Food plays an important role in creating unforgettable memories. Singapore has a truly global culinary culture, but Singaporean cuisine, which combines Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other food cultures, prides itself as being a unique Asian cuisine. From street food to signature dishes in restaurants, let us take a bite of Singapore together…
1. Chili Crab 辣椒螃蟹
If you like seafood and spicy flavors, you should not miss out on chili crab, which is Singapore's best-known dish. It consists of an entire crab, whose meat is cut out and then stir-fried in a tangy tomato and chili sauce. It is served with bread or a Chinese-style steamed bun, which you can dip in the gravy for a satisfying and decadent meal.
Where to eat it:
Jumbo Seafood Restaurant
Add: 20 Upper Circular Road #B1-48, Singapore 058416
Tel: +65-6534-3435
Cost per person: about USD$30–45
No Signboard Seafood Esplanade Branch
Add: Esplanade Mall 8 Raffles Ave #01-14/16, Singapore 039802
Tel: +65-6336-9959
Cost per person: about USD$30–60
Long Beach Seafood Restaurant
Add: 1018 East Coast Parkway East Coast Parkway Squash Centre, #01-04, East Coast Seafood Centre, Singapore 449877
Tel: +65-6448-3636
Cost per person: about USD$30–60
Fish Head Curry2. Fish Head Curry 咖喱鱼头
Fish head curry, a great combination of Indian, Chinese, and Malay cuisines, is one of the best-known dishes in Singapore. Usually paired with rice, fish head curry is eaten with soft steamed bread that soaks up the gravy. The sweetness of the bread perfectly balances the piquancy of the curry. So, do not hesitate to order fish head curry even if you do not usually eat spicy food.
Where to eat it:
Ocean Fish Head Curry Restaurant
Add: 181 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068629
Tel: +65-6324-9226
Cost per person: about USD$12
Muthu's Curry
Add: 7 Dempsey Road, Singapore
Tel: +65-6474-5128
Cost per person: about USD$16–26
Yu Cun Curry Fish Head 渔村砂煲咖喱鱼頭
Add: 147 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore
Tel: +65-6286-0491
Cost per person: about USD$16–26
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3. Hainanese Chicken Rice 海南鸡饭
Hainanese chicken rice is one of Singapore's most famous dishes. The succulent chicken and flavorful rice served with sliced cucumber, chicken soup, and special sauces are considered a delicacy. Hainanese chicken rice is cooked in a particular way. The succulent chicken is steamed, cut into pieces, put on a plate, and sprinkled with sesame oil and soy sauce. The rice is steamed with chicken oil and chicken stock, to make it fluffy and delicious. This delectable dish is available in all local food centers in Singapore.
Where to eat it:
Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Add: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-10/11 Maxwell Food Center, Singapore 069184
Tel: +65-9691-4852
Cost per person: about USD$3–5
Wee Nam Kee
Add: 101 Thomson Road, #01-08 United Square, Singapore 307591
Tel: +65-6255-6396
Cost per person: about USD$4–12
Boon Tong Kee
Add: 18 Cheong Chin Nam Road, Singapore 599742
Tel: +65-6463-2289
Cost per person: about USD$11–25
Bak Chor Mee4. Bak Chor Mee 肉脞面
Bak Chor Mee is also known as minced meat noodles, and it is a noodle dish cooked with minced pork. After a long period of development, the ingredients with the noodles have become more abundant, with mushrooms, fish balls, pig liver, shrimp, gongwan (pork balls), pork slices, wontons, minced meat, etc. Besides, the sauce is different from restaurant to restaurant.
The most famous restaurant for Bak Chor Mee in Singapore might be Tai Hwa Eating House, who had won a Michelin star.
Where to eat it:
Tai Hwa Eating House
Add: 466 Crawford Lane (Lavender MRT), #01-12, Singapore 190465
Tel: +65- 6292-7477
Cost per person: about USD$5–8
Mee Pok 栗原
Add: Block 710 Clementi West Street 2, Singapore 120710
Tel: +65-8742-6540
Cost per person: about USD$5
58 Bak Chor Mee
Add: 3 Yung Sheng Road, #03-150 Taman Jurong Food Centre, Singapore 618499
Tel：+65-8245-8975
Cost per person: about USD$5
Bak Kut Teh5. Bak Kut Teh 肉骨茶
Bak kut teh has had a far-reaching impact on the food culture of Singapore and is a popular dish for breakfast or supper. It is mainly composed of pork bones stewed with herbs, garlic, and spices. It is served with rice, deep-fried fritters, spicy soy sauce, and other condiments, such as pepper, vinegar, and salt. This dish is simple but not boring. Do not forget to round off your repast with a cup of strong, and slightly bitter, kung fu tea.
Where to eat it:
Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh (Rangoon Road)
Add: 208 Rangoon Road Hong Building Singapore 218453
Tel: +65-6291-4537
Cost per person: about USD$6–12
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh
Add: #01-01, 11 Xinqiao Road (near Upper Circular Road), Singapore 059383
Tel: +65-6533-6128
Cost per person: about USD$6.50
Legendary Bak Kut Teh
Add: 154 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218431
Tel: +65-65359969
Cost per person: about USD$7–22
New Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh
Add: 257 Jalan Kayu, Singapore 799458
Tel: +65-6484-3224
Cost per person: about USD$12
Laksa6. Laksa 叻沙
Nyonya dishes constitute Singapore's traditional cuisine. Nyonya culture draws from Chinese food traditions and also has Malay flavors. Laksa is its most representative and popular dish, and it is a must-try snack in Singapore.
Authentic Nyonya laksa combines the freshness of coconut milk, the sweetness of shrimp, and the sharpness of homemade chili oil. Coarse rice noodles form the base of a bowl of laksa. Topped with ingredients such as fresh clams, fried tofu, and bean sprouts, a bowl of delicious laksa is sure to leave you content.
Where to eat it:
328 Katong Laksa
Add: 51 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770
Tel: +65-9732-8163
Cost per person: about USD$7.50
Lau Pa Sat Food Court
Add: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Tel: +65-6220-2138
Cost per person: about USD$7
Satay7. Satay沙爹
Satay, a colloquial word for kebab, is a traditional Malay delicacy. To make the meat tastier, it is diced, marinated, skewered, and then grilled over a flame. The choice of meat includes beef, lamb, chicken, or pork.
To eat it the Singapore way, you must dip the satay in the thick satay sauce before biting into it. Satay sauce is made of peanut butter, coconut butter, baby shrimp, etc. While it is usually eaten on its own, it can sometimes be served with Malay rice, gherkins, and onions.
Where to eat it:
168 CMY Satay
Add: Block 335, Smith Street, #02-168, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, Singapore 050335
Tel: +65-9475-2907
Cost per person: about USD$19
Kwong Satay (Geylang)
Add: 517 Geylang Road, Lorong 27A, Singapore 389473
Tel: +65-9755-2771
Cost per person: about USD$15–18
Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Add: 20 Kensington Park Road, #01-34 Chomp Chomp Food Centre, Singapore 557269
Cost per person: about USD$7.50–23
Haron Satay 55 (East Coast Lagoon Food Village)
Add: Stall 55, East Coast Lagoon Food Village, 1220 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 468960
Tel: +65-6441-0495
Cost per person: about USD$8
Kaya Toast8. Kaya Toast 咖椰吐司
Kaya toast is the national breakfast of Singapore, and you can find it literally everywhere. The mellow kaya sauce is made from coconut, sugar, and pandan leaves. Grilled bread is slathered with butter and kaya sauce and served with soft-boiled eggs — this is a filling breakfast you will love! A cup of local coffee can be a pleasurable conclusion to this meal.
Where to eat it:
Ya Kun Kaya Toast is highly recommended and there are more than 70 branch-shops in Singapore. The cost is from USD$2.50, as it is in other eateries.
Chinatown Shop
Add: 18 China Street, Far East Square, Singapore 049560
Tel: +65- 6438-3638
Orchard Road shop
Add: #01-32/33/34, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895
Tel: +65-6341-9554
Raffles City shop
Add: 252 North Bridge Rd, #B1-80, Singapore 179103
Tel: +65-6338-0026
Char Kway Teow9. Char Kway Teow 炒粿条
Char kway teow developed dynamically over time. It was earlier sold at night by fishermen or farmers who wanted to supplement their income. They typically used leftover food to make this dish, so there are many ways to make it. Char kway teow consists of wide rice noodles stir-fried in soy sauce, belacan (Malaysian shrimp paste), tamarind juice, bean sprouts, leeks, sausages, and cockles. Originally, people fried the rice noodles in lard, but with increased health consciousness, less oil is used and more vegetables are added. Fried char kway teow is served on banana leaves, which are said to enhance the flavor and keep the dish moist.
Where to eat it:
Apollo Fresh Fried Kway Teow
Add: Marine Parade Food Centre #01-174, Block 84 Marine Parade Central, Singapore 440084
Cost per person: about USD$3–5
Maxwell Road Food Centre
Add: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
Cost per person: about USD$4
Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Add: 20 Kensington Road, Singapore 557269
Cost per person: about USD$4
Nasi Lemak 10. Nasi Lemak 椰浆饭
Nasi lemak belongs to Malay cuisine. Nasi means 'rice' and lemak usually means 'grease' (here it refers to coconut milk). Rice is soaked in coconut milk and then cooked. It is consumed with a special sauce that lends the nasi lemak a salty, sweet, and spicy taste. Start your day with a delicious nasi lemak breakfast!
Where to eat it:
Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak
Add: 114 Lavender Street, #01-08 CT Hub 2, Singapore 338729
Tel: +65-9889-3466
Cost per person: about USD$4
The Coconut Club
Add: 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708
Cost per person: about USD$15–30 including other dishes
Ponggol Nasi Lemak Centre
Add: 965 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534721
Tel: +65-6281-0020
Cost per person: about USD$4–7.50
Rojak11. Rojak 罗惹
Rojak is a Malay word that means 'hodgepodge'. It is a popular appetizer and side dish and a nutritious snack. Its ingredients include a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, such as pineapple, cucumber, sweet radish, bean sprouts, green apple, and raw mango. The ingredients are cut into small pieces, put together into a bowl with deep fried tofu, fried dough sticks, prawn crackers, fresh chili, lemon juice, and roasted peanuts, and mixed well. Enjoy a bowl of this refreshing and delicious salad while on a break from your sightseeing in Singapore!
Where to eat it:
Balestier Road Hoover Rojak
Add: 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-06 Whampoa Drive Food Centre, Singapore 320090
Tel: +65-9021-4593
Cost per person: about USD$5–10
Toa Payoh Rojak
Add: 51 Old Airport Road, #01-108 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Cost per person: about USD$5–10
Otah12. Otah 乌打
Otah is the Singaporean name of the Malay/Indonesian dish otak-otak. Otak means 'brain matter' in Indonesian, but this otak is just a kind of fish cake in Singapore. Baked with minced fish wrapped in banana leaves, otah is another popular Singapore street snack. The color of minced fish is gray and looks like human brain after baking, hence its name. However, in Singapore otah fish cakes are baked with chili sauce and other spices, so the color is orange, which is very appetizing.
You can always buy otah in a laksa restaurant.
Where to eat it:
Hiang Soon Food Catering Service
Add: 261 Jalan Kayu, Singapore 799490
Cost per person: about USD$4–12
Lee Wee Brothers
Add: 11 Rivervale Crescent #01-14, Rivervale Mall, Singapore 545082
Cost per person: about USD$4
Mackerel Otah
Add: 261 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427509
Cost per person: about USD$2–3
Yong Tau Foo13. Yong Tau Foo酿豆腐
Derived from Hakka tofu cooking methods, Singapore yong tau foo ('stuffed tofu') is made of tofu filled with fish or minced pork. You can choose to eat 'dry' or 'soup' yong tau foo, and it can also be eaten with rice, noodles, vegetables, meat balls, and so on.
Where to eat it:
Goldhill Hakka Restaurant
Add: 299A Changi Road, Singapore 419777
Tel: +65-6842-4283
Cost per person: about USD$4–12
Golden Mile Special Yong Tau Foo 黄金特制酿豆腐
Add: 505 Beach Road, Golden Mile Food Centre #B1-44, Singapore 199583
Cost per person: about USD$4–7.50
Jia Le Traditional Hakka Yong Tau Foo 家乐正宗客家酿豆腐
Add: Block 514, Bishan Street 13, #02-494, Bishan Bus Interchange Level 2, Singapore 570514
Cost per person: about USD$4–10
Fried White Radish Cake14. Fried White Radish Cake 炒萝卜糕
This is a long-standing snack in Singapore. It is made by wrapping steamed rice flour and white radish into pieces, frying them with eggs until golden, and then sprinkling them with onion flowers. It is a very common food among Chaoshan residents in Singapore. You can order original flavor or with sweet soy sauce added. It is a convenient and delicious snack.
Where to eat it
He Zhong Carrot Cake合众菜头粿
Add: 51 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #02-185, Singapore 588172
Cost per person: about USD$4–7.50
Heng 兴
Add: Newton Food Centre #01-28, 500 Clemenceau Avenue North, Singapore 229495
Cost per person: about USD$4–7
Chey Sua Carrot Cake
Add: 02-30 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, 127 Lorong, Singapore 310127
Tel: +65-9816-9412
Cost per person: about USD$3–7.50
Curry Puff15. Curry Puff 咖喱角
Curry puff is a common snack in Singapore. It is made of a thin dough roll with fillings, which is then fried. It usually comes in triangular shapes. The fillings usually include mashed potatoes, onions, minced meat (beef, chicken, mutton, etc.) and spices (such as curry powder).
Where to eat it:
Old Chang Kee
Add: 2 Orchard Turn Ion Orchard ION Orchard #B4-36, Singapore 238801
Tel:+65-6884-4530
Cost per person: about USD$4
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