By June Low
Prawn noodles are undoubtedly one of the unsung heroes of Singaporean cuisine. While not as famous as chicken rice, nasi lemak or even mee pok, every Singaporean has his/her favourite prawn noodles, and it’s definitely a comfort food for many of us growing up. Despite Singapore’s hot sweltering climate, no one can say no to a hearty warm bowl of savoury, robust prawn noodles!
1. Beach Road Prawn Mee Eating House
One of the biggest names in prawn noodles, Beach Road Prawn Noodle House serves up one of the best renditions that has earned it its reputation. With a broth that’s savoury and sweet at the same time, and with big chunks of pork ribs and fresh prawns that top the bowl, these prawn noodles absolutely hit the spot.
Of course, with great reputation comes long queues, so do expect crowds at this joint. But what do you expect at Singapore’s most famous prawn noodle house? So brave the crowd, and treat yourself to a hearty bowl of prawn noodles!
Address: 370/372 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428981
Opening Hours: Daily 7AM-4PM, Closed on Tuesdays
2. Whitley Road Big Prawn Mee
Yet another household name, Whitley Road Big Prawn Mee is aptly named after the massive fresh prawns it serves. These are no ordinary shrimp; they are springy and robust, with a sweet seafood aftertaste. And when we say massive, we really mean enormous! While the soup version is excellent, do try the dry version for an extra spicy kick.
However, because of the premium ingredients used, you can expect to pay slightly more for each bowl. Prices can go up to $15 for a Three In One bowl, with pork ribs, liver and tail.
Address: 51 Old Airport Rd, #01-98, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: Daily 9AM-8/9PM, Closed on Mondays
3. Blanco Court Prawn Mee
Tucked away in the touristy Haji Lane, Blanco Court Prawn Mee offers some respite from the air-conditioned cafes that litter the area. If you’re in the mood for some rustic good old Singaporean fare, look no further.
The broth served here is uber-thick, with an intense briney seafood flavour. Of course, fresh prawns are a given, and they slide right out of their shells. There’s also a sweet bonus: you can also order some pretty good ngoh hiang from a neighbouring stall in the same shop, and dip your fried ngoh hiang in the amazing broth!
Address: 243 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189754
Opening Hours: Daily 7AM-4PM, Closed on Tuesdays
4. Da Dong Prawn Noodles
Run by 2nd generation hawkers in their 30s, Da Dong boasts one of the best renditions of prawn noodles Singapore has to offer. Fried crispy pork lard, big juicy prawns, and chunks of pork ribs adorn this bowl of prawn noodles, and it’s the prawn noodle of choice for many Singaporeans. Though it’s not cheap (one bowl of their Big Prawn Noodle could set you back $15!), the quality alone is definitely worth paying for.
Address: 354 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427600
Opening Hours: Daily 7.30AM-2PM, Closed on Tuesdays
5. 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles
This stall sees daily long queues of people waiting to slurp a bowl of irresistible prawn noodles, and you’ll see why. Their dry prawn noodles feature a maddeningly delicious sambal sauce mix, with seafood bits and a generous amount of oil tossed around with the al-dente yellow noodles. Topped with fried shallots, it makes for one amazing meal. Be mindful of the stall’s elusive hours though, as it is only open during weekday mornings.
Address: 665 Buffalo Rd, #01-326 Tekka Food Centre, Singapore 210665
Opening Hours: Daily 6.30AM-12PM, Closed on Weekends
6. Prawnaholic
This one’s a little different from the rest of the list, as it features a modern take on the traditional dish. What’s special is that instead of using pork ribs, Prawnaholic uses blow-torched pieces of pork belly, which have a melt-in-your-mouth softness and a slight char for that extra wokhei flavour.
On top of the usual fresh prawns, they also incorporate handmade prawn balls, which are not only a far cry from those stale supermarket prawn balls, but are incredibly tender and oh-so-soft. Try the dry version for the pieces of fried pork lard that will definitely top off the meal for you. You can even add an onsen egg for a true modern experience!
Address: 110 Pasir Ris Central, #02-12, Singapore 519614
Opening Hours: Daily 11AM-9PM, Closed on Mondays
7. Jalan Sultan Prawn Mee
Like the other prawn noodles on this list, this shop has its own loyal following—and for good reason. The soup version features mildly sweet broth with big prawns, and you can opt for a mix of yellow noodles and bee hoon for a textural surprise.
Some may find yellow noodles too cloying, and the bee hoon lightens up the meal. The broth is definitely what differentiates Jalan Sultan from the other stalls on this list, due to its robust flavour. You’ve got to try it out!
Address: 2 Jln Ayer, Singapore 389141
Opening Hours: Daily 8AM-3.30PM, Closed on Tuesdays
8. Hoe Nam Prawn Noodles
Like Jalan Sultan, Hoe Nam Prawn Noodles is known for their flavourful broth which bursts with rich, sweet seafood flavour. The noodles are cooked just right—slightly chewy with enough bite to them. The main body of the prawns comes already de-shelled for easy eating. Best of all, you can even add on other items like razor clams or pork intestines, which definitely ups the shiok factor.
Address: 31 Tai Thong Cres, Singapore 347859
Opening Hours: Daily 6.30AM-2PM & 6PM-2AM, Closed on Mondays