阿君酒店巴耶利巴

The second-generation owner-chef makes every dish according to traditional recipes for guaranteed authenticity. The concise menu only features 13 items, but seasonal dishes, not on the menu, are also available. The chef’s signature dish, sweet and sour pork, is made to order, so expect to wait. The ginger chicken is simply divine – tender chicken glazed in a mild chilli sauce alongside zesty pickled ginger shoots. Also, try the kale with prawns.

Formerly One Prawn & Co, Zhup Zhup still sees constant queues forming beneath its red awning. Book ahead to cut your wait time. The signature prawn noodles come in a set: a bowl of noodles plus rich prawn soup in a claypot. Out of the four types of noodles, the classic option is yellow noodles with thin bee hoon. The soup is loaded with flavours, imparted in particular by the tomalley of countless prawn heads.

This kway chap stall serves the broad rice noodles with pork belly, trotters, intestine, tripe and dried tofu braised in a spiced soy-based marinade. Noodles are thin and silky; braised pork and tofu impart deep flavours and aromas.

This stall has been serving just one item since opening its doors in 1960 – Hokkien fried mee with prawns. The egg noodles and rice vermicelli are tossed in a rich broth made with prawn shells and tomalley to impart deep umami.

Fried kway teow comes in two portion sizes and black and white varieties. Both feature good wok hei and silky texture. Bean sprouts, egg, preserved sausage and blood clams provide extra flavours.

Frog is certainly big on the menu – besides the famous frog porridge, try frog fried with ginger and scallion or tossed in Kung Pao sauce. A favourite spot among locals for late-night supper, this place is always packed, so be prepared to wait.

This simple shop has been around for over 40 years and is now run by the second generation owner. As its name suggests, bak kut teh with pepper and garlic served in a claypot is their speciality – the broth is rich, but not overpoweringly spicy and the pork ribs are tender and flavoursome. Sesame oil chicken in claypot is another highlight. The wings are succulent and the sauce delivers nutty aromas and mild sweetness. Also try local stir-fries.