Walk a few minutes past Eastpoint Mall and Simei’s wet market crowd and you’ll hit the quieter blocks where the neighbourhood actually eats. No queues snaking round a mall atrium here, just a row of hawker stalls at Blk 248 Simei Street 3 that locals have been popping by for decades, long before the newer cafes along the estate’s edges opened up shop.
If you’re after the best local eats in Simei without trekking into town, this is where to start. We’ve rounded up three stalls that residents actually return to, from a chicken rice counter that opens before most people are even awake to a cake stall that’s been fuelling birthday parties for years. If you’re also planning to doll up before heading out, our 3 Best Nail Salons in Simei guide covers that side of the neighbourhood too.
These are all modest, no-frills stalls rather than sit-down restaurants, so come with cash on hand and an appetite for the kind of food that doesn’t need a filter to look good.
Note: This list is strictly not in order.
Image Credit: NearMe (illustrative image)
Best for: Residents who want a cheap, reliable plate of chicken rice without any fuss.
Estimated price: From S$2.50 (chicken rice)
Website: Not available — no official website or social media page could be confirmed.
Location: Blk 248 Simei Street 3, #01-106, Singapore 520248
Operating Hours: Daily, 6:30am to 8pm
Phone Number: 6786 3901
Snack Shop doesn’t need a signboard to pull in a crowd. It’s been dishing out Hainanese chicken rice at this corner of Blk 248 for years, with tender chicken, fragrant rice cooked in stock, and a chilli sauce with enough kick to make the plate worth finishing.
Beyond the chicken rice, Snack Shop also runs a small economy rice (cai png) counter, making it a handy stop for a full meal without committing to one dish. Portions are generous for the price, and the stall moves fast even during the morning rush.
What to note: Being open from 6:30am, Snack Shop leans more towards an early lunch or breakfast crowd, and it can sell out of popular cuts of chicken on busier days, so earlier visits tend to have the best selection.
Image Credit: NearMe (illustrative image)
Best for: Picking up traditional Chinese buns and cakes for the family.
Estimated price: From S$0.90 (Swiss roll, per slice) to S$1.30 (Char Siew Bun)
Website: Not available — no official website or social media page could be confirmed.
Location: Blk 248 Simei Street 3, #01-102, Singapore 520248
Operating Hours: Daily, 10am to 9pm
Phone Number: 6781 5009
Mirana Cake House is a proper old-school Chinese bakery, with trays of char siew buns, coconut buns and Swiss roll slices behind the glass counter rather than an Instagram-friendly display case. It’s a steady pick for residents who grew up on this style of baking.
The char siew bun is the stall’s best seller, soft and slightly sweet with a generous filling, while the coconut bun and Swiss rolls are worth grabbing for a family gathering or an evening coffee. Prices stay well under S$1.50 per item.
What to note: There is a separately-run Mirana Cake House outlet at Chinatown Point under the same name; this entry refers specifically to the Simei Street 3 branch, so double-check the address if you’re searching for it online.
Image Credit: NearMe (illustrative image)
Best for: A cheap, nostalgic snack between meals or on the way home.
Estimated price: From S$1.10 (Peanut pancake) to S$2 (Cheese, Egg and Hotdog pancake)
Website: Not available — no official website or social media page could be confirmed.
Location: Blk 248 Simei Street 3, #01-100, Singapore 520248
Operating Hours: Daily, 7am to 8:30pm
Phone Number: Not independently confirmed
Jiaxiang Pancake specialises in min jiang kueh, the griddled, slightly chewy pancake snack that’s become harder to find as stalls switch to quicker items. Each pancake here is still made to order on a flat griddle, folded around a filling and handed over warm.
The classic peanut and black sesame versions are most popular, but the stall also does a savoury cheese, egg and hotdog pancake for something heartier. It’s an easy stop for a mid-afternoon snack or something to pick up on the way home.
What to note: Sources are not fully consistent on this stall’s exact street number, with one source listing “Simei Street 5” against two others confirming “Simei Street 3”; we’ve gone with Simei Street 3 as the better-corroborated address, but it’s worth confirming on the ground or calling ahead if you’re making a special trip, especially since a direct phone line could not be confirmed either.
Simei MRT station (EW3) on the East-West Line sits close to this stretch of Simei Street 3, an easy walk or a short bus ride through the surrounding HDB blocks. Several bus services along nearby Tampines Avenue routes stop within a few minutes of the estate, making this cluster of stalls an easy addition to a trip through Simei.
Simei doesn’t always get the spotlight that its bigger neighbour Tampines does, but this little stretch of Simei Street 3 is proof that some of the best eating in the area has nothing to do with the malls. Whether you’re after a fast plate of chicken rice, a box of buns for the family, or a warm pancake on the way home, these three stalls are worth the short detour.
If you’re exploring more of what the estate has to offer, our 3 Best Nail Salons in Simei guide is a good next stop for sprucing up after a meal.
Is parking available near these Simei eateries?
Yes. The stalls sit within a public housing estate, with HDB car park space along Simei Street 3 at standard hourly coupon or e-parking rates, though spaces can be tighter during peak meal times.
What’s the nearest MRT station to these food stalls?
Simei MRT station (EW3) on the East-West Line is closest, with the walk from the station to Blk 248 Simei Street 3 taking roughly 10 to 15 minutes, or a quick bus ride if you’d rather skip it.
What’s the price range for a meal at these spots?
All three stalls sit firmly in hawker-price territory, from around S$1.10 for a pancake to S$2.50 for chicken rice. A full visit covering all three would likely come in under S$10 per person.
What’s the best time to visit to avoid queues?
Mid-morning, roughly between 9am and 11am, tends to be quieter than the lunch rush for the chicken rice stall, while the bakery and pancake stalls are generally easier outside peak lunch and after-school hours.