Enjoying good food is almost in the DNA of every Singaporean. Singaporeans queue (and will ‘kill’ for good food). The country is definitely a renowned food paradise, you can find cuisines all around the globe. As a Singaporean, it is the local fares which really warms and gets into my heart. I would highly recommend that you to visit one of the local hawker centres or food courts and enjoy a feast of delicious and affordable local delights. Check out my Ultimate Singapore Travel Guide here.
My list of MUST TRY local food fares
(Sequence does not denote ranking!)
– Chicken rice
Definitely one of the most iconic local dishes. Think juicy roasted or poached chicken topped on pipping fragrant rice, to go with special sauce condiments – chilli/ginger/sweet sauce). You have to try Boon Tong Kee chicken rice (one of the longest famed chicken rice chain in town)
– Satay
Charcoal grilled skewered meat with peanut sauce dip, normally served with fresh onions, cucumber and Malay rice cakes on the side. Try Lau Pa Sat Satay (address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582)
– Banana leaf BBQ Seafood
Your choice of barbequed seafood on banana leaves. Stingray and ‘Sotong’ (Malay word for squid) are the top local choices. Try Lau Pat Sat ( (address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582) or Makansutra Gluttons Bay (8 Raffles Ave., #01-15 Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802)
– Bak Kut Teh
Peppery rich pork ribs soup, served with rice/vermicelli/fried dough sticks. Try the famous Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh (593 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169641) or Founders Bak Kut Teh (347 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329777)
– Char Kway Teow
Wok-fried flat rice noodles in sweet dark sauce, chinese sausages and cockles
– Roti Prata
Savory India pancakes with curry, one of the most popular local comfort food to try! Try Al-Jilani Restaurant (127 Bencoolen St, Singapore 189637), they are opened 24 hours!
– Laksa
Rich spicy coconut broth with noodles, normally served with fishcakes, egg and bean sprouts. Try the famous 328 Katong Laksa!
– Kaya butter bread toast with local soft boiled eggs
An old school breakfast. Try Killiney Kopitiam (one of the oldest coffee shops in Singapore: 67 Killiney Rd, Singapore 239525 ) or Ya Kun Kaya Toast (they have many branches around Singapore)
– Popiah
cooked vegetables, peanuts, eggs with a specialty sweet sauce wrapped in thin crepe wrapper. An all-time favourite comfort food among Singaporeans.
– Chilli crab
Last but not least, Singapore signature chilli crab, normally served with small buns
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