China food in Singapore is no joke. It’s bold, it’s fiery, and the flavours slap harder than an Asian mum when you talk back. From the numbing heat of Sichuan spice to the comforting brothiness of northern noodles, the variety is wild — and making the choice of which spot to sacrifice your waistline at can be hard. So, I’ve gladly braved the queues (and the chilli oil) to sniff out the absolute best spots for legit, mouthwatering China food in town. 😙
01 • Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine
Once a small shop in the heart of Chinatown, this restaurant chain has gained a loyal following for their bold, authentic China food, especially the fiery Hunan flavours. To get the meal going, I recommend the crisp and refreshing Cucumber Delight. For this humble dish, sliced cucumber is soaked in soy sauce and vinegar, and topped with chilli oil for a teasing kick.
The star of their undeniably standout menu is the Stir-Fry Pork with Rice. It’s a smoky, aromatic dish where thinly sliced pork is tossed with chilli and garlic, with an unbeatable wok hei flavour.
Then there’s the Saurkraut Fish in Golden Soup, a dish that keeps the regulars coming back for more. The broth is rich and tangy, with the tender fish fillets soaking up the addictive flavours. Pair it with some rice for a hearty fill, or sip away on the broth for something light yet indulgent.
📍 Address: 8 Mosque Street, #08/09/10, Singapore 059488 (See other outlets)
📞 Phone: 6225 5968
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: xiangxianghunancuisine.com
02 • BASHU Sichuan Restaurant
At BASHU Sichuan, every dish delivers impeccable flavours, from mild hints of spice to bold bursts of red hot chilli. The menu is extensive, and packed with Sichuan specialities, but if you need a starting point, I’ve picked out some must-tries.
The Mapo Tofu is soaked in a numbing Sichuan chilli sauce with just the right balance of heat and flavour. For the ideal pairing, have it with their simple Yang Zhao Fried Rice — fluffy, fragrant, and studded with bits of egg and pork. Then there’s the Soy Sauce Braised Prawns in a savoury glaze that’s pure umami heaven.
Lastly, if you just had to pick one item on the menu, go for the Spare Ribs with Onion. The ribs are tender with a slight caramelised edge, coated in a savoury sauce with caramelised onions — the kind of dish that makes you reach for more.
📍 Address: 219 Bedok Central, #01-122, Singapore 460219
📞 Phone: 6384 0115
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: bashusichuan.sg
03 • Nong Geng Ji
Hunan cuisine doesn't believe in playing it safe, and Nong Geng Ji is proof. Here, the flavours hit hard, the spice doesn’t hold back, and every bite is a unification of smoky goodness.
I loved the Stir-Fried Pork with Abalone and Chilli — a dish that combines tender pork, bouncy abalone, and just the right amount of bite to keep your taste buds on their toes. Then, there’s the Signature Grass Fish Fillet with Chili, a dish so drenched in vibrant red chillies that it looks like a dare. But trust me, the immaculately flaky fish and fragrant broth make it a challenge worth accepting.
If you’re a lone soul just wanting some traditional China food, their individualset meals are the way to go. Each one comes with rice, your choice of meat, seasonal veggies, and a comforting seasonal soup, giving you a full feast without needing a whole squad.
📍 Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-51A VivoCity, Singapore 098585 (See other outlets)
📞 Phone: 6514 1250
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: instagram.com/nonggengjisg
04 • A Kitchen
China food has a notorious reputation for having the ability to set your mouth on fire, but at A Kitchen, it’s all about vibrant flavours without the crazy burn. The Mala Crawfish is quite the treat, coated in a fragrant and mildly spicy mala sauce. I also loved the Beijing Lamb Spine Hot Pot. It’s slow-simmered to coax out the rich flavours of the lamb and tenderise the meat to fall off the bone without any coaxing at all. Pair this with a bowl of fluffy white rice and you’ve got a meal that satisfies.
For the sides, I recommend the Stir-Fried Shanghai Bok Choy to keep things light and garlicky. The Spicy Mala Tofu delivers deep, savoury notes with the gentlest of kicks making it impossible to stop at one bite. Don’t leave without trying the Pork and Chive Dumplings — plump, juicy, and downright addictive.
📍 Address: 1 Yuan Ching Rd, #01-05A, Singapore 618640 (See other outlets)
📞 Phone: 8656 6655
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10:30pm daily
🌐 Website: akitchenyoujianchufangzongdian.meuu.online/home
05 • Hong Peng La Mian Xiao Long Bao
Everyone has a go-to joint for comfort food. For me, Hong Peng La Mian Xiao Long Bao is an absolute favourite for authentic, tasteful China food — and the best part? It’s insanely affordable.
Their signature Shanghai Xiao Long Bao is a dish that catapulted this stall into the spotlight, with its delicate wrapper and mouth-watering soupy filling. My personal favourite, however, is the Dumplings in Spicy Sauce, packed with minced pork and chive filling, and soaked in a glorious mix of chilli oil and vinegar. The punch of spice and umami flavour always has me in a chokehold and wanting more.
Last but not least, a dish I never skip is the Zha Jiang Mian. The portion is massive, with chewy noodles smothered in a black bean sauce, topped with generous chunks of minced meat, and garnished with crunchy shreds of cucumber. It’s the perfect pick-me-up that doesn’t cost a fortune.
📍 Address: 32 New Market Road, #01-1064, Singapore 050032
📞 Phone: 9083 5166
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
06 • Birds of a Feather
Housed in two charming shophouses on Amoy Street, Birds of a Feather offers a unique dining experience that transports you to the lush landscapes of Chengdu. Seamlessly blending traditional Sichuan notes with contemporary Western cuisine, their menu pays homage to time-honoured cooking techniques and forgotten recipes.
Standout dishes include the Homestyle Braised Pork Belly, with tender melt-in-your-mouth layers of meat soaked in a deeply aromatic blend of soy, star anise and warm spices. Then, there’s the Avocado and Crab Bruschetta — where creamy avocado meets sweet, delicate crab on a crisp toast, a merger of creamy and briny flavours in each crunchy bite.
Listen, if dumplings are on the menu, I will be ordering them every single time. And the Pork Dumplings here? Total game changers. They’re juicy little parcels stuffed full of meaty filling, pan-seared for a slight crisp. They left me believing in love at first bite.
📍 Address: 115 Amoy Street, #01-01, Singapore 069935
📞 Phone: 9755 7155
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 12 – 3pm, 6pm – 12am | Sun, 12 – 3pm, 6 – 10pm
🌐 Website: birdsofafeather.com.sg
07 • Si Wei Mao Cai
Born from the passion of two food lovers determined to bring the fiery accents of Sichuan to Singapore, Si Wei Mao Cai has earned its stripes as one of the city’s most beloved Sichuan restaurants. This homely spot is great for gatherings — the portions are generous, the vibes are cosy, and the flavours? Absolutely explosive.
A crowd-pleaser is the Fuqi Fei Pian, a dish of thinly sliced beef and beef lunch bathed in chilli oil that’s totally addictive. The Stewed Duck with Potatoes is another comforting dish I enjoyed with rice. But the star of the show has to be the signature Mao Cai — a Chengdu-style stew brimming with meats, vegetables, and tofu in a flavour-packed mala broth.
📍 Address: 33 Mosque Street, Singapore 059511
📞 Phone: 6223 1170
⏰ Opening hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5 – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: siweimaocai.meuu.online/home
08 • Shu Xiang
When you’re in Central Singapore and craving a quick meal that won’t empty your wallet, Shu Xiang is the move. Serving up a massive spread of Northern China foods in a cai fan-style setup, this spot lets you build your dream plate, with over 30 options to choose from.
Some popular picks are the Kung Pao Chicken, coated in a tangy sauce, and the Mapo Tofu that’s rich and comforting with a subtle hint of spice. I also loved the crunchy, garlicky Stir-Fried Cabbage, which proves that even the humblest of vegetables can steal the spotlight.
It’s common to opt for rice as the carb option, but don’t sleep on the Stir-Fried Liang Pi. These refreshing, chewy noodles tossed in a fragrant spicy sauce go well with the meaty sides!
📍 Address: 14 Scotts Road, #01-22 Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213
09 • Jiang-Nan Chun
This elegant Cantonese restaurant mirrors the pastoral charm of the Jiang Nan region through its warm, rustic décor and refined culinary craftsmanship. The Cherry Wood Roasted Pecking Duck is their crown jewel — succulent meat wrapped in crisp skin, embraced by a gentle aroma of smoked Cherry wood.
For something indulgent, the Braised Spiny Lobster is a must-try, served with a silky sauce that clings lovingly to every tender bite. And don’t skip the Honey-Glazed Iberico Pork — the most sensational balance of sweet, smoky and buttery.
📍 Address: 190 Orchard Boulevard, Level 2, Singapore 248646
📞 Phone: 6831 7653
⏰ Opening hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6 – 10:30pm daily
🌐 Website: fourseasons.com/singapore/dining/restaurants/jiang_nan_chun
10 • Shi Xiang Ge
Shi Xiang Ge is a hawker gem that proves you don’t need white tablecloths to deliver absolute noodle greatness. Specialising in Shanxi-style la mian, this humble stall dishes out a menu that’s downright irresistible.
The Beef La Mian and Mala Pork Intestine Noodles are headlines, loved by the regulars for the savoury undertones and tender meat sauce. The Minced Meat Noodles are also delicious — it’s an under-the-radar favourite with flavour-packed bites of minced pork, black bean sauce and cubes of tau kwa (tofu).
I mean, this place is so beloved, that even on a sweltering day, you’ll find people happily sweating it out in line just to get their hands on a steaming, slurp-worthy bowl.
📍 Address: 514 Bishan Street 13, Level 2 Bishan Bus Interchange, Singapore 570514
📞 Phone: 9151 3586
⏰ Opening hours: Wed to Mon, 10:30am – 9:30pm
(Featured photo: Four Seasons)
