121 Eating House

A mid-sized hawker’s centre on the corner of Telok Ayer and Boon Tat roads, 121 is a favourite lunchtime haunt for Chinatown workers from all walks of life, from the well-groomed expatriate to the motorbike courier. The biggest queue emanates from Nur Nasi Padang, known as the finest purveyor of Indonesian food in the vicinity. Expect a generous portion of melt-in-the-mouth beef rendang, addictively garnished chicken drumsticks and a colourful range of meat curries and spicy vegetable dishes. Other food-stall highlights include the omnivorous Kingsland Vegetarian stand – which proudly proclaims, ‘No pork or lard’, and serves a mean duck laksa – and Paratha Treat, for the last word in chepati, daal and samosas. For pudding, make a beeline for Frankie’s Peanut Pancake, a winner of the Green Book of Food Awards 07/08.