7 Must-Try Stalls and Dishes From Ghim Moh Market in Singapore

In Singapore, Ghim Moh Market is a household name and a popular spot for cheap and great local meals. Near the Buona Vista, Commonwealth Avenue West and Holland areas, the food market is home to over 70 stalls, and a handful of them have been there for over 30 years! Even though the food market went through a renovation in 2015, much of its old school charm still remains. It’s definitely off-the-beaten-track for the usual tourist in Singapore, but we assure you there is a treasure trove of great food here. Not to mention, here’s where you can really get an authentic experience of local life! Read on for the absolute must-try stalls and dishes in Ghim Moh Market.

1. Jiu Jiang Shao La (#01-17)

This roast duck rice stall is only open four days a week, and each day for just four hours. As one of the most popular stalls in Ghim Moh Market, there will definitely be a line when they’re in business. The roast duck here is juicy, tender, and seasoned just right. You can also get other roasted delights such as roast pork and char siew (Chinese barbecue meat). Our recommendation? Get the S$5 three-meat plate which gives you a taste of each specialty. Served on a bed of fluffy white rice, it is completed with a ladle of dark sauce and chilli sauce on the side. 

Opening hours: 10am – 2pm (Thurs – Sun)

2. Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck (#01-04)

Here’s another popular duck rice stall in Ghim Moh Market that’s also a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient. Specializing in braised duck coated in a luscious dark sauce, they’re great whether you choose to have it with rice or noodles. Just one bite and you’ll know why they’re so popular! We recommend the duck rice set that will set you back just S$3 to S$5. It also comes with braised egg, peanuts, beancurd, cucumber and a bowl of herbal soup.

Opening hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun)

3. Ghim Moh Carrot Cake (#01-16)

Contrary to what you might think, Singaporean carrot cake isn’t anything like the Western carrot cake. Instead, here it is a savoury meal made from daikon and rice flour! Singaporeans can generally be divided into two camps: team white carrot cake, or team black carrot cake. Try them both here at Ghim Moh Carrot Cake and decide which one you like best! The black carrot cake is smoky and savoury sweet, while its white counterpart is fragrant, eggy and chunky. Prices start from just $2.50 to $5. Get the best of both worlds with a half-and-half plate! 

Opening hours: 6:30am – 1pm (Tues – Sun)

4. Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh (#01-54)

Another Michelin Bib Gourmand stall, Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh has been around since 1959. Serving up steamed rice cakes with preserved radish, chwee kueh is a popular breakfast item amongst locals. Everything here is handmade from scratch and what makes them different from other chwee kueh stalls is that their chai po (preserved radish) is made with garlic and lard, which imparts an incredibly fragrant flavour. All you need is just S$2 for four pieces of chwee kueh. The savoury chunky chai po goes perfectly with the dense yet fluffy rice cakes, leaving you wanting for more.

Opening hours: 6:15am – 6:30pm (Mon – Sun)

5. Hin Fried Hor Fun (#01-56)

This stall specializes in fried hor fun (flat rice noodles) or mui fan (rice) with gravy. Take your pick from beef, sliced fish or prawns as accompaniments to your base. Everything costs S$5 regardless of what you pick! Locals love the dishes here for their great wok hei – the smoky kiss of a wok on its food. They are often sold out before their closing time, so try not to get here late!

Opening hours: 10am – 3pm, 5pm – 8:30pm (Tues – Sun)

6. Heavens Indian Curry (#01-15)

You might be surprised to see that there are only three things on the menu here: appam, putu mayam and thosai. We will never stop raving about their appam, which is a pancake from South India. It is satisfyingly crisp on the outside, while soft and fluffy on the inside. The appam here are entirely handmade, and the owner cooks them in special mini woks from India to achieve an authentic taste. They are served with grated coconut and orange sugar, and cost just S$2 for two pieces.

Opening hours: 6am – 2pm daily

7. Granny’s Pancake (#01-52)

Burp! End your time at Ghim Moh Market on a sweet note. Granny’s Pancake specializes in min jiang kueh, a traditional Chinese pancake. Take your pick of flavours from chocolate, peanut, coconut, red bean and peanut butter. The filling is just the right amount of sweet, and perfectly sandwiched between the chewy pancake. With multiple branches in Singapore, Granny’s Pancake is one of the best places in Singapore to get min jiang kueh. 

Opening hours: 5.30am – 4pm daily