Makan Around Camp: Changi Naval Base

There's something about the salt and sea that makes you extra hungry.

Home to some of the biggest ships in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base has no lack of good eats.

One of the most famous food haunts around there is Changi Village Hawker Centre, which is a 25-minute car ride from the base.

The place is also a favourite among other Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) sites in the vicinity, which includes Hendon Camp, Changi Air Base and the SAF Ferry Terminal.

When we were there close to lunchtime, we spotted many military personnel tucking into their meals with gusto.

Spoilt for choice at Changi Village Hawker Centre? Here are three stalls we recommend!

Smooth, silky horfun

There was already a long queue at the stall when we arrived at 11.45am.

Almost everyone ordered the same thing – the signature Ipoh horfun (flat rice noodles) ($5 for the large portion) with a side of fried wontons ($2).

Being typical Singaporeans, we followed suit.

Taste test

Even when I was queueing, I could already smell the mouth-watering aroma. And it didn't disappoint: The dish came piled with sliced chicken, char siew, braised mushrooms and two pieces of wontons – all swimming in dark gravy.

I mixed them all up, took my first mouthful and immediately went to horfun heaven.

The sliced chicken and char siew were soft and tender, and the braised mushrooms delicious, but the star of the dish was still the horfun.

Smooth and silky, the thin white noodles paired well with the sweet, slightly herbal gravy, and almost melted in my mouth.

Another must-get are the crispy, flavourful fried wontons. Good thing they're priced at six for $2, 'cos both my companion and I couldn't stop at just one!

As we were slurping up every last bit of the dish, a group of teenage boys sitting beside us were talking about how good the Ipoh horfun was.

"This stall very nice but the queue is always very long," said one of them to his friends.

You know you've made it when even the Gen Z knows how good your fare is.

Weng Kee Ipoh Horfun 荣记正宗原味怡保河粉

Changi Village Hawker Centre #01-19

Opening Hours: 10.30am-11pm (Weekdays), 8am-12am (Weekends)

Saucy bee hoon

Looking for something heartier? Try Ho Guan Satay Bee Hoon.

Located just diagonally across the next aisle from Weng Kee, this stall has been around for more than 40 years.

They only have three mains on the menu – their signature satay bee hoon, a seafood version of their signature dish (both are priced at $5) and cuttlefish kangkong ($6, $8 or $10).

Taste test

The thin bee hoon soaked up every bit of the rich, nutty sauce, making it a very hearty meal. It wasn't cloying and you could taste the strong fragrance of peanut in every bite.

The dish also came with a generous spread of ingredients – from sliced liver and pork to cuttlefish and kangkong.

For just $5, this is a meal well worth your money.

Ho Guan Satay Bee Hoon

Changi Village Hawker Centre #01-61

Opening Hours: 11am - 9pm (Thurs - Sun)

Closed from Mon - Wed

Go bananas for pisang

You need to save stomach space for this – at Mei Xiang Goreng Pisang, the fried banana fritters were sold out as fast as they were made.

While waiting 10 minutes for a fresh batch, we watched the old couple, who were manning the stall, work non-stop – the uncle was peeling the banana while his wife was in charge of frying the fritters.

The smaller fritters were priced at $1.20 each while their longer counterparts were $2 each.

Taste test

Fresh from the fryer, the golden nuggets smelt heavenly.

I bit into the tempura batter and sank my teeth into the sweet yellow banana. The batter-to-banana ratio was perfect, and the crusty tempura contrasted really well with the slightly soft and creamy banana.

We had ordered three goreng pisang – I offered to split the last fritter with my companion but he graciously told me that I could have it.

I was (not-so-secretly) overjoyed and slowly savoured every last bit of the pisang. It was finger-licking good.

Mei Xiang Goreng Pisang 美香炸香蕉

Changi Village Hawker Centre #01-51

Opening hours: 10.30am – 8pm

Closed on Tues

From homely fare to deep-fried snacks, there's no lack of good food options at Changi Village Hawker Centre. What's your pick?