Tucked in the homely Balestier neighbourhood is Whampoa Food Centre, comprising of Blk 90, the market, and Blk 91, the makan place. This “morning hawker” is one for the early birds, with most stalls selling their grub till lunchtime, though some come to life at nightfall.

For foodies yet to discover the hidden gems here, here’s a list of stalls to kickstart your food pilgrimage to Whampoa Food Centre.

1. Liang Zhao Ji Duck Rice

Last listed in the 2017 Michelin Bib Gourmand, Liang Zhao Ji Duck Rice is most well-known for its braised soy duck rice, drenched in gravy. But the real star is probably its Cantonese-style Duck Porridge ($3).

The porridge is velvety and as comforting as it gets, with a splash of braised gravy to uplift it with flavour. The best part was probably the generous morsels of duck hidden underneath the thick porridge.

It just so happened that it was pouring the day we had this bowl, and that made it so much more satisfying.

Liang Zhao Ji Duck Rice is located at 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-07, Singapore 320090. Open Wed-Sun from 10.30am-3.30pm.

2. Guang Dong Xiao Shi

This bowl of Laksa Yong Tau Foo ($4) is a spicier version of what we’re typically used to, with less coconut nuances. At this price point, the ingredients were fresh and generous, though this stall does one thing different.

Instead of the usual tau pok, it’s been replaced by fried tofu – a welcome change in texture for us. For the generous servings of bean sprouts, seafood, and a solid notch up in spice, this is a definite must-try.

Guang Dong Xiao Shi is located at 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-21, Singapore 320091. Open Mon-Fri from 6.30am-1.30pm, Sat-Sun from 6.30am-2pm.

3. Best Lu Mian In Town

Whampoa Food Centre is almost synonymous with Best Lu Mian In Town , with its long queues and a bold proclamation for a stall name. We opted for the standard Lor Mee A ($3) — you can add on extra fish for an additional $1.

The key to a good lor mee is its gravy, and this was unfortunately a little too thick and could have been a bit more intense.

Nevertheless, the topping of braised pork was a delicious touch that we loved. Remember to customise your bowl of lor mee to your palate by adding vinegar, minced garlic, and chilli!

Best Lu Mian In Town is located at 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-19, Singapore 320091. Open daily from 8am-2pm.

ALSO READ: Whampoa Drive Blk 91: 10 best hawker stalls worth the queue

4. China Whampoa Home Made Noodle

At $7, this Homemade Noodle with Prawns was the priciest dish of this list, but it was also arguably the best. Thick springy ban mian in a piping hot soup that was light on the palate, and a heap of ikan bilis for good measure.

The prawns were juicy and fresh, and a true delight when dipped in their accompanying chilli sauce, which packed a good spice kick with tangy flavour to boot. We couldn’t help but slurp up this bowl like human vacuum cleaners. The wait can get long, but we’re telling you it’s worth it.

China Whampoa Home Made Noodle is located at 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-24, Singapore 320091. Open Tue-Sun from 8am-2pm. Closed on Mon.

5. 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodle

545 Whampoa Prawn Noodle is a big name in the hawker scene, with its Tekka Food Centre outlet having been graced by the late Anthony Bourdain in his “Parts Unknown” series. But Whampoa Food Centre was where it all began in the 50s.

Best enjoyed “dry”, the fried garlic and shallots in the Prawn Noodles ($4) were balanced with ketchup, which added a palatable sweetness. Take a sip of the broth, and be hit by the robust prawn flavours that complements the noodles well.

For those that aren’t fans of ketchup in your prawn noodles, this might not be up your alley, but it’s definitely not an “in-your-face” sweetness.

545 Whampoa Prawn Noodle is located at 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-39, Singapore 320091. Open Wed-Thu & Sat-Sun from 6am-12pm. Closed Mon-Tue and Friday.

6. Deep Fried Carrot Cake

These little fried things of goodness are probably Singapore’s best answer to french fries, and it’s pretty addictive. At $2 for 14 sticks, we found ourselves grasping at the bottom of the paper bag in no time.

The one-two combo of a crisp layer on the outside, and piping hot velvety carrot cake on the inside is a one-way ticket down memory lane when these were staples in our post-school snack grabs. The taste itself was wonderful, but that extra dash of nostalgia was the icing on the cake.

Deep Fried Carrot Cake is located at 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-36, Singapore 320091. Open daily from 6.30am-10am.

ALSO READ: Best pao fan in Singapore: Hawker and upscale spots to savour this comfort rice & soup dish

7. Yu Chu La Mian Xiao Long Bao

Xiao Long Bao is a weakness of ours, and when a hawker centre has some, we pounce at the opportunity to try them. Yu Chu La Mian Xiao Long Bao sells a basket of five for a surprising $3 — a steal, if you ask us.

The dumpling skin was thick, which meant it did not tear the moment you picked it up with chopsticks from the basket — a good thing for XLB lovers who can’t bear to see the soup ooze out from these babies. Encased was a juicy ball of minced meat, soaking in sweet-savoury soup.

The accompanying chilli sauce was incredibly addictive, and we found ourselves adding it to other dishes that we were trying on the day.

Yu Chu La Mian Xiao Long Bao is located at 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-45, Singapore 320091. Open daily except Tue, from 6am-2pm.

8. Hi Leskmi Nasi Lemak

Hi Leskmi Nasi Lemak is a nasi lemak stall that has definitely flown under the radar, because their Set A with Chicken Wing ($3.50) was quite the stunner. The green-tinged rice boasted a subtle coconut taste, and the fried chicken had a visibly generous amount of crispy batter which we love.

But the star of the show, as the regulars here know, was the sambal sauce. Sweet, yet giving an uplifting kick of spice that keeps you coming back for more, it really brought together the entire dish.

Hi Leskmi Nasi Lemak is located at 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-24, Singapore 320090. Open daily from 11.30am-9.30pm.

9. Whampoa Soya Bean & Grass Jelly Drinks

Dating back to 1968, this stall has a long history in making soya bean drinks, and boasts a tau huey that few can hold a candle to. To top off our meal, we had the Grass Jelly & Tau Huey ($1.50), Grass Jelly Drink ($1.20), and Soya Bean Drink ($1.20).

The tau huey, as expected, was melt-in-your-mouth silky and fresh, without a cloying sweetness typical of most tau huey made commercially these days. The grass jelly drink was filled with shredded chunks of grass jelly, and a light sweetness for a nice touch.

Whampoa Soya Bean & Grass Jelly Drinks is located at 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-52, Singapore 320091. Open daily except Mon & Fri, from 7am-8pm.

This article was first published in City Nomads.