A Food Lover’s Heaven: Your Guide to Golden Mile Food Center
By Caleb Leong
If you’re a foodie who’s looking for a good dining spot, then allow me to recommend the Golden Mile Food Center. This place may seem unassuming because it’s located below a bustling Army Market, but it has several great stalls that you don’t want to miss out on!
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry because I’m here to help!
In this article, I’ve listed all the stalls that are worth trying.
How to Get to Golden Mile Food Center
Address: 505 Beach Rd, Singapore 199583
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Tuesday—11 am to 8 pm
- Wednesday—12 to 8 pm
Taking the MRT is the best way to reach Golden Mile Food Center. To do this, you only have to ride the train from the Circle Line to Nicoll Highway Station, and once you arrive there, you take a seven-minute walk to reach the hawker center.
Alternatively, you can choose the ride the bus. Your options are bus services 7, 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 145, 175, and 197, and you have to alight at Blk 8.
What Stalls to Try in Golden Mile Food Center
Golden Mile Special Yong Tau Foo
— From: chefandsommelier
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—9:45 am to 1:30 pm
- Closed on Sunday
Pricing: $
Golden Mile Special Yong Tau Foo is perhaps one of the most popular stalls in this food center. After all, it has been around since 1958, so many people have tasted and loved its authentic yong tau foo, and they’ve spread the word to others as well.
Because of this, you’re most likely going to find a queue when you come here, but don’t worry because the queue will move fast.
I suggest trying the Teochew fish-based version of yong tau foo. It’s my favorite!
The fishballs are perfectly springy and chewy, and the fish paste adds the right amount of savoriness. The yellowtail fish meat also tastes fresh and delicious, and if you want more complexity to the dish, I recommend adding pig intestines.
Wen Kang Ji Wanton Noodle
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Monday—9 am to 5 pm
- Closed on Tuesday
Contact Number: +6596851355
Pricing: $
Wen Kang Ji Wanton Noodle is actually one of the newest additions at Golden Mile Food Center, and it has become popular among visitors in just a short amount of time.
The wanton noodles here are so hearty, comforting, and sold at a good price too.
Every bowl makes use of bu jian tian (underarm cut of pork), and it’s roasted to perfection. The char layer complements really well with the succulent meat.
Chef Choo Signature
— From: makoeats
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—11 am to 7:30 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 5:30 pm
- Closed on Monday
Pricing: $$
The most popular offering at Chef Choo—and one I love—is the sizzling seafood spaghetti.
The homemade tomato sauce is absolutely delectable and pairs well with savory mussels, clams, and prawns.
I also would recommend the spaghetti carbonara, spaghetti aglio olio, and Norwegian salmon. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can order Today’s Special and be surprised by what the chef has in store for you.
Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
— From: larvitar
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Tuesday—10 am to 5 pm
- Closed on Wednesday
Contact Number: +6562946798
Pricing: $
If you’re a big fan of the dry version of Hokkien mee, then you’ll love Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee. Here, the stock is left to simmer until it’s all but evaporated, so the flavors are really concentrated in the noodles.
Another great thing about the Hokkien mee in this stall is that it has a lingering smoky fragrance, which makes your mouth water the moment you smell it. And if you’re craving a spicy kick, feel free to add some chili.
Ah Xiao Teochew Duck Rice
— From: makoeats
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—10 am to 2 pm
- Friday to Sunday—10 am to 1 pm
- Closed on Monday and Thursday
Contact Number: +6591098026
Pricing: $$
Traditional duck rice has been one of my favorite dishes ever since I tasted it, and one of my go-to places for it is Ah Xiao Teochew Braised Duck.
What I love about this stall is that the dishes are prepared so simply, but they always pack a lot of flavor. It’s also great that you’re given two types of chili sauce, so you can add some heat to your dish.
Usually, I go for a quarter braised duck or a whole braised duck (if I have company), but those can get a bit pricy. So, you might want to just stick with the signature braised duck rice, which is much more affordable—and just as delicious!
Choon Kee Roasted Delights
— From: misstamchiak
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday—11 am to 3 pm
- Closed on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
Pricing: $
Another new yet already famous stall is Choon Kee Roasted Delights, and it’s such a great place to satisfy your char siew cravings.
The stall offers a good number of options: the classic is the char siew roasted pork rice, but they also have roasted duck rice and roasted duck char siew rice. If you’re traveling with a few people, you might want to choose the combo duck set.
Since this is pretty well-known, be sure to expect a line. Sometimes, they even get sold out by late lunch, so you should come here as early as possible if you really want to try their dishes.
Da Po Hainanese Chicken Rice & Curry Chicken Noodle
— From: hippofeeds
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday—10:30 am to 6:30 pm
- Closed on Monday
Contact Number: $
Pricing: $
Flavor explosion is what I always expect when ordering at Da Po Hainenese Chicken Rice and Curry Chicken Noodle.
The curry chicken noodles come with so many ingredients: poached chicken, fishcake slices, tau pok, soft potatoes, and pig’s skin. Then, there’s the curry gravy made from fresh coconut milk—it’s so addictive that you might end up drinking the whole thing.
To make things better, the owners never skimp on the ingredients, so your plate is practically loaded. What a great way to fill your stomach!
Yew Chuan Claypot Rice
— From: jiakpahbuay
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday—12 to 8 pm
- Saturday—12 to 8:30 pm
- Closed on Monday and Thursday
Contact Number: +6591375661
Pricing: $$
Yew Chuan Claypot Rice has been in the business for about four decades now, so in a way, they’ve already perfected their craft. The rice is fragrant and fluffy, and the toppings—marinated chicken pieces, Chinese sausages, and salted fish—are delicious.
They also have a variety of sauces.
My favorite is the sweet chili sauce with its addictive aroma, but the soya sauce is just as great. It’s thick and the right amount of salty.
The only “downside” of this stall is that it always has long lines because the owners make every order fresh. The waiting time is usually an hour long, so keep that in mind.
Keng Heng Whampoa Teochew Lor Mee
— From: jimmyfooddiary
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday—7:30 am to 1:30 pm
- Closed on Wednesday and Sunday
Contact Number: +6598444853
Pricing: $
Whenever it’s raining, nothing comforts me faster than a steaming bowl of lor mee, and the one served at Keng Heng Whampoa Teochew Lor Mee surely delivers.
The lor mee here starts at S$4, and even for that price, the bowl is loaded enough to satisfy me. The gravy is perfectly starchy and thick, and there are so many toppings for me to indulge in—pork belly, dumplings, fish cakes, fried fish, and more!
Chung Cheng Chilli Mee Prawn Laksa
— From: sherbakes
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Sunday—10 am to 3 pm
- Closed from Monday to Wednesday
Pricing: $
What makes Chung Cheng Chilli Mee Prawn Laksa stand out is its signature chili paste. It’s made from belacan, dried shrimp, garlic, onion, and a few secret spices, and it adds quite the flavor to your soup base.
This stall also offers a dry version of the chili mee, so if you’re not a big fan of soups, choose this one. The laksa here is also worth trying, in my opinion.
Xin Kee Hong Kong Cheong Fun
— From: gl_live2eat
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday—8 am to 3 pm
- Closed on Monday
Pricing: $
I’ve only gone to Xin Kee Hong Kong Cheong Fun, and I’m already thinking of when I can come back next.
The chee cheong fun here is just so fun to eat. The thin, slippery rice rolls are just bursting with flavor since they’re filled with chye poh, prawns, and pork char siew, and when you bite into them, they practically melt in your mouth!
In my opinion, chee cheong fun is a great dish to eat for breakfast, but I also love it as a mid-day snack.
Flourful Delight
— From: sgfoodfinder
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—10:30 am to 8 pm
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Contact Number: +6581181217
Pricing: $
I admit: the first thing that caught my eye with this stall is its name (I do love a good pun), but eventually, the noodles here made me stay—and come back often.
The stall owners craft their own noodles from scratch, which is why each noodle strand ends up being perfectly chewy and bouncy. And when you pair the noodles with the scrumptious peanut sauce, it’s heavenly.
To complement my meal, I also like ordering a side of spicy Sichuan dumplings. They’re filled with juicy meat, and of course, the spice makes everything even more flavorful.
Chi Le Ma
— From: makoeats
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday—10:30 am to 2 pm
- Closed on Monday
Pricing: $
Chi Le Ma is a stall that’s easily overlooked, but I recommend you check it out—especially its signature dish, which is the steamed fish.
Their standard dish features a pretty sizeable sea bass drenched in light soy sauce and finished with a sprinkle of fried garlic on top. It’s tasty and savory, and it’s even better when you eat it with white rice.
Personally, my favorite is the steamed chili fish. The sauce adds a spicy kick, and sometimes, I even squeeze some lime for extra zestiness.
Tee Kitchen
— From: a.big.mama
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday—10:30 am to 3 pm
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Contact Number: +6592227799
Pricing: $$
Craving Colombian food while in Singapore? Luckily for you, there’s a way to satisfy that craving—by going to Tee Kitchen at Golden Mile Food Center!
The recipe that the owners use is inspired by an old family friend from Colombia, and though they put a Singaporean twist to it, it still tastes as good as the original. In fact, I even heard some Colombian tourists who said it reminded them of food back home.
The plate of Colombian chicken is the bestseller here, and it’s not a surprise.
It’s affordable, and the portion is generous. You get a meaty thigh and drumstick with olive rice, salsa, and delectable gravy.
Thai Mama Kitchen
— From: dr.singapore
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Tuesday—12:30 to 2:30 pm, 5 to 9:30 pm
- Closed on Wednesday
Pricing: $
Do you want to eat Thai cuisine but don’t have time to find a Thai restaurant? Then Thai Mama Kitchen at Golden Mile Food Center is the perfect alternative.
The impressive thing about this stall is that it has an extensive menu. You’ll definitely have to spend a few minutes perusing it to find the dish that you want.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the options, you can never go wrong with classic Thai meals, such as tom yum, pad thai, and any of the curries.
Braise
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday—11 am to 3 pm
- Closed on Monday and Wednesday
Contact Number: +6583381583
Pricing: $
Treat yourself to a variety of braised dishes in this stall. At Braise, you can have the classic braised pork rice, and if you’re traveling with a few people, you can also go for the braised pork shank set or the braised pork ribs set.
Another thing that I like to do while I’m here is order a few add-ons. My favorites include shiitake mushrooms, black fungus, and tamago egg.
The Original Vadai
— From: crappysotong
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday—12 to 7 pm
- Wednesday—12 to 8 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 7 pm
- Closed on Monday
Contact Number: +6585884181
Pricing: $
For fans of Indian cuisine, The Original Vadai in this food center might pique your interest.
Vadai is a fried Indian snack known for its strong, savory flavor. The owners of this stall tweaked the traditional recipe a bit so that the snack is a lot fluffier and lighter, making it more approachable to newcomers.
Prawn vadai is the best starting point with this stall, and I suggest you buy add-ons for extra flavor (cheese is my favorite, but ikan bilis and chocolate work great as well). Additionally, this is a halal spot, so it’s perfect for Muslim foodies.
Wen Li
— From: 883jiafa
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
- Monday—11 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +6596582980
Pricing: $
Wen Li specializes in Taiwanese dishes. If you’re just looking for a quick snack, you can never go wrong with the popcorn chicken, but if you want something more satisfying, the braised pork rice is a winner.
If you really want to enjoy all the bestselling dishes in one order, feel free to order the set meal. It comes with lu rou fan, popcorn chicken, soft-boiled egg, and chilled cucumber salad—so much food for such a great price!
Charlie’s Peranakan Food
— From: sethluicious
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 7:30 pm
Contact Number: +6597896304
Pricing: $$
Charlie’s Peranakan Food may seem like a humble stall tucked away in the food center’s corner, but it’s one to look out for. My friends have all sworn that the ayam buah keluak here is restaurant-quality, and I can totally see why they’d say that.
I’m not really the biggest fan of ayam buah keluak simply because the flavor is too strong for me, but this stall’s version is a lot lighter, making it much more palatable. The sauce is also incredibly rich and pairs well with rice.
Ashes Burnnit
— From: nomnomxchompchomp
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 3:30 pm, 4 to 8 pm
Contact Number: +6598430071
Pricing: $$
If you’re a massive burger lover, then you should hit up Ashes Burnnit at Golden Mile Food Center.
This stall is widely known for its charcoal burgers that are plated so nicely you’ll think you’re in a gourmet restaurant. The great thing about this stall is that it combines both Western and Singaporean flavors, so every bite of the burger is just addictive.
My favorite burger here is the Chipotle Fried Chicken Burger, but the Mexican Pulled Beef one is a close second. If you’re not in the mood for burgers, you can try any of their fries, soups, and mac and cheese offerings.
OATla
— From: chiaksimi
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday—10 am to 8 pm
- Friday—10 am to 3 pm
- Sunday—10:30 am to 7:30 pm
Contact Number: +6589400417
Pricing: $
OATla only opened in Golden Mile Food Center in 2022, but it has definitely intrigued passersby with its offering. This stall specializes in oat-based drinks, and the owner actually makes his own oat milk instead of using store-bought ones.
I ordered the original oat milk when I came here for the first time, and its natural sweetness hit the right spot for me. The owner also promises that there’s no added sugar, so it’s a great drink for people who are looking out for their blood sugar levels.
Wedang
— From: makoeats
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—12 to 8 pm
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Pricing: $
Wedang specializes in Indo and Malay cuisines, so if you’re craving satay, mie, or soto ayam, this is your spot.
The satay is the bestseller here, so you can start with that. It has that nice char that makes it devour-worthy, and since it’s cheap, it’s easy to just buy a few sticks at a time.
Aside from the satay, I highly recommend the bee hoon soto ayam, which is a Javanese-influenced dish that features shredded chicken, rice vermicelli, and a deep-fried begedil. The gado gado (a salad with peanut sauce) is also pretty tasty.
Cat in the Hat Bakery
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday—11 am to 1 pm
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Pricing: $
If you’re on the hunt for sweet treats, then allow me to recommend the Cat in the Hat Bakery.
This bakery, run by a mother and daughter duo, whips out dreamy French-inspired pastries at such a good price. Here, you can find iconic desserts like chocolate ganache tart (it’s so silky smooth!), indulgent madeleines, and classic financiers.
Since they offer high-quality pastries at an affordable price, the bakery is quite popular among visitors. That’s why the wait times usually take about 30 minutes or even longer.
I usually just pick up a number card and come back later, so I suggest you do the same.
Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly
— From: jamietan04
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 6:30 pm
Contact Number: +6591467313
Pricing: $
Grass jelly is one of the most popular desserts here, so it only makes sense to try it to complete your Singapore experience.
This stall creates its grass jelly in-house, and you’re free to make your own treat by mixing and matching toppings with the grass jelly.
There’s no wrong way to do this. Personally, I just add whatever, though I do prefer nata de coco and longan.
The grass jelly is served in a traditional porcelain bowl with shaved ice, and you’ll truly feel like a local who’s eating this dessert to beat the heat.
Kopi More
— From: twofishtums
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +6581818984
Pricing: $
If you need something to energize you, then you should treat yourself to a cup of the iconic Singaporean kopi. At Golden Mile Food Center, you can find great kopi at Kopi More.
The kopi is actually a bit more expensive than the typical ones you’ll find in other stalls, but it’s definitely not as expensive as a Starbucks coffee.