Where to find the top hawker centres in Singapore

Also known as Telok Ayer Market, this refurbished heritage site boasts a stunning colonial structure, as well as a long and storied history stemming from the early 19th century. Today, it is a popular lunch spot for office workers who swarm this food centre for its international and local fare.

18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582

This CBD gem, located in the heart of Tanjong Pagar, houses a slew of award-winning hawker stalls. Join the queue at the Michelin-approved A Noodle Story, or grab a snack from J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff, listed in Michelin's Bib Gourmand 2017 roundup. From affordable and hearty pasta to decent Thai food, choices are aplenty here.

7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111, (65) 9027 5153

Home to over 100 food stalls, this is undoubtedly one of Singapore's most well-known hawker institutions. Tourists and locals flock here for the popular Tian Tian chicken rice - an Anthony Bourdain favourite - and five-spice prawn fritters from Hup Kee Wu Xiang Guan Chang, a long-standing stall with a loyal following.

1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184

Those with adventurous taste buds may find the selection here intriguing. Some dishes worth braving the queues for include mee siam and laksa cooked with fruit juice from Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa, and curry chicken noodles from Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon. But don't let that restrict your dining experience there - take your time to explore all this two-storey food centre has to offer. You will be glad you did.

531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531

One of Singapore's oldest neighbourhoods and a gentrified hipster hang-out, the Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre has remained relatively untouched by the fast-moving developments. You won't regret making a trip down just for Jian Bo's savoury chee kueh (steamed rice cakes topped with pickled radish) or lor mee (braised noodle dish in thick gravy) from Tiong Bahru Lor Mee.

30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898

Forget Newton Hawker Centre, Chomp Chomp is where you should go for your barbecued seafood fix. No dinner spread here is complete without a steaming plate of Hokkien noodles from Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles and a super-sized mug of sugarcane juice. Other local favourites from this smoky joint include satay, barbecued chicken wings, and carrot cake.

20 Kensington Park Road, Singapore 557269

This 42 year-old hawker food mecca is a huge favourite with most Singaporeans, and it's not hard to see why. Affordable and delicious options are everywhere; Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun, Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee and Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow are just some names to have on your lunch roster.

51 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390051

If you have friends visiting, impress them with a barbecued seafood dinner at this beachfront cluster of stalls. You will be spoiled for choice, as there are tons of seafood and satay options to check out - most of them are Halal-certified, too.

1220 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 468960

As seen in TheHoneycombers.com. Reproduced with permission.