Depending on which list you believe, Tiong Bahru is either one of the 10 best hipster estates in the world, or one of the most overpriced rentals around, or the coolest place to find a mix of local delicacies and cool bars. What’s undeniable is that its market place serves some of the best local dishes on the island. Bravo, a design and branding studio based in the estate, have lovingly created an interactive food guide as a tribute.

Tiong Bahru Website 2

The main feature of the site is the interactive directory map, detailing the stores, their varied opening hours and items sold. There is also a filter feature that shows you which stores sell the particular dish you’re looking for.

The site is a self-initiated and non-profit project by the team at Bravo, housed just round the corner of the market itself. Since moving into the neighbourhood five years ago, it has been the studio’s go-to lunch spot for authentic local delights. For all the good food and fond memories it has fed the team, this guide serves as a small gesture dedicated to giving back to the building and vendors of the food centre.

Tiong Bahru Website 3Meal Generator is useful for those who sometimes have trouble deciding among the wide range of choices. (Char kway teow, with or without hum? How much chilli? Wait, how much hum again do I want…?)

Tiong Bahru Website 1

For serious recommendations though, the Bravo team have included their personal list of must-tries.

The F Team recommends the prawn mee stall #31, the old uncle’s fried kway teow stall #11, and of course the chee kueh stall #5.

Tiong Bahru Website 4

There is also a short animated clip which lays out the brief history of the market’s 70 years of existence.

In short, Tiong Bahru Estate – built in the 1930s – is one of the oldest housing estates in Singapore. Since the market’s first establishment in the 1950s as the “Seng Poh Market”, it has built up a reputation for hosting some of the best hawker stalls. In the recent years, however, the estate has given way to newer establishments, from cafes, bakeries and bars to lifestyle shops (thus its unfortunate hipster tag). But local food lives forever. Why are you still here? Get yourself to TB now.

www.tiongbahru.market