Guides, Singapore

The 25 Best Maxwell Food Centre Stalls You Must Try — Seriously!

Best Food At Maxwell Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is a must-visit for some of Singapore’s best hawker food.

The huge, covered space at one end of Maxwell road, is packed with over 100 food stalls dishing out all kinds of tasty and affordable “street” eats. You pick what you want from any vendor and either find a seat or take it to go. There are restrooms too, in case you’re wondering. Bring some friends so you can try a bit of everything, dress lightly, and get ready for a delicious dive into Singapore’s street food scene.

Photo of Maxwell Food Centre
Photo: Google

What to eat at Maxwell Food Centre

With over a 100 stalls, it can get overwhelming trying to figure what to eat or which stalls to buy from. The last thing you’d want is to spend money on “average” when “greatness” is just a few feet away. So, we’ve created a simple cheatsheet to get you to the good stuff fast. You’re welcome.

Mains

  1. Chicken rice from Tian Tian (#01-10/11) or Ah Tai (#01-07)
  2. Noodles with roast meats from Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia (#01-71) or Ah Zhong Roasted Delights (#01-93)
  3. Pork Chop Rice from Taste of Jiangnan (#01-62)
  4. Bak Chor Mee from Hock Lai Seng (#01-26)
  5. Indonesian chicken rice from Alimama (#01-09)
  6. Braised Pork Belly Rice from Bold x Braised (#01-43)
  7. Laksa from Old Nyonya (#01-04)
  8. Kebabs from Sultan Kebab (#01-86)
  9. Biryani from Pakistani Dum Biryani SG (#01-69)
  10. Rice Bowls from Dan Lao (#01-73)
  11. Porridge from Zhen Zhen (#01-54)
  12. Fish Soup from Yi Jia (#01-69)

Sides

  1. Rojak & Popiah from Rojak · Popiah & Cockle (#01-56)
  2. Ngoh Hiang from Hup Kee (#01-97)
  3. Fried Dumplings from Tong Xin Ju Shanghai Tim Sum (#01-92)
  4. Fritters from China Street Hum Jin Pang (#01-28)
  5. Oyster cake from Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake (#01-05)
  6. Banh Mi from Baguette HUONG VIET (#01-42)

Dessert & Drinks

  1. Nanyang Coffee from The 1950’s Coffee (#01-90)
  2. Appam from Mr Appam (#01-99)
  3. Nyonya Kueh from Heng Heng (#01-31)
  4. Soya Beancurd from Lao Ban Soya Beancurd (#01-91)

25 of the best Maxwell stalls

This list is a curation of our favourite stalls and must eats at Maxwell food centre. Sorted by the highest rating. We’ve added details like awards, opening hours and a short writeup on why we think they are awesome.


This famous stall is known for its delicious, fragrant chicken rice and juicy, tender meat. The dish is a must-try, and their spicy chilli sauce adds an extra kick of heat. Expect long queues.


This 3-in-1 stall (Rojak, Popiah & Cockle) serves up a rojak that’s a fun mix of sweet, sour, and spicy. Even a small portion is packed with flavour and totally worth the wait! The flavours are a perfect blend of sweetness, nuttiness, and a mysterious hint of spice, probably from ginger flower. Get both the Rojak and the popiah. If you haven’t had these before, they will be new tastes your tastebuds will thank you for.


Alimama at Maxwell’s chicken is crispy and perfectly seasoned and is an absolute winner. Fresh ingredients, tender meat, and a spice level that keeps you coming back for more. Spicy food lovers, this is your paradise.�


One of Maxwell’s top hawker stalls, this place serves up fried dumplings that are a must-try. The juicy filling paired with the flavourful sauce makes each bite irresistibly good. The friendly and welcoming service adds to the experience. A definite recommendation.


This place dishes out ham chim peng in sweet and salty styles, and both are delicious and easy on the wallet. The little treats are chewy with a crispy outside. The salty ones pack a mild savoury punch, while the sweet ones are filled with red bean paste, topped with sesame seeds, and glazed with sugar. Tasty and affordable.


The real star, however, is the rice. Cooked in a subtly seasoned chicken stock, it’s fluffy, fragrant, and delicious, with delicate notes of ginger, scallions, and garlic. Adding to the delight, we enjoyed hard-boiled eggs lightly braised in soy sauce. While debates on which stall reigns supreme persist, there’s no denying that Ah Tai’s offering stands tall in its own right.


Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake is rare snack that combines minced meat, fresh prawns, and oysters, resulting in a perfect balance of textures—crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful within. Though petite and priced on the higher side, a few of these treats are necessary to satisfy one’s appetite. The exterior’s crispiness gives way to a moist, soft interior, soaked with the savory essence of oysters, prawns, and minced pork. The experience is nothing short of extraordinary, offering a taste that is both familiar and intriguingly unique.


Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia serves up some seriously tasty roast duck and pork. The duck drumstick is juicy and has perfectly crispy skin, while the noodles are spot-on. Just a heads-up: the place can get crowded and you might have to wait a bit, but it’s totally worth it for the mouthwatering food. … Read more


The young chef here is the grandson of the well-known “Ah Ter” from Amoy Street Food Centre. This version of bak chor mee is a bit richer and heavier on the sauces. The soup is flavourful, thanks to the minced pork and seafood, and the handmade fishballs are soft and juicy.


Old Nyonya serves a good bowl of Laksa although not as rich or aromatic as the bigger names. Try the laksa or rendang chicken rice.


The roast duck is juicy and tender, with crispy skin that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. The roast pork is perfect too—just the right amount of fat, tender meat, and a super crunchy skin that you can hear with every bite. Don’t miss the wanton soup either; it’s packed with big, meaty dumplings. Order the noodle combo with either Roasted Pork, Roasted Duck and wantons.


Lao Ban Soya Beancurd serves some silky smooth tau huey (Soya Beancurd) in 2 flavours, original and almond. We suggest you try both. Does not disappoint.


Heng Heng Ondeh-Ondeh & Tapioca Cake makes an excellent Kueh Kosui(steamed rice cake with palm sugar) and Tapioca cake, both boasting an exceptionally soft texture and an abundance of fresh coconut shavings. Come for the kueh kosui, it has an intense gula melaka flavour that is amazing. Try kueh kosui, Ondeh Ondeh, Tapioca Kueh, Peanut mochi


Come here for a taste of classic Appams, a traditional Indian pancake snack made from a base of fermented rice. Don’t miss the Pandan Brown Sugar Coconut Appam for a subtly sweet treat with a rich aroma.


Come here for the essential Singaporean cup of Nanyang coffee. This spot has been serving kaya toast and black coffee since the ’50s. Their coffee is full bodied, rich and smooth, with a fragrant aroma.


Sultan Kebab in Maxwell food centre is the real deal for kebabs. Few come close to it in terms of value and taste. Portions are huge, and everything’s made fresh right before your eyes. If you order the lamb kebab, the lamb is cooked just for you. The Turkish owner is friendly and loves a … Read more


Baguette Huong Viet’s Vietnamese baguettes are stuffed with juicy beef and fresh veggies. The spring rolls are a win too. A top pick for satisfying Vietnamese food.


Dan Lao serves a ricebowl topped with scrambled eggs and meats. The star of the dish is the Cantonese-style eggs that are scambled to a texture that is silky smooth, absolutely creamy, fluffy and delicious. The accompanying meats are great too and generously portioned. The char siu is incredibly tender with a nice charred taste.


For over 90 years, Hup Kee Wu Xiang Guan Chang, a family-run hawker stall in Singapore has been serving up delicious Hokkien-style Ngoh Hiang. Now managed by the third generation, it’s one of the best places to get handmade Wu Xiang. They keep it real with authentic flavours, all handmade. Their homemade chilli and sweet sauces are the perfect match for their dishes.


Zhen Zhen Fish Porridge at Maxwell Food Centre serves up some of the tastiest porridge around. It’s flavourful, hearty, and easy on the wallet. This porridge is loaded with century egg slices and a raw egg on top is super tasty, and the extra toppings make the thick and creamy congee even better. The servings are big, so you’ll definitely leave satisfied.


Taste of Jiang Nan located at Maxwell Food Centre is started by a former Din Tai Fung chef. They serve a fantastic pork chop that’s tender with just the right kick of spice. The accompanying egg fried rice is a winner, too. They’ve got dumplings and pickled fish soup on the menu as well. The Xiao Long Bao, with six pieces for $5, is a great deal. The dough is thin but easy to handle, packed with juicy goodness without being oily. The filling is well-balanced—traditional but not mind-blowing. The pork fried rice, prawn dumplings in chili oil, and Sichuan-style…


The briyani here exceeded expectations with its richly flavoured rice, offering a gentle spiciness that’s pleasantly subtle. The mutton is exceptionally tender, and the chicken portions are notably generous. The achar adds a refreshing touch to the meal.


Bold x Braised scores high marks for both its food and service. The trotter leg rice comes highly recommended and the braised pork rice set stands out with its tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. The sauce packs a punch and the portions are huge.


This place is famous for having the best fish soup around, and people don’t mind waiting 20 minutes for it every week. The broth is super tasty and gets even better later in the day. The soup tastes clean and has a great fish flavour. The fish is tender, perfectly cooked, and so fresh it practically melts in your mouth. The line might be long, but the service is quick and the wait is often shorter than expected.�


There you have it, Maxwell Food Centre is where you’ll find some of Singapore’s best street food. With tasty dishes like chicken rice, laksa, and fried dumplings, there’s something yummy for everyone. Plus, the prices won’t break the bank.

Tips for visiting Maxwell Food Centre

  1. Avoid weekday lunch hours – Maxwell is located on the fringe of the CBD, so it is surrounded by office buildings. If you have to go during 12-2pm weekdays, expect long lines and waiting for seats as office workers queue up for their favourite foods.
  2. Dress light – It is an open air food centre so it can get very hot in the afternoons.
  3. Don’t expect service – While most stall owners are friendly, some can get real grumpy. They spend all day in a tiny, hot kitchen, so cut them some slack. Just smile, get your food, and enjoy!

Maxwell Food Centre Address

1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184 (Google Maps)

Nearest MRT: Maxwell MRT
Or within walking distance from Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown and Telok Ayer MRT


F.A.Q.

What time does Maxwell Food Centre open?

Maxwell Food Centre opens 8:00 AM and closes 2:00 AM. However, every stall has different opening and closing times. If you don’t want to miss anything, it’s best you check each individual stall’s hours.


Is Maxwell Food Centre Air-conditioned?

No it is not. However, it is ventilated well with several fans for air circulation. It is advised you dress light as it can get hot, especially during the afternoons.


How do I get to Maxwell Food Centre?

The nearest MRT station is Maxwell MRT (TE18). It’s within walking distance from Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown and Telok Ayer MRT (EW15).


What is the crowd like at Maxwell Food Centre?

Mainly office workers, tourists and some residents. Skip the lunch rush from 12 to 2 PM on weekdays when it’s packed with office workers.


What is the best time to visit Maxwell Food Centre?

Definitely avoid lunch at 12-2 PM on weekdays. Some stalls take a mid day break around 2-5pm. Late mornings of evenings are perfect.


Other food guides

  1. Lau Pa Sat
  2. Maxwell hawker centre
  3. Chinatown Complex Food Centre
  4. Newton Food Centre Guide
  5. East Coast Lagoon food Village

Suggested Reading

12 thoughts on “The 25 Best Maxwell Food Centre Stalls You Must Try — Seriously!”

  1. Maxwell Food Centre? Confirm solid. From Tian Tian’s famous chicken rice to Zhen Zhen Porridge, it’s like a hawker buffet of all the best Singaporean eats. Always crowded, but for good reason. Just be prepared to queue, especially during lunch. Worth the wait lah, especially if you’re craving local favourites. kin ka kin qiu!

  2. Try these at Maxwell Food Centre

    alimama green chilli chicken rice & prawn noodle
    china street fritters
    fuzhou oyster cake
    tian tian chicken rice maxwell
    75 peanut soup maxwell
    danlao scrambled egg rice

  3. Maxwell Food Centre is one of the more popular hawker centre in singapore, near chinatown and in the middle of the biz district. lots of good food but be prepared to queue if you’re heading there during peak hours.

  4. Just 5mins walk from where I work. Maxwell hawker centre is one of my favourite lunch spots. Just visit at noon and admire the long lines to find the best stalls. Haha!

  5. Jet-lagged but on a mission, I hopped off the plane and straight into a cab, heading for Maxwell in the blistering heat (seriously, it was like walking into an oven). I was lucky to get some incredibly tasty eats at veryu affordable prices, especially compared to some of the pricier joints around Singapore. Highly recommend coming here maxwell hawker center!
    Commented on Maxwell Hawker Centre Food Guide

  6. Maxwell road hawker centre. As authentic as it gets. Prepare cash if you’re coming here. Its alot more local than Laupasat. Lots of local food options. Enjoy!

  7. This place was our favorite hawker center in Singapore. It’s just off the Maxwell MRT, a bit hard to find a seat, and super hot, but totally worth it! We got a lot of food for not much money. To skip the lines, try to get there for lunch at 11:45 am. But the food comes out fast, so the lines move quickly. It really feels welcoming and affordable. Highly recommended to try the chicken rice!

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