7 Hawker Stalls in Singapore Serving Trendy, Modern Food

Singapore’s hawker culture is a cornerstone of the nation’s identity, reflecting its rich history and diverse culinary heritage. Traditionally, hawker centres have been the go-to places for affordable and authentic local dishes, serving as communal spaces where people from all walks of life gather to enjoy meals. Over time, Singapore has earned its reputation as a food paradise, with hawker centres playing a pivotal role in this acclaim.

Also read: Singapore’s Hawker Culture Has Been Officially Added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

In recent years, a new wave of young entrepreneurs has breathed fresh life into this traditional scene. These innovators are redefining hawker culture by introducing modern, inventive dishes that cater to contemporary palates. These hawkers appeal to a younger and broader demographic, with many hipster cafe-inspired foods and artisanal dishes. Distinctive from the typical hawker foods like hokkien mee and chicken rice, here is a list of 7 modern hawker stalls that are redefining Singapore’s food scene!

1. Cornershop – matcha at a hawker centre?

Address: 50A Marine Terrace Market, Singapore 441050

Opening Hours: Wed-Sun 10 am to 2 pm

Nestled within Marine Terrace Market, Cornershop is a hidden gem for matcha enthusiasts. This hawker drinks stall offers cafe-style beverages such as matcha drinks that are uncommon in traditional hawker settings. The stall also serves kopi and craft beer, providing a diverse beverage selection for its patrons. Popular choices that went Tiktok viral were their dirty matcha (a mix of kopi and matcha) as well as their trendy strawberry matcha. Only a three-minute walk from Marine Terrace MRT Station, head down to this hawker stall the next time you’re craving your matcha fix!

2. Petite Krumbs – pastries by an ex-pastry chef

Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Rd #02-133, Singapore 069111

Opening Hours:  Mon- Fri 8:30 am to 2:30 pm

Located in Amoy Street Food Centre, Petite Krumbs is the brainchild of a pastry chef who has taken to the hawker scene to offer gourmet pastries at affordable prices. The stall owner used to work at famous 5-star hotels like Shangri-la Hotel and Mandarin Orchard, and even has a master’s in pastry from Germany! The stall has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok for its visually appealing and delectable treats. Offerings range from classic croissants to French Canelés and various other insta-worthy pastries.

3. Bold X Braised – a modern take on braised dishes

Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-43, Singapore 069184

Opening Hours: Open daily from 11 am to 8 pm except on Fridays

Bold X Braised offers a contemporary take on traditional braised dishes, also known to locals as lu rou fan. The stall is known for its variety of braised meat bowls, with modern renditions of the meat bowls that include generous portions of flame-seared mentaiko sauce over the meat.

4. Brostern – cafe-worthy western cuisine

Address: Blk 932 Hougang Ave 9

Opening Hours: Open daily from 12.30 pm to 8 pm except on Sundays

Brostern is a Muslim-owned hawker stall that specializes in fusion cuisine, blending Western and Asian culinary elements. With self-curated speciality dishes and huge portions, Brostern has earned numerous culinary awards such as Hawker Champion in 2021 and the Young Hawker Award in 2022. They boast a variety of cafe-worthy Western dishes like sambal beef fries, lemak chilli padi pasta and volcano burgers.

5. Daylight Coffee – quality iced lattes at hawker prices

Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-126 Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111

Opening Hours: Weekdays 7 am to 3 pm and Weekends 10.30 am to 2 pm

For coffee lovers, Daylight Coffee offers quality iced lattes at hawker prices, making speciality coffee accessible to a broader audience. Priding itself on using premium blends of Arabica and Robusta beans instead of the usual Nanyang beans, it sells iced coffee beverages that rival those of upscale cafes, all within the humble setting of a hawker centre. Their bestseller is said to be their Spanish latte, which is slightly sweeter than a regular latte. Other drinks available include vanilla and caramel lattes as well as Thai milk tea. They have also opened a second outlet at Bencoolen.

6. Yakiniku Warrior – Japanese BBQ in a hawker centre

Address: 121 Geylang East Central, # 01-90, Singapore 380121

Opening hours: Open daily, with last order at 9.30 pm

Yakiniku Warrior brings the Japanese barbecue experience to the hawker centre, offering grilled meats and sides that are both delicious and wallet-friendly. Customers can enjoy a variety of marinated meats, grilled to perfection, accompanied by delicious citrus and garlic sauces. Customers can even enjoy a whole 1kg Tomahawk steak grilled at the coffee shop, bringing a restaurant-quality experience to your local neighbourhood hawker centre.

7. Eightisfy Western – a secret gourmet pasta experience

Address: 3752 Bukit Merah Central, Maddox Canteen Bar, Singapore 159848

Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Fridays 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, 5.30 pm to 8 pm; Saturdays 5.30 pm to 8 pm; closed on Sundays and Mondays

Tucked away in Maddox Canteen Bar at Bukit Merah Central, Eightisfy Western is a hawker stall selling limited portions of artisanal handmade pastas such as tagliatelle and gnocchi. While the stall offers typical Western fare like chicken chop and fish and chips during the day, it unveils a ‘secret menu’ in the evenings, depending on the chef’s mood. Secret menu items include dishes such as Squid Ink Tiger Prawn Tagliatelle and Pappardelle Duck Ragu which are crafted from scratch. Although these dishes are pricier than typical hawker stall pricing, you will find that their restaurant quality makes it well worth the price and can even be considered value-for-money.

Also read: 15 Best Hawker Centres in Singapore That Locals & Travelling Foodies Swear By

The emergence of these modern hawker stalls signifies a dynamic shift in Singapore’s culinary landscape. While honouring the rich traditions of hawker culture, these vendors infuse creativity and contemporary flavours into their dishes, driving an evolution of hawker culture.

Singapore’s hawker culture is no longer just about nostalgia; it’s a living, breathing testament to the country’s adaptability and innovation. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic bowl of Hainanese chicken rice or an indulgent matcha latte, Singapore’s hawker centres continue to offer the best of both worlds.