Last updated 7 August 2026. This page was reviewed on that date. Prices, rates and opening hours change often in Singapore — confirm anything that matters directly with the business before you travel or spend.
Quick answer: If you want spiced fish paste that goes beyond the usual kopitiam square, these seven specialists are where Singaporeans actually spend their own money. Hiang Soon still fires the grill on Jalan Kayu at 8am sharp, Hougang Otah ships boxes of prawn and sotong versions islandwide, and Lee Wee Brothers turns family recipes into halal party platters. There is a steady pick for every craving—old-school mackerel, fiery kampung-style, even frozen pan-fry versions when you cannot leave the house.
If your otak-otak experience stops at the banana-leaf parcel from the freezer, there’s a whole spectrum waiting. Singapore’s otah game has evolved — from kampung-style recipes grilled over charcoal to halal-friendly online deliveries that crisp up in your own kitchen. For the novelty-hungry, it’s less about finding the ‘best’ and more about which version fits the occasion and your curiosity. Here’s where to start exploring.
Want to compare across the whole category? That is what Best Malay, Peranakan & Local Food in Singapore is for — 30 guides in total.
Hiang Soon Food Catering
This one is a Jalan Kayu institution—more than 30 years of otah, and they still do much of it the same way. The shop uses a gas-fired grill, which gives the banana-leaf parcels a clean, even char without drying out the fish paste inside. You can choose spicy or non-spicy, and if you are feeling traditional, get the ones wrapped in nipa palm leaves instead of banana.
What makes it worth the trip is the timing: they open at 8am Tuesday to Sunday, and the first batch comes off the grill while the morning is still quiet. It is the kind of otah you bring to a potluck and people ask quietly where you got it.
261 Jalan Kayu, Singapore 799490 | Phone: +65 6483 3808
Hours: Tue–Sun 8am – 6pm
Prices: a few dollars per piece; bulk trays available
Order via Hiang Soon’s Facebook page
If you are the kind who wakes up early on a weekend just to chope something special for the family, Hiang Soon pairs nicely with a slow kopi and no rush.
For a taste of old-school otak-otak, the nipa palm leaf version here is the draw — it imparts a subtle grassy note you won’t get with banana leaf. Go in the morning when the grill is firing up; the fish paste emerges with a clean, smoky char. Suits purists who appreciate technique as much as flavour.
Hougang Otah
Since 1995, Hougang Otah has grown from a neighbourhood name into a delivery operation that covers the whole island. They make more than just fish—prawn, sotong, fish head, even a non-spicy version for the kids. Everything gets packed with a firm, springy texture that holds up even after a reheat.
Their factory sits at 1550 Bedok North Ave 4, but you can also grab them at stalls in Clementi, Yishun, and Kallang. The islandwide delivery is a lifesaver when you are planning a gathering and cannot be bothered to drive cross-town.
1550 Bedok North Ave 4 #03-12, Singapore 489950 | Phone: +65 6245 1728
Hours: Mon–Sun 8am – 6pm (delivery & stall timings may vary)
Prices: check website for bundles
Browse the full range at hougangotah.com
This is the pick for anyone who likes options. You can fill half the box with spicy fish and the other half with prawn, and nobody will complain. If you have been chasing the same otah flavour you remember from your grandmother’s kitchen, give their classic spicy a try.
The fish head otah is the talking point — a whole cheek and collar buried in spiced paste, meant for sharing. If you’re planning a gathering, ordering direct from their Bedok factory means you can grab it fresh and still have time to prep the rest. The texture stays bouncy even after a reheat.
Lee Wee Brothers
Started in 2000 by siblings working off their mother’s recipe, Lee Wee Brothers is now the otah brand you find in malls, food courts, and online. They are MUIS halal-certified, which opens up a whole world of party hosting without the worry. The menu goes well beyond fish: squid, prawn, fish roe, and modern spins like otah fries and croquettes.
Multiple outlets mean you can swing by NEX in Serangoon or check their website to see which store is closest. The otah itself leans Peranakan—spices are fragrant rather than fiery, making it easy to eat more than you planned.
23 Serangoon Central #03-K11 Nex, Singapore 556083 (and other outlets)
Phone: +65 6535 6535
Hours: vary by location, e.g. 10am – 10pm
Order online at leeweebrothers.com
This is the one to call when you are hosting a mixed crowd—halal, creative, and something even picky eaters will poke at happily. The otah fries, in particular, have a way of disappearing first at any party.
If you’re building a party menu, you could also check our round-up of Singapore’s Elite Gelato for dessert.
This is an editorial round-up, not a paid directory. Think we have missed somewhere? Tell us what you do and why it belongs here.
When you need party food that handles halal requirements without sacrificing variety, this is your go-to. Their otah croquettes and fries turn a hawker staple into pass-around bites that vanish fast. Swing by the NEX outlet in Serangoon for the full range; the modern spins make it easy to feed a curious crowd.
Nam San Mackerel Otah
Nam San has been at 267 Joo Chiat Road since 1999, grilling otah wrapped in banana leaf—a method they claim to have pioneered. They use fresh mackerel as the base, and the result is a slightly firmer, meatier bite that stands up well to the smoky leaf. Beyond fish, they do prawn, squid, fish head, fish roe, and even a Thai-style version.
The shop opens daily from 7am to 7pm, so you can grab a few sticks in the morning as a side for nasi lemak. They also supply to other vendors, which tells you the volume and consistency is there.
267 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427521 | Phone: +65 6345 5542
Hours: daily 7am – 7pm
Prices: affordable, sold individually or in sets
Visit spicevillage.com.sg
If you are on the East side and want something that tastes like it came off a charcoal pit, Nam San does the job without fuss. It is also one of the few places where you can get a fish-head otah, which sounds unusual but makes a lot of sense once you try it—richer, more gelatinous, deeply savoury.
While you are building your feast, you might also enjoy our look at Singapore’s Elite Mookata for grilled feasts that pair surprisingly well with a side of otah.
The Thai-style otah here is the curveball — spiked with lemongrass and chilli, it’s a welcome detour from the usual rempah. Located along Joo Chiat Road, it’s a solid breakfast stop if you’re in the east; the mackerel base gives each stick a firm, satisfying chew that stands up to the smoky leaf.
Otak-otak Kampung
This halal-certified stall at Geylang Serai Market keeps a recipe that goes back to the 1950s. The otak-otak here uses a generous blend of coconut and spices, giving it a softer, more aromatic kampung style. It is the kind of otah you eat standing by the hawker centre table, wiping your fingers on the paper.
They are only open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm, so plan your visit—or message them on WhatsApp at 9380 0696 if you need a larger order. The stall is on the second floor, unit #02-165, tucked among the cooked-food rows.
#02-165 Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre, Singapore | WhatsApp: +65 9380 0696
Hours: Tue–Sun 12pm – 6pm
Prices: modest, hawker-centre pricing
Check their Facebook for updates
This is the one you bring your parents to when they say otah these days all taste the same. The spice blend feels homemade, and the texture is tender without being mushy. Pair it with a cold bandung and you have a proper afternoon sorted.
Standing up at the market, you eat this otah straight from the banana leaf — no fuss, just a soft, coconut-rich paste that tastes like it hasn’t changed in decades. Go on a weekday before 2pm to avoid the crowd; it’s one of those hawker moments that reminds you why you bother with Geylang Serai.
Satay Ummi
Satay Ummi runs entirely online, which is convenient when you are planning a last-minute get-together and do not want to leave the house. They specialise in frozen, halal otah and satay goreng that you pan-fry yourself—no grill needed. The otah comes packed and ready to crisp up in a hot pan in minutes.
They have won over enough event hosts to be voted Diners Choice and Best Event Vendor, so the quality is steady. Ordering is done through their website, and delivery covers Singapore.
Online-only, delivery across Singapore
Email: [email protected]
Hours: order anytime via website
Prices: check current bundles on the site
Order at satayummi.cococart.co
This is the practical choice for a home party. You can keep a pack in the freezer, fry a few when guests arrive, and the whole kitchen smells like toasted banana leaf. No running to a stall, no paiseh if they sell out—just steady, can-depend-on otah.
This is an editorial round-up, not a paid directory. Think we have missed somewhere? Tell us what you do and why it belongs here.
The beauty of a frozen otah that you pan-fry yourself is the crisp edges you control, no charcoal needed. Perfect for the host who forgot to plan but still wants something that looks deliberate. Keep a pack in the freezer; it thaws and sizzles in minutes, earning you points without the stress.
Ikan 1986
Ikan 1986 is a family-run outfit with a permanent spot at Sun Plaza—handy if you are up north and want otah that does not taste mass-produced. The recipe dates back to 1986, using fresh seafood and a spice mix that hits the spot without trying too hard to be fancy. Besides otah, they also sell other seafood snacks, but the signature fish otah is the reason people come back.
The outlet keeps long hours, roughly 7am to 10pm, so you can swing by after work. They also take online orders for those days when the MRT crowd feels jialat.
Sun Plaza, Singapore
Hours: approx. 7am – 10pm (confirm with store)
Prices: affordable, hawker-style
Order online at kioskscollective.com/ikan1986
This is the kind of otah you buy when you are already at the mall and suddenly remember you promised the family something for tea. It is simple, honest, and goes well with a packet of warm rice.
If you are planning a full spread, you might also like our guide to Singapore’s Elite Wagyu Indulgences for something richer on the side.
How to choose
Not all otah is the same, and the differences come down to a few things: fish type, leaf wrap, spice level, and whether you are eating it within the hour or stocking up for the month.
Fresh on the spot vs delivery. If you want the otah still warm from the grill, head to Hiang Soon, Nam San, or Otak-otak Kampung—these places make small batches throughout the day. Hougang Otah and Lee Wee Brothers do delivery and retail packs, which are better if you are feeding a crowd or live far from the stalls. Satay Ummi goes one step further with frozen packs you fry yourself, so you control the crisp.
Halal requirements. Lee Wee Brothers, Otak-otak Kampung, and Satay Ummi are halal-certified. That makes them practical for mixed gatherings and events where diet matters.
Variety beyond fish. Hougang Otah and Lee Wee Brothers offer prawn, sotong, and fish roe. Nam San does a fish-head version worth trying. If you have a household where half the people cannot take spice, look for the non-spicy options at Hiang Soon or Hougang.
Price range. Expect to pay from around $1.50 per piece at hawker stalls, up to a few dollars for premium or seafood-packed versions. Bundles and party trays usually offer better value per piece. Check each brand’s website for current pricing—it shifts with ingredient costs.
Think about when you will eat the otah. Fresh otah from a morning grill is shiok straight away, but gets firm and less fragrant after a few hours. Delivery packs reheat well in an oven or air fryer, while the frozen kind needs a hot pan to bring back that sizzle. There is no one best; it just depends on your Saturday.
| Brand | Best for | Wraps used | Halal | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiang Soon Food Catering | Old-school morning grill | Banana & nipa palm leaf | Check with the business | Self-collect |
| Hougang Otah | Variety and bulk orders | Banana leaf | Check with the business | Islandwide delivery |
| Lee Wee Brothers | Halal, modern twists | Banana leaf | Yes (MUIS) | Online & outlets |
| Nam San Mackerel Otah | Mackerel base, fish head | Banana leaf | Check with the business | Self-collect |
| Otak-otak Kampung | Kampung-style, coconut-rich | Banana leaf | Yes | WhatsApp orders |
| Satay Ummi | Frozen, pan-fry at home | Not specified | Yes | Online delivery |
| Ikan 1986 | Convenient mall stop | Check with the business | Check with the business | Online & outlet |
Summary
Otah in Singapore has moved well beyond the pasar malam packet, and these seven makers prove there is a style for every craving. From the kampung spice of Geylang Serai to frozen packs you crisp in your own kitchen, each offers something worth your dollar. Grab a few from different stalls, taste side by side, and you will quickly find your household favourite—then just remember to order extra next time, because it always finishes fast.
Disclaimer: Details like operating hours, prices, and menu items can change. Confirm directly with the business before making a special trip.
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Frequently asked questions
North-siders get a reliable otah fix here without trekking to the east. The recipe feels home-style — not too oily, spice blend that’s balanced rather than shouty. The Sun Plaza kiosk opens early, so you can grab a few sticks with your morning kopi and skip the factory-frozen aisle entirely.
What is the difference between otah and otak-otak?
The spiced fish paste grilled in banana leaf goes by two names here—one is a local shorthand, the other the full Malay word. The common local term is “otah”, while “otak-otak” is the Malay word. Some brands use “otak-otak” to highlight a traditional or kampung-style recipe, like Otak-otak Kampung.
Which otah brands are halal-certified?
Lee Wee Brothers, Otak-otak Kampung, and Satay Ummi are halal-certified. For other brands, it is best to check directly with the business as certification status can vary by outlet or production batch.
Can I order otah online for delivery across Singapore?
Yes. Hougang Otah, Lee Wee Brothers, Satay Ummi, and Ikan 1986 all offer online ordering with delivery. Hiang Soon and Otak-otak Kampung take orders through Facebook or WhatsApp, typically for self-collection or bulk arrangements. Nam San requires a visit to the Joo Chiat shop.
How do I reheat otah without drying it out?
For fresh otah, a quick warm-up in a pan or toaster oven works, but avoid the microwave—it can turn the paste rubbery. Frozen otah like Satay Ummi’s is designed to be pan-fried from frozen, which crisps the leaf and heats the fish through gently.
Are there non-spicy otah options for children?
Yes. Hiang Soon Food Catering produces a non-spicy version, and Hougang Otah offers a classic non-spicy option alongside its spicy varieties. Lee Wee Brothers also has milder flavours that suit kids.
Which otah is best for a large party or catering order?
Hougang Otah and Lee Wee Brothers are set up for bulk orders with islandwide delivery and a wide range of flavours. Satay Ummi also caters for events with its frozen packs. For a traditional feel, Otak-otak Kampung takes bulk orders via WhatsApp.
