Know Before You Go: Dining at a Hawker Center in Singapore

Singapore’s hawker centers are usually the first choice for locals seeking affordable food for lunch and dinner, so be prepared for long waits and full tables if you’re planning to join the fray. The most popular hawker stalls have long lines from the moment they open in the morning. Others prepare just enough food to sell out after lunchtime. With that in mind, it’s best to visit before noon.

Singapore’s largest hawker center, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, houses around 220 cooked food stalls and is part of a 5-story market totaling 700 stalls. Still, it may be challenging to find a seat, so be prepared.

Most hawker centers feature round or rectangular tables with five or six seats fixed to the ground. Typically, individuals or smaller groups share a table. If you see an empty seat next to someone, ask if it’s available first, as diners often hold seats for others in their party.

You’ll also notice that some seemingly empty tables have small packets of tissue paper, name cards, umbrellas, or other items placed on them. This phenomenon is known as chope-ing (chope is Singaporean slang for reserving a seat) and ensures that diners will have a place to return to with their food.

If the hawker center isn’t too crowded, feel free to explore the stalls and get your food before securing a seat. Otherwise, make sure to chope your spot first.

A hawker center can contain anywhere from a dozen to hundreds of food stalls, so it’d be wise to plan ahead and decide what foods you want to try. Most dishes are sold in individual portions, which makes sharing easy. Some hawker centers even have Michelin-star stalls. When you’ve found something you like, simply wait at the stall of your choice and place your order. You may receive a buzzer at stalls that have long lines or prep times, which lets you save time by ordering more food or drinks elsewhere while you wait.

Even though most hawkers understand English, you might occasionally encounter older people who only have a basic grasp of the language. However, the language barrier shouldn’t present an issue since each stall usually has a signboard with numbered photos of the dishes on offer, which you can use to place your order. You may want to have local currency to hand, too.

Insider tip: Hawker food in Singapore is popular for its affordability. Prices range around US $3–6 for each dish, with things like barbecued seafood or pork on the pricier end.

Hawker centers house both Muslim and non-Muslim hawker stalls. While you can order anything you like, non-Muslim dishes frequently contain pork or pork lard, as well as other meat that hasn’t been prepared in a halal (permissible) manner. Therefore, out of respect for Muslim diners, you should avoid mixing utensils and food between Muslim and non-Muslim stalls.

Just like at a food court, dining at a hawker center is a self-service affair. Once you’re finished with your meal, make sure to take your tray and utensils to the designated return areas. These are also separated into halal and non-halal sections.

Singaporeans have strong opinions on which hawker stalls serve the best food, but you’ll have the best chance of tasting a good variety in the city center near areas like Chinatown, Little India, and the Central Business District.

Related: Guide to Singapore’s Hawker Centers