Singapore is world famous for its hawker centres, and there are plenty to choose from, but the Maxwell Food Centre in Singapore is world-famous for its variety of stalls, some of which have been endorsed by famous chefs like the late Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay, a few have even been featured in Michelin guides.
A Quick History
Maxwell Food Centre’s journey began in 1928 as a wet market. It was later converted into a food centre in 1987, and over the years, it has gained a reputation as one of Singapore’s top hawker centres. It was even voted Singapore’s favourite hawker centre in the City Hawker Food Hunt for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016.
Getting Around
Located in Chinatown, the food centre is a short walk from the main walking streets and is strongly influenced by Singapore’s largely Chinese culture. If you are on a tight schedule, the Maxwell MRT station is conveniently located just across the road, making it easily accessible by public transport. For those who prefer a leisurely stroll, the area is pedestrian-friendly, with plenty of sights to see along the way, like the nearby Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the colourful houses that make up the Chinatown street market. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Grab are also readily available for a quick and comfortable journey.
My Favourite Foods
It’s hard to choose when there are so many tasty options, from classics like Hainanese chicken to Singapore noodles, although I recently found out the latter is actually from Hong Kong.
There is so much to choose from, and a lot of the food is very foreign to me, from the Maxwell Centre’s chilli crab to laksa and fish head curry. I have tried laksa across Southeast Asia, but it was my first time eating fish head curry, something I later made at home because fish heads are super cheap. Chilli crab is a Singaporean classic and something I would recommend to everyone.
I have tried a few variations of chicken rice at the Maxwell Food Centre, and the chilli chicken pictured below is a great choice.
Tips For Visiting
First and foremost: go early. Some of the best dishes are limited as there are only so many the chefs can make. It is actually amazing how much food is made in such little space, but there is certainly a limit.
Bring cash, just to be safe. I did see some stalls accepting cards, and there will likely be more and more every year as digital currency becomes the norm.
Don’t be afraid to explore. Honestly, I could not tell you what the best stall at Maxwell Food Centre is. The classic dishes are amazing, but some of the more uncommon (at least to me) options, like pig organ soup, are actually pretty good — who knows, you might be surprised.
Maxwell Food Centre Hours and Other Details
Maxwell Food Centre is conveniently located just a short walk from the heart of Chinatown, and as I mentioned, the Maxwell MRT station is right across the road. Maxwell Food Centre’s opening times are from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM, making it an ideal spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack. However, the variety of food options can change throughout the day. When it comes to a Maxwell Food Centre menu, well, there are many — each stall has their own offering of dishes. My advice is to explore the centre and find something that you like the sound of.
Singapore is known for its vibrant hawker centres and Maxwell Food Centre truly reflects this amazing foodie culture, the atmosphere is great day and night, and the diverse culinary offerings ensure that there is something for everyone.
