Hong Lim Market and Food Centre
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee – Kway Teow Mee
O2O – Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea
O2O – Brown Sugar Coffee Dalgona
Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa – Asia Delight Laksa
Ji Ji Noodle House – Ji ji signature Char Siew Wanton Noodle / Dry Dumpling Noodles
Built in 1978 Hong Lim Market and Food Centre is one of the first hawker centres established in Chinatown, and as home to several Michelin rated eateries at low low prices the space is prone to long lines making early arrival highly advisable to those who wish not wait.
Spread across two floors, stall #02-17 already with a queue by 07h30, Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee specializes in smoky Fried Noodles with a hint of sweetness plus salty black Soya Sauce all carried by hot Pork Lard.
Owned by Ng Chin Chye, he and his wife arriving early each day to make sure every plate is perfect, Outram Park’s story extends back to Ng’s father and the combination of Fish Cakes with Cockles tells a story of balance such that no two bites are the same but all are delicious.
Left to choose amongst perhaps twenty Coffee stalls, #01-48 home to “O2O Coffee Tea or Milk,” it is after a brief wait that guests are presented with their scratch-made concoction, the Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea less sweet than many while whipped Coffee known as Dalgona is light and airy without an excess of Ice.
Moving back to the second floor, an 09h00 opening for Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa thankfully sporting no queue, it was with smiles from owner Daniel Soo and his wife that a steamy bowl of “Asia Delight Laksa” was procured for just $12.
A relative newcomer to Hong Lim, Bib Gourmand recognition by Michelin boosting sales in recent years, Soo’s stall offers two versions of Laksa with both influenced by Sungei Road’s heritage and the Gravy less Coconut with more focus of dried Seafood plus whole Shrimp and a butterflied Crayfish on top.
Almost as though intentional, a 09h30 start allowing Hong Lim visitors time to finish their Laksa before lining up for Noodles, Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist occupies stalls #02-48/49 and although service isn’t necessarily friendly the product quality makes up for such things.
Michelin-recommended for years, Lai Yau Kiew and her daughters continuing a legacy began by her parents in 1965, Ji Ji’s Noodles trend more “chewy” than springy but thanks to a complex Sauce with restrained sweetness the flavor is rich and satisfying whether “dry” with Bok Choy or topped with signature Roast Pork and Soup on the side.

