If you are looking for a place to experience the authentic and diverse flavours of Singapore, look no further than Maxwell Food Centre. This hawker centre is one of the oldest and most popular in the city, offering a wide range of local dishes at affordable prices. Whether you are craving for a Michelin-starred meal, a hearty soup, a refreshing dessert, or a spicy snack, you will find it all at Maxwell Food Centre. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive and informative guide to the food options, prices, and tips at Maxwell Food Centre, as well as some recommendations for the best stalls and dishes to try.
The Michelin-starred stall: Hawker Chan
The most famous and popular stall at Maxwell Food Centre is Hawker Chan, which earned its Michelin star for its signature soy sauce chicken. This stall is run by Chef Chan Hon Meng, who started his business in 2009 and has since attracted long queues of locals and tourists alike. Hawker Chan is the first and only hawker stall in the world to receive a Michelin star, and it is also one of the cheapest Michelin-starred meals you can find, with prices starting from $2.50 SGD.
The stall is located at unit #01-02, and it opens from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm daily, except for Wednesdays. You can contact the stall at +65 6225 1668, or visit its website at www.hawkerchan.com.sg. The stall is also halal-certified, so it is suitable for Muslim customers.
The menu of Hawker Chan consists of four main dishes: soy sauce chicken rice, roasted pork rice, char siew rice, and pork rib rice. You can also order noodles instead of rice, or add some side dishes, such as bean sprouts, tofu, or eggs. The portions are generous and the sauces are flavourful, but the star of the show is the soy sauce chicken, which is tender, juicy, and succulent. The chicken is marinated with a secret recipe of herbs and spices, and cooked to perfection with a crispy skin and a moist flesh.
If you want to try Hawker Chan, here are some tips and tricks for you:
- The best time to go is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, to avoid the peak hours and the long queues. You can also pre-order online or use the self-service kiosk to save time.
- The waiting time can vary from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the crowd and the availability of the dishes. You can check the live queue status on the website or the app before you go.
- The payment methods are cash, NETS, or PayNow. You can also use the Hawker Chan app to pay and earn rewards.
- The takeaway options are available, but you may need to pay an extra charge for the packaging. You can also order delivery from the website or the app, but the minimum order is $15 SGD and the delivery fee is $5 SGD.
The other notable stalls and dishes
Besides Hawker Chan, there are many other stalls and dishes that are worth trying at Maxwell Food Centre. Here are some of them:
- Rojak, Popiah & Cockle:
This stall serves a variety of local snacks, such as rojak, popiah, and cockle. Rojak is a spicy fruit and vegetable salad, mixed with a sweet and tangy sauce, peanuts, and fried dough fritters. Popiah is a fresh spring roll, filled with vegetables, eggs, peanuts, and sweet sauce, wrapped in a thin and soft skin. Cockle is a type of shellfish, cooked with chili and garlic, and served with a dipping sauce. The stall is located at unit #01-56, and it opens from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. The prices range from $3 SGD to $5 SGD per dish.
- Lian He Ben Ji Claypot:
This stall specializes in claypot rice, a dish of rice cooked with meat and vegetables in a clay pot over charcoal fire. The rice is crispy and fragrant, and the toppings are savoury and tender. You can choose from chicken, pork, or mixed claypot rice, and add some salted fish, Chinese sausage, or mushrooms for extra flavour. The stall is located at unit #01-65, and it opens from 4:30 pm to 11:00 pm daily, except for Thursdays. The prices range from $5 SGD to $15 SGD per pot, depending on the size and the ingredients.
- Ann Chin Handmade Popiah:
This stall makes its own popiah skin and filling, and offers a range of flavours, such as original, spicy, and crispy. The popiah is fresh and delicious, with a crunchy and chewy texture, and a generous amount of filling. You can also order some kueh pie tee, which are crispy cups filled with the same popiah filling and topped with chili and sweet sauce. The stall is located at unit #01-25, and it opens from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. The prices are $1.50 SGD per popiah and $4 SGD per set of four kueh pie tee.
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice:
This stall is famous for its tender and juicy chicken rice, and has been praised by celebrities and food critics, such as Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay. The chicken is poached and sliced, and served with fragrant rice, chili sauce, ginger sauce, and dark soy sauce. The rice is cooked with chicken stock and pandan leaves, and the sauces are homemade and spicy. The stall is located at unit #01-10, and it opens from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, except for Mondays. The prices range from $3.50 SGD to $5 SGD per plate.
- Zhen Zhen Porridge:
This stall serves smooth and comforting porridge, with various toppings, such as chicken, fish, pork, and century egg. The porridge is thick and creamy, and the toppings are fresh and tasty. You can also add some fried dough sticks, spring onions, and pepper for extra crunch and flavour. The stall is located at unit #01-54, and it opens from 5:30 am to 2:30 pm daily, except for Thursdays. The prices range from $2.50 SGD to $4 SGD per bowl.
- Jin Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon:
This stall offers a hearty and flavorful soup of sliced fish and rice noodles, with a choice of milk or clear broth. The fish is fresh and tender, and the broth is rich and aromatic. You can also add some bitter gourd, tomatoes, or lettuce for extra freshness and texture. The stall is located at unit #01-77, and it opens from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm daily. The prices range from $4 SGD to $6 SGD per bowl.
The food categories and cuisines
Maxwell Food Centre is a melting pot of different food categories and cuisines, reflecting the multicultural and diverse nature of Singapore. Here are some of the food categories and cuisines that you can find at Maxwell Food Centre, and some examples of the stalls and dishes that represent them:
- Peranakan:
This is a fusion of Chinese and Malay influences, characterized by the use of spices, coconut milk, and tamarind. Some of the Peranakan dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are ayam buah keluak, a chicken stew with black nuts; babi pongteh, a braised pork dish with fermented soybeans; and laksa, a spicy noodle soup with coconut milk and seafood. Some of the stalls that serve Peranakan food are Nyonya & Baba Peranakan Cuisine at unit #01-56, and Sungei Road Laksa at unit #01-27.
- Thai:
This is a cuisine that is known for its balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors, and the use of herbs, lime, and fish sauce. Some of the Thai dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are tom yum, a hot and sour soup with lemongrass and chili; pad thai, a stir-fried rice noodle dish with eggs, peanuts, and bean sprouts; and mango sticky rice, a dessert of glutinous rice with coconut milk and fresh mango. Some of the stalls that serve Thai food are Marina South Delicious Food at unit #01-35, and Thai Cuisine at unit #01-17.
- Cantonese:
This is a cuisine that is famous for its dim sum, roast meats, and soups, and the use of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Some of the Cantonese dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are char siew, roasted pork with a sweet and sticky sauce; siew mai, steamed pork and shrimp dumplings; and wonton mee, noodles with pork dumplings and char siew. Some of the stalls that serve Cantonese food are Zhong Guo Jie at unit #01-28, and China Street Fritters at unit #01-64.
- Teochew:
This is a cuisine that is renowned for its seafood, porridge, and braised dishes, and the use of vinegar, sugar, and salted vegetables. Some of the Teochew dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are orh luak, oyster omelette with starch and chili sauce; orh nee, yam paste with coconut milk and ginkgo nuts; and bak kut teh, pork rib soup with herbs and spices. Some of the stalls that serve Teochew food are Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake at unit #01-05, and Rong Xing Yong Tau Foo at unit #01-72.
Fuzhou:
This is a cuisine that is distinctive for its fish balls, noodles, and dumplings, and the use of red yeast, wine, and pepper. Some of the Fuzhou dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are hong shao rou, braised pork belly with red yeast sauce; lor mee, thick noodles with a starchy gravy and fish cake; and fuzhou fish ball, fish balls stuffed with minced pork. Some of the stalls that serve Fuzhou food are Fu Zhou Poh Hwa Oyster Cake at unit #01-79, and Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice at unit #01-07.
Indian:
This is a cuisine that is diverse and rich, with dishes such as curry, biryani, roti, and dosa, and the use of spices, ghee, and yogurt. Some of the Indian dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are chicken tikka, grilled chicken marinated with yogurt and spices; mutton biryani, rice cooked with mutton and aromatic spices; and masala dosa, a thin and crispy crepe filled with spiced potatoes and onions. Some of the stalls that serve Indian food are Sakunthala’s Food Palace at unit #01-104, and Madras New Woodlands at unit #01-14.
Shanghai:
This is a cuisine that is influenced by the regions around the Yangtze River, with dishes such as xiao long bao, steamed buns with soup and meat filling; sheng jian bao, pan-fried buns with crispy bottoms and juicy filling; and cong you bing, scallion pancakes with layers of dough and oil. Some of the stalls that serve Shanghai food are Shanghai La Mian Xiao Long Bao at unit #01-92, and Shanghai Tim Sum at unit #01-41.
Hainanese:
This is a cuisine that is derived from the southern Chinese island of Hainan, with dishes such as chicken rice, pork chop, and kaya toast, and the use of coconut milk, pandan, and butter. Some of the Hainanese dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are chicken rice, rice cooked with chicken stock and served with poached chicken and sauces; pork chop, deep-fried pork coated with bread crumbs and served with tomato sauce; and kaya toast, toasted bread with coconut jam and butter. Some of the stalls that serve Hainanese food are Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at unit #01-10, and Maxwell Hainanese Curry Rice at unit #01-68.
Barbecue:
This is a category that includes grilled, roasted, or smoked meats, such as chicken, pork, duck, and lamb, and sauces, such as honey, chili, and black pepper. Some of the barbecue dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are roast duck, duck roasted with herbs and spices and served with rice or noodles; char siew, pork marinated with honey and soy sauce and roasted over fire; and satay, skewered meat grilled over charcoal and served with peanut sauce. Some of the stalls that serve barbecue food are Ah Tai Roasted Duck Rice at unit #01-04, and Marina South Delicious Food at unit #01-35.
Dessert:
This is a category that includes sweet treats, such as ice kacang, chendol, tau huay, and ondeh ondeh, and ingredients, such as shaved ice, coconut milk, beans, and palm sugar. Some of the dessert dishes that you can try at Maxwell Food Centre are ice kacang, shaved ice topped with syrup, condensed milk, and various ingredients, such as red beans, corn, and jelly; chendol, shaved ice with coconut milk, palm sugar, and green rice flour noodles; tau huay, soft tofu pudding with sugar syrup; and ondeh ondeh, glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar and coated with coconut. Some of the stalls that serve dessert food are Jin Jin Hot/Cold Dessert at unit #01-20, and Xing Xing Tapioca Cake at unit #01-31.
Maxwell Food Centre is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to taste the authentic and diverse flavours of Singapore. This hawker centre has something for everyone, from Michelin-starred meals to local snacks, from spicy soups to refreshing desserts, from Chinese to Indian cuisines. You will not regret visiting Maxwell Food Centre and trying the stalls and dishes that we have recommended in this article. If you have any feedback or experiences to share, please leave a comment below or on our social media pages.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoy your visit to Maxwell Food Centre. For more articles on Singapore’s food and culture, please check out our website or blog.
