Honestly, good food is never hard to find in Singapore.

You could walk into almost any nearby hawker center and have an amazing meal. For the uninitiated, hawker centers house rows of food stalls and are mostly a delicious fusion of food cultures in Singapore. You’ll find Chinese, Malay, Indian, Middle Eastern, and (ofc) Southeast Asian flavors. It’s stripped of fancy plating or tablecloths, so your focus is entirely on your next meal.

As much as I looooove a good hawker find, sometimes the occasion calls for a proper sit-down meal. That’s where Haji Lane comes in! While it’s known for its bars and cocktails, we discovered that the best way to start the night wasn’t with a drink at all.

On days you want to splurge a little on meals, we know just the spot! 😉

After the race came the reward

A little throwback to ‘24! My friends and I were on the hunt for a chill dinner spot after an action-packed day.

We’d spent the whole morning throwing ourselves over obstacles at a Spartan Race (read about it here!), and somehow still found the energy to squeeze every last second out of our 1.5-hour USS visit (blog post pending… eventually. Lol).

At that point, a hearty meal wasn’t just a want. It was a necessity.

ALSO READ: 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Say NO to Joining a Spartan Race

Not all Haji Lane treasures come in a cocktail glass

I often hear locals say Haji Lane is a little overrated, and I honestly believe them. Between the crowds and the endless lineup of bars, it’s easy to dismiss it as a tourist hotspot and move on.

But every now and then, you stumble upon a place that reminds you there’s more to it than just a good drink.

Case in point: Fatt Choy Eating House!

We discovered this spot completely by chance, and it ended up being one of the most memorable meals of the trip. Honestly… if I found myself back in Singapore tomorrow, I’d go again!

The restaurant itself is kinda easy to miss. I remember heading down Haji Lane with cocktails in mind, and if we hadn’t been hungry, we probably would’ve walked right past this in favor of the bars nearby (it was pretty tempting!)

But do yourself a favor: eat here first. From the outside, Fatt Choy Eating House is pretty unassuming. Nothing flashy, nothing screaming for attention. Come inside and you’ll be in for a treat!

Where things got delicious

Okay, I’ll go straight to what you can add to your Singapore food list! 😁 Here’s everything we ordered from the restaurant:

Feel free to take a moment for the Sichuan Dumpings ‘cos they’re thaaat good! Fatt Choy Eating House perfected such a juicy starter — these pork & chive dumplings were a standout with their house mala dressing.

We also tried the Crispy Ngoh Hiang Rolls. These disappeared faster than we’d like to admit. Crispy, savory, and balanced with just enough tang from the black vinegar glaze.

Next is something I’m not entirely sure is still available on the menu. But the Wagyu Beef Noodles makes me feel so nostalgic. It was so comforting, warm, tender, and tasty. Definitely what we needed that night! I had a mental note then of “beef noodles for the soul.”

We also tried the Original Roxy Laksa, and it’s a bowl of rich, spicy perfection! We had this for sharing because we already had noodles. All I can say is the combination of rice vermicelli, fragrant Roxy laksa broth + tiger prawns is simply flavorful.

For a safe pick, get Mala Karaage. It won’t disappoint. The dish came lightly battered and perfectly crisp. Not to mention, each bite gave way to juicy, flavorful chicken with just the right hint of mala spice and umami. Finally, we had a bowl of Slow-Braised Pork Belly Rice. The meat is perfection. It’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, and was both rich and savory.

Wallet Check

Our orders were a little pricier versus our average meals in hawker centers, but it was worth it.

After a long day of running around the city, it felt like exactly the kind of dinner we needed. Pretty solid!

Note: The prices shown here are from our 2024 visit, so you might wanna check their website for the updated details.

If you’re wandering around Haji Lane for the next foodie find, I’d happily point you in the direction of Fatt Choy!

Fatt Choy Eating House
Address: 10 Haji Ln, Singapore 189203
Hours: 11:00 am to 10:30pm from Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 am to 12:00mn from Friday to Saturday
Menu: https://fattchoyeatinghouse.oddle.me/en_SG