The first proper downpour I remember was in a corner coffee shop, waiting for the sky to clear. I hadn't planned to eat. But the rain kept falling, and somewhere down the row a pot of fresh fish soup was simmering, and the smell reached me before the decision did.
Rain does something to what we want. On a bright day, I might crave something quick, something bold. But when the sky goes grey and the afternoon stretches long, I find myself reaching for the same thing every time — a bowl of clear, hot broth with soft fresh fish slices, steam rising into cooler air.
It asks nothing of you. It just warms, the kind of comfort food that feels like a gentle hug on a rainy day. Sometimes, that means a simple steam fish soup, light yet deeply satisfying, letting the freshness of the fish shine through without fuss.
The Comfort Bowls We’re Chasing
- Han Kee Fish Soup (Amoy Street Food Centre)
- Piao Ji Fish Porridge (Amoy Street Food Centre)
- First Street Teochew Fish Soup (Kovan / Tiong Bahru)
- Jun Yuan House of Fish (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
- Arcade Fish Soup (Asia Square Tower 2)
- Xing Long Fish Soup (Jurong West)
- Blanco Court Fried Fish Noodles (Beach Road)
- Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon (Maxwell Food Centre)
- Kwang Kee Teochew Fish Porridge (Newton Food Centre)
- Song Fish Soup (Clementi Market & Food Centre)
1. Han Kee Fish Soup (Amoy Street Food Centre) — Best Fish Soup in Singapore for Clear Fish Soup with Fish Maw Options
Finding It: Maxwell MRT, about 3 minutes on foot, near Maxwell Food Centre
What You'll Pay: From S$5
There's a queue outside Han Kee before 11am, and once you've had the soup, you understand why nobody complains about it. Tucked into #02-129 at Amoy Street Food Centre, this favourite stall is a go-to spot for office workers craving a clean tasting soup with fresh fish slices.
The broth is peppery and clear, light but savoury, made with pork bones, fish bones, and anchovies, creating a soup base with a slight sweetness. The batang fish slices start around S$5, and the fish fresh slices come thick and tender, the kind that hold their shape in the spoon without being overly fishy.
You can also add fish maw or tofu cubes to customize your bowl of fish soup. The broth is sometimes enjoyed with adding evaporated milk or adding milk for a creamier touch, but the original taste is surprisingly light and clean tasting.
I once queued forty-five minutes on a rainy Tuesday, and the aunty who takes orders is famously no-nonsense — have your money ready, know what you want, don't slow her rhythm. It sounds harsh. It isn't, really. It's just the pace of a place that has fed an overwhelming amount of hungry people to waste words.
When you finally sit down with your tray, none of that matters. The soup does the talking, with a generous serving of fresh fish slices and spring onions, enhanced by a sprinkling of fried garlic and preserved vegetables.
The Moment It Fits:
A comforting weekday lunch when the rain is falling and you need something simple, warm, and dependable.
Know Before You Go:
If you cannot handle peppery broth or long queues, this might test your patience.
My Small Discovery:
Go around 1.45pm to dodge the worst of the crowd. You'll still wait, but usually closer to ten minutes.
2. Piao Ji Fish Porridge (Amoy Street Food Centre) — Teochew Fish Porridge and White Fish Soup with Bitter Gourd Slices
Finding It: Maxwell MRT, about 3 minutes on foot, near Maxwell Food Centre
What You'll Pay: S$7–S$15
A few units down from Han Kee, at #02-100/103, sits the other name people argue about. Piao Ji cooks each bowl separately, one at a time, which is exactly why the line moves the way it does — slow, patient, worth it.
A basic bowl runs about S$7, and the works climb to S$15, with sliced fish and prawns depending on what you order. But the thing I remember most isn't the fish. It's the chili. There's ginger in it, soy, a little tau cheo — fermented bean paste — and together they make a condiment I've thought about long after the bowl was empty.
On a wet afternoon, that small dish of heat next to the clear broth feels like the whole point.
The fish slices are thin slices of fresh white fish soup style, tender and smooth, swimming alongside bitter gourd slices and pork lard bits that add a burst of flavour and texture. The broth is a clean tasting soup with a slight sweetness from the fish and pork bones used in the soup base.
The Moment It Fits:
For diners who believe a bowl's personality comes from the little extras beside it.
Know Before You Go:
This is not a rushed lunch stop. Per-bowl cooking means the wait can stretch past an hour.
My Small Discovery:
Ask for extra chili. It is one of the things that makes Piao Ji memorable.
3. First Street Teochew Fish Soup (Kovan / Tiong Bahru) — Street Teochew Fish Soup with Batang Fish Slices and Preserved Vegetables
Finding It: Kovan or Tiong Bahru MRT, about 6–8 minutes on foot
What You'll Pay: S$5.50–S$15
The Teochew way keeps things honest — fresh fish, clear soup, not much fuss. First Street has built a loyal following on exactly that.
You choose your fish — grouper, batang fish, or pomfret fish soup — with prices depending on your choice. The fresh fish slices come thick and meaty, and there is something comforting about a place that becomes part of someone's routine rather than a one-time discovery.
The soup base is a clean tasting soup, often served with preserved vegetables and spring onions, and you can add bitter gourd for a slightly bitter contrast that balances the slight sweetness of the broth.
I'll be honest — some diners feel portions can vary. But on a good day, with a fresh bowl of fish soup in front of you, it does everything you want fish soup to do.
The Moment It Fits:
A quiet neighbourhood lunch when you want something clean, traditional, and familiar.
Know Before You Go:
If you judge every meal purely by portion size, you may find better value elsewhere.
My Small Discovery:
Ask what fish is freshest that morning instead of automatically ordering your usual.
4. Jun Yuan House of Fish — Herbal Seafood Soup with Generous Fish Slices
Finding It: Old Airport Road Food Centre, about 5–7 minutes on foot from Dakota MRT
What You'll Pay: From S$6
Jun Yuan House of Fish is the kind of stall you look for when you want something that feels both comforting and nourishing. Tucked inside the familiar lanes of Old Airport Road Food Centre, it has become a favourite among diners searching for a bowl of herbal seafood soup packed with generous slices of fresh fish and comforting ingredients.
The herbal seafood soup is the highlight — a full-bodied broth infused with traditional herbs that feels warming without becoming too heavy. There is a gentle sweetness from the fish, balanced by the earthy bitterness of the herbs, creating a bowl that feels almost restorative on a rainy afternoon.
You can add ingredients like tofu cubes and preserved vegetables for extra texture and flavour. The generous portions of fish slices and seafood make this a satisfying choice when you want more than just a light bowl of soup.
The Moment It Fits:
When you want fish soup that feels like a nourishing reset — comforting, warming, and slightly medicinal in the best way.
Know Before You Go:
The herbal broth has a more distinctive flavour profile, so diners who prefer a cleaner, lighter soup may find it stronger than traditional fish soup styles.
My Small Discovery:
A small dash of light soy sauce in the dipping sauce brings out the herbal notes beautifully and adds another layer of savouriness to the fresh fish.
5. Arcade Fish Soup (Asia Square Tower 2) — Generous Portions of Fried Fish Soup and Sliced Fish Soup in a Bowl of Fish Soup
Finding It: Raffles Place MRT, about 4 minutes on foot
What You'll Pay: From S$5
When rain hits during a workday and you cannot face long queues, Arcade Fish Soup becomes the practical answer.
It is the CBD bowl office workers rely on — quick, reliable, and comforting when you need to return to your desk feeling human again.
It does not have the drama of heritage stalls, but sometimes reliability is its own kind of luxury. For those working around Singapore’s business districts, finding these dependable lunch spots becomes part of the weekly rhythm. Much like exploring Cuppage Plaza food spots, it is often the everyday places that become the ones we return to.
The Moment It Fits:
A rainy office lunch when you need warmth without sacrificing time.
Know Before You Go:
Skip this if you are searching for a nostalgic hawker adventure.
My Small Discovery:
It travels well for delivery, making it a good rainy-day backup.
6. Xing Long Fish Soup (Jurong West) — Late Night Fish Soup Fix with Mixed Soup and Green Veggies
Finding It: Boon Lay MRT, then a short bus ride
What You'll Pay: From S$5
Some cravings do not keep office hours.
Xing Long is the bowl I think about when rain arrives late and the day has already stretched too long. Open around the clock, it offers the kind of comfort you appreciate when most places have already closed.
The fish slices are fresh, the soup is warming, and the minced meat sliced fish porridge is especially soothing after a tiring day.
The Moment It Fits:
Late nights, quiet suppers, and rainy evenings when you need something comforting.
Know Before You Go:
Some diners mention consistency can vary depending on timing.
My Small Discovery:
Try the minced meat sliced fish porridge for a softer, more comforting bowl.
7. Blanco Court Fried Fish Noodles (Beach Road) — Fried Fish Soup with Milky Broth and Fried Shallots
Finding It: Bugis MRT, about 8 minutes on foot
What You'll Pay: From S$5
Not every fish soup needs to be light.
At Blanco Court Fried Fish Noodles, the fried fish changes the entire experience. Golden pieces of fried fish slices, crispy egg tofu bits, and a richer milky broth create something that feels more indulgent.
It is the kind of bowl that suits heavier rain — when you want comfort rather than restraint.
The Moment It Fits:
For days when you need something heartier than a simple clear broth.
Know Before You Go:
If you prefer delicate, clean flavours, this may feel too rich.
My Small Discovery:
Order the fried fish soup version. That is the bowl people remember.
8. Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon (Maxwell Food Centre) — Cloudy Soup and Fried Fish Options
Finding It: Maxwell MRT, about 3 minutes on foot, inside Maxwell Food Centre
What You'll Pay: S$6–S$10
Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon is a beloved stall known for its comforting bowls of fish head bee hoon and other fish soups. Unlike the clear broths favored by many, Jin Hua serves a signature cloudy soup that’s rich and tangy, with a flavour profile reminiscent of pickled mustard greens. This cloudy soup base brings a different kind of warmth, especially when paired with their tender fish slices or deep-fried fish chunks that are crispy on the outside and moist inside.
The fish used here includes shengyu fish collar and other varieties, offering a slightly flaky texture that contrasts with the smoothness of traditional sliced fish. Their fried fish bee hoon is a crowd favorite, served in a creamy broth often enriched with evaporated milk, providing a satisfying twist on the classic.
The Moment It Fits:
When you crave a heartier, more robust fish soup experience with a cloudy soup base and crispy fried fish bites.
Know Before You Go:
Portions can be modest, so pairing your soup with bee hoon noodles is a good way to fill up.
9. Kwang Kee Teochew Fish Porridge (Newton Food Centre) — Classic Fish Soup with Bee Hoon
Finding It: Newton MRT, inside Newton Food Centre
What You'll Pay: From S$6
Kwang Kee is a staple at Newton Food Centre, famous for its Teochew-style fish porridge and fish soup. This stall offers a clean, clear broth fish soup that’s light yet deeply satisfying, often enjoyed with a side of bee hoon noodles or plain white rice. The fish slices here are thick and tender, typically batang fish, which adds a sweet and slightly briny note to the soup.
What sets Kwang Kee apart is its balance between tradition and flavour — the broth is clear but full-bodied, and the fish is fresh without any muddy aftertaste. Their fish porridge version, with loose rice grains swimming in the broth, is another comforting option, especially on rainy days.
The Moment It Fits:
Perfect for those seeking a classic, no-frills fish soup experience in the bustling atmosphere of Newton Food Centre.
Know Before You Go:
Expect queues during peak meal times, but the wait is worth it for the comforting bowl of fish soup paired with bee hoon.
Here’s the revised version with Clementi Market & Food Centre as the location, keeping the same Renz Li-style format:
10. Song Fish Soup — Accessible Fish Soup Fix with Clear Soup and White Rice
Finding It: Clementi Market & Food Centre, about 5–7 minutes on foot from Clementi MRT
What You'll Pay: S$10–S$20
I've saved the most approachable for last.
Song Fish Soup is the kind of bowl I would recommend to someone trying fish soup in Singapore for the first time. Tucked inside Clementi Market & Food Centre, it offers a familiar and fuss-free introduction to a dish that many locals grow up with — no complicated ordering, no need to chase queues, just a comforting bowl served simply.
The soup keeps things clean and straightforward, with fresh fish slices in a clear broth that feels light but satisfying. Paired with white rice, it becomes the kind of meal that works whether you are stopping by after errands, taking a quiet lunch break, or looking for something warm on a rainy afternoon.
For expats still learning Singapore’s food culture, that accessibility matters. Sometimes the easiest way into a new cuisine is not through the most famous stall, but through a reliable bowl that feels welcoming from the first spoonful.
The Moment It Fits:
Rainy afternoons, family meals, or those days when you want something familiar, comforting, and uncomplicated.
Know Before You Go:
If you are searching for an old-school hawker atmosphere or a dramatic heritage story, this may feel more straightforward than nostalgic.
My Small Discovery:
Add white rice for a fuller meal — especially if you are sharing or want something more substantial alongside the soup.
Exploring Other Fish Soups Around Singapore
Singapore’s fish soup scene is wonderfully diverse, offering everything from clear Teochew broths to milky, creamy versions and even rich herbal soups. Beyond the stalls mentioned, there are many other fish soups worth trying that showcase different textures and flavours, such as XO fish soup with a splash of Chinese rice wine or herbal seafood soups that warm you from the inside out.
If you prefer your soup clear or cloudy, with fish slices or fried fish chunks, there’s a bowl for every mood and every rainy day. Adding bee hoon noodles to your fish soup is a popular choice that makes the meal more filling and satisfying, no matter which stall you visit.
Eleven Bowls, Eleven Different Kinds of Warmth
Eleven bowls, Eleven different kinds of warmth from beloved fish soup stalls. There's the peppery clarity of Han Kee, the milky richness of Ka Soh, the quiet loyalty of a Toa Payoh corner, the late-night steam of Xing Long when the rest of the island has gone dark.
None of them is the best fish soup in Singapore. I've never believed in that word for food like this. There's only the bowl of fish soup that suits the rain you're caught in and the mood you're carrying — light or rich, quick or slow, close to home or worth the trip across town.
Some bowls arrive with the richness of fish maw and seafood treasures. Others ask for nothing more than fresh fish, warm broth, and time. Together, they remind us that comfort does not always need to be complicated. And if you're following the latest food news or watching food videos, you'll see how this humble dish continues to inspire and nourish.
A Bowl, A Rainy Day, A Little Piece of Home
So the next time the sky goes grey and the afternoon feels heavier than it should, pick one. From hawker stalls to hidden neighbourhood favourites, Singapore’s food culture is full of these quiet moments worth discovering. Find more stories about eating, adapting, and feeling at home abroad through Expat Eat.
Sit down at your favourite fish soup stall, perhaps even try a new spot like Shun Seafood Soup, and let the soup do what it's always done. That's the whole comfort of it — a warm bowl, a little rain outside, and a quiet moment to yourself before the day carries on.
