There’s a certain kind of afternoon in the city.
Grey sky, aircon too cold in the mall, and a stomach that doesn’t want anything clever. Just something warm. Something honest. On days like that, I go looking for fish soup.
I’ve eaten my way around Funan and the City Hall stretch for the better part of two years now. Some bowls I finished and forgot. A few I still think about. What follows isn’t a ranking of the “best fish soup in Singapore” it’s five places I’ve genuinely returned to, and the honest reasons why.
I’ll tell you what I loved, what I didn’t, and who each one is really for. No hype. Just the bowls.
1. Yan Ji Gourmet Seafood Soup: The One for a Richer Bowl of Fish Soup
Where: Funan, #02-05, 107 North Bridge Road
Nearest MRT: City Hall (about a 5-minute walk)
Best for: Office lunches when you want something more than a quick fish soup fix
Price range: $$ ($12.90 to $20+)
Must-try: Batang Seafood Soup (about $15)
The first time I sat down here, I nearly ordered the cheapest bowl out of habit. A regular at the next table quietly told me to get the batang fish slices instead. I’m glad I listened.
This isn’t your light, clear fish soup. Yan Ji goes the other way thick, milky broth with a slight sweetness, rich from the seafood itself rather than from adding evaporated milk. The fresh fish slices came firm and fresh, and there were prawns and meatballs crowding the bowl. The chilli sauce on the side has a proper kick. Don’t skip it.
It’s not cheap, and I’ll be honest about that. On a busy lunch hour the seats feel tight, and some days the portion doesn’t quite match what you paid. But when the broth is right, it’s the kind of bowl of fish soup that makes you slow down.
Avoid if: You’re after a simple $5 hawker stall style bowl. This isn’t that, and it doesn’t pretend to be.
Insider tip: Choose your fish rather than defaulting to the cheapest option. The batang and grouper are where this place earns its keep.
2. Chai’s Original Sliced Fish Soup The Everyday Bowl of Fresh Fish Soup
Where: Food Junction @ Funan, 109 North Bridge Road
Nearest MRT: City Hall (connected via the mall)
Best for: A quick, no-fuss weekday lunch
Price range: $ ($4.80 to $6.50)
Must-try: Bittergourd Sliced Fish Soup with thick bee hoon ($4.80)
Some days I don’t want to think about lunch. I just want to eat and get on with it. Chai’s is where I go for that.
It sits inside Food Junction at Funan, nothing fancy about it. The sliced fish soup is clean and light, the way this dish is meant to be. But the one that surprised me was the bitter gourd version. That gentle bitterness cutting through the broth, the thick bee hoon soaking it all up it’s a quieter, more grown-up bowl than the usual.
The salmon version (~$6.50) is decent too, though I lean toward the plain sliced fish. Yes, food-centre pricing here runs a touch higher than a coffee shop stall. But you’re paying for a seat in the aircon and a bowl of fish soup that shows up in minutes.
Avoid if: You want a rich, seafood-heavy experience. This is the lighter, humbler cousin and that’s the point.
Insider tip: Order the bitter gourd version at least once. It’s the one most people walk past, and it’s the one worth trying.
3. Ju Xing Fish: The One for Tangy, Sauerkraut Fish Soup
Where: Raffles City, #03-15/16/17, 252 North Bridge Road
Nearest MRT: City Hall (directly connected to Raffles City)
Best for: When you want fish soup with a little more flavour and personality
Price range: $$ (from $13)
Must-try: Sauerkraut Fish Soup ($13)
Sometimes I don’t want another bowl of plain clear fish soup. I want something with a little more punch. That’s where Ju Xing Fish comes in.
Its signature sauerkraut fish soup has a noticeable tang from the mustard greens, with baby Chinese cabbage and enoki mushrooms adding more texture to the bowl. It’s more assertive than Chai’s clean, everyday soup, but not so heavy that it stops feeling like comfort food.
There are other choices too, including mala and tomato fish soups, but the sauerkraut version is the one I’d start with. It’s the reason to come here when you’re craving fish soup but want something a little different.
It’s a different kind of comfort from Yan Ji. Yan Ji is the bowl I reach for when I want richness. Ju Xing is what I’d choose when I want my fish soup to wake me up a little.
Avoid if: You want a very mild, traditional clear fish soup. The sauerkraut gives this one a noticeable tang.
Insider tip: Go for the sea bass if you prefer softer, more delicate fish. If texture matters more to you, the crunchy grass carp is worth trying.
4. Milkfish & Broth: The One for Delicate Milkfish and Comforting Broth
Where: Raffles City, B1-44F, 252 North Bridge Road
Nearest MRT: City Hall (directly connected to Raffles City)
Best for: When you want a fuller fish soup with a richer collagen broth
Price range: $$ ($13.80 to $23.80)
Must-try: Collagen Broth with Batang ($13.80)
Some days I want fish soup that’s a little more substantial. Milkfish & Broth does that with its collagen broth bowls, which come with options like batang, seafood, tomato, pork, chicken, and wild mushrooms.
The Collagen Broth with Batang is the straightforward choice if you’re here for fish. The broth gives the bowl more body than a simple clear soup, while the batang keeps the meal familiar. If you’re hungrier, the Prawn Collagen Broth with Seafood & Batang adds prawns and more seafood to the mix.
There’s also grilled milkfish belly on the menu if you’d rather have your fish served separately. But for a proper soup fix, I’d stick with the batang collagen broth. It’s filling without feeling quite as heavy as some of the richer seafood bowls.
Avoid if: You’re specifically looking for the cheapest traditional sliced fish soup. The collagen broth bowls sit at a higher price point.
Insider tip: Start with the Collagen Broth with Batang if it’s your first visit. If you’re hungrier, the Prawn Collagen Broth with Seafood & Batang gives you a more generous bowl.
5. Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup: The Popular Black White Fish Soup Stall at Berseh Food Centre
Where: Berseh Food Centre, #02-44, 166 Jalan Besar
Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar
Best for: : Those who want a hearty fish soup with both fried and fresh fish
Price range: $ ($6.50)
Must-try: Black & White Fish Set
Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup is a popular fish soup stall known for its iconic black plastic bowls, spotted across various tables at Berseh Food Centre.
The soup here is a mixed soup of fried fish and fresh fish slices, served with a bowl of white rice. The broth has a distinct ginger flavor and a cloudy, milky broth that comes without adding milk or evaporated milk a unique characteristic compared to other fish soups.
The generous amount of fried fish is tender and soaked with broth, though be wary of fish bones in some pieces. The fried shallots and fried garlic add layers of aroma and flavor, making this a comfort food favorite.
Avoid if: You’re wary of a slightly oily, heavier soup. Mei Xiang leans greasy, making it a bit overwhelming if you’re not used to richer flavors.
Insider tip: Try the black white fish soup with their house-made chili sauce for an extra kick.
So Which Bowl Is Your Best Fish Soup in Singapore?
Here’s a quick summary to help you decide your next fish soup fix:
- Richer, premium broth: Yan Ji Gourmet Seafood Soup — spend a little more, choose your fish for a fuller experience.
- Tangy and flavourful: Ju Xing Fish — go for the sauerkraut fish soup when you want something with more punch than a traditional clear broth.
- Fuller and more substantial: Milkfish & Broth — try the collagen broth with batang when you want a heartier fish soup.
- Everyday and easy on the wallet: Chai’s Original Sliced Fish Soup at Funan Food Centre — affordable, fresh fish slices, and quick service.
- Unique black white fish soup: Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup at Berseh Food Centre — a popular fish soup stall with a distinct milky broth.
Each bowl presents a unique take on fish soup in Singapore, from traditional Teochew styles to modern versions with fried fish and herbal influences. Whether you want clear soup with fresh batang fish and greens or richer, cloudy broth with egg tofu and preserved vegetables, these spots deliver satisfying meals.
Featured are iconic stalls like First Street Teochew Fish Soup, known for its clean taste since 1988, and Jun Yuan House of Fish, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner famed for herbal seafood soup. Han Kee Fish Soup offers a light yet flavourful broth with preserved vegetables, while Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup at Berseh Food Centre is celebrated for its milky broth and generous fried and fresh fish.
For a straightforward meal, stalls at Amoy Street, Maxwell, and Newton Food Centres serve classic versions with fresh, non-fishy fish, spring onions, and clear soup bases. Whether a quick bite or hearty meal, you can find the best fish soup in Singapore to suit your taste.
In Singapore’s evolving food scene, fish soup remains a comforting staple, blending tradition and innovation, always promising a warm, nourishing bowl that satisfies, a sentiment echoed by the diverse culinary delights found in other popular dining spots, such as the best Korean food at ION Orchard.