Skirt & Dirt

Skirt & Dirt is a burger stall on the food level of Tiong Bahru Market, one of Singapore's best-known hawker centres. It serves restaurant-style burgers at hawker prices. Its signature is the Cheese Skirt Burger, where a beef patty sits on a wide, crisp disc of grilled cheddar.

The stall opened in August 2020. It is run by chef Fabian Tan, who was a senior sous chef at the One Faber Group before he set up on his own. His training shows in small details, such as the custom patties he gets from a local butcher.

What to order

• Cheese Skirt Burger: shredded cheddar is melted on the hot grill until it forms a crisp lace, then the patty is laid on top. The cheese skirt adds crunch and a sharp, salty bite.
• Cheese Dirt Fries: a large plate of fries topped with cheese skirt, chopped bacon, jalapeños and relish. You can also upgrade the fries in a burger set to these.
• Classic and chicken burgers: simpler choices if you want a plain, well-made burger.
• Fish burger: another option for anyone who does not eat beef.
• Sides: cajun fries, a soup and a garden salad have also featured on the menu.

If you only order one thing, make it the Cheese Skirt Burger. Share a plate of Cheese Dirt Fries if you are with a friend, as the portion is large.

The setting

This is a hawker stall, so you order at the counter and eat at the shared tables of the food centre. The food level at Tiong Bahru Market has many stalls selling local dishes. That makes it easy to pair a burger with something local, or to come with a group that wants different things.

Read our page on Tiong Bahru Market for more about the centre and its other stalls.

Good to know before you go

• Tables are shared. Our guide to choping a seat explains how locals save a table.
• Our short guide to hawker centre etiquette covers the other simple rules, such as returning your tray.
• Several items include beef, pork or bacon, so check with the stall if you have dietary needs.
• The stall is not open every day, so check before you make a special trip.

Nearby

Tiong Bahru is one of Singapore's oldest housing estates, with Art Deco blocks and small shops. Explore it on our Tiong Bahru heritage walk, or read about Tiong Bahru Estate. For coffee and pastries, try Tiong Bahru Bakery or Plain Vanilla (Tiong Bahru). You can find more burger spots under burgers, Mexican and more, or browse all restaurants in Tiong Bahru and Alexandra.