bring tissues – Hawker centers typically don't provide napkins, so it's handy to have your own.
Share dishes – To sample more varieties, go in a group and order different dishes to share.
Look for the certificates – Michelin-awarded stalls usually display their recognition prominently, helping you identify them easily.
Taste the Stars Without the Price Tag
Singapore stands unique in the global culinary landscape as a place where world-class food doesn't require a world-class budget. The Michelin recognition of hawker stalls has not only elevated Singapore's food culture internationally but also preserved the legacy of these culinary masters who have perfected their craft over decades. From the tender chicken rice at Tian Tian to the complex flavors of Hill Street Tai Hwa's bak chor mee, these humble stalls represent the heart and soul of Singapore's multicultural heritage.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned foodie, exploring these Michelin-awarded hawker stalls offers an authentic taste of Singapore's diverse culinary traditions. Ready to explore Singapore one bite at a time? Don't miss the Michelin Hawker Food Tour to taste award-winning dishes with stories behind every stall – a delicious adventure that combines the best of Singapore's food scene with insights into its rich cultural tapestry.
