Discover the best Hakka food at these hawkers and restaurants in Singapore

ICYDK, the Hakka, or 客家, are historically thought to have largely descended from Northern Chinese people migrating to the south due to social unrest and upheavals. And as a result of this movement and assimilation, Hakka cuisine has developed to become unique on its own while incorporating certain influences from neighbours such as the Cantonese. Hakka dishes such as yam abacus seeds, thunder tea rice and yong tau foo have also since become favourites in the local food scene. Consequently, we’re spotlighting 13 hawker stalls and restaurants where you can enjoy hearty Hakka food in Singapore.

Plum Village Restaurant

Plum Village was founded over 50 years ago and is said to be the oldest Hakka restaurant in Singapore. It is currently owned by second-generation owner Lai Fak Nian, who is already in his 80s. It’s most known for yong tau foo, or Hakka Stuffed Beancurd (from $8), which is stuffed with minced pork, and also serves up Abacus Seeds (from $11), Salt-Baked Chicken (from $20), and Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables (from $15).

Plum Village Restaurant is at 16 Jln Leban, Singapore 577554.

Hakka Leipopo

As the name implies, Hakka Leipopo serves up soulful traditional thunder tea rice, or Hakka Lei Cha ($5). The hawker stall was founded by former piano teacher Kumiko Tan, who missed the taste of lei cha in her hometown in Malaysia. Besides lei cha, Hakka Leipopo also has Hakka Yong Tau Foo ($7.20). And if you want them both, get the set menu ($8.30/$11.70).

Hakka Leipopo has multiple branches in Singapore, such as 1 Punggol Dr., #02-26 One Punggol Hawker Centre and 115 Bukit Merah View, #01-61 Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre, Singapore 151115, Singapore 828629.

Mei Zhen Hakka Delicacies

Located between Marymount and Thomson MRT stations, Mei Zhen Delicacies draws long lines of fans queueing up for Hakka delicacies such as Abacus Yam Ball ($5/$8), Yam Cake ($3/$6), and Taro Skin Turnip Dumpling ($1.50). Come here early, as the store closes in the early afternoon. Its abacus seeds are particularly popular—the morsels boast a nice chew and are cooked with shallots, onions, and mushrooms for a more umami flavour.

Mei Zhen Hakka Delicacies is at 320 Shunfu Road, #02-26 Shunfu Mart, Singapore 570320.

Hakka Thunder Tea Rice

Previously at Tanglin Halt, Hakka Thunder Tea Rice has relocated to Margaret Drive. Despite the move, the hawker stall managed by Mrs Ang hasn’t waned in popularity, as fans queue for its hearty Hakka Thunder Tea ($5.50) matched with savoury Homemade Hakka Yong Toufu ($1.30 per piece) with options such as tau kwa, shiitake mushroom, eggplant, and bitter gourd. They are only open for lunch between 10:30am and 3pm, so plan accordingly.

Hakka Thunder Tea Rice is at 38A Margaret Dr, #02-34 Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, Singapore 142038.

Ah Lock & Co

Here’s a place for those who work in the CBD. Ah Lock & Co has the mission of preserving and innovating the comforting Hakka rice bowl (that’s halal-certified too!), resulting in various protein iterations such as beef, salmon, crispy chicken, and meatballs (from $9.80) on Japanese short grain rice. There’s also a choice of a sambal mayo to spice up your meal. Once done, finish your meal with a sweet treat in the form of Min Jiang Kueh ($1.80-$2.60), another star item at Ah Lock.

Ah Lock & Co is at 7 Wallich St, #B2-22/23/24 Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884.

Thunderbolt Tea by Boon Lay Traditional Hakka Lui Cha

Within walking distance of Paya Lebar MRT, Thunderbolt Tea boasts a family recipe that is over a century old, and the bowl ($4.50/$5) comes topped with a wholesome mix of leeks, white cabbage, long beans, sayur manis (sweet leaf), firm tofu, chye poh (pickled radish) and dried shrimps. The eatery is headed by millennial hawker and second-generation owner Wong Pixiang, who left his airforce career to preserve and celebrate his grandmother’s recipe. Wong also grew up helping at his father’s stall, Boon Lay Traditional Hakka Lui Cha.

PS: Add the Hakka Fried Pork marinated with a secret family recipe for a moreish experience.

Thunderbolt Tea is at 129 Geylang East Ave 2, #01-100, Singapore 380129.

Hakka Fun HamCha & Yong Tou Fu

A hawker stall housed within Chinatown Complex, Hakka Fun HamCha & Yong Tou Fu was founded by Malaysian couple Alan Kok and Michelle Yee in 2018. True to the signboard, thunder tea rice (which you can order with puffed rice for added texture) or Hakka Hamcha ($4.50/$5) with a thick herbaceous soup, and Hakka Style Yong Tou Fu ($0.80 per piece) are the main staples here, both of which are recipes from their respective families.

Hakka Fun HamCha & Yong Tou Fu is at 335 Smith St, #02-123 Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335.

Pang’s Hakka Yong Tau Foo

Pang’s Hakka Yong Tau Foo is the brainchild of Pang Kok Keong. Some of you might remember the now-defunct French patisserie Antoinette, founded by him, too. What sets Pang’s Hakka Thunder Tea Rice ($6.80) apart is that he omits the use of tea leaves, which removes any bitter taste so that all ages can enjoy it. It’s also served with only unpolished brown rice for an earthier flavour. Otherwise, you can tuck into other Hakka faves, including Yong Tau Foo (from $6.20) and Signature Abacus Seeds ($6.80).

Pang’s Hakka Yong Tau Foo has multiple locations in Singapore, such as 10 Tampines Central 1, Level 5 Hawkers’ Street @ Tampines 1, Singapore 529536 and 1 Jelebu Rd, #03-08 Hawkers’ Street @ Bukit Panjang Plaza, Singapore 677743. . 

The Beef House

There are two dishes everyone has to try at The Beef House. The first is the Beef Ball Soup ($5/$6) with firm yet juicy handmade beef balls that you can also get with noodles. The other is the Hakka Yong Tau Foo ($5), also all handmade. The hawker stall is now managed by second-generation owners who took over from their father, Mr Chia. The Beef House also offers Abacus Seeds ($3) and Soon Kueh ($2 per piece).

The Beef House is at 217 Syed Alwi Rd, Gar Lok Eating House, Singapore 207776.

Martin’s Kitchen

Located in River Valley, Martin’s Kitchen is the creation of chef Cheng Wei Liang. Its menu combines Hakka flavours with European and Mexican dishes. He wanted to pay tribute to his late aunt, who used to cook Hakka dishes at home. And so, these traditional dishes get a unique spin in current options such as Hakka Lei Cha Chopped Salad ($19.90), Deep Fried Hakka Pork Belly ($16.90), and Hakka Dumplings ($16.90).

Martin’s Kitchen is at 56 Zion Rd, Singapore 247781.  

Xi Yan @ Shaw

Hong Kong chef Jacky Yu founded Xi Yan. It grew to become a successful chain of restaurants in Hong Kong before he started the casual diner Xi Yan @ Shaw Centre in October 2014. Besides having the signature Hakka dishes we all know on the menu, other popular items include Hakka Marinated Duck with Sweet Sauce ($28/$54), Braised Yellow Wine Chicken in Hakka Imperial Kitchen Rice Wine ($20/$38), and various preparations of Hakka noodles. You might have also heard of Xi Yan @ Maxwell, which focuses on modern dining and has a bar.

Xi Yan @ Shaw is at 1 Scotts Rd, #03 -12/13 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208.

Hakka Soh

Hakka Soh is a home-based business started by Lisa Choo. And because it is a small operation, you have to keep your eyes peeled for Facebook updates on its next order opening. The brand is most proud of its Homemade Radish Cake ($30), which incorporates premium ingredients such as dried scallops, shrimp skins, and lap cheong. If you’re feeding a small family, consider the Reunion Feast Bundle, which has Yong Tau Hu (Small), Glutinous Rice (Small), Abacus Seeds (Small), Sambal, and Bubur Cha Cha.

Tian Tian Chi Su and Fire Flies

Tian Tian Chi Su, or Everyday Vegetarian, is a hawker stall in Bukit Batok managed by Thunder Tree. Fans of Hakka lei cha might remember the brand as a former purveyor of the iconic dish with affiliations to the now-defunct organic vegetable farm in Lim Chu Kang known as Fire Flies Health Farm. The brand also recently unveiled Fire Flies in People’s Park Centre, offering another location for us to have our fill of Hakka Lei Cha ($5) and Kolo Mee (from $4.50).

Tian Tian Chi Su is at 155 Bukit Batok Street 11, #01-322 Broadway Coffee Shop, Singapore 650155 and 101 Upper Cross Street, #B1-06 People’s Park Centre, Singapore 058357.

This article was originally published in Women’s Weekly.