Best Prawn Noodles in Singapore

What are prawn noodles?

Prawn noodles in Singapore are a hawker classic. The dish is also called prawn mee or hae mee. Mee means noodles, and hae means prawn in the Hokkien dialect. The heart of the dish is the broth. Cooks simmer prawn heads and shells with pork bones for a long time. The result is a deep orange soup with a sweet, rich taste of the sea.

A typical bowl holds yellow egg noodles, thin rice vermicelli (bee hoon) or a mix of both. On top you get prawns, often sliced in half, plus slices of lean pork. Bean sprouts and kangkong, a leafy green, add freshness. Fried shallots, and sometimes crispy pork lard, add crunch.

Do not confuse it with Hokkien Mee. In Singapore, that name means a fried noodle dish with prawns and squid. Prawn mee is a noodle soup, or dry noodles with the soup on the side.

How to order prawn noodles

Soup or dry

Most stalls will ask if you want soup or dry. Soup means the noodles sit in the hot prawn broth. Dry means the noodles are tossed in chilli and sauce, with a small bowl of broth on the side. Dry is a good choice if you like some heat and still want to sip the soup.

Choose your noodles

Say which noodles you want. Common choices are yellow noodles, thin bee hoon, thick bee hoon or kway teow, which are flat rice noodles. A mix of yellow noodles and bee hoon is a popular order.

Add-ons and size

Many stalls sell bigger bowls with large or extra prawns at a higher price. Some also offer pork ribs in the bowl. Look at the menu board, and point if you are unsure of the names.

Rough prices

A basic bowl at a hawker stall often costs around S$5 to S$8. Bowls with large prawns can cost S$15 or more. Prices change, so check the menu board before you order.

Where to eat prawn noodles in Singapore

The places on this page are spread across the city. Pick the one that fits best with your plans for the day.

• Blanco Court Prawn Mee is in the Bugis & Kampong Glam area. Pair it with a walk around Kampong Glam & Haji Lane.
• Beach Road Prawn Noodle House is in Katong & Joo Chiat, in the east. After your meal, see the colourful Koon Seng Road Shophouses.
• Jalan Sultan Prawn Mee is in the Geylang & Paya Lebar area, east of the city centre.

For more local stalls, browse Hawker Favourites. For plain notes on other dishes, see Hawker Dishes Explained.

Tips for eating prawn noodles

• Go early. Many locals eat prawn noodles for breakfast or lunch. Popular stalls can sell out, and some close on certain days. Check the listing before a special trip.
• Use your fingers. Large prawns may come with the shell on. Peeling them by hand is normal, so keep tissues ready.
• Ask for less chilli. The dry version can be quite spicy. Ask for less chilli, or none, if you prefer milder food.
• Mind allergies and diet. The broth uses prawns and usually pork. It does not suit people with shellfish allergies or those who avoid pork. Read Eating at Hawker Centres With Food Allergies for more help.
• Find a seat first. At busy food centres, locals save tables with a tissue packet. Read Hawker Centre Etiquette in Singapore: 9 Simple Rules before you go.

FAQs about prawn noodles

Is prawn mee the same as Hokkien mee?

No. In Singapore, prawn mee is a noodle soup, or dry noodles with soup on the side. Hokkien mee is noodles fried in prawn stock with prawns and squid.

Are prawn noodles spicy?

The soup version is mild. Dry prawn noodles are tossed in chilli, but you can ask for less or none.

Do prawn noodles contain pork?

Most versions do. The broth is usually made with pork bones as well as prawns. Many bowls also include pork slices or ribs. If you avoid pork, check with the stall before you order.

How much do prawn noodles cost in Singapore?

A basic hawker bowl often costs around S$5 to S$8. Bowls with large prawns cost more. Prices change, so treat this as a rough guide.

What other noodle dishes should I try?

Try Laksa for a spicy coconut curry broth. Wanton Mee brings springy egg noodles with dumplings. Bak Chor Mee is another hawker favourite.