This guide to Chong Boon Food Centre shows this icon’s classic hits!
Back in 1979, my parents watched as Chong Boon Food Centre sprang up in Ang Mo Kio and quickly became the neighbourhood’s heartbeat. It wasn’t just about the food; it was where their community’s stories simmered alongside bowls of hot laksa.
Through the years, it’s become the neighbourhood’s go-to for comfort eats and familiar faces, embodying the soul of Singapore’s hawker culture. Even after its 81-day facelift in 2024, my parents say it still feels like coming home.
Let me take you on a virtual journey of this neighbourhood icon, including its stalls that locals swear by.
Things to Know
Location: 453A Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
Contact: +6562255632
Hours: Daily, 7 AM–9 PM
Price: $
Accessibility: Mobility device and stroller-friendly ramps, anti-slip flooring
Amenities: Toilets, indoor and outdoor seating areas, sheltered walkways
Pet-friendly? No
Rules and restrictions:
- Patrons must return trays and dispose of waste
- No smoking
- No “choping” or seat reservations
- No outside food or beverages
- Queue properly in front of stalls
How to Get There
By MRT: Take the North-South Line to Ang Mo Kio Station (NS16). From there, it’s around a 10-minute walk east along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 to the food centre.
By bus: Board bus service 261 from Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange; this route stops directly at the centre. Alternatively, services 45, 132, 268, 73, 74, 76, 88, and 165 have nearby stops along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.
By car or taxi/drop-off: Set your destination to 435A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10. The centre is located within Chong Boon Centre, which offers parking for visitors. The food centre is directly accessible from the parking area.
Top Food Stalls to Visit at Chong Boon Food Centre
Yong Xin
Media from george.kooi
Location: Stall #01-39
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 6 AM–1 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Famous Noodles
I once queued for 20 minutes at Yong Xin just to see what the fuss was about. And I’d gladly do it again for its famous bowl of bak chor mee magic.
Its Famous Noodles are a chaotic, glorious mix of pork lard, fishballs, and shallots that just…works. Dry or soup, this isn’t your average noodle stall; it’s practically a new benchmark in hawker dining.
Pro-tip: Come earlier than the lunch hour to avoid the risk of getting sold out.
Poh Hua
Media from bcmhunter
Location: Stall #01-38
Hours: Daily, 7 AM–2 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Fried bee hoon
Poh Hua has become my family’s go-to when we need a no-frills, satisfying breakfast that won’t break the bank. Its fried bee hoon hits the spot, especially with a slab of luncheon meat and a runny egg on top!
It’s the kind of stall where regulars don’t need to say their order. My dad simply shows his face to the cook, and he instantly whips up his favourite dish of fried bee hoon and fried chicken wings!
Pro-tip: Try fried eggs, tofu, fish cakes, sausages, or stir-fried veggies with your bee hoon for a glorious and delicious mess!
Ang Mo Kio Loh Mee/Laksa
Media from makoeats
Location: Stall #01-99
Hours: Monday and Thursday to Sunday, 6 AM–2 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Loh mee
I wanted to “try a bite” at Ang Mo Kio Loh Mee upon seeing the queue during lunchtime and ended up polishing off a whole bowl and slurping the gravy like soup. Its loh mee is thick, savoury, and straight-up addictive.
The laksa’s no slouch either. It’s creamy, spicy, and loaded with flavour that clings to every noodle.
Pro-tip: Best to come as early as you can because the stall usually sells out by lunchtime.
Cai Ji Fried Fish Soup
Media from george.kooi
Location: Stall #01-25
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30 AM–1.45 PM, 4.30–7.30 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Mixed fish soup
When we can’t decide between crispy or clean fish, we go to Cai Ji. Its mixed fish soup gives both fried and boiled fish in one comforting bowl.
The broth is light but brimming with flavour, the kind that warms you up without weighing you down with guilt. It’s a popular breakfast fix that’s all about brisk service and good, hearty soup.
Pro-tip: The stall closes a few hours between lunch and late afternoon, but expect queues to start even then.
96 Kwai Luck Cooked Food
Media from xinfulbites
Location: Stall #01-96
Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday, 4 AM–1 PM
- Saturday to Sunday, 4 AM–2 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Mee siam
My mom grew up on 96 Kwai Luck’s mee siam with its rich, tangy, and just the right hint of coconut flavour. She said it’s the kind of breakfast that tastes like it’s been perfected over decades, and she would know.
The stall has been around since 1979, and its loyal clientele hasn’t let up since. She said if you like it extra-spicy, add a judicious amount of sambal to the dish, but not so much that it overpowers the other flavours.
Pro-tip: For a punchy and tangy kick, ask for a lime wedge to squeeze into your mee siam before mixing it up.
Bin Fen Economic Bee Hoon
Media from tsubasa.tan
Location: Stall #01-03
Hours: Daily (except Friday), 5.30 AM–3.30 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Bee hoon set
The fried bee hoon at the Bin Fen stall can be paired with sides like glutinous rice or nasi lemak if you need to carb or protein up. It’s the kind of glorious, messy meal that leaves you satisfied the way no elegantly plated dish can.
The nasi lemak set features otah, curry chicken, and an egg that’s perfectly fried so the edges are crispy while the yolk is still runny (AKA just the way I like it!).
Pro-tip: There are no beverages here, but other stalls sell teh tarik or kopi peng that complement the richness of the bee hoon dishes.
Rahim Muslim Food
Media from ghostguan
Location: Stall #01-01
Hours: Daily, 12.30–7 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Mee rebus
Rahim Muslim Food has been around for decades and has become a go-to for seriously tasty mee rebus. Its rich, sweet potato-based gravy, topped with a generous dollop of satay sauce, creates a symphony of flavours I can’t find elsewhere.
In particular, it offers a “Power Mee Rebus” dish that features tender chicken pieces nestled among the noodles. Don’t forget to add fried shallots and a hard-boiled egg for a complete feast!
Pro-tip: This stall is quite popular, so plan to visit a few minutes before it opens at half past noon.
Lu Ge Wanton Noodle
Media from sgmeekiaboy
Location: Stall #01-36
Hours: Daily, 5 AM–8 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Dumpling noodle soup
Since it opened in late 2022, Lu Ge Wanton Noodle has seen queues snaking around the hawker centre tables. The culprit is its dumpling noodle soup that boasts plump, homemade dumplings and springy noodles that are a delight to the palate.
The broth feels like a comforting hug in a bowl, especially on rainy days. The portions are quite generous too, so it’s good to share between two moderately hungry diners.
Pro-tip: It opens quite early, so you can tapao (takeaway) some soup for work or school lunch! Bring your own spill-proof container, though.
Sin Kee Chicken Rice
Media from jamietan04
Location: Stall #01-19
Hours: Daily, 6 AM–3 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Chicken rice set
For a satisfying chicken rice fix, Sin Kee Chicken Rice is a must-try. Its chicken is tender and flavourful, paired with fragrant, mouth-watering rice that’s a pleasure to all the senses.
Some claim it looks too bland to be flavourful, but it really isn’t. The accompanying chilli sauce packs a punch and elevates the meal to another level, though it’s quite good on its own.
Pro-tip: Wash down your chicken rice meal with lime juice, water chestnut, or iced lemon tea available at the stall.
Yu Fa Claypot Delights
Media from fatclay
Location: Stall #01-25
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11.45 AM–3 PM, 5.30–8.30 PM
Price: $
Must-try: Claypot sesame chicken
I consider this stall a hidden gym since not a lot of people (even locals!) seem to know about it. Its claypot sesame chicken is a must-try, with its tender chicken pieces infused with the rich aroma of sesame oil to create a comforting dish.
The stall’s dedication to traditional claypot cooking shines through in every bite. I learned that the owner continues to run this stall in honour of his late wife’s culinary legacy, which is heart-warming to know.
Pro-tip: Feeling adventurous? Try the Assam stingray cooked in a spicy and sour tamarind-based gravy with a tantalising kick!
Good Earth Vegetarian
Media from nma.sg
Location: Stall #01-30
Hours: Daily (except Thursday), 7–10.15 AM
Price: $
Must-try: Vegetarian mixed rice
I love eating meat, and I admit to thinking vegetarian mixed rice was just a bland compromise. That is until a vegetarian friend took me to Good Earth Vegetarian in Chong Boon Food Centre and managed to change my lunch routine.
There’s a spread of vibrant, flavourful dishes here, from zesty sambal eggplant to crispy mock meat meals. Surprisingly, the veg mixed rice became my favourite, with customisable options ranging from soy-based char siew to flavourful curries!
Pro-tip: Want a plant-based brekky? Try the stall’s fried mee hoon, lo mee, and kuay chap without feeling guilty.