The bustling crowd from Buona Vista, One-North, and Holland Village have one thing in common—their preferred lunch spot is the Holland Drive Food Centre at 44 Holland Drive. This spot is a no-brainer lunch destination for white-collar employees in the nearby areas. The queues at this hawker centre move quickly, the food is delicious, and there is a wide variety of options. Today, we explore five of the go-to stalls that have amassed a loyal following, some of whom have been regulars for years. We know that nothing can beat the choices of locals, so we bring you the top five choices for eating at the Holland Drive Food Centre.

As the name suggests, this stall serves steaming bowls of fishball soup. Unsurprisingly, many stalls at this hawker centre are famous for their long but fast-moving queues, and Ru Ji Fish Ball Kitchen is no exception, with fishballs often running out by 2 PM. After that, they do offer meatballs instead. The fishballs served are chewy, and the noodles in the soup stay springy rather than becoming soggy. The soup itself steals the show—savory, light, and pleasantly traditional. The in-house chili served with the meal is another highlight; it provides just enough kick without being overwhelming, making it unnecessary to reach for a drink. For a humble price of SGD 5, the ladies at this stall serve up a satisfying, delightful meal.

This is one of the pricier options at Holland Drive—both in terms of time and cost—but the food makes up for the wait. The two ladies at this stall take great care in presenting the food, which may explain the added time. The kway chap here is quite delicious, served on a bed of tau pok and tau kwa. Although known for their kway chap, the real standout is the duck meat, which is tender, simple, and satisfying. Keep in mind that the duck does come with an additional cost (+SGD 1.50 on top of the SGD 4.50 set), but if you’re willing to splurge a bit, we highly recommend giving this warm and humble stall a try.

If you’re craving a quick, fulfilling, and tasty meal, don’t hesitate to head over to Aini Muslim Food. This stall specializes in Indonesian cuisine, serving dishes like mee goreng, nasi lemak, and ayam penyet. We tried the nasi lemak set, which cost only SGD 4. But don’t worry—this set includes a generous portion of rice, a perfectly fried egg, two pieces of crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside chicken, ikan bilis (anchovies), peanuts, and cucumber. It’s a full meal on one plate, and the service is lightning-fast. Don’t forget to ask for some sambal; it elevates the flavors from a solid 8 to a perfect 11. The sambal strikes the ideal balance between crisp and chili without being overwhelming.

Monday blues get the best of all of us, especially if you have a hangover from the weekend. If you find yourself in this situation, we have found the remedy to this all-too-common problem—Cantonese-style congee! A generous serving of thick, gooey porridge topped with your choice of spring onions, youtiao, fried shallots, cilantro, or just plain congee with soy sauce—the options are endless. You can hardly go wrong with congee, and when it’s prepared with such a delicious and perfected recipe, it’s all the more reason to enjoy it. Whether you have a hangover or not, do take our suggestion and try this classic dish from this stall at least once.

This stall specializes in Malay cuisine and is another quick stop for those in a rush. Shima’s Kitchen is famous for its nasi padang, essentially rice served with your choice of sides and proteins like chicken or curry vegetables—all of which are bursting with flavor. There is often a long queue, but it moves quickly, so waiting times are minimal. This stall may be better suited for those who enjoy a bit of spice, as the spice levels run a little high. However, the portion sizes are impressive; a plate of rice with three sides costs only SGD 4.50, which is very reasonable. We recommend the beef rendang and the ayam masak as must-have sides.

Overall, this hawker centre remains a crowd favorite for office workers, and the five stalls we’ve highlighted here are just a small glimpse into the diverse offerings available. From Malay to Indonesian and traditional Cantonese dishes, Holland Drive Food Centre caters to a wide array of hungry patrons, most of whom return to work feeling satisfied and content. We must warn you—do not underestimate this hawker centre, and definitely do not confuse it with the Holland Village Market and Food Centre. Rest assured, you will not be disappointed by the culinary offerings of this humble food haven.