Walking into Old Airport Road Food Centre, it’s like stepping inside the beating heart of Singapore’s hawker culture. Humming fans overhead do their best to carry the piping-hot aromas of char kway teow, pork ribs soup, and Singapore chili crab. All around are the lively sounds of hawkers calling out orders, the click of chopsticks against bowls, and the chatter of diners savoring bites of the best hawker stalls you’ll find anywhere. Few places in Singapore feel as alive—or as delicious—as this legendary food centre.
Old Airport Road Food Centre isn’t just another stop on a Singapore food guide. Built in 1973 on the runway of the original Singapore Changi Airport, this sprawling food court is now an institution, beloved by generations. It’s one of Singapore’s largest, most cherished hawker centers, home to over 150 food stalls that serve both timeless local Singapore cuisine and creative modern classics. A visit here is a rite of passage for anyone eager to taste the incredible diversity of Singapore’s hawker stalls firsthand.
Getting There & Basics
Before you can feast, you’ll want to make your arrival as smooth as your chee cheong fun.
- Location: 51 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390051
- Public Transport: The closest MRT stop is Dakota (CC8) on the Circle Line. From there, take a short walk—just five minutes—straight to the food centre’s main entrance on Old Airport Road.
- Opening Hours: Most food stalls open by 8 AM and run until 10 PM. But not every stall opens all day or every day—some only fire up their woks for breakfast or dinner shifts, and some hawker stalls take a day off midweek.
- Peak Periods: A word to the wise: Weekday lunch (12 PM – 2 PM) and dinner (6 PM – 8 PM) bring out the crowds, while weekends are packed all day. For a more comfortable sampling, visit in the late morning or early afternoon on a weekday.
Centre Layout & Navigation
Airport Road Food Centre is built for eating and exploring. The open-plan food court is a long, airy building. There are two main rows of stalls stretching the length of the centre, with numbers displayed above each one to guide you. In between, rows of tables and stools host everyone from families splitting plates of hokkien mee to friends digging into fried ikan bilis or roast duck.
- How Stalls Are Organized: Food stalls are laid out side by side, each specializing in different Singapore hawker food—from super-crispy roast pork to savory noodle dishes, coconut milk-infused desserts, and piping hot fish bone broths. It’s easy to wander the aisles, looking for mouthwatering displays and long lines (a local sign of a best hawker stall).
- Seating Arrangements: Find a table anywhere—there’s no assigned seating, and it’s common to share tables. Large groups might string together a few stools, while solo diners squeeze in wherever there’s space.
- Navigating Like a Pro: Scan the crowd for what catches your eye. Popular stalls tend to have long queues. Stalls also display their signature dishes on eye-catching placards in both English and Chinese, helping newcomers decide what looks good.
Hawker Centre Etiquette
Singapore’s hawker centers have unspoken rules—navigating these traditions is part of the fun.
- “Chope-ing” Your Table: Before you hit the queue, save your seat by leaving a packet of tissues, a trusty umbrella, or your reusable water bottle on a table. This is local code for “seat taken”—and everyone respects it.
- Respecting the Queue: Good food is worth the wait. Don’t cut the line or hover too close; join the queue and dream about your upcoming roast pork or fried mee.
- Table Sharing: If tables are scarce, don’t be shy about joining others. A polite “Can I sit here?” is always welcomed, and you’ll often be rewarded with food court tips from seasoned fans.
- Tray Return: After your meal, return your tray and plates to the designated tray return area—a small act that keeps the space welcoming for all.
- No Smoking: The entire food centre is a no-smoking zone.
Top 10 Must-Try Stalls
So, where to start? Here are 10 legendary stalls at Old Airport Road Food Centre—famous across Singapore’s hawker centers for their iconic dishes, bold flavors, and unforgettable bites. Stall numbers and approximate prices included.
- Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow (#01-138):
This is noodle heaven. One uncle does everything himself—stir-frying char kway teow in small batches over high heat so every plate comes smoky and slicked with savory sauce. Expect the perfect harmony of thick rice noodles, Chinese sausage, fried ikan bilis, pork lard, egg, and a bounty of bean sprouts.
Price: S$3–S$4 - Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (#01-12):
For fans of the classic, this stall’s char kway teow is famous for its sweet edge and generous addition of blood cockles, making noodles soft, glossy, and infused with bold flavors.
Price: S$5–S$8 - Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee (#01-32):
One of the food centre’s biggest stars. This hokkien mee has an aromatic prawn stock base, moist yellow noodles, and chewy bee hoon, all bundled with fresh prawn and squid then topped with a dollop of spicy chilli sauce and a squeeze of lime.
Price: S$5–S$8 - Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee (#01-116):
Lor mee fans, rejoice. This stall is known for rich, robust gravy sweetened with garlic, dark soy sauce, and spices, poured over thick yellow noodles, slices of pork belly, fried fish, and a hard-boiled egg. Finish with vinegar and extra chili for a tangy, spicy kick.
Price: S$4–S$6 - Roast Paradise (#01-121):
Specializing in Kuala Lumpur–style roast meats, Roast Paradise is legendary for char siew rice and roast pork. The char siew has a smoky caramelized glaze, while roast pork features crunchy skin and juicy layers of fat. Don’t miss the roast duck—velvety, succulent, and perfectly complemented by a drizzle of sweet sauce.
Price: S$5–S$7 per plate - Wang Wang Crispy Curry Puff (#01-126):
Hidden gem alert! Packed with curried potato or sardine, these puffs are satisfyingly crispy and flaky. They’re fried fresh in small batches, guaranteeing every bite is piping hot.
Price: S$1.50 per puff - Toa Payoh Rojak (#01-108):
A must-try for lovers of sweet, spicy food. This rojak features crisp dough fritters, fried bean curd, cucumber, and green mango, all tossed in a tangy shrimp paste, sprinkled with peanuts.
Price: S$4–S$6 - To-Ricos Guo Shi Kway Chap (#01-135):
For adventurers, kway chap is the answer: broad rice noodles in a savory, herbal soup, flanked by duck, pork belly, tofu, fish cake, and braised eggs.
Price: S$5–S$10 per set - Albert Street Prawn Noodles (#01-10/11):
Michelin Bib Gourmand award-winner. At this stall, you’ll get robustly flavored prawn noodle soup with big, sweet prawn, slices of pork ribs, and a broth rich in pork bones and fried shrimp heads.
Price: S$5–S$12 - Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun (#01-155):
Silky soft rice rolls crafted right before your eyes. Choose fillings like shrimp, barbecued pork, or mushrooms, all bathed in a savory sauce and crowned with fried shallots.
Price: S$2–S$3
Food Trail for First-Timers: Your Best Bet
If you want to try a spread, here’s a sample route for your maiden visit to the airport road food centre:
- Begin with a savory snack: A curry puff from Wang Wang (#01-126) to jump-start your appetite.
- Move to noodles: Share a small plate of Dong Ji’s char kway teow (#01-138) and a bowl of Albert Street prawn noodles (#01-10/11). Savor the wok hei (the elusive "breath of the wok") and deep prawn flavors.
- Meat lovers rejoice: Grab char siew rice or roast pork from Roast Paradise (#01-121), and if you want more, order crispy roast duck.
- Vegetarian or lighter: Grab fresh chee cheong fun (#01-155), drizzled with sesame oil and sweet sauce.
- Sweet finale: Cool off with a mound of shaved ice or red bean soup from any dessert stall.
Practical Tips for Enjoyment
- Payment: Most hawker stalls are cash only, though some now accept QR code payments. Bring small change to avoid slowing the queue.
- Bring tissues: Not just for choping, but for cleaning up—napkins aren’t usually provided.
- Seating: If it’s busy, don’t be shy about sharing a table. It’s how you make new friends (and sometimes pick up tips about the best hawker stalls!).
- Weather: No air-conditioning—dress light. The space is well-ventilated but can get toasty at lunch.
- Hydration: Order lime juice, soya bean milk, or fresh coconut water from the drink stalls.
Best Photography Spots
- The Queue: Capture a classic hawker scene—a long, snaking line at a famous stall.
- The Spread: Lay out your entire plate collection at your table for a colorful, tempting flat lay.
- The Action: Snap shots of food being fried, noodles tossed in a wok, or a hawker deftly chopping roast duck or pork chop.
- Glossy close-ups: The glistening dark soy sauce on wanton noodles, a perfect swirl of fish cake, or a bowl of bak chor mee with green onions.
FAQ for First-Timers
Q: Is it safe to eat at airport road food centre?
A: Yes! Singapore’s hawker centers are held to strict food safety standards. Stall owners display hygiene grades near their stalls.
Q: Are vegetarian or Malay dishes available?
A: Definitely—look for stalls offering nasi lemak, vegetarian bee hoon, or Malay curry rice.
Q: How much money should I bring?
A: Most meals range from S$3–S$8 per dish, but more premium items (like chili crab or large prawn noodles) can cost S$12 or higher. Bring about S$20–S$30 for a seriously filling adventure.
Q: What sets Old Airport Road Food Centre apart from other hawker centers?
A: The sheer number of famous food stalls, the legacy of old-school stall owners, and the chance to try everything from pork ribs soup to modern desserts to Singapore chili crab.
Q: Any signature dishes I shouldn’t miss?
A: Absolutely! Char kway teow, roast pork, Albert Street prawn noodles, and Toa Payoh rojak are all must-haves.
Wrapping Up Your Visit
Old Airport Road Food Centre is pure Singapore—a melting pot of sights, sounds, and smells that bring the city’s hawker culture to life. Whether you’re gulping down a bowl of piping hot hokkien mee rich with shrimp and pork lard, sharing plates of fried noodles and roast pork with friends, or standing shoulder to shoulder with locals at a busy stall, this is the real deal.
Every dish, from humble chee cheong fun to bold, spicy Singapore chili crab, tells a story. The food centre is a tribute to generations of hawker stall owners who pour their hearts into feeds that are as comforting as they are crave-worthy. Bring your appetite, follow your senses, and let this vibrant court of flavors guide you to a new favorite among Singapore’s best hawker stalls.
Welcome to Old Airport Road Food Centre—your gateway to Singapore’s most delicious adventures.
