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The Original Vadai

3.7 (90 reviews)
✅ MUIS Certified
🥡 Takeaway
🍽️ Dine In
The Original Vadai stands as Singapore's pioneering halal-certified vadai specialist, proudly carrying the distinction of being the first vadai stall in Singapore to achieve MUIS halal certification since establishing their unique concept in 1989. With multiple strategic locations including Aljunied MRT Station, Amoy Street Food Centre, Anchorvale Village, Joo Chiat Shophouses, Northpoint City, and the prestigious Jewel Changi Airport, The Original Vadai has created an accessible network that introduces both locals and international visitors to the authentic South Indian snack culture that defines Singapore's diverse street food heritage. Their commitment to halal certification ensures that these traditional Indian snacks remain inclusive to Singapore's multicultural community, while their dedication to maintaining authentic preparation methods preserves the cultural significance of vadai as both comfort food and cultural bridge between traditional Indian cuisine and contemporary Singaporean snacking preferences.

The signature menu at The Original Vadai showcases their mastery of traditional vadai-making techniques, featuring their legendary Prawn Vadai topped with crispy prawns that create the perfect balance of light, fluffy texture and rich umami flavors that have attracted devoted followings and long queues across all their locations. Their diverse selection includes the popular Ikan Bilis Vadai featuring aromatic dried anchovies, Grago Vadai with unique local adaptations, traditional Chilli Vadai for spice enthusiasts, and innovative modern interpretations like Cheese Vadai and even Chocolate Vadai that demonstrate their willingness to evolve traditional recipes while maintaining authentic preparation standards. Each vadai is prepared fresh throughout their daily 10 AM to 10 PM operating hours, creating the distinctive aromas that attract customers from considerable distances and the signature long queues that have become synonymous with quality vadai experiences in Singapore.

The Original Vadai's remarkable success stems from their unwavering commitment to quality consistency across all locations, ensuring that whether customers visit their Amoy Street heritage location or their modern Jewel Changi Airport outlet, they receive the same exceptional vadai experience that has defined the brand for over three decades. Their ability to maintain traditional South Indian snack culture while adapting to contemporary retail environments—from traditional food centers to modern shopping complexes—demonstrates their sophisticated understanding of cultural preservation versus commercial accessibility. The brand's role as cultural ambassador, introducing traditional Indian snacks to Singapore's diverse population while maintaining halal standards that serve the broadest possible community, positions them as both heritage preservationists and inclusive food innovators who ensure that authentic vadai culture continues to thrive in Singapore's evolving culinary landscape for future generations.

Reviews & Ratings

Customer Reviews

3.7 / 5

Based on 90 reviews

Negative Reviews

Shepherd Boy Shepherd Boy

All along buying their vadai at least 10 in Beach Road hawker. The chilli get lesser and lesser. Now

I've been buying your vadai at Beach Road hawker for at least 10 years. The amount of chilli has been getting less and less. Now it's just one vadai with one chilli only! Kudos to your way of doing business. It's no wonder there are no more queues. And may all your chillies rot before they are sold.

Hock Lee Hock Lee

Prawn Vadai Dhal Vadai Bought around 7pm but both item were hard cold and dry when I got it. Really

Prawn Vadai Dhal Vadai Bought around 7pm, but both items were hard, cold, and dry when I got them. They were also quite chewy. It was rather disappointing as I'd had a good one at a Pasar Malam before. I guess business was slow and all the items had been left out for a while? I ate it almost immediately after getting it, so I'm sure it wasn't because I kept it for too long. I suppose this kind of food is still best enjoyed fresh from the Pasar Malam itself.

JIMMY NEO JIMMY NEO

The food is good.

The food is good.

Noah Tan Noah Tan

Used to support this stall until we caught the male staff digging his nose with his fingers today. T

We used to support this stall until we saw the male staff digging his nose with his fingers today. This is extremely unhygienic, especially when handling food. When he noticed us looking, he merely rinsed his hand with water from the stall's tap.

Adeline Tan Adeline Tan

12 Oct 2021 - takeaway during Post Circuit Breaker Phase 2 (preparatory stage) / Stabilisation Phase

12 Oct 2021 - Takeaway during Post Circuit Breaker Phase 2 (preparatory stage) / Stabilisation Phase to COVID-19 Resilience. 3.5 stars. I only buy and eat prawn vadai; I never bother about the rest. Was quite lucky, didn't have to wait too long, only about 20+ minutes from joining the queue at about 3:20 PM to getting my vadai at about 3:45 PM, as they were frying up a new batch and the queue wasn't too long. However, there were people who had paid for their orders and were waiting by the side for the freshly fried vadai, while others were in the queue to order. Got a box of 6 vadai for $6.50. I wonder how much they charge for 1 vadai here, as I understand it's $1 each at their other locations. So, is the 50 cents for the box? The prawn vadai are tasty, the prawns are fresh, and the dough is flavourful. However, amongst the 6 pieces I got, some were a bit too dense and chewy, whilst the others were okay – crispy on the outside, light & fluffy on the inside. A few pieces were also rather small. Not very consistent. Okay to buy if it's a short wait, but I won't bother if the queue is too long. They don't keep frying up prawn vadai all the time, only at certain times, even though it's their best seller and always unavailable in the display counter.

Positive Reviews

Siti Aminah Siti Aminah

Service and food provided very excellent . I will try more food interesting. 👍👍👍👍

The service and food provided were excellent. I will try more interesting dishes.

Cassia Tan Cassia Tan

This is delicious!! The vadai is like a savoury shrimp donut. Omg. So good. It was so fresh and hot.

This is delicious! The vadai is like a savoury shrimp donut. Oh my goodness, so good! It was fresh and hot. There was a small line, and she didn't accept a $10 bill.

Kopi n Kuih Kopi n Kuih

Everyone there is always so friendly and outgoing, vadai there is delicious😋😋10/10 would recommend👍👍

Everyone there is always so friendly and outgoing. The vadai is delicious! 10/10 would recommend.

Karin Chua Karin Chua

This store never disappoints. Vadai was super delicious, and service was tops. Staff were extremely

This store never disappoints. The vadai was super delicious, and the service was tops. Staff were extremely friendly.

Aishah Khan Aishah Khan

Worth the calories! A quick fix to get your snacks cravings! Love it!

Worth the calories! A quick fix for snack cravings! Love it!

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