Amidst all the famous cafes in the area of Upper Thomson, Sembawang Hills Food Centre may be one of the most hidden hawker centres in Singapore. Albeit somewhat unassuming, you will be pleasantly surprised by the range of local delights that are available here! Especially if you’re on the hunt for cheap and good eats in Upper Thomson, Sembawang Hills Food Centre is a spot that you must check out.
#1 Seng Huat Duck Rice

Sembawang Hills Food Centre has many hidden food gems, and Seng Huat Duck Rice is one of those stalls that make coming here worth the trip! This hawker stall is best known for its Braised Duck served with rice or porridge. The braising sauce imbued the tender duck with a deep flavour and a hint of spices. Both the meat and rice or porridge are also doused with a generous amount of this yummy sauce. The Duck Porridge is especially popular, and you should get here by the early hours of the morning if you want a taste as they sell out quite fast!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-07, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 9 am–1 pm Wed & Thurs, Sat & Sun. Closed Mon, Tues & Fri
#2 Sembawang Hills Shui Kway

Instead of the smooth and wobbly types, the chwee kueh at Sembawang Hills Shui Kway is firmer and pastier than usual, which gives some heft to the savoury chye poh that has been fried with dried shrimp to impart a nice umami. It isn’t too sweet or salty, and the oil is also drained before serving it so it isn't too greasy. The combination of things makes a pretty solid plate of chwee kueh!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-16, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 10:30 am–7 pm Tues to Sun. Closed on Mon
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#3 Fresh Fish Seafood Soup

Evoke some nostalgia with the simple yet satisfying Fish Soup with Maggi Noodles. Consisting of maggi mee, homemade fish broth and fresh fish slices, the fish soup noodles are a great choice if you’re craving for a hot, soupy lunch. You can also choose to go for bee hoon, mee sua, porridge or rice. Add a splash of soy sauce and some chilli padi for an extra kick!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-36, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm Tues to Sun. Closed on Mon
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#4 Jing Ji Fishball Noodles

This family-run business has been around for 70 years serving fishball noodles made with a recipe that’s been handed down through the generations. They’ve been using the same recipe since day one, with the exception of addition ingredients such as meat balls. You won’t go wrong with the Dry Fishball Mee Pok that’s tossed in a mouthwatering mix of seasoning. Get there early if you want to have their famous fishballs, as they run out pretty fast in the early morning hours!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-23, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 6 am–1 pm Wed & Thurs, Sat & Sun. Closed Mon, Tues & Fri
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#5 Jia Jia Xing Pigs Organ Soup

Another one of the more popular stalls at Sembawang Hills Food Centre, Jia Jia Xing Pigs Organ Soup serves up tasty bowls of Pig Trotters that go perfectly with their Pig’s Organ Soup. While many Pig’s Organ Soup in Singapore takes on a more peppery flavour, the one by Jia Jia Xing is pleasantly light yet flavourful, and comes with a delicate taste of salted vegetables. Expect an array of ingredients like pork slices, meatballs, innards and pork belly. The stall also offers free refills, so you can drink their incredible soup to your heart’s content!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-10, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 10 am–7:30 pm daily
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#6 Khoon’s Katong Laksa & Seafood Soup

Serving a variation of the “Katong Laksa”, white thick bee hoon that’s been cut into short strands swims in a bowl of laksa broth with strips of fish cake, prawns, cockles and a spoonful of sambal chilli and chopped laksa leaves. Compared to other styles of Laksa, there is not as much coconut milk in this so the dish is easy to slurp up without being too jelak. There is a lightness to it and not too spicy, so even those who cannot take spice would likely find this to be manageable!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-26, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 10 am–7 pm Tues to Sun. Closed on Mon
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#7 Yummy Noodle House

As its name suggests, you’ll find a variety of noodle dishes here, such as Chicken Horfun, Wanton Noodles, Vegetables Noodles, Laksa and more. The Wanton Noodles is a popular pick here, with springy and well-cooked noodles that soak up the sauce nicely. You can also opt to have fried wontons instead of the usual soup wontons, which adds a nice crispy element. The thin slices of char siew are decent and taste good, but do not offer much to shout about. Overall it is a simple, old-school and fuss-free meal!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-08, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm Mon to Thurs, Sat & Sun. Closed on Fri
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#8 Ping Kee Popiah

For those who just want a light bite, check out Ping Kee Popiah! This stall is run by a friendly couple who’s been in the business for many years. Unlike other popiah stalls, their popiah has Chinese sausage hidden within. The sweet and salty addition go surprisingly well together, giving the dish a depth in flavour. Not feeling popiah? Try their Kueh Pie Tee, which has the same filling and is just as delish.
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-32, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 11:15 am–6 pm Tues to Sun. Closed on Mon
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#9 Yong Kee Curry Puff

Yong Kee Curry Puff is another family-run stall helmed by a husband-wife duo, who’ve been here at Sembawang Hills Food Centre for over a decade. They serve Curry Puff with a filling of potatoes and egg, and Chicken Curry Puff with the addition of chicken. Both are made with buttery crisp skin and a creamy curry filling!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-02, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 7 am–3 pm Tues & Wed, Fri to Sun. Closed Mon & Thurs
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#10 Grill & Pasta

Not feeling Chinese food? Grill & Pasta serves up delicious Western and pasta dishes. The Marinara consists of fresh seafood such as prawns and clams covered in tangy tomato sauce. If you prefer cream-based pasta dishes, do try their Alfredo or Funghi. The Grilled Pork Chop is a popular pick as well, coming with a large portion of spaghetti, pork chop, greens and shredded cheese. The portions here are huge so if you’re a big eater, you’ll definitely be pleased.
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-38, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 11:30 am–6:45 pm Tues to Sun. Closed on Mon
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#11 Makan Food Stall

Muslim friends would be delighted by the offerings at Makan Food Stall. The Mee Siam is a standout with its luscious gravy that is both sweet and spicy. Give the Nasi Lemak a try as well, which is highly raved about and you can also choose to top up with ingredients such as chicken wing, chicken leg, beef and fish. Other yummy items include Mee Rebus, Lontong and Nasi Campur!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-17, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm daily
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#12 Lai Heng Char Kway Teow

Lai Heng Char Kway Teow whips up wet and delicious Char Kway Teow with the usual fare of Chinese sausage, beansprouts and cockles. It has a robust wok hei, which is the hallmark of a perfect char kway teow. What also sets Lai Heng apart from CKT stalls is that they also specialise in perfectly grilled and spicy Otah. Somehow this unlikely duo just works together!
Address: 590 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-15, Singapore 574419
Opening Hours: 11 am–10 pm Tues to Sun. Closed on Mon