Quick answer: Craving this Hakka classic? Fu Lin Fried Yong Tofu goes all-out with crisp items in a rich minced meat gravy, while Tiong Bahru Yong Tau Hu nails that springy, handmade fishball bite. For something soulful from the 60s, Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu keeps it simple and shiok. From Ampang-style sets at 928 Ngee Fou to fusion creations at Fong, these seven spots cover every style.
A solo yong tau foo run is one of those quiet, private rituals that feels like a small win. You decide exactly what goes into the bowl, how much you want to spend, and whether you are eating in five minutes or taking your time with a book. The stalls here each offer a different kind of comfort, and every one of them suits a table for one just fine.
If none of these quite fit, Best Chinese Food & Dim Sum in Singapore has 51 lists covering the rest of the category.
Fu Lin Fried Yong Tofu
Ask any East Coast regular where to get fried yong tau foo and they’ll point you to a corner of Siglap. Fu Lin does what it says on the tin – everything comes golden and crisp, then gets smothered in a starchy minced meat gravy that is the real reason people queue. You pick from over 50 items, each between 40 cents and $2, from stuffed brinjal to beancurd skin. If you want to zhng things up, get the laksa noodles as your base – creamy, spicy, and it soaks up the gravy even better. Families with young kids who love fried food will feel right at home, and it’s an easygoing spot for a casual date when you want something shiok without the fuss.
This is your Friday lunch when the week has been long and you want a plate that feels substantial. Go at 11.30am, before the Siglap crowd swells, and take a seat facing the wall. Nobody rushes you here, and the quiet buzz lets you properly enjoy every crisp, gravy-soaked piece on your own terms.
Address: 721 East Coast Road, Singapore 459070
Hours: Daily, 9:30am–9pm
Price: $0.40–$2 per piece
Tel: +65 6446 2363
Website: www.facebook.com/fulintoufuyuen
Tiong Bahru Yong Tau Hu
Walking into this Eng Hoon Street stall in the morning feels like stepping back into a quieter Tiong Bahru. They’ve been at it for over thirty years, and the fish paste is still mixed by hand until it’s bouncy enough to hold its own. You can have your selection in a clear, clean broth, or go dry with a sweet red sauce that brings everything together. A bowl starts from $5.50. The bee hoon here is especially slippery and good. Come early if you want the fried items; they sell out fast. Perfect for a gentle weekend breakfast with your parents, or a solo meal when you just want something comforting and honest.
Perfect for the morning you carve out just for yourself. The residential streets here are calm, and you can walk over after a wander through the market. Order the broth version and let the clean taste reset your palate. The bee hoon slips down easily, and the whole experience feels unhurried and restorative.
Address: 56 Eng Hoon Street, #01-46, Singapore 160056
Hours: Daily, 7am–4:30pm
Price: From $5.50 per bowl
Tel: +65 8833 2282
Website: www.facebook.com/tbyongtaohu
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.
Hup Chong Hakka Yong Dou Foo
Toa Payoh lorongs hide a few gems, and Hup Chong is one of them – a stall that has been hand-stuffing yong tau foo for over four decades. Their style is traditional Hakka: light, clean soups that let the fillings speak, and they offer pieces you don’t see everywhere, like pig’s intestines and pork skin. Each piece goes for 80 cents. They make their own sauces in-house, and the fillings are well-seasoned, so you don’t need to drown anything in extra soy sauce. Open from 6:30am to 3:30pm then again 4:30pm to 8:30pm, it’s a solid pick for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner. Bring your friends who are into old-school makan; they’ll appreciate the heritage.
Come here when you are genuinely hungry and in the mood for something straightforward. The Toa Payoh lorong has a quiet, lived-in feel, and you can eat without fuss. The clear soup is gentle on the stomach, and the lesser-seen pieces feel like a small reward for venturing beyond your usual picks.
Address: 124 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310124
Hours: Daily, 6:30am–3:30pm and 4:30pm–8:30pm
Price: $0.80 per piece
Tel: +65 9093 2009
Website: www.facebook.com/HupChongHakkaYdf
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Fong Yong Tau Foo
At Bukit Merah Central, Fong plays by its own rules. This family-run stall doesn’t just do the usual soup-and-dry drill – they throw in bacon-wrapped enoki, tom yum broth, and even spaghetti sauce as a dressing. A set of seven items starts at $5.60, and you can pair them with chee cheong fun if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s the kind of place where your kids can try something a little different while you stick to a comforting bowl. The portions are hearty, so come hungry. They open 8:30am to 9pm daily, making it an easy dinner stop when you’re in the area.
This is the stall for when you are feeling curious but still want control. The solo diner can build a bowl that mixes the familiar with the unexpected – a safe comfort piece next to something new. It works when you have a bit of time and want to eat somewhere bright and bustling without needing company.
Address: 164 Bukit Merah Central, #01-3623, Singapore 150164
Hours: Daily, 8:30am–9pm
Price: $5.60 for 7 items
Tel: +65 6262 2788
Website: www.facebook.com/p/Fong-Yong-Tau-Foo-100078219472379
Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu
Chinatown Complex’s second floor has plenty of hawker legends, and Xiu Ji is one of the quiet stalwarts. Since the 1960s, this stall has been serving yong tau fu with a clear, umami-packed soup that gets its depth from ikan bilis. Six pieces with bee hoon cost just $3 – that’s hard to beat anywhere on the island. The fish paste is smooth and bouncy, and they don’t skimp on the crispy anchovies. It’s a breakfast spot for the folks who’ve been coming here for decades, and for new fans who appreciate honest cooking. Tuesday to Sunday, 5:45am to 1:30pm – so set your alarm if you want a taste, because they wrap up early.
An early-morning stop that rewards the solo visitor. Chinatown Complex hums softly before the lunch stampede, so grab a bowl and settle in. The clean, deep broth feels gentle on the body, and the crisp anchovies add just enough texture. At this price, it is an easy, guiltless treat that makes the morning feel well spent.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-88, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 5:45am–1:30pm
Price: $3 for 6 pieces with bee hoon
Website: instagram.com/explore/locations/1078890/xiu-ji-ikan-bilis-yong-tau-fu
Xi Xiang Feng Yong Tau Foo
Over in Ang Mo Kio, Xi Xiang Feng draws a steady queue of residents who know what they want: dry bee hoon with a sweet sauce that clings to every strand, or a laksa broth that warms you up on a rainy afternoon. The textures here are what keep people coming back – QQ noodles, fresh stuffings, and a broth that’s full of umami without being jelak. Prices are gentle on the wallet, though you might want to check the exact pricing when you order. They run Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 6pm, so it’s mostly a daytime affair. Good for a quick solo lunch or tapau-ing home after a morning errand.
A dependable choice on a grey afternoon when all you want is a warm bowl in a familiar heartland setting. The Ang Mo Kio crowd is a mix of regulars getting their fix, and you can slot right in. The laksa broth blankets everything in comfort, and the QQ noodles give you something to slowly work through while you lepak.
Address: 724 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, #01-23, Singapore 560724
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 7am–6pm
Price: Affordable, check with stall
Tel: +65 9635 3203
Website: www.facebook.com/XiXiangFengFood
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928 Ngee Fou (Hakka) Ampang Yong Tou Fou
Ampang-style yong tau foo gets its character from a thick, savoury bean sauce, and 928 Ngee Fou up in Upper Thomson has been perfecting it since 1971. The family-run stall serves set meals – about $6 per person – that include fried beancurd skin and eggplant that soak up the black bean sauce beautifully. Everything is made fresh daily, and the portions are generous enough to share or to skip dinner altogether. The flavour is rich but balanced, and you can taste the care in each piece. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 6:30pm, it’s a solid weekend lunch spot when you’re near MacRitchie or just craving something heartier than soup.
Suits the day you decide one big lunch replaces dinner entirely. The Upper Thomson shop has a homey, lived-in feel, and the set meals arrive looking like a spread just for you. The thick bean sauce is rich and satisfying, and the fried pieces soak it up so well you will take your time with each bite.
Address: 930 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 787122
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9am–6:30pm
Price: Around $6 per person
Website: www.facebook.com/p/928-Ampang-Hakka-Yong-Tau-Foo-100063548923331
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. And if your next craving is something bubbling hot, our guide to Fish Head Steamboats in Singapore has you covered.
How to choose
Not all yong tau foo is the same, lah. Some stalls fry their pieces till crisp, others boil them in a light broth. Then you have the Ampang style with a thick black bean sauce, and a few places that go wild with fusion broths. The first thing to decide is what kind of mouthfeel you want: crunchy and gravy-drenched, or clean and soupy.
Fish paste quality makes a big difference. Stalls like Tiong Bahru and Xiu Ji mix theirs by hand, so the fishballs bounce back when you bite them. Hup Chong and 928 Ngee Fou stuff everything from scratch daily, and you can taste the freshness in the fillings. If you prefer variety, Fu Lin gives you over 50 items to choose from, while Fong throws in unexpected things like bacon-wrapped enoki.
Price-wise, you can eat for as little as $3 at Xiu Ji, or build a bigger meal for around $6–$10 at most other places. Location matters too: East Coast, Tiong Bahru, Toa Payoh, Chinatown, Ang Mo Kio, and Upper Thomson all have standout stalls, so pick the one nearest your hood or make a trip out of it. And if you’re eating with kids or fussy eaters, a place with customisable sets and mild broths is a safe bet.
| Name | Style | Price Signal | Must-Try | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fu Lin Fried Yong Tofu | Fried with minced meat gravy | $0.40–$2 per piece | Anything fried with the gravy | East Coast |
| Tiong Bahru Yong Tau Hu | Handmade fish balls, soup or dry | From $5.50 per bowl | Fishballs and bee hoon | Tiong Bahru |
| Hup Chong Hakka Yong Dou Foo | Traditional Hakka light soups | $0.80 per piece | Pig’s intestines / pork skin items | Toa Payoh |
| Fong Yong Tau Foo | Fusion (bacon, tom yum, spaghetti sauce) | $5.60 for 7 items | Bacon-wrapped enoki | Bukit Merah |
| Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu | Ikan bilis clear soup | $3 for 6 pieces with bee hoon | Fish paste and crispy anchovies | Chinatown |
| Xi Xiang Feng Yong Tau Foo | Cantonese dry/laksa | Affordable, check with stall | Dry bee hoon with sweet sauce | Ang Mo Kio |
| 928 Ngee Fou (Hakka) Ampang Yong Tou Fou | Ampang-style black bean sauce | Around $6 per person | Fried beancurd skin with eggplant | Upper Thomson |
Summary
From the gravied crunch at Fu Lin to the breakfast perfection at Xiu Ji, Singapore’s yong tau foo scene covers every need. Pick your style, bring your appetite, and let these old hands serve you a bowl of comfort that won’t hurt the wallet.
Disclaimer: All details were accurate at the time of writing but can change. Confirm with the business before heading down, especially public holiday hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is yong tau foo?
It’s a Hakka dish of tofu, vegetables, and other items stuffed with fish or meat paste, served either in a light soup or dry with a sweet or savoury sauce.
Is yong tau foo healthy?
Generally yes, because most items are boiled or steamed. But watch out for fried pieces and thick gravies – they add more calories and salt.
How do I order at these stalls?
At most places, you pick your pieces from a display, choose your noodle (bee hoon, kway teow, etc.), and tell them whether you want soup or dry. Some set menus are pre-selected.
Are these yong tau foo stalls halal?
Not all are halal-certified. If that’s important to you, ask the stall directly before ordering.
How much does a meal typically cost?
You can spend as little as $3 for a simple bowl at Xiu Ji, or go up to about $10 per person at places like Fu Lin or 928 Ngee Fou when you pick more items.
What’s the difference between soup and dry yong tau foo?
Soup bowls come in a light, clear broth that lets the ingredients shine. Dry versions toss the pieces in a sweet or savoury sauce, usually with a side of soup, and can feel richer and more satisfying if you’re craving something heavier.
