Maxwell Food Centre: 11 Must-Try Stalls for Singapore Food Lovers
Maxwell Food Centre is synonymous with one dish: the famous Chicken Rice served at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Featured in almost every travel guide, this iconic stall draws long queues of visitors daily — but Maxwell is much more than just Tian Tian.
Home to around 100 stalls, this hawker centre is a treasure trove of local favourites, many of them beloved by discerning Singaporeans.
For under $10, you can feast like a local and savour the best of Singapore’s street food scene.
Maxwell Food Centre Guide
Nearest MRT Station: Maxwell
In 2022, Maxwell MRT Station on the Thomson–East Coast Line opened right next to Maxwell Food Centre.
Located just steps away, the new station offers seamless access to the food centre — even on rainy days, without getting wet.
Chinatown Food Stop
While Maxwell MRT Station is convenient, it’s recommended to include a visit to Maxwell Food Centre as part of your Chinatown itinerary.
In that case, alight at Chinatown MRT Station, which serves two lines: the North East Line (Purple) and the Downtown Line (Blue).
From Exit A, walk straight down Pagoda Street — the bustling main street of Chinatown — and turn right at the T-junction with South Bridge Road.
Just ahead, opposite the striking red Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, you’ll find Maxwell Food Centre.
Maxwell Floor Map
Hawker centres are typically open-sided arcades, each housing dozens of small food stalls under one roof.
Maxwell Food Centre is home to around 100 stalls.
As shown in the map above, the stalls are arranged in three rows and numbered sequentially from #1 to #103. Even with so many vendors, the stall numbers make it easy to find your destination without getting lost.
The hawker centre is also equipped with handy facilities, including wash basins and restrooms, which are generally kept clean.
Hawker Centre Rules & Tips
Opening Hours & Days Off
Opening hours and days off vary by stall.
Securing a Seat (Choping)
Seating is generally available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once you’ve chosen a table, it’s common in Singapore to “chope (reserve)” your seat by placing a packet of tissues or wet wipes on it.
Tray Return
After eating, be sure to return your tray and dishes to the designated return station. Failure to do so may result in a warning or a fine. The return points are clearly marked, with separate sections for Halal(food allowed under Islamic law) and non-Halal food stalls.
Maxwell Food Centre
Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Must-Try Chicken Rice
Taking up two full stalls, Tian Tian Chicken Rice is the undisputed star of Maxwell Food Centre.
This stall serves one of the best versions of Singapore’s national dish—Chicken Rice—featuring tender poached chicken and aromatic rice cooked in rich chicken broth.
This dish tops every must-eat list — not just at Maxwell, but across Singapore. It has even earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Ah Tai
Chicken Rice by a Former Cook at Tian Tian
Ah Tai is no stranger to Tian Tian–their rivalry has a storied past. The owner, a former cook at Tian Tian, opened his own stall just four units down after a falling out with his previous employer.
This sparked what locals dubbed the “Maxwell Chicken Rice War.”
Given his background, it’s no surprise the taste closely mirrors Tian Tian’s. Prices are also the same for the small portion — $5 at both stalls.
A standout feature of Ah Tai is its $6 value set, which comes with chicken rice, vegetables, and soup.
If Tian Tian happens to be closed or the queue is too long, Ah Tai makes for a solid alternative.
Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice
Location#01-07
Marina South Delicious Food
Crispy and Fluffy Oyster Omelette
If you’re craving stir-fried dishes, head to Marina South Delicious Food.
While local staples like char kway teow and carrot cake are popular here, the standout is the Oyster Omelette (Fried Oyster).
This dish features fresh oysters stir-fried with eggs, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Served with a spicy chili sauce, it’s the perfect companion to a cold beer.
Marina South Delicious Food
Location#01-35
Fried Kway Teow•Fried Prawn Mee•Fried Oyster•Carrot Cake
Crowd-favourite Hokkien Mee
Located at #01-53 in the central row is a stall named Fried Kway Teow•Fried Prawn Mee•Fried Oyster•Carrot Cake.
True to its name, the menu features a full spread of Singapore’s hawker favourites—including Char Kway Teow, Hokkien Mee, Oyster Omelette, and Carrot Cake.
Hokkien Mee combines a mix of yellow egg noodles and white rice noodles, creating a satisfyingly chewy texture. Its enticing aroma and light seafood-based flavour make it an absolute must-try.
Fried Kway Teow•Fried Prawn Mee•Fried Oyster•Carrot Cake
Location#01-53
Zhen Zhen Porridge
Hearty Porridge Breakfast
Before the sun rises, Zhen Zhen Porridge opens at 5:30am, welcoming early risers with bowls of warm, comforting porridge.
Simmered to a silky consistency, it offers a gentle flavour that soothes the stomach first thing in the morning.
Even the small size, priced at just $4, is incredibly filling, offering a generous, bowl-sized portion — enough to keep hunger at bay for hours.
Zhen Zhen Porridge
Location#01-54
Rojak · Popiah & Cockle
Fresh Veggie Popiah Roll
The name of this eatery, Rojak · Popiah & Cockle, tells you exactly what they serve. Popiah, a popular Nyonya dish, is one of the highlights on the menu.
This popular snack consists of a thin, delicate skin made from wheat flour, wrapped around fresh ingredients like shredded vegetables, egg, and peanuts.
Expect a delightful combination of crunchy bean sprouts and lettuce, balanced by the sweet flavour of the eggs and peanuts.
Light and refreshing, it’s a veggie-packed roll — perfect as a salad alternative.
Rojak · Popiah & Cockle
Location#01-56
Jin Hua
Comforting Fish Soup
Jin Hua, known for its fish soup, is one of the popular stalls at Maxwell, often drawing long queues.
Try ordering the Fish Bee Hoon Soup (No.2), featuring crispy fried fish slices.
The mild, gentle soup has no hint of fishiness, pairing perfectly with the smooth, slurpable bee hoon (rice vermicelli).
The lightly salted fried fish is tender, flaky, and delicious, adding the perfect finishing touch. It’s the ideal bowl for a rainy day — comforting and full of warmth.
Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon
Location#01-77
Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
Crispy Oyster Cake
A longtime local favourite, Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake draws steady crowds for its signature treat.
This stall specialises in Oyster Cakes, which are small, circular fritters about 7cm in diameter that are deep-fried until golden.
Bite into the crispy, fragrant crust and you’ll find a generous filling of oysters, minced meat, vegetables, and prawns, all seasoned to perfection.
Ideal for a quick snack or light bite when hunger strikes.
Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
Location#01-05
The 1950’s Coffee
Crispy Kaya Toast Delight
The 1950’s Coffee, a beloved stall originally based in Chinatown Complex, has made its way to Maxwell Food Centre.
The thinly toasted bread is perfectly crispy and crunchy, offering a delightful contrast to the smooth texture of the kaya jam and butter.
Enjoy it the local way — sipping kopi at a hawker centre while biting into Kaya Toast. This, truly, is the taste of a Singapore morning.
1950’s Coffee
Location#01-90
Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum
Crispy Fried Dumplings
Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum, a popular stall serving Shanghai-style cuisine and dim sum, is always bustling with customers.
While the menu also includes noodles and soups, the top recommendation is their Fried Dumplings.
Freshly crispy-fried, each dumpling is bursting with juicy filling beneath its golden skin.
The small size makes them perfect for a quick snack, ideal for enjoying with a cold beer.
Tong Xin Ju Shanghai Tim Sum
Location#01-92
Lao Ban Soya Beancurd
Refreshing Soya Beancurd Delight
Lao Ban Soya Beancurd is a stall serving traditional soya beancurd.
Their lineup includes the original soya beancurd, subtly sweet almond soya beancurd, and herbal jelly — each priced from just $2.
Even on a hot day in Singapore when the heat feels overwhelming, the smooth, silky texture of the chilled dessert is the perfect way to cool down.
Lao Ban Soya Beancurd
Location#01-91
Final Thoughts
Located in Chinatown, Maxwell Food Centre hosts around 100 stalls, offering a treasure trove of affordable and delicious local delights.
Be sure to add it to your travel itinerary and experience Singapore’s vibrant hawker culture and rich culinary diversity!
Maxwell Food Centre
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