Singapore food: The Top 5 Must-Try Dishes

Singapore is a city-state that is well-known for its vibrant and diverse food scene. With a rich cultural heritage that brings together Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences, Singaporean cuisine is a reflection of the country’s multicultural society. From hawker stalls offering affordable and delicious local dishes to high-end restaurants serving creative and innovative cuisine, there’s something for every type of foodie in Singapore.

If you’re a food enthusiast looking to explore the best of Singaporean cuisine, you’re in for a treat. In this article, we’ll look closer at the local delicacies every foodie should experience in Singapore. We’ll delve into each dish’s flavours, ingredients, and cultural significance, giving you an in-depth understanding of what makes Singaporean food so special.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first-time visitor, this guide will help you navigate Singaporean cuisine’s vibrant and exciting world. So, get ready to tantalise your taste buds and embark on a culinary journey.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a national dish in Singapore that consists of poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and seasoned with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. This dish can be found in almost every hawker centre in Singapore.

1. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-10/11, Singapore 069184
2. Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice: 399/401 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329801
3. Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice: United Square, 101 Thomson Road, #01-08/09, Singapore 307591
4. Chatterbox: 333 Orchard Rd, #05-03 Hilton, Singapore 238867

Laksa

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup with a coconut milk base from the Peranakan culture in Singapore. The soup is made with vermicelli noodles, prawns, fish cakes, and bean sprouts and is flavoured with a spice paste made with lemongrass, galangal, and chilli.

1. 328 Katong Laksa: 51 East Coast Rd, #01-64, Singapore 428770
2. Sungei Road Laksa: 27 Jln Berseh, #01-100, Singapore 200027
3. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-75, Singapore 151120

Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow is a popular stir-fried noodle dish in Singapore. The dish is made with flat rice noodles, stir-fried with shrimp, eggs, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, and seasoned with dark soy sauce.

To find the best Char Kway Teow, look for stalls that use fresh ingredients and cook the noodles over high heat to achieve a smoky and slightly charred flavour. Additionally, many locals swear by stalls that use pork lard for their stir-frying, as it adds a rich and savoury flavour to the dish.

1. Hill Street Char Kway Teow: 16 Bedok South Road, Bedok South Market & Food Centre, #01-41, Singapore 460016
2. Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee: 531A Upper Cross St, #02-17, Singapore 051531
3. Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow: 51 Old Airport Road, #01-12, Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051

Chili Crab

Chili Crab is a Singaporean seafood dish that is famous worldwide. The dish consists of stir-fried crab with a sweet and savoury tomato and chilli sauce, served with fried mantou buns to soak up the sauce. Other popular crab dishes in Singapore include Black Pepper Crab and Salted Egg Yolk Crab.

1. Jumbo Seafood: 20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-48, The Riverwalk, Singapore 058416
2. Long Beach Seafood Restaurant: 1202 ECP, #01-04 East Coast Seafood Centre, Singapore 449881
3. No Signboard Seafood: 414 Geylang Road, Singapore 38939

Roti Prata

Roti Prata is a crispy Indian flatbread that is popular in Singapore. The bread is made with flour, water, and ghee, and is served with a side of curry for dipping. It can also be served with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings, such as egg, cheese, chocolate, and even ice cream.

1. Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata: 300 Joo Chiat Rd, Tin Yeang Restaurant, Singapore 427551
2. Springleaf Prata Place: 57B Jalan Tua Kong, Singapore 457253
3. The Roti Prata House: 246 Upper Thomson Rd, #246 M 246, Singapore 574370

These five dishes are just a taste of what Singapore’s local cuisine has to offer. With its diverse mix of cultures and flavours, Singapore is a foodie’s paradise. From hawker centres and food courts to high-end restaurants, Singaporean cuisine has something for everyone. The country’s unique blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences has created a culinary scene. Exploring Singapore’s food scene is a delicious experience and an opportunity to learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage. So, next time you’re in Singapore, indulge in the local cuisine and experience Singapore food’s vibrant and diverse flavours.