10 Hokkien food spots for authentic Hokkien food in Singapore

Despite being the largest Chinese diaspora population that makes up the current Singapore, Hokkien food is interestingly underrepresented in the local food scene. This is unlike Teochew and Cantonese cuisines, which make up the next two largest groups. We are not trying to say that Hokkien food does not have a presence — it’s quite the contrary actually, with favourites such as Hokkien mee (both the dark and luscious kind and the fried prawn noodle version), lor mee, and char kway teow, among many others, being popular dishes here. We make that case because there aren’t many restaurants that focus solely on Hokkien cuisine here. And so, we’re giving these Hokkien restaurants the spotlight below alongside hawker stalls that serve up less common dishes such as salted duck and herbal bak kut teh.

1. Beng Thin Hoon Kee Restaurant

Beng Thin Hoon Kee Restaurant is the oldest Hokkien restaurant in Singapore. It was founded by Lim Yew Hoon in 1949 after he migrated here from Quanzhou, China. Originally located on Hokien Street, the restaurant is now situated within OCBC Centre, where it has been since 1979, following an invitation by then-bank chairman Tan Chin Tuan. Popular items on the menu include Beng Thin Duck Salad ($20/$30/$40), Fujian Prawn Balls ($15/$24/$36), and Fujian-style Fried Noodles ($12/$24/$36).

Beng Thin Hoon Kee Restaurant is at 65 Chulia St, #05-02 OCBC Centre, Singapore 049513. Visit its Facebook for more information.

2. Beng Hiang Restaurant

Beng Hiang Restaurant has been in the business for almost five decades after first-generation Singaporean Ng Han Kim started the restaurant in 1978. In a retro Chinese restaurant setting, the brand continues to focus on serving authentic Hokkien Chinese dishes ranging from 5-Spiced Sausages and Fried Prawn Balls ($15/$30) and Fried Oyster with Crispy Egg ($18/$34) to Steamed bun with Braised Pork Belly “Kong Ba Bao” ($16.80/$32) and Beng Hiang’s Hokkien Noodles ($12/$16/$20).

Beng Hiang Restaurant is at 135 Jurong Gateway Rd, #02-337, Singapore 600135. Visit its website for more information.

3. Bee Heong Palace Restaurant

Another familiar name in the local Hokkien restaurant scene is Bee Heong Palace Restaurant. The family-run restaurant was established in 1981 by Goh Cheng Hian and is now under the helm of second and third generations, who continue to adhere to traditional tastes passed down to them. Yet, the menu isn’t just a feature of classic Hokkien favourites. It’s also got a repertoire of inventive takes like UFO Oyster Omelette made with crispy omelette and spicy umami, oyster-laden sauce, and the Kungfu Flame Chicken that sees the roasted poultry set alight at your table.

Bee Heong Palace Restaurant is at 4 Jalan Leban, Singapore 577548. Visit its Facebook for more information.

4. Quan Xin Yuan Seafood Restaurant

Also occasionally referred to as Qian Xiang Yuan, Chinese immigrant and father of Tho Hey Sio began Quan Xin Yuan Seafood Restaurant as a food cart along Queen Street in the 1930s before expanding to a restaurant in the 1970s. Now, the heritage restaurant is led by fourth-gen Gabriel and Amy Tho as they continue to create authentic food that is value for money. Dishes that make fans return include Braised Pork with Steamed Buns, Prawn Roll, Fish Maw Sea cucumber Stew, Roasted Chicken, and Fried Hokkien Mee.

Quan Xin Yuan Seafood Restaurant is at 252 Jln Besar, Singapore 208925. Visit its Facebook for more information.

5. Tun Xiang Hokkien Delights

With eight branches dotted islandwide, Tun Xiang Hokkien Delights offers a convenient option for many of us to satisfy our Hokkien food cravings. Bestsellers here include the Signature Hokkien Mee ($8.90), Deep-fry Iberico Pork with Bean Curd ($10), and Fish Maw & Pig Stomach Collagen Soup ($16).

Tun Xiang Hokkien Delights has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its Facebook for more information.

6. Gim Tim Restaurant

With a focus on Hokkien and Cantonese cuisines, Oh Joo Chong opened Gim Tim Restaurant in 1975 as a catering business before its flagship location in Ang Mo Kio. The restaurant is now headed by chef Lai Yong Meng and recommended selections include Buddha Jump Over The Wall ($98 for one pax /$688 for six pax/$868 for 10 pax), Peking Duck ($70), Crispy Chicken Skin with Sotong Paste ($18/$36), and Hand-Made Yam Ring Topped with Scallop ($30).

Gim Tim is at 157 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, #01-546, Singapore 560157. Visit its website for more informatio

7. Home Treasure Salted Duck

We know and love roast duck and braised duck, but Hokkien salted duck is a rarity in Singapore. Enter Home Treasure, a hawker stall in Sembawang that was started by Sylvia Chew after perfecting her recipe over a decade. The ducks are brined in a salt-based marinade for three days before they are poached and served with rice or porridge (from $4.30). To best ensure the salty and umami flavour of the duck, pair it with the lime and chilli dip. Another hawker stall to tuck into salted duck is Benson Salted Duck Rice in Toa Payoh.

Home Treasure Salted Duck is at 21 Canberra Link, #01-16 Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, Singapore 752350. Visit its Facebook for more information.

8. Seng Heng Braised Duck Noodles

With opening hours lasting only two to three hours each time, Seng Heng Braised Duck Noodles definitely has the popularity to back its limited availability. The hawker stall is helmed by Grandpa Koh, who came here from Taiwan during World War 2. On the menu is Hokkien-style braised duck, which is generally lighter and sweeter in profile with herbal notes compared to the more available Teochew style. The braised duck is available with rice or noodles (from $4.30). Fun fact: Grandpa Koh’s grandson opened the now-defunct Kin Men Seng Heng Halal Hokkien Braised Duck.

Seng Heng Braised Duck Noodles is at Blk 85 Redhill Ln, #01-28, Singapore.

9. Nanjing Street Bak Kut Teh

Bak kut teh is another dish with Teochew and Hokkien variants. The former has a lighter broth laced heavily with pepper and garlic, while the latter comes with herbs and dark soy sauce. Hokkien-style bak kut teh is available at Nanjing Street Bak Kut Teh in Maxwell Food Centre, which is helmed by Madam Teo. She learned the ropes from the famous Ong Say Bak Kut Teh, which closed in 1989, and keeps to the same Bak Kut Teh ($5) recipe.

Nanjing Street Bak Kut Teh is at 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-89 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184.

10. Good Chance Popiah House

Popiah is a beloved dish among the Teochew and Hokkien communities. And Good Chance Popiah House brands itself as a stalwart for Hokkien-style popiah. The eatery was started by Chinese-born immigrant Hou Shen Hu in 1977 and is now managed by his grandson. Also available online, the DIY Popiah Set (from $26) comes with the usual toppings such as turnip, omelette, chilli and garlic paste, and more. You can also find other classics such as Hokkien Mee (from $10.80), Braised Pork with Pumpkin Bun ($23), and more.

Good Chance Popiah House is at 149 Silat Ave, #01-58, Singapore 160149. Visit its website for more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women’s Weekly.