Lau Pa Sat, which translates to “Old Market”, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. It was Singapore’s first market and a hub for traders and merchants. The market was rebuilt in 1894 with its iconic cast-iron structure, imported from Scotland, and still stands today. Over the years, Lau Pa Sat has become a bustling food center, well-known for its wide range of local and international dishes. The market still retains its historic charm, making it a food destination for both locals and tourists.
Photo: laupasat.sg facebook
With more than 80 stalls at Lau Pa Sat, picking one or two can feel like being a kid in a candy store—exciting but a bit daunting. To save you from the decision overload, we’ve rounded up our favourites stalls at Lau Pa Sat. Dive into this list and let your taste buds take the lead.
What to eat at Lau Pa Sat Market
Here’s a list of our favourite hawker stalls at Lau Pa Sat Market. This includes Michelin recommended hawkers and other must-try stalls you won’t want to miss.
At night, the street on the west end of Lau Pa Sat turns into Satay Street, with 19 stalls serving an array of satay and seafood. It’s busy with both tourists and locals, so finding a table can be tough. However, once you find a seat, the lively vibe with its sights, sounds, and smells will draw you in. Get someone to grab a table while others get the food. Our favourite stalls for the best food on Satay street are 3, 4, 7, 8 & 9.
Munchi Pancakes serves traditional Singapore pancakes, also known as Min Jiang Kueh or Apam Balik. Their Min Jiang Kuehs have a soft, airy texture and plenty of fillings, enough for a flavourful punch that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Try: Peanut, Coconut, Matcha flavours
Butter & Cream Bakery at Lau Pa Sat offers an impressive range of pastries and very friendly prices. Their egg tart boasts a thick, creamy custard that ranks among the best. Their muffins are rich, buttery and generously filled. The Hokkaido cream and salted egg yolk lava muffins are highly recommended. Try: Cheesecake, Original Egg Tart, Salted Egg Tart, Lava muffins
This is a branch of the popular Jian Bo Tiong Bahru Shui Kueh located at Tiong Bahru Market. Crafted with meticulous care, their legendary Shui Kueh is prepared fresh daily in a central kitchen, using only the finest ingredients. The steamed rice cakes are topped with preserved radish (chai poh) and a hint of chilli, each bite offering an aromatic and mildly-salty flavour that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Despite its humble appearance, Jian Bo’s Shui Kueh stands out for its addictive combination of chye poh and chilli, subtly enhanced with dried shrimps.
This is a branch of the famous Lixin Teochew Fishball Noodles at Toa Payoh. Widely regarded as one of Singapore’s finest fishball noodles, the original Lixin Teochew Fishball Noodles outlet at Toa Payoh offers an experience that surpasses its franchisees. Here, the mee pok is cooked perfect, and the fishballs, fresh and fragrant, maintain their signature bouncy texture. The noodles are expertly tossed in a balanced mix of lard, chili, and ketchup, and the sauce’s unique, slightly pasty consistency complements each al dente bite. Be prepared to queue, but service is swift.
Photo: @Makoeats
This is a branch of Michelin selected Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang in Yishun Park Hawker Centre. They are known for Indonesian-style nasi lemak and other Nasi Lemak based dishes made up of traditional coconut milk rice with chicken and sambal sauce. Patrons have often praised their chicken for being tender, their taliwang for having a full flavour, very tasty sambal and hot flavourful banana leaf wrapped rice. Try Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah, Nasi Lemak Ayam Belada, Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang.
Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh makes traditional Klang Herbal Bak Kut Teh. Try the herbal Bak kut teh, its a good bowl with other bits of pork in addition to ribs. The star however, is undoubtedly their fried porridge. It is full of delicious wok hei that is super addictive. Highly recommended.
This is a branch of the popular Warong Pak Sapari stall at Adam Food Centre. This stall is known for its no-frills flavourful Soto, made without MSG and featuring a unique blend of finely chopped ingredients and ground spices. The soup base, prepared daily starting at 4 am, includes 21 different herbs and spices for a rich flavour profile. Chicken feet and gizzards are added to enhance the broth’s texture. Each dish is prepared fresh daily.
Photo: @wince_chik
This is a branch outlet of the popular Pin Wei Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun at Pek Kio Market that specialises in Hong Kong-style rice vermicelli rolls. Pin Wei is noted for serving flavourful chee cheong fun that is freshly made on the spot, has chewy and gooey texture, and generous with ingredients. Try their signature Char Siew Cheong Fun, Prawn Cheong Fun or Scallop Cheong Fun.
Photo: @laze.eats
This is a branch of the popular Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow at Old Airport Road Food Centre. Choose between white (savoury) or black (sweeter) versions of the char kway teow. Patrons have noted some inconsistencies depending on who’s cooking but overall, expect a well done plate of char kway teow with fresh cockles, crispy chinese sausage bits and a good mouthful of wok hei***.
If you’re at Lau Pa Sat and craving for some authentic north indian curry, hit up Urban Roti & Grill. This place knows how to whip up a roti that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The grilled stuff is also solid, making for a meal that hits the spot. Prices won’t … Read more
Photo: @cheryl_n_food
Huainan beef soup, a traditional dish from Huainan City in Anhui Province, China is prepared by simmering premium beef and beef bones with herbs and spices. The stall at Lau Pa Sat eponymously named after the dish serves a really good bowl that is authentic, flavourful, and generous in portions. Also get the Su Bing (chinese shortbread) for a double win on the tastebuds and a great meal.
Photo: @nickeatsg
Ri Ri Mala Hot Pot at People’s Park Food Centre offers great bowl of Mala with its distinct garlic and peppery flavour. The “Zhong la” or medium spice level provides a balanced heat that most people will be able to endure.
Photo: @amazingkway
Kallang Airport Wanton Noodle makes a good bowl of wanton mee. Their noodles are notably springy and coated with enough sauce and lard to make you satisfied. Order the signature wanton noodles along with a side of dumpling soup.
Photo: @Ghostguan
Swatow Bai Le Teochew Braised Duck uses a 1970s braising recipe passed down generations and prides themselves on serving authentic teochew cuisine. If you’re in the mood for a taste of the traditional orient, come here for the braised duck rice or the Kway chap. Their gravy and sambal chilli is good.
Photo: @laupasat.sg
Come here for tasty wok fried rice and pao fan (submerged rice) served with vegetables and either seafood or pork chop in a rich broth. Try: pan-fried pork chop fried rice, Seafood with Poached Crispy Rice
Popular dishes at Lau Pa Sat and where to get them:
- Satay – Satay Street Stall 7 & 8
- Chicken Rice – Stall 19, Fragrance Garden Chicken Rice
- Char Kway Teow – Stall 74-75 Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow
- Fishball Noodles – Stall 32, Lixin Teochew Fishball Noodles
- Nasi Lemak – Stall 71, Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang
- Mee Rebus/Mee Soto – Stall 58, Warong Pak Sapari
- Bak Kut Teh – Stall 27, Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh
- Laksa – No recommendation yet.
- Hokkien Mee – No recommendation yet.
- Oyster Omelette – No recommendation yet.
- Roti Prata – Satay Street.
- BBQ Stingray – No recommendation.
Tips on visiting Lau Pa Sat
Photo: Laupasat.sg, Satay Street
Satay Street – If you’re visiting Singapore, plan to have at least a dinner or supper at Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street. It’s a unique alfresco experience you won’t find anywhere else in Singapore. An entire section of a road is closed from weekdays 7pm – 3am and weekends 3pm – 3am just for the street to happen. Once you’re there, find a table, get a bunch of satays, seafood skewers, beers, and enjoy the food while soaking in the vibe.
Don’t expect service – While most stall owners are friendly, a minority 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 some of the best hawker food in Singapore!
Avoid weekday lunch hours – Lau Pa Sat is located right smack in the middle of the CBD, so it is surrounded by skyscraper office buildings. If you have to go during 12-2pm weekdays, expect very long lines and waiting for seats as office workers queue up for their favourite foods. The best time to visit is probably late mornings or evenings/nights.
Dress light – It is an open air food centre so it can get very hot in the afternoons.
Lau Pa Sat Address & Opening Hours
Address:
18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Lau Pa Sat opening/closing hours:
Lau Pa Sat is technically open 24hrs, but most stalls operate between 9am-10pm.
Satay street only operates between 7pm-3am weekdays, 3pm-3am weekends.
Nearest MRT:
Downtown (DT17), Raffles Place (EW14/NS26), Shenton Way (TE19), Telok Ayer (DT18)
Nearest Carpark:
Hong Leong Building, IOI Central Boulevard Towers, One Raffles Quay, One Shenton Way, SGX Carpark
Other food guides
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Individual Stall Reviews
Michelin Bib Gourmand
Lixin fishball noodles, Pinwei chee cheong fun and feng xiang bak kut teh are my lau pa sat favourites.
Laupasat like food festival in middle of city. Got Indian, Malay, Chinese, and many Singapore dishes. Satay lane my favourite…been there too many times already. They have alcohol too, if you need. Bit overhyped, not all stalls good, but some really nice. Hit or miss, but good for tourists…like food adventure.
go lau pa sat at night, the satay street atmosphere is great! get sambal stingray and coconut juice!
As a Frenchman in Singapore, I went to Lau Pa Sat, curious about this hawker centre everyone talks about. The place is buzzing—tables packed with people enjoying every kind of food you can imagine. I went for satay, of course, and wow, the smoky, grilled skewers were magnifique! I tried the chicken and beef, and though it’s not like anything I’d find back home, it was delicious. Lau Pa Sat Satay Street is a must visit at night. Très charmant!
Lau pa sat what to eat
1) Lixin Fishball Noodles
2) Jian Bo Shui Kueh
3) Warong Pak Sapari
4) Pin Wei Chee Cheong Fun
5) Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang
6) Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh & Fried Porridge
7) Butter & Cream Bakery
Havent been to lau pat sat in ages, the list above from RayyC looks good. Going to drop by one of these weekends when there is no CBD crowd.
Lau Pa Sat is a must visit. Tons of good food and cool and clean enough for a nice time. Slightly more expensive than other hawker centres but the trade off is worth it.
If in Singapore, lau pau sat has to be on the list to visit and to eat. Come after 7pm when Satay Street opens up.
You nailed it. that fried porridge is insanely good. my fav at Lau pa sat hawker center.
If you’re looking for delicious lau pa sat food recommendations, don’t miss the satay stalls for tender skewers, the fragrant chicken rice, and the chili crab for a local experience! or Hainanese chicken rice with fragrant rice, and the crispy roti john.
Been a long time since I visited lau pa sat hawker center. Alot of new stalls and michelin hawker fare. Pretty high standard when it comes to street food here. This place is crowded with tourists and the prices are only slightly higher than other hawker centres. Food was excellent.
Commented on Lau Pa Sat Food Guide
No fragrance garden chicken rice in this lau pa sat food guide?? hehe
lau pa sat hawker center. It’s a great food court with tons of asian food options to eat. The food is tasty and gives you a taste of local palate. Most stalls accept cards but prepare cash for the satay stalls at night.
Lau Pa Sat Market has a great mix of food options. No matter what you’re in the mood for, Asian, Western, or anything else, you’ll find it here. There’s enough variety to make everyone in your group happy. Don’t miss this awesome place!
Must-try dishes: Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chicken Satay, Beef Satay, and Prawns Satay with Peanut Sauce.