We hate it when good, cheap eats go commercial. So we set our taste buds on an expedition around Singapore to find hawkers who aren’t hot on the radar, just yet. But these places are too good to stay hidden much longer. So eat up, before they hit the guidebooks.

1. Ban Mian at L.32 Shou Gong Mian
Stall 32, Lorong 32 Geylang, 558 Geylang Rd.

The stall: The youngest of the lot, Benjamin Xia, 30, and Shirley Ng, 28, actually used to sell drinks before they took over the previous ban mian stall owner. They now make their own noodles daily.

The dish: These homemade noodles have just the right thickness and are soft and supple (plus they don't stick to your teeth). The soup is light yet flavorful and complements the fresh and slightly sweet prawns and extremely crispy fried anchovies. But the best bit is the chili, a mixture of blended and chopped chilies, which is delightfully spicy.

The damage: $3-5.50

2. Black Carrot Cake at Le Yi Shi Fried Carrot Cake
#01-38, 93 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 Hawker Centre.

The stall: In the heart of residential Toa Payoh, Tan Choi Mui and her elder sister fry up both black and white carrot cake.

The dish: The carrot cake here is chopped thickly, so those who prefer chunky cuts will be pleased. Fried until slightly caramelized, it's evenly coated with thick, dark soy sauce. It’s not cloyingly sweet and is balanced well with the somewhat fiery and sour chili.

The damage: $2-3

3. Briyani at Ali Nachia Briyani Dam
Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, 30 Keppel Rd., 9389-2615.
Come May 31, the stall will move to #02-04, Blk. 5 Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

The stall: Owned by ex-butcher, ex-wedding caterer and ex-football manager Mohamed Ali Latif, who just so happens to be the father of Singaporean footballer Rafi Ali (who occasionally helps out) since 2003.

The dish: A combination of Northern and Southern Indian influences, the briyani here consists of raita, curry with eggplant and potato, mutton and achar. The rice is fragrant but not too oily, and is topped with a generous chunk of mutton that’s amazingly tender when bitten into. The raita is also different from the standard, watery types and is rich and satisfying.

The damage: $6

4. Char Kway Teow at Heng Huat Fried Kway Teow
#01-36 Pasir Panjang Food Centre, 121 Pasir Panjang Rd., 9735-5236.

The stall: Here since 1984, Peter Tan’s the third generation cooking up a storm with his family recipe.

The dish: It’s surprisingly vegetable-heavy, but in a good way. Tasty yet not scarily oily, the crunch from the vegetables (we reckon they'e about 60 percent cooked) mingles well with the softness of the kway teow.

The damage: $3

5. Chinese Rojak at Stall 11 Economic Bee Hoon – Nasi Lemak – Rojak
Stall 11 Sembawang Hill Food Centre, 590 Upper Thomson Rd.

The stall: This 7-year-old stall is hidden in a quiet residential area, but it's worth the hunt.

The dish: Portions here are generous, so come prepared to eat. The fruits and veggies are chopped into large chunks and tossed with you tiao, tao pok and rojak sauce. The toasted you tiao is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a mildly-charred taste, while the tao pok is softer than the you tiao and absorbs the sauce nicely. We particularly liked the zestiness of the sauce, a great contrast to the flavor of the chopped peanuts and the sweetness of the pineapple chunks.

The damage: $3-4

6. Fish Ball Noodles at Da Zhong Meatball, Fishball, Kway Teow Mee
#02-196 Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 9646-2094.

The stall: Owner Lim Hoo Kim has been selling yong tau fu since 1975, but stopped in 2009 because of his deteriorating health. He now specializes in meat balls and fish balls, making about 500 everyday.

The dish: The stars here are the springy and firm homemade fish balls, but fish cakes and steamed and deep fried meat balls are also in the mix (all full of flavor). The meat balls are just delish, with a tantalizing pork flavor and slightly chunky texture.

The damage: $2.80

7. Hainanese Chicken Rice at Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
#01-15 Alexandra Village Food Centre, 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1.

The stall: Joseph Seah's been around for 21 years doing what he does best, but it wasn't always easy. He had to borrow money from others to start this stall. Well, it certainly paid off.

The dish: If you’re a lazy bugger, you’ll be thrilled with this find: Fluffy, fragrant rice with moist and juicy chicken flesh. Don’t forget to pile on the delicious, finelyground chili. The soup is also slurp-worthy and has a slight herbal taste (although only chicken stock is used).

The damage: $3

8. Herbal Mutton Soup at New World Mutton Soup
#01-55 Bedok Interchange Food Centre, 207 New Upper Changi Rd., 9181-8037.

The stall: This forth generation family business started out in Kitchener Road at New World, but moved to Bedok in 1998. Current man-in-charge Thomas Ng started helping his father out when he was just 12.

The dish: We know folks who won’t even go near mutton because of the smell. But they haven’t tried the mutton soup here. The broth is both hearty and comforting, while the meat’s not tough at all. The chili has a slight Thai-style sweet and spicy tang.

The damage: $4-10

9. Hor Fun at Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty
#02-33 Mei Ling Food Centre, 159 Mei Chin Rd.

The stall: Open since 1969, Fong Pak Thim and his wife Tham Wai Yee started this back in their thirties to earn a living. They're now in their late seventies. You do the math.

The dish: Chicken hor fun done just right. The gravy has just the right amount of salt to be flavorsome yet isn’t too thick, while chicken slices are tender. But what makes this a real winner are the mushrooms—large, sweet and juicy.

The damage: $3-5

10. Kway Chap at 138 Kway Chap & Porridge
#02-138 Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Rd.

The stall: Veteran owner Lee Cheng Chua has been making kway chap for over 30 years.

The dish: This is a tribute to all things porcine, served with tender pork slices, pig skin and pork intestines. The mix of textures is great when eaten with the slippery noodles, salted vegetables and a braised hard-boiled egg all swimming in savory dark soy-based sauce.

The damage: $3

11. Laksa at Wei Yi Laksa & Prawn Noodle
Stall 20 Tanglin Halt Market & Food Centre, 48A Tanglin Halt Rd.

The stall: The food speaks for itself, as it's the most popular dish among diners at this hawker center. Almost every table had Wei Yi Laksa & Prawn Noodle's distinct red bowl.

The dish: The gravy is rich without being too thick, with just the right amount of fieriness. The serving of chicken strips, prawns and sliced fish cakes is generous too. If you’re all about the heat, just throw in more of their yummy sambal.

The damage: $3-3.50

12. Malay Chicken Rice at Lorong Limau Muslim Chicken Rice
Stall 1, 56 Kim Keat Rd., 8400-2206.

The stall: Tucked away at a quiet spot in Balestier, Mohamed Noh has been serving up fab grub for the last five years.

The dish: The serving of fried chicken is generous, the batter light but very crispy, and the rice fragrant and moist. With suitably spicy chunky chili paired with fresh cucumbers and lettuce to cool your mouth, we’re willing to forgive the mediocrity of the soup.

The damage: $3

13. Mee Rebus at Rahim Muslim Food
#01-02 Ah Seah Eating House, Kovan Centre, 9 Yio Chu Kang Rd., 9786-7362.

The stall: Here for the past 12 years, Rahim Haji Saian used to help out at his parents’ stall before taking it over. His winning recipe is a formula passed down from 50 years ago.

The dish: It’s the only hawker we know of that puts satay sauce on mee rebus. The thickness of the gravy is balanced with the nutty taste and slightly chunky texture of the satay sauce.

The damage: $2.80

14. Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle at Lai Heng Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle
#01-62 Ngee Huat Eating House, 51 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, 9620-2074.

The stall: A family business that's been running for 29 years, they moved to their current location about 10 months ago.

The dish: The minced pork is not too soft and has a perfectly chewy texture, while the succulent mushroom slices introduce a rich, savory element into the dish. Top it all off with sinful, scrumptious pieces of pork lard, which melt beautifully in your mouth when bitten into.

The damage: $3-5

15. Nasi Ayam Penyet at Nur Indah Kitchen
Stall 007 Bedok Corner Food Centre, 1 Bedok Rd., 9389-4301.

The stall: Relative newbies, Hajjah Roziah and husband Sakuwan BJ have only been doing this since 2006 but now get through roughly 30 kilos of chili every two days.

The dish: The crunchy yet tender chicken is a winner, and it goes wonderfully with the rice cooked in chicken stock. The chili is both sweet and sour with a kick, but not overpowering.

The damage: $4.50

16. Nasi Lemak at Sheikh Najib Nasi Lemak
18 Rowell Rd., 6245-7134.

The stall: Blink and you just might miss this spot in a small shophouse in overcrowded Little India.

The dish: Start with fragrant and plentiful rice, topping that with some chunky and slightly sweet sambal. The chicken drumstick and wing served alongside are fried to crisp, golden perfection; there’s also fried egg omelet and ikan bilis, served atop a banana leaf-covered plate.

The damage: $3.50

17. Nasi Padang at Hajjah Mona Nasi Padang
#02-166 Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre, 1 Geylang Serai, 8282-6902.

The stall: Maimoonah Mamud has been cooking since 1985. Originally hailing from a stall in Orchard, Lee Kuan Yew personally handed her a place in the old Geylang Serai Market when her husband died.

The dish: It’s a mixture of textures and flavors, both fragrant and colorful. The ayam bakar was especially tender with a smoky flavor, and a perfect match with the power-packed chili padi paste. The urap—fresh, raw vegetables tossed with bean sprouts and grated coconut—is a favorite among customers, and we can certainly understand why. The crunchiness coupled with the coconut flavor is hugely addictive.

The damage: $5-6.50

18. Or Luak at Riverside Good Food
#01-21 Zion Riverside Food Centre, 86 Zion Rd.

The stall: While Zion Riverside Food Centre is better known for dishes like char kway teow, duck rice and fried carrot cake, don't let the lack of an obscenely long line at this nondescript stall deter you.

The dish: Expect a scrumptious eat that’s notable for its excellent execution. We’re talking about an omelet that’s fried to perfection; its crisp, savory exterior is a lovely contrast to fresh, succulent oysters that burst with juicy goodness in your mouth, plus there's pork lard. It almost doesn't need the tangy chili sauce. Almost.

The damage: $4-8

19. Roti Prata at Riyadh Muslim Food
Stall 12 Soon Soon Lai Eating House, 32 Defu Lane 10, 6281-2664.

The stall: Located in a coffeeshop in an industrial part of Hougang, Abdul Azeez sells about 500 pratas each day.

The dish: Just slightly bigger than your palm, the prata’s not too thick or thin. With a golden brown coat that’s crisp and insides that are still soft and fluffy, we could easily wolf down two or more. Have it with their full-flavored chicken curry.

The damage: $0.70-1.30

20. Sup Tulang at Al Kader Restaurant
#01-534, 820 Tampines St. 81, 9004-7030.

The stall: Although most go to the outlet at Golden Mile Food Centre (visited by Anthony Bourdain), residents of the far east know that this one's better—it’s quieter, less hectic, and the more generous portions here make it worth the trek.

The dish: Don’t let the deep red gravy put you off, this is a fab rendition with a strong tomato taste. The meat it comes with is tender and unlike other sup tulangs, there’s lots of marrow in the bone just waiting to be slurped up.

The damage: $6-12

Your music has evolved tremendously, starting with country rock, then moving on to R&B and jazz influences. Why so metamorphic?
It’s change or die. As a musician you have to evolve. My taste in music was changing and I was writing things with all kinds of chords that it didn’t feel like Loggins and Messina, so that’s why I decided to go solo.

How different is writing for movies as opposed to writing your own album?
For myself, I find something within me worth writing about. For movies, the emotion is handed to me by the director, and I have to find a way to artfully underscore it to accompany the given scene.

Is it a challenge appealing to today’s young audience?
Yes. The trick is not to try to. Maybe they’ll like it, maybe they won’t. I don’t try to make records for young people to like. Young people have their music, and we have our own.

Which song gets requested the most when you go on tour?
"Footloose" is popular throughout Asia. Radio plays a part in making people like a particular song. Most people like whichever song that’s got heavy airplay.

What was your most memorable touring experience?
When I played in a club in Germany, there were only 50 people in it with guys asking me to sign records. At the end of the show, there were all girls and the audience had doubled. I haven’t played in a room with that little people in a while.

Experience the 80s all over again with Kenny Loggins on May 24, 8pm. Singapore Expo Hall 3, 6403-2160. $88-248 from Sistic.

I have never been called a pervert. My models know what I do is artistic.

I hardly buy art, fashion and photography magazines because if I did, my bank account would be pretty bare!

When it comes to fine art photography, I would rather be exposed to an environment void of censorship. Singapore still has some way to go in opening up. Also, people need to be educated that collecting photography as art can also be lucrative.

Many of us living in developed countries are very pampered and take too many things in life for granted. Clean water is one of them. If only these people were put somewhere in Africa or India for a day, they would realize how lucky they were and not complain so much!

In 10 years time, I would’ve hopefully won the lottery and retired. If not, I will still be slogging away practicing my craft as a photographer but hopefully doing it for the sake of art and not just for a living.

I want to make films. I see that as a natural progression for me as a photographer. I’m already taking film-making courses. I see myself in Asia still, but hopefully a more liberated one.

Nude photography is something I do to satisfy my artistic soul.

What makes me nervous is not being able to capture what I set out to achieve.

My first time photographing a nude was quite challenging. The session took place on a pretty deserted beach in Hawaii. I had planned this shoot and had brought with me a five meter long organza and wanted to capture the fabric taking flight as he posed in the strong breezes.

Back then, you had to be very careful with nudity. Things are much better now.

I hope it won’t be long before Singapore embraces all kinds of art. The arts scene will really boom as it will set free many hidden talents.

The most stunning model I’ve ever photographed is the aerial artist extraordinaire, The Amazing Ari. He has piercing blue eyes, a strong physique, captivating tattoos, and is very adept at posing, being the performer he is.

The worst insult I’ve ever received is “anyone can shoot what you shoot”.

I salute Robert Mapplethorpe for his bold images. He is a master of documentation photography during his era.

My mother once said to me, “As a photographer, shoot what you like. Don’t allow yourself to be restricted by boundaries.”

Pushing the boundaries could be described as one of the hallmarks of great art, and it’s certainly something I would like to do.

My personal quest for liberty has been a long and arduous one.

My dream is to prove to the average Singaporean that it is possible to dream big and achieve big things in sports like MMA.

I pretty much stayed out of fights when I was younger. I knew I had to pick my fights and fight them the right way, so I chose to walk away.

The best thing about being a teenager is the innocence of youth and discovering yourself on a daily basis.

Puberty was an interesting process, but that’s one of the few things I wouldn’t particularly miss, except for the growth spurt in my height.

Height is a small factor in the dating game. My height gets me noticed, but it’s not the only thing about me that’s a good ice-breaker and conversation-starter.

When I was a paramedic, I had to fly solo with my ambulance driver to send a woman in a lifethreatening situation to the hospital. It was the most challenging ambulance call I attended, but I learned so much about myself from that experience.

MMA is truly the most honest form of expression in terms of martial arts. It started out as a means of pitting all the different forms of martial arts to see which ones are the most effective. Today, the sport has evolved to a state where it demands that its athletes be well-versed in all the various forms of striking and grappling.

MMA competitors embody the apex of physical conditioning; the better well-rounded competitor with superior conditioning usually triumphs.

Some athletes fall back on the excuse that they are under pressure to perform at the highest levels constantly, so they choose to indulge in performance-enhancing drugs (PED). My principles are against taking such PEDs.

My favorite dish is my cheat meal of nasi lemak, especially the one my mother cooks.

You could classify my family as traditional. There was that initial concern over the path I’ve chosen but it’ll get better.

In Singapore, any sporting endeavor is seen as an unstable career choice, and the stereotypes associated with combat sports competitors is still prevalent.

My idol is MMA Fighter Georges St-Pierre. He is an epitome of discipline, dedication and a true martial artist.

Muay Thai World Champion Yoddecha Sityodtong once said: “A diamond is only formed after a lump of coal is molded by tremendous pressure for years.” He rose above a terrible childhood to win his first world championship at age 22 and has been featured on History Channel’s Human Weapon documentary. He’s a role model and a teacher.

A lot of people settle for much less in life as that is comfortable for them. I’d rather work hard in pursuit of a life I want to live, instead of settling for a life that others think I should lead.

There’s no plot, so it’s not exactly a musical. Creator Adrian Grant sets the record straight of this tribute show: “It’s not an impersonation and we’re not trying to replicate him. We’re doing an interpretation of his live performance.”

They’ve toured for three years and have been seen by over 1.2 million people. Why so successful? “MJ appeals to everyone around the world,” Grant continues. “The show is designed for people to get a taste of what it’s like to see him in concert. It’s not a theatrical show where you sit down and gently applause. Everyone who sees the show gets up and dance, as old as 70 and as young as five.”

The show’s prevalence with the youth is echoed in 13-year-old Tariq Wooding-Olajorin, who plays little MJ, belting hits from Jackson 5. Another young vocalist, 21-year-old Alex Buchanan, described his performance as, “Energetic, passionate and hard. It’s difficult to recreate MJ’s energy and natural presence. But if I did everything just like he did, it will be more of a tribute to MJ rather than sharing the respect and influence of what he did.

”Everyone on the production is a die-hard fan, gushing over his art. “He made dancing cool,” says choreographer Gary Llyod.

Vocalist John Moabi has been performing before the singer’s death, a passing that never really sank in for him. “I haven’t had the chance to be away from his music, it’s like he’s still alive for me. When I do finish the show, I’ll just break down!”

When asked about their most memorable tour, South Africa was Grant’s pick. “Seeing Black and White performing with black and white people next to each other, enjoying the music, was a great experience.”“

The loudest were the Germans,” adds Moabi. Let’s hope Singapore matches up.

Catch Thriller Live through May 15, The Grand Theater at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868. $90-170 from Sistic.

Hands up if you have no clue where Yong Siak Street is. No, not to be confused with Keong Siak Road in Chinatown. It’s Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru, where trendy indie boookstore BooksActually has moved to since March—marking this its third move in five years: From culture-rich Telok Ayer Street to Ann Siang Hill, then followed by Club Street; it has now settled in this nondescript little suburb.

Why here? “We love its kampong-y feel. When we were at Club Street, there was no time to slow down. The restaurants and bars there get very rowdy,” says owner Kenny Leck. The move wasn’t just so they could bring out their bikes and cycle, as they do now. It came down to finding somewhere cheaper and bigger.

Most things remain the same despite the move. They still keep it personal, from their home collection of typewriters to their very own BooksActually sanitary disposal bags. It’s still a reflection of their tastes— consisting of Ilford cameras ($280 upwards), vintage world maps ($15 each) and Coca-Cola collectibles ($20 upwards).

“We’re different from just any retail store—this space reflects our lives. People feel like they’re stepping into someone else’s home,” says Karen Wai. And people keep coming in—young or old or wherever they’re from, everyone’s welcome. “We don’t subscribe to the business idea of having a target audience. Everybody loves a good read; it doesn’t matter where you’re from,” Leck adds.

Even Singaporeans? “A lot of people complain that Singaporeans don’t read books. But there has always been an abundance of secondhand bookshops since the 60s—they’re just tucked away. Our reading culture might not be so recognized as in London or France, where you see people reading on trains and buses,” he says. “You see it here at home, online— where people quote from books we never thought they’d be reading,” Wai quips.

They choose their books simply—by bringing in non-bestsellers from bestselling authors such as George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London ($26.50), and favorites from well-known authors such as Raymond Carver’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Love ($20.50), which inspired Haruki Murakami. “We still stock books you can’t get at major bookstores,” says Leck. “The books might not have any proven sales record, but it’s what we like.”

No proven sales record and no niche market—that’s ballsy indeed. They’ve been thriving, from an 800 sq. ft. shophouse five years ago, they’ve since expanded into the stationery line Birds & Co., with outlets in Cathay Cineleisure and Tangs, the latter a month old.

BooksActually could very well be your golden ticket to greatness. Believing there’s a lot of undiscovered talent out there, they plan to be the publishing platform for young writers. Their Ceriph project is one such space, and through this, there are already plans to introduce works from these up-and-comers to retailers worldwide.

Moving has been absolutely taxing and the duo plans to stay put at their latest store. Right now, Tiong Bahru doesn’t look too bad a place to grow roots at all—just around the corner is the coffee shop that Eric Khoo’s Mee Pok Man was filmed at, which thrills newcomers.

BooksActually is currently located at 9 Yong Siak St., 6222-9195. Open Mon 11am-6pm, Tue-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm.