Fortune Centre is one of those places that feels like a different world, tucked away in the heart of busy Waterloo Street. It’s not flashy or modern, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it thrives as a quirky, functional space where food and culture collide, offering a slice of Singapore that feels wonderfully unpolished. The seating area at Fortune Centre is casual and inviting, with a mix of communal tables and cozy corners that create a relaxed ambiance, enhancing the overall dining experience. It’s here, amidst the incense-filled air and narrow corridors, that you’ll find Wawa Lala Bee Hoon, a small food stall quietly making some of the best authentic clam noodles in town.
Let’s talk about why Wawa Lala Bee Hoon and the Fortune Centre food ecosystem stand out—and why this hidden gem is worth your time. Fortune Centre is frequented by office workers, art school students, and curious tourists, making it one of those rare Food Plaza Singapore locals rely on not for trends, but for consistency and character.
Fortune Centre Food Places: A World of Variety
Fortune Centre is not your typical food destination, but that’s exactly what makes it special. Unlike the sleek food courts of Orchard Plaza or iconic hawker landmarks like Maxwell Food Centre, Fortune Centre is a patchwork of small, independent stalls. The first four floors of Fortune Centre house a diverse range of eateries, including affordable Chinese noodles and Vietnamese cuisine.
Walk through the narrow corridors, and you’ll find everything from vegetarian rice and mock meat dishes at Green Pasture Cafe and New Green Pasture Cafe to pine tree cafe with its hearty bowls of brown rice and thick mushroom soup. Many vegetarian dishes here feature a variety of fresh vegetables, making them popular with health-conscious diners and those seeking plant-based options.
On the second floor, there’s Bao Er Cafe, known for its fried beancurd skin and chive pork dumplings. Nearby, Tracy Juice Culture serves fresh fruit juices, with some dishes featuring cherry tomatoes as a key ingredient for added flavor and nutrition, while Station Rice Bar on the first floor dishes out Japanese-inspired rice bowls topped with fried chicken or silky smooth chicken katsu. For those seeking something lighter, En Seeds offers cold natto soba and other vegetarian dishes. You’ll also find a traditional station snack bar serving local favorites like rice bowls and char kway teow. On the 4th floor, a viral Vietnamese stall is known for its authentic Banh Mi, featuring freshly baked bread and a variety of fillings.
Amidst this buzzing chaos, Wawa Lala Bee Hoon carves out its own niche with a bowl of clam noodles so good, it has regulars coming back for more.
Wawa Lala Bee Hoon: A Hidden Gem
Tucked away on the ground floor, Wawa Lala Bee Hoon might not catch your eye at first glance. It blends into the visual noise of the building, sandwiched between other stalls and small shops. But follow your nose, and you’ll notice a distinct scent wafting through the air—a sharp mix of Chinese wine and freshly cooked seafood, including fresh cockles that are carefully sourced and prepared to order.
This unassuming stall specializes in lala bee hoon, a dish that’s deceptively simple yet notoriously hard to get right. At Wawa, the noodles are silky smooth, the broth is rich with the taste of fresh clams, and everything is tied together with their signature Wawa special sauce. Wawa also serves Authentic Clam Noodles with Chinese Wine for $9.50. Unlike many seafood restaurants, Wawa keeps things light and balanced, letting the clams shine.
Affordable Prices and Honest Cooking
What sets Wawa apart is its philosophy. After browsing the many options available, we finally decided to eat at Wawa, drawn by its reputation for quality and value. The stall isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel or chase food trends. Instead, it focuses on consistency, quality ingredients, and honest pricing. While it might not be the cheapest option in Fortune Centre, it offers great value for the quality of its food. Fortune Centre is famous for budget-friendly eats and a diverse range of cuisines, including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and local delights. You get a generous portion of fresh clams without feeling like you’ve overpaid—a rarity in this age of overpriced bowls and tiny portions.
The Fortune Centre Ecosystem
To understand why Wawa Lala Bee Hoon works, you need to understand the unique ecosystem of Fortune Centre. This isn’t a curated food hall or an Instagram-friendly hotspot. It’s an unapologetically functional space, built to feed hungry people at reasonable prices.
Around Wawa, you’ll find a good mix of vegetarian rice dishes, noodles, and Singaporean classics like fried hokkien mee and char kway teow. Some vegetarian and stir-fried dishes feature black fungus as a key ingredient, adding texture and flavor. Chinese-inspired options such as mapo tofu are also available for those seeking bold, authentic flavors. Diners often order two dishes to sample a variety of the centre’s popular offerings. Newer stalls like Station Rice Bar and Nobu Ya bring modern twists to the mix, while long-time favourites like pine tree cafe and Tracy Juice Culture keep the old-school vibe alive.
Some restaurants offer a la carte menus with Japanese-influenced seasonal dishes, and there has been an increase in Japanese izakayas and bars in recent years. The Italian eateries at Fortune Centre serve creative, handmade pasta options such as beetroot fusilli, and craft beers are available as a beverage pairing at several Italian and Japanese spots. Over the last two to three years, new eateries have been emerging, contributing to a shift from predominantly vegetarian offerings to a more diverse range of choices, including Japanese izakayas and bars. The food scene at Fortune Centre now includes a range of cuisines, from Japanese izakayas to local Singaporean fare.
It’s this blend of old and new that keeps people coming back. Whether you’re in the mood for salted egg chicken, pork belly, or a comforting bowl of soup, Fortune Centre has something for everyone.
Centre Amenities
I stepped into Fortune Centre expecting just another food court, but quickly realized I’d stumbled onto something way more interesting—a proper food adventure waiting to unfold across multiple floors. Every level had me discovering something new, whether I was hunting for lunch, grabbing a quick bite, or settling in for dinner.
The first floor hit me with New Station Rice Bar, and I get why office workers swear by this place. Their rice bowls are comfort food done right—fried egg, salted egg chicken, all the local classics that just work. What I love about Station Rice Bar is how they’ve taken familiar dishes and given them this subtle modern edge that keeps things exciting without losing what made them good in the first place.
My sweet tooth led me straight to Yat Ka Yan, and honestly, I’m glad it did. Their traditional Chinese desserts are the kind of thing that makes you slow down and actually savor the moment, whether you’re finishing off a meal or just need that midday sugar fix. When I wanted something lighter, Tracy Juice Culture delivered with fresh fruit juices that actually taste like fruit—perfect when you need that energy boost between meetings or classes.
The variety here genuinely surprised me. Wawa Lala Bee Hoon draws crowds for good reason—their clam noodles hit you with this amazing aroma of Chinese wine that builds anticipation before you even take a bite. Over at A9 Noodle Dumpling, I found myself going back for their handmade chive pork dumplings. The noodle dishes are satisfying without being heavy, and the prices? They’re the kind that make you a regular without thinking twice.
I almost missed the third floor entirely, which would’ve been a mistake. Paraphrase turned out to be this cozy little diner with small plates and an impressive selection of natural wines and sake—the kind of spot that’s perfect when you want to unwind with friends over something good. From handmade pasta and fresh rice noodles to fried chicken, pork, and solid vegetarian options, Fortune Centre covers pretty much every craving I’ve thrown at it.
Other Restaurants to Explore
Of course, Wawa isn’t the only hidden gem in Fortune Centre. Here are a few other food spots worth checking out during your visit:
- Green Pasture Cafe & New Green Pasture Cafe: Known for their creative mock meat dishes and vegetarian rice, these cafes are perfect for a healthy, satisfying meal.
- Bao Er Cafe: Don’t miss their chive pork dumplings and fried beancurd skin. Their cosy diner vibe is perfect for dinner time.
- Station Rice Bar: Try their chicken katsu or rice bowls topped with salted egg noodles.
- Nobu Ya: A small Japanese spot offering fresh pasta and fusion dishes like squid ink tagliatelle and cacio e pepe.
- Pasta & Co.: Famous for its fresh, handmade pasta with creative twists, making it a must-visit for pasta lovers.
- Pine Tree Cafe: Serves vegetarian versions of local dishes, with vegetables as a key component, including Hakka thunder tea rice.
- Living Wholesome Vegetarian: Offers vegetarian thunder tea rice with bee hoon instead of rice.
Conclusion: Fortune Center Food Highlights
Wawa Lala Bee Hoon at Fortune Centre offers more than just a meal. It delivers an authentic taste of Singapore’s vibrant food culture. Middle Road, skip the typical food courts and head to Fortune Centre. Discover Wawa Lala Bee Hoon’s authentic clam noodles and explore other fantastic eateries like Yat Ka Yan for traditional Chinese desserts or Tracy Juice Culture for refreshing fruit juices. This vibrant food hub is a must-visit for food lovers seeking affordable prices, full portions, and a genuine taste of Singapore’s diverse culinary scene.
In a bustling city filled with trendy spots, Fortune Centre remains a beloved haven for office workers, students, and tourists alike. It offers a welcoming atmosphere and honest, flavorful food that keeps people coming back. Do not miss out on one of Singapore’s best-kept food secrets. Make Wawa Lala Bee Hoon your next dining destination.