Bak chor mee is a uniquely Singaporean noodle dish featuring either flat (mee pok) or thin (mee kia) egg noodles tossed in a chili-vinegar sauce, topped with minced pork, sliced pork, liver, meatballs, and vinegar-braised mushrooms, often garnished with crispy pork lard.
Are you craving that perfect bowl of bak chor mee in Singapore? This uniquely Singaporean dish has won the hearts of locals and tourists alike with its tangy, savory flavors and perfect noodle texture. But with so many stalls claiming to serve the best version, where should you go? From Michelin-starred gems to hidden hawker treasures, these stalls represent the best of Singapore's beloved noodle dish.
What Makes a Great Bak Chor Mee?
Before diving into our top picks, let's understand what makes this dish special. Bak chor mee (minced pork noodles) features springy noodles tossed in a punchy mix of chili and vinegar, topped with minced pork, liver slices, meatballs, and often garnished with crispy pork lard. Some prefer the flat mee pok, while others opt for thinner mee kia. You'll also find soup versions that showcase rich, pork-based broths.
The best bowls balance these elements perfectly - from the texture of the noodles to the kick of the chili-vinegar sauce and quality of toppings.
1. Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (Crawford Lane)
Key Takeaway: The only Michelin-starred bak chor mee in Singapore, offering a perfect balance of flavors in their signature vinegar-chili sauce.
Since earning its Michelin star in 2016, Hill Street Tai Hwa has become a Singapore food icon. Owner Tang Chay Seng inherited the recipe from his father and has maintained the exceptional quality that earned this humble stall international recognition.
What makes it special:
- Perfect balance of vinegar and chili in their sauce
- Meticulously prepared ingredients, including hand-minced pork
- Noodles cooked to perfect springiness
- Rich flavor from housemade pork lard
Tang starts his day at 6 a.m. to prepare his signature sauces and lard, showing the dedication that goes into each bowl. The dry version with chili is his personal favorite and the most popular order among customers.
Location: Block 466 Crawford Lane, #01-12
Hours: 9:30am–8pm (Closed on 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month)
Must-try: Signature bak chor mee with extra chili
2. Tai Wah Pork Noodle (Hong Lim Market)
Key Takeaway: A Bib Gourmand awardee serving exceptional noodles with generous toppings and a perfectly balanced sauce.
Not to be confused with Hill Street Tai Hwa, this stall at Hong Lim Market has earned its own Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. Their bak chor mee offers that perfect tangy flavor profile with noodles that have just the right bite.
What makes it special:
- Generous portions of minced meat, meatballs and liver
- Well-balanced, slightly more vinegar-forward sauce
- Consistently good quality and texture across all components
- A richer, more robust soup compared to other stalls
The stall often has queues, but the efficient service means you won't wait too long for your bowl.
Location: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-16
Hours: 7:30am–3pm (Closed on Mondays)
Must-try: Dry bak chor mee with extra vinegar mushrooms
3. Fan Ji Speciality Noodle (Near Ayer Rajah Food Centre)
Key Takeaway: A hidden gem serving generous portions with fresh ingredients and a highly addictive soup.
This stall, previously Ah Hoe Mee Pok, carries on the tradition with a new generation hawker who has kept the excellent recipe intact. Despite being less famous than the Michelin-rated options, many locals consider this their personal favorite.
What makes it special:
- Bowl packed with fresh, quality ingredients
- Extremely flavorful noodles without vinegar overpowering
- Highly addictive, rich soup
- Perfect noodle texture that holds up well to the sauce
While it's a bit out of the way for some, the journey is well worth it for what many consider an under-the-radar gem in Singapore's bak chor mee scene.
Location: 501 W Coast Dr, Yi Jia Coffee Shop, Singapore 120501
Hours: 6:30am to 2:30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Must-try: Their standard bowl with extra soup on the side
4. Ah Poh Minced Meat Noodles
Key Takeaway: Masters of the soup version, featuring springy mee kia in a sweet, robust pork broth.
If you prefer your bak chor mee in soup form, Ah Poh is the place to go. They specialize in a fantastic soup version that highlights a different side of this beloved dish.
What makes it special:
- Perfectly springy thin noodles (mee kia)
- Robust, sweet pork stock that's full of flavor
- Chewy, flavorful meatballs
- Well-balanced toppings of minced meat and spring onions
The soup version offers a lighter yet still deeply satisfying alternative to the more common dry style.
Location: Bedok 85 Market, 85 Bedok North Rd, #01-18, Singapore 460085
Hours: 6pm-11pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Must-try: Their signature soup bak chor mee
5. Ding Ji Mushroom Minced Meat Noodles
Key Takeaway: A unique take on bak chor mee with fish maw and egg in a deeply flavorful broth.
Ding Ji stands out with their creative approach to bak chor mee. Their accompanying soup comes with chunks of fish maw and an egg, adding luxury elements to this hawker staple.
What makes it special:
- Unique fish maw and egg additions to the soup
- Deep umami flavor in both noodles and broth
- Good balance between sauce and noodles in their dry version
- Complex flavor profile that differs from more traditional stalls
This is perfect for those who want to try something a bit different while still enjoying the core elements that make bak chor mee great.
Location: Blk 284, Bishan St 22. Singapore 570286
Hours: Open 24 hours
Must-try: Dry bak chor mee with their signature fish maw soup
Late Night Bak Chor Mee Options
If you're craving this dish after hours, several excellent options stay open late:
- Meng's Kitchen - Open 24 hours, offering simple yet delicious bak chor mee with generous crispy lard
- Seng Huat Bak Chor Mee - Located opposite Bugis Junction, open 24 hours
- Yan Kee Noodle House - Famous for their bak chor mee sua (wheat vermicelli), also open 24 hours
What Makes Bak Chor Mee Uniquely Singaporean?
Bak chor mee is often considered Singapore's most recognizable noodle dish. Its combination of flavors - specifically the tangy vinegar with spicy chili - creates a profile that's distinctly Singaporean.
While the core elements remain consistent, each stall puts their own spin on the dish. Some focus on a more vinegar-forward profile, while others emphasize the richness of their pork broth or the quality of their toppings.
The dish typically comes with minced pork, sliced pork, liver, meatballs, wontons, braised mushrooms and crispy lard bits. The variety of textures and flavors in a single bowl is what makes this dish so beloved.
Tips for First-Time Bak Chor Mee Eaters
- Specify your spice level - Most stalls allow you to request how spicy you want your noodles
- Choose your noodle type - Mee pok (flat yellow noodles) is traditional, but mee kia (thin noodles) is also popular
- Dry or soup - Both versions are authentic, so try both to see which you prefer
- Bring patience - The best stalls often have queues, especially during peak hours
- Eat quickly - Bak chor mee is best enjoyed immediately while the noodles are still springy
Conclusion
Singapore's bak chor mee scene showcases the city's dedication to culinary excellence even in humble hawker dishes. From Hill Street Tai Hwa's Michelin-starred perfection to lesser-known gems like Fan Ji, each of these top 5 stalls offers something special.
Whether you prefer your noodles swimming in tangy vinegar sauce or in a rich, savory broth, these stalls represent the best of what Singapore's food culture has to offer. Each bowl tells a story of tradition, technique, and passion.
Next time you're exploring Singapore's food scene, make it a point to visit at least one of these outstanding bak chor mee stalls. Your taste buds will thank you for the authentic Singaporean culinary experience that keeps locals and visitors coming back for more.
