Some hawker stalls do not need much introduction. They stay busy because regulars keep coming back.
Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu 秀记江鱼仔酿豆腐 is one of those OG stalls. The queue starts early in the morning and often stretches long before the lunch hour peaks.
It was also newly included in the MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2026 with a Bib Gourmand, possibly giving this long-time Chinatown stall a fresh round of attention.
Located inside Chinatown Complex Food Centre (the green zone), this humble stall has been around since 1987.
Though its history goes back even further to the 1960s when it started as a roadside setup along Sago Lane.
Queues here start forming as early as 5am or so, and if you come during peak hours, expect a bit of a wait. But to be fair, the line moves relatively fast.
There’s no fancy ordering system, so just get in line, place your order, and move along.
Despite the rush, the hawkers are friendly and keep things running smoothly.
While most Yong Tau Foo stalls let customers pick their own items from a large display, Xiu Ji serves fixed sets of items instead.
You can have four pieces of Yong Tau Foo with noodles for $4, or go for five pieces without noodles at $3.50.
The price still feels affordable, especially with the handmade items and early morning effort involved.
The stuffed tau pok, tau kwa, fishballs, and fried tau kee are all freshly prepared.
I really enjoyed the fish paste filling which was light, smooth, and slightly bouncy, with none of that artificial fishy taste you sometimes get elsewhere.
The tofu was soft, the fried tau kee crisp, and the fishballs had a light bouncy bite to them.
As for the soup, it was brewed with ikan bilis (dried anchovies) and fish bones. I found it clear but flavourful, though some people may find this a tad salty.
I liked it with bee hoon, which came tossed with a simple soy sauce mix. The crispy ikan bilis on top gave the bowl extra crunch.
The only minor complaint was that the fried ikan bilis could be a little on the hard side, but they still bring that crispy texture in between bites.
Remember to add some of the chilli sauce – it was bright, garlicky, and tangy (somewhat like the chicken rice chilli). Oh yah, no sweet sauce here though.
Take note that Xiu Ji tends to sell out fast, so don’t show up too late, or you might leave disappointed.
If you’re in the Chinatown area and craving a comforting, old-school bowl of Yong Tau Foo early morning, Xiu Ji is worth a visit.
Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu 秀记江鱼仔酿豆腐
Chinatown Complex Food Centre #02-88, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: 5am – 1:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Read: Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore – Other DFD Reviews
Other Related Entries
Chinatown Complex Food Centre Food Guide
Yong Xiang Xing Dou Fu 永祥興豆腐 (People’s Park Food Centre)
Rong Xing Yong Tau Fu (Tanjong Pagar Food Centre)
Xi Xiang Feng Yong Tau Foo 喜相逢 (Ang Mo Kio)
Loong Kee Yong Tau Fu (Jurong West 505)
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