The hawker centre locals send you to: an unglamorous block packed with heavyweight stalls, Michelin-listed fried kway teow, legendary lor mee, satay and rojak. Low on tourists, high on the real thing.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon 07:00-19:00 (stalls vary) Tue 07:00-19:00 (stalls vary) Wed 07:00-19:00 (stalls vary) Thu 07:00-19:00 (stalls vary) Fri 07:00-19:00 (stalls vary) Sat 07:00-19:00 (stalls vary) Sun 07:00-19:00 (stalls vary) |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Dakota MRT (CC8, Circle Line), ~5 min walk |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time to go | 11:30am-1pm or 6-8pm for the full spread; go early for stalls that sell out |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.2/10- Value9.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.3
- excellence8.0
- Crowd level6.5
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility6.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is there halal food?
- It's a predominantly Chinese hawker centre with lots of pork dishes, so halal options are limited. A few stalls may be Muslim-friendly, but check signage; for a fully halal meal, this isn't the best pick.
- Why do locals rate Old Airport Road so highly?
- It's a concentration of veteran, award-winning stalls with far fewer tourists than the CBD centres. The food is consistently excellent and honestly priced. Ask a Singaporean foodie for their favourite hawker centre and this name comes up constantly.
- Will there be queues?
- Yes, for the famous ones. Xin Mei Xiang lor mee and Wang Wang curry puff can mean 15-30 minute waits. Toa Payoh rojak even runs a queue-number system. Factor in waiting time or come off-peak.
- Is it air-conditioned?
- No, it's a traditional two-storey hawker centre with fans. It's warm but well worth it. The upstairs has more seating; grab a table before queueing during peak hours.
- What are the opening hours?
- The centre broadly runs 7am to 7pm, but every stall keeps its own hours and popular ones close once they sell out. Peak eating windows are lunch (11:30am-2pm) and dinner (6-8pm); some stalls are day-only.
- What are the must-try stalls?
- Lao Fu Zi and Dong Ji fried kway teow, Xin Mei Xiang lor mee, Chuan Kee satay, Toa Payoh rojak, and Nam Sing hokkien mee. Several have Michelin recognition. Come hungry and hit three or four.
- Is it cash only?
- Many stalls prefer cash, though PayNow QR is increasingly common. Bring small notes and coins so you're not stuck at a cash-only stall with a long line behind you.
- How do I get there?
- Dakota MRT on the Circle Line is about a 5-minute walk. It's a residential neighbourhood in Mountbatten, so it's a little off the standard tourist trail, which is exactly why the food scene stays authentic.
Nearby in Ask Singapore
- Geylang Serai MarketMarket1.7 km · 21 min walk
- Katong-Joo ChiatNeighborhood1.71 km · 21 min walk
- Chin Mee Chin ConfectioneryCafé2.02 km · 25 min walk
- Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork NoodleRestaurant2.62 km · 33 min walk
- Malay Heritage CentreMuseum2.94 km · 37 min walk
Where to stay near Old Airport Road Food Centre
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