Cab Chat

The Best Places for Hawker Food Sep 2012

Thursday, 20 Sep 2012

Over at the Honeycombers HQ, we’re constantly running across town and jumping into taxis. Needless to say, we’ve acquired a couple of great tip-offs from our taxi uncle and auntie friends.

What better way to celebrate local wisdom than by compiling age-old anecdotes from Singapore’s best travel guides? Our new monthly regular feature, Taxi Talk, is a tribute to our transport saviours and hawker experts.

Uncle Cho, 27 August 2012:

For the best chicken rice, head to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Road Food Centre. The garlic chilli sauce and the white chicken are unrivalled.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Stall 10, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184, p. 9691 4852, open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm. Note that Maxwell Food Centre will be closed for cleaning and renocations from 29 Sep-1 Dec 2012.

But if you don’t want to wait in line, try Boon Tong Kee. Uncle Cho insists that the Whampoa West outlet (next to Book Keng MRT) has the best food and service.

Boon Tong Kee, Blk 34 Whampoa West #01-93, Singapore 330034, p. 6229 9880, open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm & 5-10pm, Sat & Sun 11am-10pm

Another hot favourite amongst his taxi driver buddies is the less famous Yeo Keng Nam Chicken Rice at Braddell Road. Although small, there’s always parking space and the white chicken is, in his words, “second best” after Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Now you know.

Yeo Keng Name Hainanese Chicken Rice, 8 Braddell Road (Cross junction between Upper Serangoon Road and Braddell Road), Singapore 359898, p. 6285 4261, 62854153, open daily 1030am-10pm

Uncle Tan, 3 September 2012:

When we asked Uncle Tan what his favourite hawker food was and where we could find it, he was unfazed. He literally rattled off, “Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Block 409, unit 01-34. Best Hokkien mee!”

Eng Ho Fried Hokkien Mee, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, Block 409 #01-34, Singapore 560409. Opens from dinnertime till late.

Ed’s note: we’ve tried these noodles and while they’re definitely better than the average plate out there, we still like Tian Tian Lai Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee better. However, Tian Tian Lai serves their noodles slightly “wetter”, so if you prefer a dry hokkien mee, try Eng Ho instead.

Tian Tian Lai Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, Block 127, Toa Payoh Lor 1 #02-27, Singapore 310127. Closed Mondays, opens from 930am-6pm on Tue-Sun.

Uncle Tan, 12 September 2012:

This resourceful taxi driver is not only terrific at navigating shortcuts, he’s also a huge foodie. He doesn’t usually get to visit his favourite refuelling spot because of the long queue, but the only char kway teow he eats (so he says) is Hai Kee Teochew Char Kuey Teow, formerly located at Margaret Drive. Uncle Tan especially likes that the prices have remained low despite the hawker’s fame, and also put in a good word for the hawker – he always seems to be in a good mood, “unlike some of my passengers…”

Hai Kee Teochew Char Kuey Teow, Block 11, Telok Blangah Crescent #01-102 (Opposite Mt Faber SAFRA)