Urban Hawker
Experience authentic Singaporean hawker culture in NYC. A vibrant food hall offering diverse Southeast Asian street food.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Avoid long lines
Urban Hawker
Best Time
Avoid long lines
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic Singaporean hawker culture in NYC. A vibrant food hall offering diverse Southeast Asian street food.
"A taste of home in NYC, but be prepared for Midtown prices."
💸 Midtown Prices Alert
Hawker food here is pricier than in Asia. Budget around $20-30 per dish.
⏰ Beat the Crowds
Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid long lunch lines.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainan Jones
The quintessential Singaporean dish, tender chicken with fragrant rice. A must-try for authentic flavors.
Roti John
Ashes Burnnit
A savory sandwich with seasoned beef, egg, and cheese on soft bread. A unique and satisfying option.
Kaya Toast
Various stalls (check for availability)
Sweet and savory breakfast staple with coconut jam and butter on toasted bread. Perfect with coffee.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Midtown Prices for Hawker Charm
Beat the Lunch Rush
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💸 Midtown Prices Alert
Hawker food here is pricier than in Asia. Budget around $20-30 per dish.
⏰ Beat the Crowds
Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid long lunch lines.
📱 Consider Mobile Orders
Some stalls may offer mobile ordering to save time.
🍜 Explore Diverse Stalls
From chicken rice to roti john, try a variety of Southeast Asian flavors.
Tips
from all over the internet
💸 Midtown Prices Alert
Hawker food here is pricier than in Asia. Budget around $20-30 per dish.
⏰ Beat the Crowds
Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid long lunch lines.
📱 Consider Mobile Orders
Some stalls may offer mobile ordering to save time.
🍜 Explore Diverse Stalls
From chicken rice to roti john, try a variety of Southeast Asian flavors.
☕ Perfect for a Break
A great spot for food and a restroom break, especially during busy holiday seasons.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Urban Hawker brings a taste of Singaporean hawker culture to NYC, offering a diverse range of authentic dishes in a vibrant food hall setting. While praised for its flavors and variety, many visitors note that the prices are significantly higher than traditional hawker centers, reflecting its Midtown Manhattan location. Some find it a worthwhile indulgence, while others feel it misses the affordability aspect of true hawker food.
"I believe this food court on 50th in midtown was designed with the Hawker food court in South East Asia in mind; Singapore and Malaysia culture and gourmet.
There is a wide variety of different foods, such as Hainanese chicken, bubble tea, stir fry prawns, dumplings, Singapore Fried rice, Japanese Sushi, Thai Pad thai, Curry Katsu and a bar too.
Full disclosure, I did not eat here, I just strolled in as its very close to my office.
I will probably never eat here, not that I don't think the food is any good, but as an Oriental person from Asia, I can't justify paying 20 -30 bucks for street food, that just goes against the concept of hawker food courts that are prevalent in Asia.
But if you are hankering for this type of experience, you can try it.
I believe there is a similar experience in Queens Flushing, a outdoor food bazaar."
George Fine
"Good variety of food in a convenient food court style setting. I’ve tried a couple of dishes from Prawnaholic and HaiNan Jones. A bit pricey but it’s midtown, so I view that as the price of convenience.
I only took a picture of the steamed garlic prawn over glass noodles since that’s what I got last weekend when I was in the area. Inhaled the whole container of food before I realized there was also a little container of chili oil in the bag, now I need to go back and try the spicy version.
Sadly this place opened up after I took a job away from the area or I would be there way more often. If you’re in a rush, try placing mobile orders ahead of time.
It’s located in the middle of the block between office buildings. Can be a bit crowded during lunch time on weekdays. During the holiday season on weekends, this is actually a really good stop for food and bathroom break away from the crazy crowd gathered at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree area."
Sunshine
"I tried food from two shops and it was fine, but nothing I'd go out of the way to find again. The Malaysian curry was my favorite, a bit salty and starchy. The gado-gado Indonesian salad was fresh, but the flavor was nothing exciting. The place is clean and well maintained, and very pleasant for a "market". The prices were reasonable and affordable, but not inexpensive like at an actual Asian food market."
Javier Kohen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Urban Hawker is located at 135 W 50th St, New York, NY 10020, in Midtown Manhattan. It's easily accessible by subway, with several stations nearby, including the N, Q, R, W, and 1, 2, 3 lines at Times Square-42nd Street, and the B, D, F, M lines at 47-50th Sts-Rockefeller Center. +1
Parking in Midtown Manhattan can be challenging and expensive. It's generally recommended to use public transportation to reach Urban Hawker. If you must drive, look for parking garages in the vicinity, but be prepared for high fees.
Yes, Urban Hawker is a short and pleasant walk from Times Square, making it a convenient stop for tourists exploring the area.
The closest subway stations are Times Square-42nd Street (N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3) and 47-50th Sts-Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, M).
Several bus routes run through Midtown Manhattan, making it accessible by bus. Check local transit schedules for the most convenient routes to your location.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Urban Hawker is a food hall, and there is no admission fee to enter. You pay for the food you order at each individual stall.
Operating hours can vary by stall and day. It's best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date information, but generally, it's open for lunch and dinner. Some stalls may open earlier for breakfast items like Kaya Toast.
There is no entry fee to access Urban Hawker. It's a public food hall where you can browse and purchase food from various vendors.
Urban Hawker operates on a first-come, first-served basis for seating and ordering at individual stalls. Reservations are generally not available or necessary.
Keep an eye on Urban Hawker's social media channels for announcements about special events, new stall openings, or promotions.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Urban Hawker offers a diverse range of Singaporean and Southeast Asian street food, including Hainanese chicken rice, Hokkien mee, Roti John, satay, bubble tea, and more. +2
Many visitors rave about the Hainanese Chicken Rice from Hainan Jones. Roti John from Ashes Burnnit is also a popular and unique choice. Exploring different stalls is part of the experience! +2
Prices can be higher than traditional hawker centers in Asia, with many dishes costing around $20-$30 due to its Midtown Manhattan location.
While many dishes are meat-centric, some stalls may offer vegetarian or vegan options like gado-gado or vegetable stir-fries. It's advisable to ask the vendors directly about ingredients.
Yes, you can find bubble tea and other beverages at various stalls within Urban Hawker, perfect for pairing with your meal.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the vibrant atmosphere of the food hall, the colorful dishes, and the bustling activity of the vendors. The presentation of the food itself is often very photogenic. +1
Generally, it's acceptable to take photos of your food and the general ambiance. However, always be mindful of other diners and vendors, and avoid intrusive photography.
Daytime offers natural light, which is great for food photography. Evenings can offer a more atmospheric glow, but might require better camera settings.
Dishes with vibrant colors, like certain noodle dishes or those with fresh garnishes, tend to be very photogenic. The Roti John also has a unique presentation.
It's best to avoid using flash photography, especially in crowded areas, as it can be disruptive. Natural light or using your phone's camera settings effectively will yield better results.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
🍜 Foodies Seeking Authenticity
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Urban Hawker Experience: More Than Just Food
However, it's important to manage expectations regarding price. As one reviewer noted, the 'concept of hawker food courts that are prevalent in Asia' is about affordability, which is largely absent here due to the prime Manhattan location. Expect to pay significantly more than you would in Singapore or Malaysia, with many dishes hovering around the $20-$30 mark. This has led to mixed reviews, with some finding it a worthwhile indulgence and others feeling it deviates too much from the original hawker spirit.
Despite the price point, Urban Hawker offers a unique opportunity to sample a taste of home for those missing Singaporean flavors or to introduce New Yorkers to this rich culinary tradition. The convenience of having so many options under one roof, especially during busy periods or holiday seasons, is a definite plus.
Navigating the Stalls: What to Eat and Where
Other popular choices include Hokkien Mee and various stir-fried noodle dishes. If you have a sweet tooth, look for stalls offering Kaya Toast, a classic Singaporean breakfast item, or explore the dessert options.
Remember that lines can form, especially for the most popular stalls during peak hours. Some reviewers suggest mobile ordering might be available for certain vendors, which could save you time.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit