Singapore: Hawker Food Review

                   Lao Pa Sat  vs  Gluttons Bay  vs  Newton Food Center

Apart from the night life, shopping, amusement centers, and lifestyle, Singapore is actually more known for Good Food. The eating culture in the country is huge that most everything is centered on eating and who has the best dish or dessert.

I admit, I do make trips to Singapore just to eat (well, okay apart from my regular visa runs). In fact, I hardly shop unless there is a huge sale on an item I want, but I don't hesitate getting out of the airport even on a few-hour lay-over just to get some delicious and very affordable Sg food. Hawker food to be exact.

So, Mike and I decided to eat at Singapore's top 3 popular hawker food centers and compared them:


              

Lao Pa Sat boasts to be the oldest of the 3. It's said to be 100 years old as evidently displayed by it's cathedral-like dome and 1900's infrastructure. It recently experienced some renovation work and some re-painting. In fact, they had just re-opened when we visited. Welcome bouquets and flowers greeted us at the entrance doors.

I have to say, the new and modern food stalls and more organized lay-out are make maneuvering through the highly busy food place a lot easier. They have batched together food by kind, country, and type so now, it's easier to order and get your food or drink.

my dimsum fix  =)

laksaaaah...

The center is well-fanned and air-conditioned to keep the eaters cool. However, the floors are still often wet and sticky, there's still the traffic to get to your table, and the tables are messy as people don't clean up after themselves but, I guess this is part of the LPS charm.

The food is still affordable and hits any hungry belly spot. I get my dimsum fix right here.

the outdoor stations

Hours: 24/7
Location: 18 Raffles Quay
How to get there:  Get off Raffles Place Station (EW14 / NS26) on the Green and Red Lines. Go to Exit I and walk through a very long tunnel which emerges a block away and across LPS. You have to cross the street at the intersection.

Gluttons Bay is very pretty. It sits on the bay with a view of the Marina Bay skyline. The lights twinkling from the buildings and the stars adding a feel of romance to your dinner. There was a nice light breeze that flowed through the place from the bay which was nice as it was very hot that afternoon. Mike liked it here more for its ambiance.

Compared to Lau Pa Sat and Newton, Gluttons's is smaller and has fewer food sellers. But it still hosts a variety of dishes from different asian countries. I was a little disappointed not to see more dimsum but at least there was some Hainan chicken to pacify my hunger!

It was a convenient spot as well being on the side of the Esplanade Center where we had come to watch a concert at the Recital Studio.

Hours:  5 PM - 2 AM
Location: 8 Raffles Ave., Esplanade Mall
How to get there: Get off Esplanade Station (CC3) on the Circle Line.

Newton Food Center boasts of having the best selection of true local Singaporean food from seafood to satay.

The center is quite large and even has a park/playground for children. The food stalls line up the semi-circle building and offers plenty of cuisines and dishes from asia and the middle east. There are plenty of room to move in and not as much traffic unlike LPS. More so, the floors aren't wet and the tables are quickly bussed by the staff.

Of the three however, Newton is what I'd say the more exhausting to get to just because I hate walking much especially in the heat. But if you don't mind this then a 10-minute walk from the train/bus station won't be so bad.

Hours:  12 noon - 2 AM
Location:  500 Clemenceau Ave. North
How to get there by train:  Get off  Newton Station  (NS21) on the Red Line.

a suggestion board by the entrance

So, which one is the best?

Kristin:  Lau Pa Sat for the win due to the variety of food and comfort in eating in a well-ventilated place. Plus, it's open 24 hours and because I just love dimsum!


Mike: Gluttons Bay for its al fresco feel and it's less busy compared to the other two.