Got a craving for Nasi Lemak? Take the five minute walk from Singapore Botanic Gardens to Adam Road Food Centre, a smaller, U-shaped centre which is still home to many of its original hawkers who have been serving up the likes of satay, prawn noodles and mee soto since the mid 1970s. Of the 40+ stalls, however, it’s nasi lemak that’s the star of the show here. Don’t question the queue at Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak; the food is worth the wait.

It’s a wet market and a shopping precinct, but to most locals who make their way to this vibrant three-story complex on Serangoon Road, the entrance of Singapore’s Little India enclave, it’s simply the home of outstanding Indian cuisine. With more than 100 stalls begging for your attention, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. Stay the course and head to Allauddin’s Briyani which has amassed a large fan base for its melt-in-your-mouth mutton and rice dish.

Disregard its “official” name; Amoy Street Food Centre is more commonly known as the place where you can get your fill of Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded dishes for pocket change. Among the mix of heritage hawkers and the new generation putting a contemporary spin on local staples such as Mee Goreng and sliced fish soup, Hoo Kee Rice Dumplings, a Bib Gourmand recipient that has been in business for over 50 years, is celebrated for its unique dumpling flavours, Meanwhile, A Noodle Story serves up a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded noodle dish that marries Japanese ramen with roast meat, dumplings and prawns.

Located in the heart of Chinatown, a focus on Singapore-style Chinese dishes form the foundation of this 100-stall, single-storey hawker centre. While drop-ins at the likes of Zhen Zhen Fish Porridge and Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cakes (famous for their rich pastry stuffed with oyster paste), are considered must-dos, make a beeline for Tian Tian Hainese Chicken. The Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient consistently delivers the best in the country and is well worth battling the lunchtime queues to get a taste.

Adored by locals and visitors long before its much-googled cameo on Crazy Rich Asians, Newton Food Centre’s got the location (it’s just a short distance from Orchard Road), plus a wide variety of cuisine heavily rooted in seafood. Although close to 100 stalls vie for your attention, put your blinkers on and opt for the barbeque sambal stingray from Guan Kee Grilled Seafood. Don’t forget the ice kachang to go.

Those keen to start the day with a meal at this this two-storey centre had better act quick; Tiong Bahru Food Centre with its 80+ stalls is a particularly popular spot for breakfast and lunch with locals lining up for chwee kueh at Jian Bo ShuiKueh, and the roasted pork buns at Tiong Bahru Pau. Should you stretch yourself to wonton noodles topped with marbled char siew from Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Mee? You’d be crazy not to.

An exotic maze of some 260 food stalls, a visit to Singapore’s largest hawker can be a dream for some, and more than a little overwhelming for others. Still, if you’re in the market (sorry) for authentic Chinese flavours – chee cheong fun (rolled rice noodles), for example, or steamed song fish head – there’s no better place to roll up your sleeves. Don’t leave without a taste of Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle – the first hawker stall to be awarded a Michelin star.