One of Singapore’s oldest Malay settlements, Geylang Serai is a neighbourhood located in Geylang, which is known for being Singapore’s only legal red-light district.
Home to one of the biggest & busiest wet markets in Singapore, the neighbourhood is especially crowded during Ramadan with its bazaars, festive light decorations and street foods.
Despite all this, Geylang Serai also offers plenty of savoury food, especially those from the Malay cuisine! Let us bring you through our curated list of food establishments to check out!
Visit Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre for an array of delectable goodness!
One of the biggest and busiest wet market and food centre in Singapore, Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre is famous for its Malay and Indian-Muslim cuisine.
A 2-storey shopping centre that can be easily spotted by the traditional kampung housing’ architecture, a wet market, food centre and wholesale shops can be found.
Opened in 1964, Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre has since been the centre for the local Malay community, with the market offering ingredients for their traditional dishes, a variety of spice supplies, plenty of heart-warming food to choose from and even fabrics or decorative materials at an affordable price!
Address: 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001
Opening Hours of Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre:
Daily, 6:30am – 12pm (Wet market)
Daily, 8am – 10pm (Food centre)
Getting Here:
Buses: 2, 7, 13, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, 51, 67, 154, 155 and NR7
(Walk 1 min from bus stop B82049)
Nearest MRT station: Eunos MRT (EW7) (Walk 8 mins from Exit B)
Boasting over 60 food stalls, here are 7 stalls that you should visit at the food centre located on the 2nd floor!
Kueh Talam Asli
Offering a variety of kueh talam, a 2-layer Malaysian dessert that's made of rice flour, coconut milk and other ingredients in a talam (mold pan). This stall is popular for having an affordable price for their delicious variety of kueh talams!
Popular among both tourists and locals, the vendors make their kuehs by hand while including loads of pandan in it. It has a rich taste and nice texture to it while ensuring that it wasn't too sweet. Their Kueh Salat is a must-try!
Stall Number: #02-148
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun, 8am – 3pm
Otak-Otak Kampung
Serving old school Malay Otak-Otak made in an Indonesian-style, this stall has been operating since the 1950s and serves their dishes that are made the traditional way, without flour.
Although they only offer one type of Otak-Otak, each piece features large juicy chunks of fish that you will enjoy! Aside from Otak-Otak, the stall also offers Pulut Panggang!
They also offer delivery which can be found here! More details about their delivery services, changes and more can also be viewed on their Facebook and Instagram.
Stall Number: #02-165
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun, 9am – 5pm
Alhambra Heritage & Original Satay Club
Tracing back to the legendary Satay Club which housed 26 Satay stalls, this is the original Alhambra Satay that used to be found the old Esplanade / Elizabeth Walk area. This stall offers 3 types of satay meat: mutton, chicken and beef.
Using their secret in-house spice, the meat is divided and speared by hand before being grilled at the store. It is then served with a satay sauce that contains a generous amount of crushed peanuts, giving it a different taste compared to other satays.
Stall Number: #02-145
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 7pm
Rojak & Mee Siam by A.H. Food Corner
Known for their Indian rojak, this is one of the popular stalls at Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre, offering a variety of deep-fried fritters, fish cake, beef lung, cuttlefish and more!
Unlike other rojaks, this stall serves their rojak with a uniquely special dipping gravy made with sweet potatoes! All their rojak items are affordably priced and a popular dish would be the Tempeh, which is a must try.
Stall Number: #02-126
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun, 9am – 4pm
Azizah Briyani
With over 20 years of experience, this stall offers briyani that are made using healthier ingredients, giving it a lighter taste. It is also served along with a bowl of dalcha and fruit acar.
Their menu consists of mutton briyani, masala chicken briyani and fried chicken briyani. Though it may be slightly pricier compared to other briyani stalls, one serving is rather filling. This stall also offers catering, more can be viewed on their Facebook.
Stall Number: #02-127
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun, 11am – 5pm
Cendol Geylang Serai
Established in 1952, Cendol Geylang Serai is one of the pioneers in the local scene for Indonesian-styled cendol.
Unlike other cendol stalls, this stall does not sprinkle tons of toppings such as red beans on its cendol, letting customers enjoy the authentic fresh coconut milk dessert that isn’t overly sweet.
A typical bowl of cendol consists of handmade rice noodles infused with pandan leaf juice, coconut milk, crushed ice and gula melaka.
Stall Number: #02-107
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:30am – 6pm
Try some traditional cuisine at Haig Road Market & Food Centre
Though it is not the largest hawker centre and is often overshadowed by Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre, you would be able to find some of the best hidden food here!
Located within the same area where the infamous Hari Raya Bazaar happens every year, this hawker centre has a larger number of Halal food options compared to a typical hawker centre as it mainly serves the Muslim community.
Address: 14 Haig Rd, Singapore 430014
Getting Here:
Buses: 67, 2, 7, 13, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, 51, 76, 154 and 155
(Bus Stop B82029)
Nearest MRT station: Paya Lebar MRT (EW8)
(Walk 6 mins from Exit D)
Here are 5 of our recommended hawkers that you should check out!
Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring
Since 1985, Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring has been specializing in Malay desserts, practising the traditional techniques while using only quality ingredients such as Java-imported gula melaka for their steamed rice cakes (putu piring).
This stall is so famous that they have been featured on the MICHELIN GUIDE 2019, Netflix’s “Street Food Asia”. Food Gem and more! Their full menu can be viewed here.
Stall Number: #01-18
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 10:30pm, Sat – Sun: 10am – 10:30pm
HJ Waliti HJ Mazuki
Having been around for more than 50 years, HJ Waliti HJ Mazuki is known for its Malay dishes. Their popular dishes include the Soto Ayam, Mee Rubus, Mee Siam and Bubur Ayam.
A must-try among some of its popular dishes is the Soto Ayam. It tastes lighter compared to the regular soto ayam but that does not mean that its flavour is mild. The chilli padi that is mixed with soy sauce gives an additional kick to the gentle but flavourful soup that is garnished with chicken shreds and lontong chunks.
Their prices are affordable and would definitely make for a hearty meal!
Stall Number: #01-18
Opening Hours: Daily, 7am – 6pm (Closed on Alternate Fridays)
Zheng Guang Wanton Noodles
Serving old school wanton mee, this stall was previously located at the demolished Hin Hollywood Canteen and has been serving wanton noodles for over 50 years.
This stall was enjoyed by foodies even in the past with their al dente noodles that has a QQ texture along with the “porkier” char siew and the well-marinated minced pork wanton served in gingery soup.
As the noodle tends to sell out by noon, do head down early to try it out! Do note that this stall is not halal certified.
Stall Number: #01-67
Opening Hours: Mon: 6am – 3pm, Wed – Sun: 6am – 3pm
Afandi Hawa & Family Mee Rubus
Specialising in Malay cuisine, this stall is famous for its Mee Rubus, as can be seen from its name. Locals would even go so far as to call it one of the best mee rubus in Singapore!
Established in 1967, this stall was originally located at the old Paya Lebar Airport and is now run by its second-generation owner. Even now, you would still see long queues during mealtimes.
The Mee Rubus features yellow springy noodles that are doused in a thick gravy that tasted light despite its viscosity. With the use of shrimp, flower crab and mutton added to turmeric and sweet potato puree, the gravy had a rich yet refreshing flavour!
Aside from the Mee Rubus, this stall is also known for its Mee Soto and Gado-Gado. If you are not able to head down to the stall, delivery can be made through foodpanda!
Stall Number: #01-21
Opening Hours: Mon - Tues: 10:30am – 8pm, Thurs – Sun: 10:30am – 8pm
T.G. Fish Porridge
A widely recognised name in the local hawker food scene, this is another popular stall that has been around for years and run by an elderly couple.
Specialising in Teochew-style fish-based dishes that have been perfected over time, their popular dishes are the Sliced Fish Bee Hoon and their Fish Soup.
Though the soup may look bland at first, it tastes quite flavourful with hints of sweetness from the seafood. It is made with fresh ingredients and each serving is cooked individually. The Ikan Batang fish (Spanish mackerel) is tender yet firm as well.
Stall Number: #01-50
Opening Hours: Tues – Sat, 11am – 6pm
Want to find out more about Geylang Serai?
These 2 food centres, along with our curated list of recommended stalls merely scratches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to good food that you can find at Geylang Serai!
If you would like to explore the whole of Geylang and not just the Geylang Serai neighbourhood, you would be able to try out many more food options such as frog porridge, Hong Kong styled dim sum and good durian places too!
To discover what you can do in Geylang and Geylang Serai, do check out this blog too! If you would like to learn more about Singapore, do consider checking out our small group tours and mega-zine to discover where to visit next or other possible activities to partake in!
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