20 Famous Hawker, Zi Char Stalls With New Islandwide Delivery For Circuit Breaker

Adapt or die. There isn’t a more appropriate adage for businesses in these times than Charles Darwin’s theory in The Origin of Species. And no group has been galvanised to do so as quickly as hawkers in Singapore. As kopitiams become ghost towns and queues call to mind pathogen playgrounds rather than palate parties, stallholders are being forced to change their ways of working to survive — even those running famous shops, which haven’t had to chase after business in years.

Many of these household names — that have never had a website, never mind an e-commerce system — are scrambling to move online and offer takeaways and deliveries in a bid to win back some semblance of business as it was pre- Covid. Chris Wong, the third-generation owner of Kok Sen Restaurant — the Michelin Bib Gourmand award-winning zi char institution where it used to be impossible to get a table for dinner even if you turned up as early as 6pm — says business has “dropped a lot” since people stopped going out. “So like that lor, no choice we have to start islandwide delivery and use social media.”

But there’s a silver lining to all of this. For hawkers, the current race against the clock will set them up for more sustainable business across a wider range of channels in future. And for foodies — well, when else have you not had to queue for your fix of famous prawn hor fun or crab bee hoon?

Here’s a list of some of Singapore’s most well-known hawker and zi char businesses who now offer islandwide delivery. Now, what better way to #stayhome than in the company of your favourite foods as you #savefnbsg?

Photo: Florence Fong

There’s nothing quite like a plate of spicy nasi padang to fire up your WFH day. Especially if it’s from famous nasi padang specialist Hjh Maimunah. Its delivery combos have been cleverly tailored for couples and small families, or you can order from the a la carte menu if you have more mouths to feed. Delivery starts from $5; minimum order $30. Order here.

Photo: Hjh Maimunah Restaurant & Catering /Facebook

The next best thing to dining at balmy East Coast Lagoon Food Village? Munching on some of its treats at home. Like the smoke-kissed sticks from this famous satay stall. Order through the Bungkus.sg site here; minimum order 20 skewers, delivery fees range from $5-$17 depending on your location.

Photo: Haron Satay 55 /Facebook

You used to be able to spot this stall by its meandering queues at Albert and People’s Park food centres. Happily, it’s offering free islandwide delivery through the Circuit Breaker period with a minimum order of $35. Delivery is $5 for orders below that amount with a minimum order of $15. To order, Whatsapp 9197-0466.

Photo: Bai Nian Niang Dou Fu /Facebook

This Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient is a fave supper joint of restaurant chefs (Ferran Adria dined here when he visited Singapore). However, it has a limited selection of dishes available for islandwide delivery. We’re disappointed that our fave deep-fried fermented paste pork belly isn’t on the list, but you can still dial up other goodies like the star crispy San Lou Bee Hoon. Order through GrabFood here; GrabFood’s minimum order and distance-based delivery fees apply.

Photo: JB Ah Meng /Facebook

This Michelin Plate winner’s hearty Family Special Sets are perfect for sharing with your fellow Circuit Breaker captives — or choose from their a la carte menu, which includes popular dishes like the Crispy Mingzhu Roll and Moonlight Hor Fun. Also another supper hotspot of restaurant chefs — famous chefs worldwide dropped by for a meal after the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards ceremony in Singapore last year. Delivery is a flat $5, though there’s a minimum order of $50. Order here and score 10% off your first order with the code KEK10.

Photo: Keng Eng Kee Seafood /Facebook

The good news: You can now tuck into their famous roast chicken rice (try the noodles too) or even their fish head curry in the comfort of your home. The better news: Delivery is free with a minimum order of $30. To order, Whatsapp 8896-5136.

Photo: Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice Restaurant /Facebook

We don’t miss the crowds at this Bib Gourmand zi char joint on Keong Saik Road, but we do miss Kok Sen’s umami, saucy Big Prawn Hor Fun, which you can now get delivered islandwide. Delivery costs between $8 and $15, depending on distance and the order amount. But the restaurant says it’s short on delivery drivers at the moment, so be patient. To order, call 6223-2005 or 9021-7312, minimum order $60. They’ll also be available on GrabFood soon.

Photo: Florence Fong

How about a nice, warm bowl of laksa to evoke nice, warm memories of times spent waiting for a counter seat at Janggut’s perpetually packed Queensway joint? Order here — there’s a minimum order of $35-$60 depending on where you live, and delivery fees start from $5.

Photo: Janggut Laksa /Facebook

Due to overwhelming demand, it might be just as tough finding a delivery slot from this chicken rice specialist as it was getting a seat at their cult fave Far East Plaza kiosk. But hey, one can try. Only set meals are available, and orders must be placed a day in advance through this form.

Photo: Canda Sinpaseuth /Facebook

Now not only can you have the Zion Road stall’s famed ‘yuan yang’ white and black carrot cake in one order, you can also have it delivered to your home. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? Our fave is the black one, though, with extra egg and chai poh! Delivery charges range from $10-$20; order at least 2 hours in advance or get 10% off if you do it a day ahead. Order through Food Heroes by Whatsapping 9636-5420. All Food Heroes deliveries have no minimum order.

Photo: Florence Fong

At this Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated stall, you can even specify what kind of garnish you want for your delivery order. Delivery charges range from $10-$20; order at least 2 hours in advance or get 10% off if you do it a day ahead. Order through Food Heroes by Whatsapping 9636-5420. All Food Heroes deliveries have no minimum order.

Photo: Victor Lee /Facebook

This famous CKT stall from Zion Road Food Centre always boasts a queue. But now you can get your fix of wok hei-laced kway teow delivered in portions ranging from regular to XL. You can also choose to add eggs or cockles to the mix. Their moist, lardy noodles are definitely worth the calories. Delivery charges range from $10-$20; order at least 2 hours in advance or get 10% off if you do it a day ahead. Order through Food Heroes by Whatsapping 9636-5420. All Food Heroes deliveries have no minimum order.

Photo: Florence Fong

You don’t just get oozy gula melaka-filled putu piring ushered to your doorstep in neat white boxes with Haig Road’s new service — its peanut makmur, pineapple tarts and rojak are also available. Delivery slots are limited though, so place your orders at least 3 days in advance through Whatsapp at 9797-5635. Delivery is $10 (outside CBD), $15 (within CBD) or free for orders of $200 and above; minimum order $30.

Photo: Aik Chen

Get your fix of fishball mee delivered from this former Michelin Bib Gourmand stall that recently relocated to Circuit Road from Timbre+ with Fishball Story’s new islandwide delivery service. Chilled packs of the stall’s signature bouncy handmade fishballs and fish cakes are also available if you want to cook them for future meals.. To order, Whatsapp or SMS 9800-5036 (the earlier the better because there are limited delivery windows). Delivery fees range from $6-$14 depending on your location, and Fishball Story has pledged to give 100% of the money to riders. There's no minimum order.

Photo: Fishball Story /Facebook

You might have to save this for a special occasion (the signature Long Ji Crab Bee Hoon is an eye-watering $95 per kilo of crab), but the fact that you can skip the usual queue might be worth the price. Order here; minimum order of $20, delivery starts from $12 depending on your location.

Photo: Wai Keong /Facebook

Gubak Kia’s signature comforting, flavoursome bowls of beef kway teow will be available for islandwide delivery only through the Circuit Breaker period, so load up at home while you can. The Timbre+ outlet is an offshoot of the now-closed Empress Place Teochew Beef Kway Teow stall. Delivery fees vary based on location, but the stall says it will absorb 30% of the charges no matter where you live. Whatsapp or text 8782-0936 to place your order 1-2 hours in advance; minimum order $20.

Photo: Gubak Kia /Facebook

The eatery that’s famous for its seafood (especially its soupy crab bee hoon) is now delivering convenient bento boxes that cradle individual portions of crab, tiger prawns and more. An a la carte menu is also available. The fees for delivery vary, but it’s free for locations in the Tanjong Pagar area and orders of $100 and above. Order through this link.

Photo: Mellben Signature /Facebook

This popular Katong supper spot delivers into the wee hours of the morning — perfect if you feel like slurping up their signature Moonlight Hor Fun at 1am. There’s no minimum order and delivery fees range from $6-$12 for locations of 3km away or more. Delivery is free within 3km, or if you spend $60 (for deliveries within 3km-6km) or $100 (6km and above). To order, head here or call or text 6440-6956/9235-4274.

Photo: Sin Hoi Sai Eating House/Facebook

If you’re a Founder bak kut teh fan (just like many HK celebs), you’ll be stoked to know that it now delivers to any address in Singapore for free. Minimum order $30; orders must be placed a day in advance through Whatsapp, text or call to 8895-5136.

Photo: Founder Bak Kut Teh /Facebook

Tiong Bahru’s elusive, itinerant satay seller Ah Pui, a fave among foodies in the know, has parked himself at 195 Pearl Hill Cafe for good, and you can now get his juicy, smoky charcoal-grilled Hainanese-style pork skewers with a pineapple-spiked peanut sauce delivered through the CIrcuit Breaker period. Other dishes from the hipster cafe are also available. Delivery is a flat $10 and orders need to be placed at least a day in advance. Order here.

Photo: Rickshaw Coffee