Wondering what to bring to a hawker centre? Not much, but a few small items make the meal easier. Pack tissues, small cash, wet wipes, a reusable bag or container, water and a hand fan. All of them fit in a day bag.
Hawker centres are open-sided food halls with shared tables and no waiters. You do more for yourself than in a restaurant, and these items fill the gaps. Here is why each one helps.
The Quick Checklist
Keep these in your bag whenever you plan a hawker meal:
- Tissue packets
- Small notes and coins
- Wet wipes or hand sanitiser
- A reusable bag or food container
- A water bottle
- A hand fan
Tissue Packets: Napkins and Seat Savers
Many stalls do not hand out napkins, so a pocket pack of tissues comes first. You will want them for chilli, sauces and sticky fingers.
Tissues have a second use. Locals “chope”, or reserve, a seat by leaving a tissue packet on the table. If you see one, that seat is taken. You can do the same at busy times. Never leave your phone or bag to hold a seat, though. Our post on hawker centre etiquette explains how seat saving works.
Small Notes and Coins
Many stalls now accept QR code payments, and some take cards. But not all do, and some are cash only. Small notes and coins are the simplest way to pay at any stall.
- Carry a mix of two-, five- and ten-dollar notes.
- Keep some coins for drinks and small snacks.
- Avoid large notes for a cheap meal, as stalls may not have enough change.
A main dish at a hawker stall usually costs a few dollars, and a drink costs less. Prices change, so check the signboard before you order. For more ways to keep costs down, read how to eat cheaply in Singapore.
Wet Wipes or Hand Sanitiser
Most hawker centres have sinks for washing your hands, but they can be a walk from your table. Wet wipes are handy before and after eating, especially with finger food like satay. They also help if the table is still wet from the last wipe-down.
When you finish, return your tray and plates to the tray return point. This is a rule at hawker centres, and it keeps the table ready for the next person.
A Reusable Bag or Food Container
If you plan to take food away, bring your own container or bag. Say “da bao”, which means takeaway, and hand the container over as you order. Some stalls charge a small fee for disposable boxes, so your own container saves a little money and waste.
A foldable bag also helps if you buy fruit or snacks from the market stalls that some centres have on the ground floor. Our guide on how to order at hawker stalls covers takeaway orders in more detail.
Water and a Hand Fan
Singapore is hot and humid all year. Most hawker centres have ceiling fans but no air-conditioning, and the busiest hours can feel warm.
- Water bottle: tap water in Singapore is safe to drink, so fill your bottle at your hotel. Drinks stalls also sell bottled water, fresh juices, iced tea and coffee.
- Hand fan: a small paper fan or a battery fan helps when the ceiling fans are far away.
Where to Try Your Checklist
Central hawker centres make easy first stops. Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown and Lau Pa Sat in the CBD both have a wide range of stalls. In the evening, Newton Food Centre has outdoor tables, so a fan and wet wipes are useful there. For more choices, read our guide to the best hawker centres for tourists or browse our Hawker Centres section.
FAQs about What to Bring to a Hawker Centre
Do I need cash at a hawker centre?
It is wise to carry some. Many stalls accept QR code payments or cards, but some are cash only. Small notes and coins work at every stall.
Do hawker stalls give out napkins?
Usually not. Bring a packet of tissues. You can buy them at convenience stores and supermarkets.
Can I bring my own food container?
Yes. Most hawkers are happy to pack food into your own container. Hand it over when you order.
What should I wear to a hawker centre?
Light, casual clothes are fine. There is no dress code, and shorts and sandals are normal.
