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A Guide to Maxwell Food Center Singapore That Will Make You Forget Fine Dining Exists
The first time I went to Maxwell Food Center, I was bored and hungry—a bad combination. With no plans for the afternoon, I decided to head over and see what all the fuss was about.
Finding the best chicken rice became my mission. I scanned the stalls and watched where the longest lines were, and joined one that stretched halfway across the hawker center.
After squeezing into a shared table and stuffing myself silly, I wasn’t quite ready to head home. With time to kill, I wandered over to nearby neighborhoods, browsed the markets, and even stumbled upon historical landmarks.
What started as a food run turned into an afternoon well spent.
If you’re planning a visit, here’s everything you need to know about Maxwell Food Center—what to eat, when to go, and what else is nearby.
Where is Maxwell Food Center?
Maxwell Food Center is in Singapore’s Chinatown district. It is bordered by South Bridge Road to the north, Nield Road to the west, Maxwell Road to the south, and Cross Street to the east.
How to Get to Maxwell Food Center
By Bus: Several buses stop near Maxwell Food Center, making it a convenient option for public transport. Buses 80, 145, 166, and 197 have stops along South Bridge Road and Neil Road, both of which are just a short walk from the hawker center.
By MRT: The closest MRT station is Maxwell MRT (TE18) on the Thomson-East Coast Line, which exits directly onto Maxwell Road. Another station is the Chinatown MRT (DT9/NE4) on the Downtown and North-East Lines is a five-minute walk away.
By Taxi: Booking a ride through Grab, Gojek, or a taxi is an easy way to get to Maxwell Food Center. Most drivers are familiar with the location, and the drop-off point is conveniently located along Maxwell Road.
By Private Car: If you’re driving, set your GPS to 1 Kadayanallur Street. There are nearby parking options at URA Center and Maxwell Chambers, though availability may vary during peak meal hours.
What to Do and See Near Maxwell Food Center
Step into centuries of tradition at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Media Credit: @btrts_singapore
Address: 288 South Bridge Road
Phone: +65 6220 0220
Pricing: $
Operating Hours: Daily – 7AM to 5PM
Website: https://www.buddhatoothrelictemple.org.sg/
I spotted the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple long before I actually got to it. Its deep red walls, the gold embellishments, and the way the tiered rooftops tower over Chinatown’s street markets make it impossible to miss.
Up close, the scent of incense lingers, which should give you a preview of what’s inside. This temple is believed to be a relic of Buddha himself, filled with golden statues in the main hall, leading up to the chamber where the sacred tooth is kept!
However, before you go, dress appropriately. Apparently, the dress code doesn’t allow shorts and revealing clothes, so some people get turned away or have to borrow a shawl.
The temple is free to enter, and if you visit in the evening, the warm glow of the lights makes it even more striking.
Take in the beauty of Gardens by the Bay
Media Credit: @gardensbythebay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Floor 1 Supertree Grove
Phone: +65 6420 6848
Pricing: $-$$
Operating Hours: Daily – 5AM to 2AM
Website: https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/
Gardens by the Bay is one of those places that just never gets old, no matter how many times you visit. Their Cloud Forest alone is worth the trip, with its towering indoor waterfall and misty pathways that make you feel like you’re walking through a dream.
The Flower Dome, on the other hand, is just as stunning, filled with rare plants and seasonal displays that change throughout the year.
And even the evenings bring a different kind of magic, with the Supertree Grove lighting up in sync with the music. It comes with moments that make you pause, even if you’ve seen it for the nth time.
Buying tickets in advance saves time, especially when the lines start to build up. It’s an easy place to explore at your own pace
Get launched sky-high at Slingshot Singapore
Media Credit: @zazone789
Address: 3E River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Block E, Ground Floor Slingshot Singapore
Phone: +65 9755 3310
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Daily – 4:30PM to 11:30PM
Website: http://slingshot.sg/
Slingshot Singapore at Clarke Quay has thrilling rides that make your heart race before you even take off. Their GX-5 Extreme Swing drops from 40 meters before swinging wildly at over 120 km/h.
If that’s not enough, the Slingshot launches you at 70 meters into the air at 160 km/h, flipping and spinning as you hurtle toward the skyline.
The first time you strap in, you’ll barely have a second to process what’s happening before you’re catapulted skyward with the city blurring around you. And the second time? It’ll be just as intense—and don’t trust their countdown, it’s a trick!
At $45 per ride, it’s a small price to pay for an adrenaline rush that lingers long after your feet hit the ground.
Where to Eat and Drink in Maxwell Food Center
MS Dessert Shop
Stall Number: 01-068
Phone: +65 9229 9220
Pricing: $
Operating Hours: Daily – 9AM to 8:30PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msdessertshop/
MS Dessert Shop at Maxwell Food Center only offers comforting bowls of Chinese desserts at prices that feel like a throwback. Almost everything on the menu goes for $1.80, like tau suan, pulut hitam, and red bean soup.
The exception is the peach gum dessert which is priced at $3 and served in a slightly larger bowl.
The stall is run by two camera-shy ladies who kept their prices low for the elderly folks and, of course, those budget-conscious diners. While they pop in occasionally to check in on things, you’ll more often be greeted by their assistant.
Taste of Jiang Nan
Media Credit: @wakwakhawker
Stall Number: 01-62
Phone: +65 8342 9898
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, except for Saturday – 11:30AM to 8:30PM
- Saturday – Closed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/%E6%B1%9F%E5%8D%97%E5%91%B3%E9%81%93-Taste-of-Jiang-Nan-100063525335471/
Taste of Jiang Nan brings Chinese comfort food to Kadayanallur Street, making it a favorite spot for those craving Din Tai Fung-style dishes without the steep prices.
Their Pork Chop Fried Rice is their most popular offering as it delivers both taste and nostalgia while being wallet-friendly, though I noticed that availability isn’t always guaranteed.
As for dumpling lovers, you’ll find plenty to enjoy, especially the Red Oil Spicy Dumplings, which pack just the right amount of heat. And their Xiao Long Bao comes at $5 for six pieces, far cheaper than the usual restaurant dishes.
The dumpling skin is thin, and the broth inside sends a warmth throughout your body, but it’s on the lighter side compared to other places.
And before you pay a visit, take note that the stall closes on random days so it’s best to check their Facebook page beforehand for any announcements.
1950’s Coffee
Media Credit: @livingtheproof
Stall Number: 01-90
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Saturday – 8:30AM to 4PM
1950’s Coffee has a taste of the old-school kopi culture that serves up strong, aromatic brews alongside crip kaya toast.
Even in the early morning, a line is already forming, with regulars waiting for their kopi fix.
The auntie running the stall does everything on her own, moving quickly to take orders and brew each cup with precision. She may come across as a little grumpy, but that’s just part of the charm—she gets the job done, and her coffee speaks for itself.
For just $4.30, you can get the classic trio—kopi, soft-boiled eggs, and kaya toast. The kopi is smooth but strong, with just the right amount of condensed milk at the bottom.
If you see a queue, chances are, it’s worth the wait.
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Media Credit: @roadbook
Stall Number: 01-10/11
Phone: +65 9691 4852
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Sunday – 10AM to 7:30PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiantianchicken/?hl=en
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken is where the queue never really stops. Tourists know it because of the beloved, late Anthony Bourdain, but locals have been lining up here long before it became famous.
The chicken is velvety, the skin has a good amount of spring, and the rice is infused with the kind of rich stock that’s hard to replicate.
Instead of the usual soy-sesame mix, their signature sauce leans thicker, coating every bite with a deep flavor.
Add a spoonful of their fiery, garlicky chili, and you’ve got a meal that keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve left the hawker center.
Just don’t show up late because when the chicken’s gone, the stall closes for the day.
Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
Stall Number: 01-05
Phone: +65 9344 1296
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9AM to 8PM
- Sunday – Closed
Website: https://www.facebook.com/maxwellfuzhouoystercake/
Literally in the stall’s name, the Fuzhou-style oyster cake is a deep-fried bite of tradition, packed with minced pork, oysters, prawns, and coriander.
Shaped like a flying saucer, these crispy golden disks have been made the same way since 1962, when Madam Pang Siew Ting first introduced them. Her daughter now carries on the craft, frying each one to order, just as her mother did decades ago.
The batter—made from rice grains soaked overnight and ground with flour—creates a chewy, crispy shell that encases a savory filling. Peanuts have a good crunch, while the oysters bring a briny touch.
Each piece is $2.50, and while they can be on the oily side, the nutty flavor draws the people in.
The owners are known to be hands-on, even folding the wrappers for easier eating. And with a Michelin nod in 2024, this uFO-shaped snack continues to fly off the fryer.
Baguette Huong Viet Vietnamese Cuisine
Media Credit: @indulgentism
Stall Number: 01-42
Phone: +65 8772 2138
Pricing: $
Operating Hours: Daily – 9AM to 9PM
Baguette Huong Viet has made its way to Kadayanallur Street, bringing classic Vietnamese street food to one of Singapore’s busiest hawker spots.
With more Vietnamese workers and expats settling in the city, it’s not surprising to see the stalls bringing in crowds.
Their menu has familiar items like banh mi, pho, vermicelli bowls, and spring rolls. The banh mi options cover all the essentials, from traditional cold cuts to grilled pork and chicken.
The bread is toasted just before serving, adding that crispy bite before giving way to layers of pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and well-seasoned meat. Some fillings shine more than others, but the crunch of the baguette ties the whole thing together.
But to be honest, the service can be a hit-or-miss and that includes wait times stretching longer than expected. Though, the portions are fair, and the flavors are pretty satisfying.
