While I was in Singapore during my 4 days, I had a wishlist of all the hawker centers and within those multiple stands I wanted to visit. Of course then reality hits that I get tired from multiple stops a day, and I’m not as hungry as I hoped. I am going to give you the benefit of my wishlist and why each hawker center is unique as well as provide you my tips in my full guide to visiting Hawker Centers in Singapore.
Hawker centers are a possibly dying phenomenon in Singapore. Many of the hawkers are getting on in years. The oldest hawker in age was profiled here– she is 90 years old and still going! Many stalls will close when the current owners pass as their children will not be taking over. Some of this may be intentional as they want a better life for the next generation, and better education doesn’t usually lead to a hawker life. But, it is also a great loss that many recipes will be disappearing.
Many people are rightfully concerned whether there will still be the same thriving hawker centers for the next generation. Even if it endures with government help, it is doubtful that the insanely cheap prices being offered now can continue as food costs and rental costs of spaces rise. If you visit Singapore, don’t miss your chance to visit hawker centers while you can to try some of these original generation of stalls.
Now, let me share my biggest tips for visiting hawker centers based on my experience visiting ones in Singapore recently, as well as previously in Thailand.