A neighbourhood institution in hip Tiong Bahru: chwee kueh, lor mee, chicken rice and curry puffs downstairs from a wet market. Breakfast-and-lunch focused, many stalls shut Mondays. Genuinely local.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon many stalls closed Tue 08:00-21:30 (stalls vary) Wed 08:00-21:30 (stalls vary) Thu 08:00-21:30 (stalls vary) Fri 08:00-21:30 (stalls vary) Sat 08:00-21:30 (stalls vary) Sun 08:00-21:30 (stalls vary) |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tiong Bahru MRT (EW17), ~8 min walk |
| Time needed | 1 hour |
| Best time to go | Wednesday-Sunday, 8-10:30am for breakfast before the crowd; many stalls close by mid-afternoon |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.8/10- Value8.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.3
- excellence7.5
- Crowd level6.5
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.0
Frequently asked questions
- Is there halal food?
- It's a mostly Chinese hawker centre with pork dishes, so halal options are limited. Check individual stall signage; for guaranteed halal, this isn't the strongest choice.
- What should I order?
- Start with Jian Bo chwee kueh, then work through lor mee, chicken rice, and a curry puff or two. The upstairs cooked-food section is where the action is; downstairs is a wet market for produce and provisions.
- What is Tiong Bahru Market famous for?
- Chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes topped with preserved radish and sambal) from Jian Bo, a name synonymous with the dish since 1958. Beyond that: lor mee, Hainanese chicken rice, fried fritters and traditional kueh. It's a breakfast-lover's centre.
- What time should I go?
- Morning. Many stalls open for breakfast around 6-8am and run to early afternoon, with some reopening in the evening. The sweet spot is 8-10:30am on a weekday before the 10:30am-12:30pm rush.
- How do I get there?
- Tiong Bahru MRT on the East-West Line is about an 8-minute walk via Exit A. The surrounding Tiong Bahru estate, with its Art Deco walk-ups, indie cafes and bookshops, is worth a wander before or after.
- Is it air-conditioned?
- No, it's a traditional open hawker centre with fans, so mornings are the most comfortable time. It gets warm and busy by midday.
- Are stalls really closed on Mondays?
- Many are, and some on Tuesdays too, so a Monday visit can be disappointing. To catch the widest selection, come Wednesday to Sunday. Always a risk with individual stalls, so have a backup order in mind.
- Is the neighbourhood worth exploring?
- Very much. Tiong Bahru is one of Singapore's most charming heritage districts: 1930s modernist flats, hip cafes, a famous bakery and boutiques. Pair a hawker breakfast with a stroll for a great half-day.
Nearby in Ask Singapore
- Tiong BahruNeighborhood0.56 km · 7 min walk
- ChinatownNeighborhood1.27 km · 16 min walk
- Chinatown Heritage CentreAttraction1.37 km · 17 min walk
- Maxwell Food CentreMarket1.46 km · 18 min walk
- Singapore Art MuseumMuseum1.55 km · 19 min walk
Where to stay near Tiong Bahru Market
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