786 Char Kway Teow has been newly added to the MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2026, and it is a notable entry for two reasons: it is a halal-certified char kway teow stall run by a Muslim convert, and it is located at Bukit Merah View Food Centre, a hawker hub in the south that has been steadily growing its reputation. The stall is helmed by Anis, who is both owner and chef, and he holds a Muslim conversion card that confirms the halal status of the operation.
What Sets It Apart
Halal char kway teow is not common in Singapore. Most versions use lard for that signature wok hei and richness, but 786 Char Kway Teow achieves the same smoky, savoury depth without it. The MICHELIN Guide recognition confirms what regulars already knew: this is a stall that stands on its own merit, not a curiosity. The dish that Anis serves has more in common with Penang-style char kway teow than the sweeter Singapore version, with a noticeable spice level that builds as you eat.
What to Expect
The stall serves classic fried kway teow with cockles, eggs, bean sprouts and fishcake, wok-fried to order. Each plate comes with the telltale charred edges and a balance of sweet, savoury and spicy, the holy trinity of a good plate of char kway teow. There are three portion sizes available: small at SGD 4.50, middle at SGD 5.50, and large at SGD 6.50. The small portion is enough for a single eater, and the middle portion is the one most regulars order.
The noodles lean towards the spicy side, which is worth noting if you have a low spice tolerance. After three or four bites, you will likely reach for a cold drink, which is part of the experience. The spice is not the kind that hits you on the first bite, it builds gradually as the chilli releases into the sauce. If you want a milder version, ask Anis for less chilli when you order, and he will adjust the wok seasoning accordingly.
The Halal Char Kway Teow Question
The most common question from non-Muslim diners is whether char kway teow can really work without pork lard. The answer, after eating at 786, is yes, with caveats. The dish lacks the crisp pork lard crunch that defines the traditional Teochew version, but Anis compensates with a more aggressive wok hei and a spicier sauce profile. The cockles are still there, plump and briny, and the egg is still folded through the noodles for richness. The texture is closer to the Penang style, which is drier and spicier than the Singapore style, and that is a deliberate choice that makes the absence of lard less noticeable.
The Details
- Location: Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, 115 Bukit Merah View, #01-28, Singapore 151115
- Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT (East-West Line, 10-minute walk) or Redhill MRT (East-West Line, 12-minute walk)
- Hours: Saturday to Thursday, 12pm to 8pm (closed on Friday)
- Halal status: Halal-certified, Muslim-owned by a Muslim convert
- Prices: Small SGD 4.50, Middle SGD 5.50, Large SGD 6.50
- Style: Penang-style, spicy, no pork, no lard
Why the 2026 Michelin Listing Matters
The MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2026 listing for 786 Char Kway Teow is significant because it puts a halal hawker stall on the map for a dish that has historically been defined by pork. Bukit Merah View Market has been quietly building its reputation as a south-side hawker destination, and the Michelin listing is the first major recognition for the market. For Muslim diners in the south, it means a Michelin-recognised char kway teow is now within a 10-minute MRT ride, and for non-Muslim diners, it is a chance to try a version of the dish that solves the lard problem without compromising on wok hei.
Pair your visit with a stop at neighbouring Tiong Bahru for coffee and pastries to make a full afternoon of it. The walk from Tiong Bahru MRT to Bukit Merah View takes about 10 minutes through the HDB estate, and the market itself has a handful of other stalls worth queuing for, including a chwee kueh stall and a fish soup stall that share the same lunch rush. Come on a weekday if you want to skip the longest queues, the stall opens at 12pm and the queue typically builds between 12:30pm and 1:30pm.
