Hougang Hainanese Village Centre

There is an atmosphere of collaboration. People do not refrain from littering because there is a government waiting to clean up after them. They are not courteous because a campaign told them to be. There is simply an understanding of what the right thing to do is, without needing a route map, a slogan or a regulation for every situation. The food feels much the same. A Hainanese pork chop tucked into a bun. A bowl of fish soup. A plate of chicken rice. Coffee poured the way it has always been poured. Nothing curated. Nothing optimised. Nothing trying too hard. Just generations of accumulated knowledge quietly doing its work. There is a confidence here that is difficult to articulate. People seem comfortable with who they are and what they are. No constant need for validation. No endless reassurance. No obsession with future-proofing every aspect of existence. Some places spend enormous energy explaining themselves. Others simply get on with life. Hainan Road Hawker Centre feels very much like the latter.

I personally prefer this food centre over the one at Kovan. It can still get quite busy and crowded during lunchtime, but the environment feels cleaner and it’s more spacious. Some of the more popular stalls also sell out fairly quickly around noon. Having lived in this area for many years in the past, some of the stalls here like Apollo Western are part of my childhood memories growing up. The wet market below the food centre is also good for buying fresh produce, as it sells fresh and quality seafood and meat at reasonable prices.

Good place to eat some traditional hawker foods such as Teochew porridge, roasted duck, hokkien mee hoon, mee siam, chwee kway, lor mee and curry puffs with your favourite beverages such as milo C kosong, teh C kosong or kopi c kosong.

This morning, I visited this Mee Hoon stall #02-12 at Hainanese Village Hawker Centre at Lor Ah Soo. When I gently inquired which noodle was warmer, as I have a sensitive stomach and prefer warm food, I was met with an unkind and dismissive response from stall worker (PRC). She looked at me with annoyance and curtly replied, "You come in and touch the food to see for yourself." I found this response rude and lacking in compassion and empathy, especially considering I asked politely. When I explained my concern, she continued to defend herself rather than acknowledge her behavior or apologize. For sure, I will NOT visit her stall especially with such poor hygiene of letting people into her stall to touch the food when ask if food is warm.

At the Curry chicken noodles stall at 02-41 of the Hawker Center , this happened to me. The “Aunty” took my order for a $5/- bowl of noodles. This dialogue followed: She: which part of the chicken? I : Anything. While the Noodles was being prepared, I produced $5/- CDC voucher and she redeemed She : You owe $1. I : what? Why? She : you said “anything” and we have given u the “thigh” cut. So, it is $6! I : That is dishonest. You are cheating, Shouldn’t u tell me? She : you can top up with one $2/- CDC voucher and I will refund you $1 in cash! I : No. I am cancelling my order. To which, she along with the old man (the cook) acquiesced. Ruminating : we never stop encountering cheats and their ruses!! They are everywhere and come in so many forms and through so varied devices. Btw, there was no “thigh” as claimed.

Visited on a Saturday Morning around 7am. Was impressed that most or all the stalls were already operating and crowds were coming in and dine. Big hawkers with many foods options. Expect queues at some popular stalls. The centre quite airy and well ventilated. Many seats ava. There are multi storey car park available. Below the food centre where the wet market located. Good varieties of groceries, meat, fruits and vegetables to choose from.

They didn’t setup their Google address so I leave a review here. Stall #02-06 new stall selling carrot cake. Came here for breakfast and noticed they also sell handmade mochi. They make it fresh every morning. Tried the red bean and lotus flavours, both were really soft and nicely chewy with generous filling inside. They’re also known for their carrot cake, which is worth trying. Nice to see hawkers putting in this kind of effort.

Braised duck was nice and juicy. Had a side of duck liver and pork belly - Yums! Succulent and soft. The free sambal that came with it was super good…The economic beehoon and noodles hit the spot.. the pork porridge was crammed with fresh pork and bloody liver - warm and fulfilling. The place was airy because of the high ceiling - nice ambience.