Singapore is a foodie’s paradise, with incredible hawker food available on every street corner. After visiting Singapore many times over the past decade, I’ve concluded that Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle is my absolute favorite hawker stall there. Let me tell you why this humble noodle stall has captured my heart (and my tastebuds!).
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle recipe
Undeniably a Michelin Star worthy eatery, I am totally hands down with regards to my personal opinion pertaining to its achievement!
This heavenly eatery by the name of “Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle” is certainly one that deserve this recognition long ago into the international stage & I am certainly unsurprised by its most recent prestigious award clinched.
Located amidst the neighbourhood in Lavender, it has been serving its signature pork noodle dish ever since 1932, dating back to a couple of heritage generations.
Priced at a slightly higher cost than your typical pork noodles, the size portion starts from the smallest of them all at $5 till $10 for the largest bowl.
Even at such higher prices, you would be surprised that many of its customer who are in the queue were actually the locals who just could not wait to come back for more!
You can certainly rely on the prices & the line of queue for your best judgement of the food quality for this dish!
As for this meal, I have decided to settle down for its small portion of dry mee pok noodles with chilli to satisfy my craving!
The smoked vinegar immediately stood out from the sauce that contains a slightly blend of saltiness that is bound together with some minimal taste of sweetness & spiciness.
Indeed, this is absolutely the main reason for its key success in setting out to differentiate itself from others, opening up to a whole new level of flavour that you are certainly sure not to have tasted anything like this before! Needless to say, anything that is being cooked with that sauce is totally beyond words to describe.
The Mee Pok Noodle is definitely another contributing plus factor for the reasons to visit here!
It has an unbelievably good texture that is very silky & most importantly having the great absorption technique of “taking in” all the richness from the sauce that it is immersed in.
The unique texture of the noodle is so enjoyable with every bite that it totally drives you back immediately to dig in for more.It is partly due to the combination with the fragrance of the smoked vinegar sauce, making it so irresistible on every single bite that I must highlight on!
The complementary bowl of soup that came with only the dry variation of the noodle dish, was definitely my favourite companion!
It had contained a pleasant & smooth minced pork flavour along with some spring onions, giving off as a final touch for cleansing your palate before digging in for more!I really enjoyed how typically a complementary soup tend to be just plain & purely watery like, but I am glad that they did paid some attention into the soup, while ensuring that it complements the overall dish at a smaller & important perspective.
It was such a priceless joy & satisfaction, making the amount of money spent all well worth it which fully justify the slightly higher price that one is paying for!
I will definitely not hesitate to just dive in into the $6 or even the $8 portion because the noodles are just too addictive along with the sauces, making myself craving badly for more during every end of a meal! Indeed, this eatery is truly exemplary that really lives up to its reputation for clinching the prestigious & renowned One Michelin Star award!
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (吊橋頭大華豬肉粿條麵)
Address: Blk 466 Crawford Lane #01-12, 190465
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 09:00 – 21:00 (Closed: Every 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month)
Tel: +65 62927477
Average Price:
- SGD $5.00 – Minced Meat Noodle (Small)
- SGD $6.00 – Minced Meat Noodle (Regular)
- SGD $8.00 – Minced Meat Noodle (Medium)
- SGD $10.00 – Minced Meat Noodle (Large)
A Little Background on Hawker Culture in Singapore
For those who haven’t experienced it firsthand, hawker centers are basically large food courts housing dozens of individual food stalls, mostly selling Chinese, Malay, and Indian specialties. They originated in the 1950s to house former street food vendors in a more sanitary indoor setting.
Hawker stalls are where you’ll find the most authentic local cuisine in Singapore, usually at very affordable prices. Singaporeans eat at hawker centers daily, so the food quality is outstanding. The hawker center experience itself is also part of daily Singaporean culture and shouldn’t be missed.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
So why do I continue to return to this stall every time I’m in Singapore when there are thousands of incredible hawker stalls to try?
A few reasons:
The nostalgia – Their bak chor mee always brings me right back to my earliest trips to Singapore when everything was still new and exotic to me. The flavors spark happy memories of exploration and adventure in one of my favorite cities.
The comfort – There’s something about those slippery noodles and pork meat sauce that feels like home to me. I find it soothing and reassuring, like a big warm hug from a favorite relative.
The cravings – I literally start craving their bak chor mee in between trips to Singapore. I’ve tried to recreate it at home and while my attempts are decent, nothing compares to the real thing at Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle.
The people – The uncle who runs the stall recognizes me now and always gives me a big smile with extra pork lard sprinkled on top. The familiarity and kindness make me feel part of their community.
The experience – From the queue to get a bowl to the sweaty, bustling hawker center, slurping up Hill Street’s bak chor mee is an assault on all my senses in the best possible way. The sights, smells, tastes, and sounds transport me to one of my favorite places.
Tips for Visiting Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
If you’re heading to Singapore and want to check out my favorite hawker stall, here are some tips:
- Location – They are located in the Chinatown Complex at #02-156/157. Take the MRT to Chinatown station.
- Time – Go early or late to avoid the longest queues. 11 am or 1:30 pm are good times. They are closed on Mondays.
- Cash only – Bring cash as they don’t accept credit cards. $4-5 SGD per bowl.
- Customize – When you order, you can customize your noodles, sauce, and toppings to your preferences. Don’t be shy!
- Seating – Grab a seat first before you order – the hawker center gets packed. Look for a table with the red reserved signs.
- Drinks – There are separate drink stalls. I like the sugar cane juice or Thai milk tea.
- Other stalls – Chinatown Complex has lots of great stalls to explore in one place. Go hungry!
Final Thoughts
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle just hits the spot for me – it’s homey, nostalgic, craveable, and full of the sights, sounds, and smells that I love about Singapore. No trip there feels complete without a bowl of their perfect bak chor mee. I hope you get the chance to slurp up these amazing noodles too!