With the opening of the new Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, a fresh chapter has begun for all its fans, offering even more culinary delights. Situated centrally in Queenstown, the new hawker centre represents a significant improvement over the previous version, providing a better experience for all those seeking delicious food. Reserve your tables and embark on a journey of eight must-try flavors in this food haven, as recommended by a local Singaporean!

While sliced fish soup is a common dish across almost all Singaporean hawkers, the version sold by Yu Mi Xiang is perfect for those gloomy, rainy days and is understandably a crowd favorite. The soup pairs best with thick-cut noodles and comes with a generous portion of lettuce and slices of tomato. For seafood lovers, you can add prawns and cuttlefish to elevate the already delightful soup, making it even more wholesome!

Have you ever tried rice wrapped in a banana leaf? If not, you’ve been missing out on a delightful meal that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! This stall serves a delicious bowl of lontong (rice cakes) with tofu, topped off with a boiled egg. Warning: don’t be fooled by the sweetness of the coconut flavor—this dish packs a spicy punch with its hefty amount of sambal. The time spent in the long queue will feel worthwhile as you savor this creamy, spicy goodness.

This stall has been around for over 50 years, and thankfully for locals, the owner moved into Margaret Drive Hawker Centre after the closure of Tanglin Halt Food Centre. It is recommended to visit during off-peak hours, as chicken rice is a staple Singaporean lunch. When the chicken is as succulent and well-marinated as Tong Kee's, long queues are inevitable. The roast chicken rice here is a cherished family recipe, and we all know that food made with ingredients passed down through generations is always something special!

This stall is another one of the many that relocated from Tanglin Halt Food Centre to this two-story hawker centre. It serves authentic Hainanese curry rice with sides of your choice, such as pork chops, potatoes, and peanuts. Pro tip: the slightly crispy potatoes and crunchy peanuts are crowd favorites as they pair beautifully with the mildly spicy and slightly sweet curry. The pork chop is a must-try, with a subtle five-spice flavor that makes it truly extraordinary.

While many hawker centres in Singapore offer budget-friendly steak, this stall is best known for its fish and chips. Imagine perfectly crispy fried fish served with hot chips to chase away those Monday blues, giving you a taste of a hearty London pub breakfast. The steak here is also worth trying—just remember to let the "uncle" know your preferred doneness to avoid any disappointment and fully enjoy what is often considered an underdog gem at Margaret Drive Hawker Centre.

Despite its name, the Nine Miles Chicken Stew stall serves authentic Cantonese-style congee and century egg porridge. They also offer claypot dishes, such as liver and pork. If you consider yourself a health-conscious foodie, this stall is perfect for you. Not only that, but congee is also a comforting cure for almost any ailment, whether it’s the flu or a hangover. A steaming hot bowl of this collagen-rich, flavorful broth will set the rest of your day on the right track.

If Margaret Drive Hawker Centre hasn't fully satisfied your cravings, worry not—Ah Luck Dessert and Ichigo Cottage won't disappoint. Whether you’re looking for a drink to wash down your hearty meal or want to satisfy your sweet tooth, they have it all, from chendol to waffles. Yes, you read that right—western desserts at a local dessert shop! A crowd favorite is the brown sugar milk tea, while Ichigo Cottage offers a wide range of teas, served either iced or hot, making it the perfect spot for tea lovers.

Although fairly new, Margaret Drive Hawker Centre does not disappoint in any way. It’s a culinary melting pot of its former self and includes stalls from the beloved Tanglin Halt Food Centre, leaving little room for anything to go wrong. If you’re still skeptical about the flavors on offer, head over to the hawker centre and experience it for yourself—the long queues at each stall speak volumes about the delicious food waiting for you.