I have a soft spot for Tekka Centre. Over the years, and across more visits than I can properly count, I have made my way through its briyani stalls, prawn noodle queues, dessert counters, and a few oddities I never expected to love.
This list is honest. I will tell you what shines, but also what to skip if it is not your thing. For those who love exploring diverse hawker scenes, after your visit here, you might also want to check out the vibrant food offerings at Cuppage Plaza, another fantastic spot that showcases Singapore’s rich culinary tapestry.
A quick note before you go: Tekka Centre sits at 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665, right beside Little India MRT. Most people use Exit A or C, and the centre is about a 1 to 3 minute walk away. Stall hours shift often, so check before you make a special trip.
| Stall Name | Cuisine Type | Price Range | Signature Dishes | Notes | Location (Unit #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allauddin’s Briyani | Indian Muslim | $ | Mutton Briyani Set, Fried Chicken | Michelin Plate recognition | #01-229 |
| Delhi Lahori | Indian-Pakistani | $ – $$ | Butter Chicken Naan Set, Tandoori Chicken | Michelin Bib Gourmand, halal | #01-266 |
| 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles | Heritage Hawker | $ | Prawn Noodles with sambal and lard | Third-generation hawker, breakfast spot | #01-326 |
| Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice | Teochew Chinese | $ | Braised Duck Rice, Herbal Soup | No longer sells goose, Michelin mention | #01-335 |
| Temasek Indian Rojak | Indian | $ | Indian Rojak with prawn fritters | Halal, choose your own mix | #01-254 |
| Grandma Mee Siam | Local Singaporean | $ | Mee Siam, Ngoh Hiang, Prawn Fritters | Limited days, nostalgic flavors | #01-311 |
| Ar-Rahman Cafe | Drinks & Desserts | $ | Chendol (Classic, Durian, Power), Ginger Tea | Muslim-owned, late hours | #01-247 |
| Raja Bojun Sri Lankan Food | Sri Lankan | $ – $$ | Chilli Chicken Set, Chicken Curry Set, Pol Roti | Not halal-certified, spicy | #01-280 |
1. Allauddin's Briyani
Nearest MRT: Little India, short 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $
If you only have time for one stop, this is the one I point first-timers to. Allauddin’s is one of Tekka Centre food’s most recognised briyani names, a Muslim-owned stall with past Michelin Plate recognition and a reputation that has held up for years. The rice is long-grain basmati, fragrant without being greasy, which is exactly what keeps it from feeling heavy.
The signature pick is the Mutton Briyani Set at around S$7 to S$8. You can add fried chicken wings, fried fish, chicken sambal, or a mutton cutlet for about S$4 each. What I appreciate is the gentler spice level. It is approachable rather than punchy, which I know divides people.
The first time I ate here, I made the mistake of treating the papadum and achar as afterthoughts. Do not do that. Crush them into each bite.
Best for: First-timers, halal diners, and tourists who want the most recognisable Tekka briyani.
Avoid if: You want a fiery, deeply spiced, oily plate. This is the calmer style.
Insider tip: Order mutton keema to see the stall at its strongest, and build the achar and papadum into every spoonful.
2. Delhi Lahori
Nearest MRT: Little India, 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $ to $$
Delhi Lahori earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and once you taste the naan, you understand why. This Muslim-owned Indian-Pakistani stall leans into charcoal and tandoor cooking, so you get smoky tandoori items, creamy butter chicken, mutton keema, and naan that comes out soft and warm.
I usually order the Butter Chicken Naan Set, with most dishes landing in the S$3 to S$8 range. The Tandoori Chicken, Fish Tikka, Cheese Naan, and Aloo Paratha are all worth a look. One honest caveat: this food is best eaten fresh at the stall. The naan loses its magic when it sits.
Hours vary depending on which guide you read, so verify before you visit. I have shown up late morning and again at early dinner, and both timings beat the lunch crush.
Best for: Naan and dhal curry lovers, and halal diners who prefer North Indian flavors over briyani.
Avoid if: You are in a rush. Good naan takes a moment.
Insider tip: Treat the naan as the main event, not a side. Add Cheese Naan if you are sharing.
3. 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles
Nearest MRT: Little India, 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $
This is my reminder to people that Tekka Centre food is not all Indian cuisine. 545 Whampoa is a heritage hawker stall run by a third-generation hawker, and it brings that old-school hae mee comfort with yellow noodles, bee hoon, sambal berlada, lard bits, and peeled prawns.
A bowl runs around S$5, with add-ons available. The broth is rich and nostalgic, the kind that tastes like it has been simmering for a very long time. The catch is the timing. It usually runs Monday to Friday from breakfast into early afternoon, and the queue forms early.
I learned to come around 7 to 8am, partly for the freshest bowl and partly to beat the line. If you arrive late, you may be disappointed.
Best for: Breakfast, solo diners, and heritage hawker fans.
Avoid if: You dislike pork and lard, or you cannot wait in line.
Insider tip: Order the dry version with less ketchup and more chili so the sambal berlada does the talking.
4. Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice (Tekka Centre, Little India)
Nearest MRT: Little India, 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $
Let me clear up the name first. Despite the “goose,” this stall no longer sells goose or duck meat. What Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice does well is traditional Teochew-style braised duck rice, and that is reason enough to visit.
A plate starts around S$4, with sides like duck liver, tofu, braised egg, and a generous amount of shredded turnip. The braising sauce here is lighter than most, which I personally love because it lets the duck texture come through instead of drowning it. There is a herbal soup that rounds the whole thing out nicely.
It runs Monday to Saturday, roughly 8am to 3pm, and is closed Sunday. I tend to come before 12:30pm to avoid the squeeze.
- Best for: Readers who want a non-Indian Tekka classic, and quick weekday lunches.
- Avoid if: You prefer heavily sauced, soft, fall-apart braised duck.
- Insider tip: Add a braised egg or tofu. The lighter sauce means the sides help build a fuller plate.
5. Temasek Indian Rojak (Tekka Centre, Little India)
Nearest MRT: Little India, 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $
Indian rojak is one of those things I never plan to order and somehow always end up with. Temasek is a halal stall with a wide spread of fried items, and the joy is in choosing your own colourful mix. Think tempeh, fishball, cuttlefish, and several prawn fritter options, all dunked in a sweet-spicy sambal berlada sauce.
Items start from about S$1 each, with a minimum order of four pieces. The sauce is the glue here, sweet with a bit of heat, and it makes even simple fritters worth it. The stall offers affordable prices and a specialty that keeps locals coming back. The combination of crispy textures with the fragrant garlic and spring onions in the sambal berlada elevates this classic dish.
Best for: Sharing, halal snack crawls, and people who like building their own plate.
Avoid if: You dislike fried food or sweet dipping sauces.
Insider tip: Do not load up on only soft items. Mix prawn fritter, tempeh, and cuttlefish for better texture and flavour.
6. Grandma Mee Siam (Tekka Centre, Little India)
Nearest MRT: Little India, 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $
Grandma Mee Siam is a quieter favorite of mine, partly for the food and partly for the warmth of the service. The draw is the mee siam, around S$3 to S$3.50, paired with an uncommon lineup of wu xiang and prawn fritters. That pairing is the reason it earns a spot.
The mee siam is tangy and light, and the fried sides give it the crunch it needs. I have had ngoh hiang, fishcake, and prawn fritter here, and the combination turns a simple plate into something that feels complete.
The limitation is real. The operating days are limited and stalls like this can sell out before or during lunch, so verify the hours before you go.
Best for: Breakfast or early lunch, and nostalgic eaters who want something lighter than briyani.
Avoid if: You need a guaranteed daily option.
Insider tip: Do not order mee siam alone. Add a prawn fritter or ngoh hiang so you get crunch, gravy, and spice in one bite.
7. Ar-Rahman Cafe (Tekka Centre, Little India)
Nearest MRT: Little India, 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $
After a plate of briyani or a round of rojak, I almost always end up here. Ar-Rahman is a Muslim-owned drinks and dessert stall best known for its chendol and teh tarik, and the cold relief it offers after spicy food is hard to beat.
The chendol comes in a few forms: Classic, Durian, and Power Chendol, around S$2 to S$2.80. The gula melaka gives it depth, and the best part is that you can adjust the sweetness. One honest caution: the durian chendol can feel heavy after a big meal.
Hours run Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 7am to 10:30pm, which makes it one of the more reliable late options here.
Best for: Dessert breaks, families, and anyone recovering from a fiery curry.
Avoid if: You dislike coconut milk or gula melaka.
Insider tip: Ask for lower sugar if you are following a heavy briyani or rojak.
8. Raja Bojun Sri Lankan Food (Tekka Centre, Little India)
Nearest MRT: Little India, 1 to 3 minute walk
Price: $ to $$
This is the entry for readers who already know the famous stalls and want something different. Raja Bojun is one of Tekka’s more distinctive regional options, serving Sri Lankan rice sets and snacks you will not find on every corner.
I usually go for a rice set around S$7.50, such as the Chilli Chicken Set or Chicken Curry Set, and the Pol Roti at around S$3.50 is worth adding. The flavors are hearty and the value is solid. Two honest notes: it is not halal-certified, and the spice levels may catch out very mild eaters.
It runs Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 9:30am to 9:30pm, which gives you flexibility most stalls here do not.
Best for: Adventurous eaters, curry lovers, and repeat visitors broadening their Tekka Centre food guide.
Avoid if: You want a very mild, familiar plate, or you specifically need halal-certified food.
Insider tip: Order a rice set with Pol Roti so you taste both the curry and the bread side of Sri Lankan cooking.
A Brief History and Unique Features of Tekka Centre
Tekka Centre, originally built in 1915 and known as Kandang Kerbau Market, is a historic landmark in Singapore’s Little India. The name was changed to Tekka Centre in 2000, reflecting its evolving identity. Today, it houses 284 stalls, making it the largest food centre in Singapore, and underwent a three-month renovation before its recent reopening.
Beyond its rich history, Tekka Centre is celebrated for its vibrant, bustling atmosphere filled with both locals and tourists. It offers a wide variety of affordable meals, typically ranging from SGD 1 to 10, catering to diverse tastes and dietary needs, including vegetarian-friendly options. The centre is also wheelchair accessible, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors.
The centre’s culinary excellence is highlighted by Delhi Lahori, recognized by the MICHELIN Guide for two consecutive years, and Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice, a Teochew specialty with nearly 70 years of history.
Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends, making them an ideal time to explore this dynamic food centre.
Tekka Centre Is More Than Briyani
If there is one thing I hope you take from this, it is that Tekka Centre rewards curiosity. Yes, the briyani and naan are the headliners, and they deserve their reputation. But the prawn noodles, the Teochew duck, the Sri Lankan rice sets, the chendol, and that strange wonderful ladle cake are what make this place feel like a living slice of Little India and old Singapore at once.
You do not need to eat through all ten in one trip. In fact, please do not. Pick two or three, leave room, and come back another day with a different plan. Check the hours before you go, since the smaller stalls keep their own schedules. Just like exploring Tekka Centre food, sampling the variety at Fortune Centre food requires multiple visits to truly appreciate the diverse offerings.
