Lau Pa Sat is still going strong. Many stalls there now accept digital payments and the centre is airy and well ventilated. But, the price of an average meal has risen by about 100% since then.
The best bargain may not be in the hawker centre. It may be in the stock market. Much ink has been spilled on the Singapore Exchange’s (SGX) solid show in 2025. It has risen 20% in total return terms. Dividend gains represent a fourth of that.
I first moved to Singapore in July 1997 from London. The pound was equal to three Singapore dollars. The Spice Girls were still top of the pops.
The move was a step up in lifestyle. There was a massive food court in Shenton Way called Lau Pa Sat. It had a vast array of choices. The cuisine ranged from roti prata to chicken rice.
The average meal was priced at around $2, or around 70 pence. In London, you could barely get a chocolate bar for that price.
