Fish head steamboat almost always starts the same way. Someone says they will have just one bowl of soup. Twenty minutes later, they are first in line for a refill. A charcoal pot bubbles in the middle of the table, yam slices soften into the broth, and the soup keeps getting better as the night goes on. This timeless ritual perfectly captures the essence of Tasting Our Tradition, where every simmering pot invites you to experience the rich heritage and deep flavours passed down through generations.
This list covers 10 places worth knowing, from heritage names to neighborhood zi char spots, so you can find the best fish head steamboat in Singapore for your table.
Summary List of 10 Fish Head Steamboat in Singapore
- Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner (North Bridge Road) - Heritage steamboat with a clear, umami-rich broth and soft pomfret fish.
- Whampoa Keng Fish Head Steamboat (Balestier) - Rich, smoky broth with over 30 ingredients and easy-to-eat sliced fish.
- Ah Orh Fishhead Steamboat (Jalan Bukit Merah) - Tangy Teochew-style broth with sour plum and yam, plus a large zi char menu.
- Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Tan (Whampoa Makan Place) - Light, fragrant broth with dried flatfish and firm red snapper slices.
- Hai Chang Fish Head Steamboat (Tampines) - Affordable charcoal steamboat featuring chunky red grouper and a light broth.
- Tian Wai Tian Fish Head Steamboat (Serangoon Road) - Classic no-frills steamboat with ginger, sour plums, and dried plaice in broth.
- Tan Xiang Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat (Kallang) - Family-friendly casual setting with fresh fish slices and a dried seafood broth.
- Chang Long Fish Head Steamboat (Bedok) - Lighter, clear broth with red fish and strong supporting zi char dishes.
- Deli Jie (Whampoa) - Budget-friendly steamboat with sweet fish broth and generous portions.
- Bugis Fish Head Steamboat (Kelantan Lane) - Steamboat and seafood zi char combo with hearty pork ribs and BBQ sotong sides.
1. Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner (North Bridge Road)
Location: 812 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198779
If you want a history lesson in a pot, start here. Nan Hwa Chong first opened in 1927 and has served traditional steamboat for over 90 years. It has never needed to reinvent the dish. The broth uses roughly 12 ingredients and herbs. It starts fairly clear, then deepens as cabbage releases its sweetness, the yam softens and the fish gives the soup more body. By the second refill, it becomes a real umami bomb.
Pomfret and grouper steamboats start from around $39, while song fish is the more affordable option from around $28. Pomfret's soft, sweet flesh sits beautifully against the savory broth. Song fish pots start from around $28 if you're watching your budget, and grouper is the easier pick if your table prefers thick slices over picking around bones.
What it's Best for
First-timers who want a heritage charcoal fish head steamboat.
Why It Made the List
Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner stands out for its rich heritage and time-tested recipe that has been perfected over more than 90 years. The use of roughly 12 unique ingredients in the broth creates a clear yet deeply umami and flavourful base that evolves beautifully as the meal progresses.
2. Whampoa Keng Fish Head Steamboat (Balestier)
Location: 556 Balestier Road, Singapore 329872
When I want the broth to hit harder, Whampoa Keng is my pick. Its addictive soup uses over 30 ingredients, and the charcoal gives it a robust smokiness. It's richer from the very first spoonful and grows fuller once the yam and vegetables melt in. Here, the first bowl is good and the third is even better.
The Fish Head Steamboat with Batang Sliced Fish (from $45) is easy for families because nobody has to dig for bones. The red garoupa starts from ($55) has firmer, meatier flesh, and its thick slices hold together even when everyone is too busy chatting to fish them out.
Insider tip: Maybe skip stacking salted egg prawns, cereal prawns and crab all at once, unless your cholesterol enjoys a challenge.
What it's Best for
Big family gatherings that love a rich broth and sliced fish.
Why it made the list
Its broth uses more than 30 ingredients and comes with options like Bardan sliced fish, red garoupa, and pomfret, giving diners both depth and variety.
3. Ah Orh Fishhead Steamboat (Jalan Bukit Merah)
Location: 115 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-1627, Singapore 160115
There's something reassuringly old-school about Ah Orh. The room isn't trying to impress anyone, so all the attention lands on the food. Its fishhead steamboat leans Teochew, and you taste it right away. Yam gives the broth body, while sour plum adds a gentle tang that keeps it from becoming too heavy. The recipe is a secret, and the result is tangier than most.
You can choose pomfret or grouper, both sourced fresh from the markets daily. Prices are seasonal, so expect them to shift. Pomfret's natural sweetness works especially well against that sharper broth. With a zi char menu of nearly 60 dishes, there's plenty to fill the table.
What it's Best for
Diners who enjoy Teochew-style soup with sour plum and yam.
Why it made the list
Its tangier broth and seasonal pomfret or grouper give it a more distinctive Teochew character than many of the heavier charcoal steamboats.
4. Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Tan (Whampoa Makan Place)
Location: 91 Whampoa Drive, #01-14/15, Singapore 320091.
Some nights call for something lighter and a lot less fancy. That's when I think of this crowd favorite at Whampoa Makan Place in Whampoa Market. The broth is clear and fragrant, thanks to dried flatfish (ti po) that perfumes the table before the bowls are even handed out. It starts clean, then the cabbage adds sweetness and the yam slices give it body.
The Red Snapper Fish Slice Steamboat (from $28) is the one to get. The flesh stays firm enough to handle the charcoal simmer without falling apart. Other fish are available too, with prices going up to $50 for certain varieties. It's the kind of fish soup you can drink three bowls of without needing a nap afterward.
What it's Best for
Families and groups who like a richer, smokier broth with sliced fish.
Why it made the list
Its broth uses more than 30 ingredients and comes with options like Bardan sliced fish, red garoupa, and pomfret, giving diners both depth and variety. The charcoal adds a stronger smoky character than lighter Teochew-style pots. It is also a good fit for groups because sliced-fish options make the meal easier to share without dealing with too many bones
5. Hai Chang Fish Head Steamboat (Tampines)
Location: 137A Tampines Street 11, #01-03, Singapore 522137
For east-siders, Hai Chang saves the long trip across the island whenever the charcoal craving hits. It's also one of the more affordable options. The Red Grouper Fish Head Steamboat starts from $34, which explains why the place is usually packed.
The red grouper comes in proper chunky pieces that stay juicy while everyone tucks into other dishes. The broth is lighter than Whampoa Keng's and may seem restrained at first. Give it time. As the vegetables sweeten and the yam breaks down, the soup gains real depth. That's the quiet magic of a traditional steamboat: the meal keeps cooking while you eat.
What it's Best For
East-side families looking for red grouper at a relatively approachable price
Why it made to the list
Its lighter broth develops gradually as the yam and vegetables cook down, while the chunky grouper pieces hold up well in the pot. The pricing keeps it competitive with some of the more famous names on the list. Its Tampines location also gives east-side diners a solid neighbourhood option without travelling across Singapore.
6. Tian Wai Tian Fish Head Steamboat (Serangoon Road)
Location: 1383 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328254
Tian Wai Tian has many outlets, but this original remains the most popular. Its head steamboat is beautifully no-frills. Fish, yam and vegetables simmer around the charcoal in a broth built from ginger, sour plums and dried plaice. The natural flavors of the fresh ingredients come through with a slightly sweet tang.
The smallest serving starts from $35 and comes with a generous portion of fresh pomfret slices, yam, vegetables and ti po. Red grouper is a forgiving choice too. Its thick slices stay juicy even if the conversation moves faster than the chopsticks.
What it's Best For
A classic neighbourhood-style pomfret or grouper steamboat
Why it made to the list
The combination of fish, yam, vegetables, sour plum, ginger, and dried plaice gives it the familiar traditional profile many diners look for. The soup balances sweetness, savouriness, and gentle tang rather than leaning heavily in one direction. Its long-running Serangoon presence also gives it the kind of neighbourhood character that suits this dish well
Insider tip: Resist stirring the pot every thirty seconds. Delicate fish doesn't improve with constant poking. For a side, the tofu with prawns brings silken tofu that nearly collapses under your spoon.
7. Tan Xiang Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat (Kallang)
Location: 5 Kallang Place, Singapore 339152
Tan Xiang is a little different. It sits inside an industrial canteen, so don't expect linen tablecloths. The Kallang outlet, also called Tan Xiang Playground, has proper group seating plus arcade games and claw machines for the kids. It's casual, but clearly designed with families in mind.
The Charcoal Fishhead Steamboat is the main event. The fresh fish slices arrive separately, so you control how long they cook. Drop the grouper in briefly and it stays springy. Forget it while debating another dish and, well, you'll find out. The broth has a strong dried-seafood character, with tomato, vegetables and yam adding sweetness over time.
What it's Best for:
Family gatherings with restless kids and a love of thick, fresh fish slices.
Why it made the list
Beyond the charcoal fishhead steamboat itself, the Kallang outlet adds group seating, arcade games, and claw machines, making it one of the more family-oriented options. The fish slices are served separately, so diners can control how long they cook them. That setup, together with the casual industrial-canteen setting, makes it especially practical for larger family groups.
8. Chang Long Fish Head Steamboat (Bedok)
Location: 22 Bedok North Street 2, #01-110, Singapore 460122.
This unassuming coffee shop under an HDB block may be less famous than the big names, but it holds its own. Steamboats start at $40, built around red fish in a lighter, clearer broth with plenty of cabbage for natural sweetness. It's a soup you can keep coming back to, rather than one that defeats you by the second bowl.
Chang Long really shines when the whole zi char menu ends up on the table. The fried pork with garlic is crisp and fragrant. The deep-fried yam ring with seafood is crisp outside and soft within, a very old-school dish that's hard to dislike.
What it's Best for
Bedok family dinners with strong supporting zi char.
Why it made the list
Its lighter fish steamboat works well alongside dishes such as fried pork with garlic and yam ring, making it a strong choice for a full communal meal. The broth is less aggressive than some of the richer pots, so it does not overpower the rest of the table. Its neighbourhood coffee-shop setting also makes it feel more like an everyday family dinner spot than a destination restaurant.
Avoid if: You're mainly after chilli crab. Reviewers suggest saving that budget for elsewhere.
9. Deli Jie (Whampoa)
Location: 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-70, Whampoa Makan Place, Singapore 320090
Here's another reason to love the Whampoa Market area. Deli Jie's Batang Fish Steamboat costs $28, making it one of the most affordable on this list. The portion is generous enough to feed up to three people.
The broth is sweet and fish-forward, filled out with Chinese napa cabbage and yam slices for texture. It's simple, honest and comforting, the kind of pot that suits a casual weeknight more than a big celebration.
What it's Best for
Small groups after a budget-friendly steamboat dinner.
Why it made the list
ts $28 Batang Fish Steamboat is one of the more affordable options in the article and is generous enough for a small group. The broth keeps things simple with cabbage and yam rather than piling on too many flavours. It is also a practical alternative in Whampoa when some of the better-known nearby steamboat stalls have long queues
10. Bugis Fish Head Steamboat (Kelantan Lane)
Location: Block 31 Kelantan Lane, #01-12, Singapore 200031
Rounding out the list is Bugis Fish Head Steamboat, a spot where fish head steamboat and seafood zi char share the spotlight. Expect to spend around $30 for the Fish Head Steamboat, cooked over a charcoal stove. That's a fair price for something so warm and communal.
The sides get plenty of love here too. The Mongolian Pork Ribs and grilled BBQ Sotong, brushed in a savory barbecue sauce, are both popular. Each runs around $20, depending on how many people you're feeding.
What it's Best for
Groups who want steamboat plus hearty zi char in one meal.
Why it made the list
Its reasonably priced steamboat is backed by popular sides such as Mongolian Pork Ribs and BBQ Sotong, making it a versatile group-dining stop. The charcoal cooking keeps it firmly within the traditional fish head steamboat style. Its broad zi char support menu also makes it a good choice for groups where not everyone wants to focus only on fish soup.
Finding Your Best Fish Head Steamboat in Singapore
So there you have it: 10 pots, each with its own personality. For heritage and a gorgeous pomfret steamboat, Nan Hwa Chong is hard to beat. If you love a rich, smoky broth, Whampoa Keng delivers. Fans of tangy Teochew flavors will feel at home at Ah Orh or Tian Wai Tian. Hai Chang, Deli Jie and Xin Heng Feng keep things friendly on the wallet.
What I love most about this dish is how it slows everyone down. The pot keeps simmering, the broth keeps changing, and nobody is in a hurry to leave. Pick the spot nearest you, double-check the opening hours, and gather your favorite people around the charcoal.
The best sign of a great fish head steamboat is a table still sipping broth long after dinner was supposed to end.
Craving for the best Fish soup in Singapore? We got you covered, just read and visit our article on Behind the Steam of the Best Fish Soup in Singapore
