I’m excited to tell you about Yunos N Family at Ang Mo Kio Central Market & Food Centre, where I reckon you’ll find the best gado-gado in Singapore. This isn’t just another food review – it’s a story that goes back to the 80s.
How It All Started: Granny’s Gado-Gado Adventures
Picture this: my late granny and I, hopping on buses for over an hour from Ang Mo Kio to World Trade Centre (now HarbourFront Centre). Why? For gado-gado at Seah Im Food Centre, haha. Yes, she was a big gado-gado fan.
Those makan dates with Granny were fun. Then she discovered Yunos N Family right in Ang Mo Kio Central. Game changer. Our weekly food adventures suddenly became convenient 10-minute bus rides instead of cross-island marathons.
Fast forward through marriage, house moves, and life happening – I’d completely forgotten about this place. Then, after a routine polyclinic visit, I wandered past the stall. The familiar sights and smells hit me like a wave. All those memories with Granny came flooding back, along with that shared love for gado-gado.
First Things First: The Queue Situation
Don’t Let the Queue Scare You Off
Every single time I rock up to Yunos N Family, there’s a long queue. But here’s the thing – don’t let it put you off. The line moves relatively fast. Only the satay takes a bit longer since they grill it fresh, but they’ll hand you a buzzer to collect later. Everything else? Grab and go.
What’s on Offer
They’ve got all your classic Malay hawker favourites – mee soto, mee rebus, soto ayam, gado-gado, satay – starting from $4. There’s also this neat customisation option where you can jazz up your mee rebus or mee soto with extra bits. Nice touch, that.
The Star of the Show: Why This is Singapore’s Best Gado-Gado
Gado-Gado ($4.50) – Absolute Perfection
Right, let’s get straight to it. This is hands down the best gado-gado I’ve ever eaten. I’ve tried versions all over Singapore, but nothing comes close to this level of satisfaction. It’s not just nostalgia talking – though that certainly adds to the charm.
What’s remarkable is the consistency. Three generations running the show for over four decades, and the taste hasn’t wavered one bit. That’s hawker mastery.
The components are classic:
- Potatoes
- Tau kwa (firm tofu)
- Tempeh
- Cabbage
- Hard-boiled egg
- Ketupat
- Keropok
But here’s where the magic happens – that peanut sauce. Thick, intensely flavourful, bringing everything together in perfect harmony. It’s nutty, sweet, savoury with just enough spice to keep things interesting.
I can polish off an entire plate without thinking twice. Actually, I often contemplate ordering a second one because it’s genuinely addictive.
Beyond Gado-Gado: The Supporting Cast
Mutton & Beef Satay ($0.90 per stick, min. 10 sticks)
Their satay is seriously impressive. I’d put it up against the famous spots at Chomp Chomp Food Centre and East Coast Lagoon Food Village any day.
The meat’s thoroughly marinated – tastes good on its own even without the peanut sauce. The mutton has a subtle gamey edge that sets it apart from the beef, but both are equally good.
Mee Rebus ($4.00) – The Unexpected Winner
Full disclosure: I’m not usually a mee rebus person. Yellow noodles aren’t my usual thing. But my husband’s obsessed with the stuff, so I’ve tried theirs out of curiosity.
Their version is different. Can’t put my finger on exactly what they do, but the gravy has this depth that regular mee rebus lacks. It’s pretty tasty. Pro tip: add begedil. The potato patties work brilliantly with that rich, thick sauce.
Soto Ayam ($4.00) – Aromatic Comfort
Comes with shredded chicken and ketupat pieces. The broth is wonderfully aromatic and surprisingly refreshing. You can taste every spice that’s gone into it. Pure comfort in a bowl.
Bee Hoon Soto ($4.00)
Same brilliant broth, but with rice vermicelli instead of ketupat. Perfect if you prefer noodles to rice.
Why Yunos N Family Gets Everything Right
Every meal here is genuinely comforting. They’re big on bold flavours without being overwhelming or cloying. You leave satisfied but not stuffed, happy but not broke. The hawker centre setting keeps prices sensible.
What really impresses me is how they’ve maintained standards across generations. Many family businesses struggle with this transition, but Yunos N Family has nailed it.
More Than Just Food
This place represents something bigger than just good grub. It’s about preserving traditions, maintaining standards, and keeping authentic flavours alive in an increasingly commercialised food scene.
Every bowl of their gado-gado carries decades of refined recipes and family pride. When friends from overseas ask me about “real” Singapore food, places like this are what I point them towards.
I genuinely hope Yunos N Family continues for many more generations. Our kids, grandkids, and their kids deserve to experience this level of quality and authenticity.
So next time you’re in Singapore and want to experience what many consider the best gado-gado in Singapore, make the trip to Ang Mo Kio Central. Trust me on this one – it’s worth every minute of your time. 😉
Closed on Sundays