Bukit Merah Central Food Centre, located at 163 Bukit Merah Central, is seldom talked about on social media.
Despite its unassuming appearance, Bukit Merah Central Food Centre attracts a steady crowd, particularly during breakfast and lunch hours, due to its proximity to residential and commercial areas.
However, it does offer a variety of affordable and even some traditional harder-to-find hawker dishes.
You can indulge in a range of dishes, from the old-school Char Kway Teow at Fong Sheng Fried Kway Teow to the comforting bowls of Ban Mian at Lan Xiang Handmade Noodles.
Many of these stalls have earned loyal followings for their authentic flavours and budget-friendly prices.
However, it is worth noting that most stalls operate only until mid-afternoon, making it more of a spot for breakfast and lunch rather than dinner.
Pin Sheng Chicken Rice 品胜滑鸡饭
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-51
Opening Hours: 11am – 4pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun
Pin Sheng Chicken Rice quickly gained fame after coverage by MP Melvin Yong and several media outlets.
Helmed by ex-Boon Tong Kee head chef Chef Liang, the stall has attracted positive responses from customers.
Pin Sheng offers several options for its signature Chicken Rice, with dishes ranging from $4 to $6, and slightly higher prices for specific cuts.
The chicken is tender with a smooth, lightly gelatinous texture, complemented by a mildly seasoned rice and in-house ginger and chilli sauces, which add a gentle kick.
Chef Liang’s experience shows in the quality of sides, such as the soft braised cabbage and tender, mildly sweet char siew, as well as a comforting cabbage and carrot soup reminiscent of home-cooked meals.
Read more at: Pin Sheng Chicken Rice (Bukit Merah Central Food Centre )
Lan Xiang Handmade Noodles
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-06
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 2pm (Sat – Sun)
Lan Xiang Handmade Noodles is a well-regarded spot for affordable and hearty bowls of handmade noodles. These include Ban Mian, You Mian, and Mee Hoon Kueh.
Choose from a variety of noodle types, including the thicker, broader Ban Mian and the thinner You Mian, each prepared in a way that highlights the handmade quality.
Each bowl is topped with ingredients like marinated minced pork, crispy ikan bilis, and leafy greens, and comes with comforting soup with a mild chicken flavour.
This family-run stall is popular with the office crowd for serving fresh noodles that retain a springy and chewy texture, which holds up well in their savoury broths.
It received even more attention after popular Youtuber Mike Chen featured this stall.
Hearty Noodle 福福面坊
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-35
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 2pm (Sat), Closed Sun
Hearty Noodle 福福面坊 offers Ban Mian, You Mian, and Mee Hoon Kueh. Some customers say it reminds me of the authentic Malaysian style.
Helmed by a dedicated young hawker, this small stall has quickly gained popularity for its flavourful, handmade noodles and generous portions.
During my visit, I opted for the dry Mee Hoon Kueh, which featured tender, chewy dough pieces topped with minced meat, braised mushrooms, ikan bilis, and mani cai, accompanied by a light, mushroom-infused soup.
Each ingredient was clearly prepared with care, and the chilli sauce – homemade by the hawker – added a spicy kick that brought the dish to life.
The stall’s chilli sauces, available in two varieties, are a must-try for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meal.
Read more at: Hearty Noodle 福福面坊 (Bukit Merah Central Food Centre)
Day Night Fried Kway Teow
163 Bukit Merah Central #02-41
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs
This is perhaps one of the most underrated Char Kway Teow dishes in Singapore.
The first look is, this is different from all the other Char Kway Teow too. Notice that the stall uses thin style of kway teow, somewhat like horfun. This gives it a smooth, almost slippery texture.
I ordered shao la light spiciness and the noodles coats up the seasoning very evenly, and tasted satisfying from start to the end (without feeling ’jelak’).
While the wok-hei was not super strong, I thoroughly enjoyed how the flavours come well together. To me, this is the ‘hidden’ gem, perhaps nicer than some of the very famous stalls.
Nan Heng Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice南興海南起骨鸡饭
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-28
Opening Hours: 12:30am – 7pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Another popular Chicken Rice stall here, Nan Heng Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice 南興, offers a straightforward yet satisfying take on Singapore’s beloved dish.
Known for its affordable pricing, with dishes starting around $3.50, Nan Heng serves both poached and roasted chicken versions that attract a loyal crowd.
The poached chicken, appreciated for its tender, plump meat and gelatinous skin, carries the traditional smooth texture that Hainanese chicken rice lovers enjoy.
The roasted option provides a flavourful, slightly caramelised contrast that’s equally popular among regulars.
I find the signature chilli sauce here is a highlight – garlicky, spicy, and a bit tart which complements the chicken well.
Hup Kee Delicious Food合记
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-15
Opening Hours: 5:30am – 2pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Hup Kee Delicious Food, a stall with some of the longest morning queues, opens as early as 5:30am.
The fried noodles and beehoon offer a simple but comforting base, complemented by various add-ons such as fried tofu, chicken franks, and vegetarian options like mock goose.
It is one of those Economy Beehoon stalls that still prepare their own ngoh hiang (spiced meat rolls) instead of relying on pre-made options from suppliers.
This homemade approach extends to some of the other items, and I also saw a number of fried vegetable dishes.
Wei Zhuang Braised Pork Rice 味庄猪脚饭
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-32
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
At Wei Zhuang Braised Pork Rice, I discovered a comforting, Hokkien-style take on Braised Pork Rice that felt both nostalgic and satisfying.
Run by Mr. Heng and his wife, who transitioned from private hire driving to running their own food stall, Wei Zhuang offers a traditional take on braised pork dishes.
Their signature pork belly and pig trotters are marinated in a family-recipe sauce and cooked for an entire day, creating a melt-in-the-mouth tenderness that pairs with fluffy rice or noodles. .
I particularly enjoyed the pork belly rice, which came with generous portions of well-seasoned, tender meat that seeped a savoury soy-based gravy into each grain of short-grained rice.
Unlike the usual Taiwanese-style Lu Rou Fan, this dish offers a unique, local Hokkien flavour that resonates with a homey, slow-cooked appeal.
Read more at: Wei Zhuang Braised Pork Rice 味庄猪脚饭 (Bukit Merah Central Food Centre)
That Putu Mayam Stall
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-20
Opening Hours: 7am – 1:30pm (Tues – Sat), Closed Mon, Sun
Stumbling upon That Putu Mayam Stall was a delightful surprise, as it is unusual to find such a hawker stall devoted solely to this nostalgic South Indian delicacy.
Putu Mayam, made from rice flour pressed into delicate noodle-like strands, is served with freshly grated coconut and sweet, caramel-like orange palm sugar.
At just $2 for a pack of two, it’s a simple yet satisfying breakfast or snack that takes me back to my school days.
The fine, soft noodles come loose and fluffy, a testament to their freshness, making each bite enjoyable and wonderfully light.
One of the best parts of this treat is the fun of customising each mouthful by mixing the coconut and sugar as you like, and eating it with your hands enhances the experience.
Mian Mian Bu Duan Peanut Pancake 绵绵不断
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-17
Opening Hours: 10am – 2pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sat), Closed Wed, Sun
Mian Mian Bu Duan Peanut Pancake offers a nostalgic experience for fans of min jiang kueh, Singapore’s beloved traditional peanut pancake.
Known for its thick, chewy texture, this stall serves pancakes with a generous filling of crushed peanuts, red bean, coconut, and occasionally unique flavours like peanut butter jelly.
The prices are affordable, with traditional fillings like peanut and red bean starting from around $1.20 per piece, making it a budget-friendly treat.
Each pancake is freshly made, with a soft and pillowy texture that lives up to the stall’s name, which means “continuous softness” in Mandarin.
They are cooked to have a soft, slightly crispy edge, while the fillings inside are generously portioned and fragrant. Get the peanut version with crunchy peanuts and a hint of sweetness.
Star Coffee
Bukit Merah Central Food Centre #02-22
Opening Hours: 7:45am – 4:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Star Coffee brings an interesting blend of Nanyang-style kopi prepared with espresso methods, setting it apart from the typical coffee stalls.
With an emphasis on thick, creamy coffee and an optional toast pairing, Star Coffee aims to bridge local kopi culture with a more intense espresso base.
Prepared using an espresso machine and topped with evaporated milk, the result is a potent coffee flavour with a balance of creaminess and slight sweetness.
Star Coffee’s style appeals to those who enjoy strong, straightforward coffee with a smoother texture. However, some may find the taste quite intense.
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Adam Road Food Centre Hawker Guide
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