There are plenty of reasons to visit Singapore, from the gorgeous Gardens by the Bay to the many vibrant Singaporean neighborhoods. But one thing that really stands out is the amazing food. There are two words that define the food scene for travelers in Singapore: Hawker Centres. These outdoor food markets are a great place to try tons of local dishes and authentic cuisine at reasonable (and often cheap) prices.
Singapore’s cuisine is heavily influenced by several nearby nations, including Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and China. In fact, many of the country’s popular dishes originated in Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and China and were brought to Singapore by immigrants or originated from a fusion of flavors inspired by meals from these other countries. Travelers arriving in Singapore after visiting nearby Malaysia (an underrated destination in Asia) are likely to notice a lot of culinary crossovers and similarities in traditional dishes and flavors. Here are ten of the must-try meals travelers should try when visiting Singapore, whether sampling its street food or fine dining restaurants.
10 Chilli Crab
One of the top dishes to try when visiting Singapore is chilli crab. This dish is a hard-shell crab that is cooked in a sauce with a tomato chilli base. The mud crab is stir-fried in the semi-thick sauce and, despite the name, isn’t as spicy as travelers may expect. The hearty dish is typically served with bread to soak up the excess tomato chilli sauce.
9 Hainanese Chicken Rice
If travelers try only one dish during a brief layover in Singapore, it should be Hainanese chicken rice. This dish is steamed chicken over rice that has been cooked in chicken stock. It’s great for lunch or dinner and is usually served alongside cucumber dishes. Hainanese Chicken Rice originated from Hainan in southern China. It was brought to Singapore and gained popularity through immigrants.
8 Laksa
Laksa is a hearty and flavorful dish that travelers are sure to love. This popular Singaporean meal is rice noodles in a coconut curry broth that is spicy and delicious. The soup has seafood like shrimp and fish cakes in it along with egg and chicken. It has elements of Malaysian and Chinese cuisine and comes in many variations. In Singapore, the Laksa is traditionally made with thick vermicelli rice noodles that are then cut into shorter pieces. This makes them easier to eat with a spoon.
7 Fish Head Curry
Like many Singaporean dishes, fish head curry has Malaysian and Chinese influences. As the name suggests, this dish is a fish head in a curry sauce with vegetables like okra or eggplant. The fish in this curry is typically a red snapper. It is served with bread or rice and often a side of lime juice.
6 Kaya Toast
One of the best parts of visiting a new country is learning about what locals eat, not just for lunch and dinner, but also how they start each day with breakfast. The national breakfast of Singapore of Kaya Toast which is two slices of toast put together like a sandwich with butter and kaya in the middle. Kaya is a sweet coconut custard that is made with sugar and coconut milk, egg, and pandan leaf. Kaya toast is traditionally eaten for breakfast alongside a soft-boiled egg and a cup of coffee.
5 Nasi Biryani
Nasi is a staple of Indonesian cuisine referring to a rice dish. Biryani is a dish from the Indian subcontinent that is popular in Singapore. Biryani is a mixed rice dish that consists of spices, rice, and meat. Sometimes, the dish is vegetarian and contains eggs or potatoes instead of meat. Singapore’s Nasi Biryani is a distinct fusion of South Asian, Indonesian, and Malay flavors.
4 Char Kway Teow
Char Kway Teow is a noodle dish that consists of white fried noodles with soy sauce and stir-fried with bean sprouts, fish cakes, sausage, and clams. It’s a simple yet delicious meal that is easy to find at Singapore’s famous Hawker Centres. The dish originated from Maritime Southeast Asia.
3 Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee is a traditional meal in Singapore that can easily be found at Hawker Centres. It consists of thick yellow Hokkien noodles, which are fried in pork and prawn stock. The dish is served with chilli (sambal sauce) and lime and comes in many variations. Typically, it’s got prawns, sliced chicken or pork, fish cakes, and squid in the soup broth as well.
2 Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak is another traditional rice dish in Singapore, made with coconut rice, anchovies, omelets, and cucumber. There is also chilli paste adding to the unique flavor. It’s packaged and served on a banana leaf or brown paper and originates from Malay cuisine.
1 Bak Kut Teh
This dish is popular in both Singapore and Malaysia, especially served where there are members of the Hoklo or Teochew communities. The name Bak Kut Teh means “meat bone tea”. It accurately describes the dish, which is pork ribs that are simmered in herbs, spices, and broth until ready to serve. Bak Kut Teh is typically served with rice and can be eaten as a hearty and flavorful breakfast dish.