The 10 best hawker stalls at Holland Village Food Centre

Breakfast here may be on the somewhat sinful side, but it’ll fuel you up in delicious fashion for the busy day ahead. Glistening fried noodles are heaped onto large plates, and you can complement the carbs with the likes of luncheon meat, crispy bean curd skin, bouncy slabs of fishcake, chicken wings and various vegetables. We like ours with a fried egg – a runny yolk is a must – and piquant chilli sauce. A meal here will set you back upwards of $2.

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Nab a hearty bowl of minced meat noodles at Ming Fa, which is beloved by the food centre’s regular patrons. For around $4, you’ll get a bowl of al dente noodles coated in a mix of black Chinese vinegar, chilli sauce and a smidge of ketchup, and dressed with earthy braised mushrooms, moreish minced meat and firm meatballs. You also have to try their signature fish balls, which are handmade from 100% fish meat without any fillers.

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Nasi lemak, anyone? One of the most popular stalls at the food centre is 363 Holland Village Nasi Lemak, which draws long queues during peak periods. Each portion comes with a good amount of fragrant coconut rice, and you can choose a set meal or go with your pick of sides. We suggest getting a fried egg, fried chicken cutlet and lots of achar – plus the requisite sambal, ikan bilis and roasted peanuts. Anticipate paying about $5.

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Zi char classics are what you’ll discover at this cult-favourite spot, though our go-to item is their top-quality black pepper beef hor fun ($5). Each ample portion has slippery, silky rice noodles, thick slices of beef and chopped vegetables smothered in a fragrant and peppery gravy that’ll have you licking your entire plate clean. Do also throw on some pickled green chillies if you would like some tang to your dish! Other offerings on the menu include seafood hor fun, Thai-style pineapple fried rice and mee goreng.

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Another well-frequented vendor here is Mei Di, where you can get a delicious bowl of noodles done in the style of your choice: be it crowned with minced meat and mushrooms, accompanied by tender and saucy pork ribs or as a serving of laksa. For something lighter, get their fish ball soup that features large and supple fish balls, lettuce and spring onions swimming in a clean-tasting and flavourful broth. Plan to fork out approximately $4 for a bowl here.

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With multiple joints at the food centre selling Western options, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to this type of cuisine. We’re partial to Hua Soon Western Food, where the menu runs the gamut from crowd-pleasing fish and chips to chicken cutlet and fried rice to chicken chop with fries, all served with coleslaw and baked beans. Try the fish and chips ($6) – the fish sports a crunchy, golden-brown exterior and succulent, flaky interior.

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Mala aficionados would do well to pay a visit to this place. Simply pick your desired ingredients from a dizzying selection – including assorted meats and seafood, mushrooms, vegetables, sweet potato noodles and fried bean curd sheets – tell the owner your desired spice level and prepare yourself for a mouth-numbing, tongue-tingling and scrumptious feast. Expect to pay upwards of $7 for a meal, depending on your choice of items.

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The area’s most famous claypot rice may be located at Holland Drive Food Centre, but Yu Ji Claypot & Stewed Soup whips up a perfectly satisfactory version ($6). There’s a crackly, charred bottom, and the rice is complemented by juicy chicken chunks, Chinese sausage and pieces of salted fish. They also serve other claypot dishes such as aromatic sesame chicken and herbal ginseng chicken, plus a plethora of nourishing soups.

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Tuck into a homey bowl of wanton noodles at Liang Ji Wanton Noodle, where the dish goes for roughly $4. If you opt for the dry version, you’ll get a generous serving of noodles (which are a little on the softer side), chunks of char siew and some Chinese vegetables, as well as a small bowl of soup with plump wantons on the side. Splurge on some additional fried wantons, and don’t forget the chilli sauce for a spicy kick.

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This establishment specialises in all things chicken, be it chicken rice or noodles topped with juicy slivers of meat. While the fragrant and comforting chicken rice is certainly tasty, the chicken noodles – which feature eggy strands with a satisfying bite, a delectable sauce and a solid amount of chicken – is our preferred order. You can top up your dish with a braised egg, and expect to pay around $5 for a filling meal.

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This article was first published in Singapore Women's Weekly.