The Capita Springs Hawker Centre, located right in the heart of the city, is the best place to sample the diverse cuisines that make up Singapore's culinary landscape. This vibrant food haven is home to a variety of vendors, each offering a unique gourmet experience. Don't mistake the Market Street Hawker Centre for a new player on the scene—it first opened in 1984 and operated until 2017, before reopening its doors recently. With most of the original stalls remaining intact, let’s take a walk down memory lane with some of the crowd favorites!

Hock Gooi's delectable curry sauce—thick, aromatic, and perfectly spiced—is the key to this dish's magic. This delicious sauce can be paired with a variety of meats and rice for a filling, satisfying meal. While we would prefer the sauce to be a bit thicker compared to the runnier version offered here, the tender pork or chicken is marinated and cooked to perfection, ensuring every bite is a flavor explosion. The dish comes with vegetables, a fried egg, and a choice of braised pork, pork cutlets, or curry chicken. You can also order à la carte and customize your meal; pricing depends on your selection. Occasionally, the owner will even throw in a free egg! In Singapore, Hock Gooi’s curry rice is definitely a hearty, comforting option.

This family-run stall has now been handed down to their beloved son, and it embodies the true meaning of heritage. Known for its sweet and savory soups, this stall has been consistently serving up deliciousness since its inception. Be prepared for a fairly long line during lunchtime, as the stall often sells out quickly. Luckily, they open quite early in the day. Most of the people in line are regulars who have been visiting since the stall first opened. Their clear soup is excellent, and their meat is expertly seasoned. Teochew Kway Teow Mee’s clear macaroni soup is a nostalgic dish, reminiscent of simpler times. Thanks to meticulous cooking by the owner's son, the broth is clear but rich in flavor, delivering a taste that transcends generations.

Known among regulars as Heng's Authentic Teochew Mee Pok, this stall is the epitome of flavor. Say Seng Authentic Teochew Mee Pok has been serving delicious mee pok (flat egg noodles) since the 1960s. With over 60 years of history, Say Seng is a testament to the enduring popularity of genuine Teochew cuisine. We love it for its quick service, different portion sizes, and its iconic sauce—a mix of pork fat oil, light soy sauce, and homemade chili sauce that packs a punch while maintaining a ketchup-like sweetness. The noodles are generously seasoned with lard and garlic crisps, which add a delightful crunch and aroma. Topped with minced pork, fish balls, and fresh lettuce, each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors.

A plate here costs $6 and is famous for its exceptionally crispy fried chicken, served alongside briyani. The rice is light and fragrant, and although the briyani itself wasn't anything extraordinary, the fried chicken stole the show. Perfectly crisp, tender, and flavorful, it had every quality you could want in fried chicken. The briyani is served with a side of refreshing yogurt-based raita and tangy achar (pickled vegetables), making for a balanced, filling meal that will leave you craving more. The portion sizes are incredibly generous—enough for two people to share. Golden Nur also offers mouthwatering pratas starting at just $1—a rare find these days!

Our culinary tour comes to an end at Bee Kee Wanton Noodle, a stall known for its extensive range of wanton noodle dishes. From the classic Original Wanton Noodles to modern variations like Truffle Wanton Noodles, Bee Kee has something for everyone. Yes, you read that right—truffle oil at a hawker centre! The noodles are springy and QQ, though some might find them a tad dry. The char siew has a nice smoky char, and both fried and blanched wantons are available. All of this comes at a price of S$7. The truffle oil noodles have a loyal fan base, though they can be hit or miss. For us, the standout element here was the wantons—juicy, tasty, and fried to the ideal crisp!

"New but not lost" is what the renovated hawker centre shouts. The Market Street Hawker Centre is as welcoming and warm as it was before its closure five years ago. Its reopening has been a blessing for both regulars and newcomers alike, thanks to its convenient location and affordability. Capita Springs Hawker Centre is a culinary paradise that highlights the rich history and diverse flavors of Singapore's food scene. From the comforting Hainanese curry rice to the hearty Teochew noodles and the enduring legacy of authentic Teochew mee pok, every stall offers a unique experience steeped in history and flavor.