So you are planning on visiting Singapore or you are already there…and you want to enjoy this foodie paradise to the max extent possible?! I got you! This list of Singapore food will give you some inspo on what you can’t miss!
From hawker food to regional classics, from what many Westerners would consider strange dishes to true Singapore cuisine, there is something for everyone on this list of Singapore food!
You can expect to see a blend of cultures when eating in Singapore; you will encounter cuisines from various regions of China, southern India, and Malaysia! The first few dishes may seem a bit unusual if you have never traveled to Asia before, however, there is something on here that you’ll like.
1. Century Egg
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Wet markets, grocery stores, and many hawker centres
Century egg is a Singapore food that originated in rural China but has found its way to the Lion city, of course. Usually served with rice porridge, the century egg spends weeks, even months marinating in a tea, citrus, and seasoning brine giving it this unique color. The taste, smell, and texture take some getting used to, according to most Westerners.
2. Chicken Feet
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Jia Bin Bak Kut Teh and many Dim Sum restaurants
Chicken feet are a popular Cantonese dish that have found popularity across Asia, from Vietnam to Singapore to Korea and beyond. These Wok Fried “Phoenix Claws” are cooked with a richly seasoned sauce served alongside other dishes or in a soup or congee. This Singapore food is usually a bone in eating experience.
3. Nasi Lemak
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Most hawker centres and food courts; learn more here.
A popular Malaysian breakfast dish, Nasi Lemak is a colorful plate of coconut milk rice, fried chicken, peanuts, cucumber, egg, and anchovies or another type of seafood (squid and fish are common). This Singapore food has various means of preparation, especially in Singapore where you will see this dish served in a banana leaf or on a plate.
4. Nasi Biryani
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Tekka Centre and other Indian hawker stalls and restaurants, especially in Little India. Learn more here.
Biryani is a popular dish from India. It’s rich seasonings and ability to serve the masses has likewise made this a popular Singapore food. This dish can be served with a variety of meats, the most popular being mutton, lamb, and chicken but even beef, eggs, and potatoes are not uncommon. As you can imagine, this dish has a lot of variation, but you will find a Biryani fix in Singapore.
5. Murtabak
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Various restaurants in Kampong Glam/Bugis (along North Bridge Road) and on Arab Street/Haji Lane, as well as at some hawkre centres.
This Malay-Arab fusion food has become widely popular in Southeast Asia. It is a folded and stuffed savory pancaked, usually filled with onions, minced meat, and seasonings. Sometimes, Murtabak contains vegetables and potatoes and can be served alongside a sambal or yogurt sauce. Although this Singapore food is widely known throughout the island, it stands out with its Middle Eastern flavors of cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and turmeric.
6. Chilli Crab
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Many hawker centers and many restaurants; learn more here.
Chilli crab is often what comes to mind when we think of Singapore food. Many consider it one of Singapore’s national dishes. This delicious meal is prepared by simmering a whole crab in a spicy chilli gravy. Unlike many Singapore dishes on this list, chilli crab is truly indigenous to the Merlion City as it was invented here in the 1950s. Its popularity has since spread across Malaysia and parts of China.
7. Sambal Stingray
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Newton Hawker Centre, as well as at other restaurants; learn more here.
Similar to chilli crab, the sometimes name “BBQ sambal stingray” is a classic hawker dish that garnered popularity in the 1980s. This Singapore food is often served on a banana leaf with onions. However, it is said that the stingray dish can be traced back to the Portuguese, also crediting the Malaysians for its unique flavor and sambal.
8. Laksa
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Most hawker centres and food courts; check out Laksa restaurants here.
Also known as Laksa Lemak or Curry Laksa, this Singapore food is a noodle dish in a coconut broth. Although the ingredients imply its heavy Malay influence, Laksa was first created in Singapore in the 1950s. You can find various versions of Laksa around the Lion City!
9. Teochew Fishball Noodle Soup
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Most if not at all medium to large sized hawker centres
This Singapore food is said to have many ancient and religious origins dating back hundreds of years. But today, Teochew are fishballs typically made with eel, mackerel, and pork lard, served with egg or rice noodles in a steaming broth along with fried shallots, green onion, and chilies.
10. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: At most hawkre centres and food courts, the most famous being at Maxwell Hawker Centre (Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice). The late Anthony Bourdain once visited this stall. Although it is tasty, I did not find it to live up to the hype.
Although its origins are traced back to Hainan with Cantonese influence, Chicken Rice is one of the de facto dishes when you think Singapore food. Basically considered to be Singapore’s national dish, Hainanese Chicken Rice is a fragrant cut of chicken served over rice that was cooked in chicken broth. It is typically served alongside a sweet chilli dipping sauce as well as a small bowl of broth on the side.
11. Hainanese Curry Rice
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Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Hock Gooi Hainanese Curry Rice at Market Street Interim Hawker Centre (near Merlion Park) as well as many other hawker centres and food courts.
This true Singapore food was developed by the Hainanese and Peranakan during the British colonial rule, hence the fried pork steak. It is served on steamed rice topped with a thick curry sauce as well as a fried egg or two. Hainanese Curry Rice is often overlooked and frankly, underrated. This hearty meal is sure to keep you energized while you explore Singapore!
12. Oyster Omlette
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Maddie’s Kitchen and at many hawker centres. Read more here.
This delight is mouthwatering and popular all over Southeast Asia as well as parts of China. It consists of a starch flour mixed in a egg batter. It is then fried with oysters in pork lard, served with a sauce that varies by region. This Singapore food is a must try for seafood lovers.
13. Roast Meats “Sui Mei”
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Hawker Chan, 88 Hong Kong Roast Meat Specialist on Lavender, Tyrwhitt, or China Street, and Kam’s Roast Express at ION (check out more Singapore roast meat restaurants here). You will likely find a roast meat hawker stall or restaurant all over Chinatown.
This Cantonese style meat cooking method has spread all across Southeast Asia, with strong presence in Singapore of course. You will find that the most popular Sui Mei dishes are pork belly or duck served alongside rice or noodles as well as vegetables such as baby bock choi or fresh cucumber slices. It is often served with a gravy or a dipping sauce. This Singapore food is a must try!
14. Fish Head Curry
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Muthu’s Curry as well as many other restaurant along Little India’s “Curry Row” (Race Course Road)
This Singapore food is truly a Singaporean dish. It was first created by an Indian immigrant with the last name of Gomez; it was made to cater to the Chinese’s love of fish head. As it gained popularity, the dish became more widespread across Singapore and was often coined “Gomez fish head curry” or “original Gomez curry”. Today, it is served in both Indian and Chinese Restaurants in the Lion City!
15. Carrot Cake
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Available most hawkre centres!
Carrot cake is served in two ways; white or black, depending on the type of soy sauce used. This Singapore food is also known as Chai Tow Kway in the Teochew dialect and Char Kway Kak in the Hokkien dialect. It is a fried radish cake cooked with lard, garlic, and eggs. It is not the carrot cake Westerners may be used to, nor does it contain carrots.
16. Hokkien Mee
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Most hawker centres and food courts; check out more resources here and here.
Often reminiscent of what Westerners may recognize as Singapore Noodles, this true Singapore food was invented by a Hokkien man in the 1930s. It is served with squid and/or prawn, a chilli sauce, and fresh calamansi lime. Penang Hokkien Mee is the soup version of this dish.
17. Satay
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Satay Street nightly at Lau Pa Sat as well as many hawker stalls around Singapore. Check out more recommendations here.
The concept of meat grilled on skewers was a cooking method adapted from Arabia. This street food to signature dish became popular across Southeast Asia, where locals modified the chicken, mutton, or mince stick to prawn or pork skewers served along peanut sauce, rice chunks, and freshly sliced cucumber and red onion. It is a light and refreshing Singapore food on a hot and humid day.
18. Curry Puffs
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Inside of Heap Seng Leong’s Kopitiam, there is a curry puff shop that sells curry puffs daily starting at 10 am. Check out more resources here.
The National Library Board credits the influence of curry puffs to the “British Cornish pasty, the Portuguese empanada and the Indian samosa”. This popular Singapore food often contains boiled egg and potato as well as herbs and spices. However, you will find variations of the iconic curry puff all throughout Singapore.
19. Dosa
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Tekka Centre, MTR Singapore, and many stalls and restaurants across Little India
Also known as Thosai, the Dosa is not indigenous to Singapore, but rather a South Indian breakfast bread that has gained popularity all over Singapore. It is a fermented flat bread that is served with chutney and curry, and shockingly, quite filling. You can even get the spicy variant of this Singapore food.
20. Idli
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Tekka Centre, MTR Singapore, and many stalls and restaurants across Little India
This South Indian treat actually had a full circle moment in its history. Before ever appearing on South Indian shores, it is believed that this now Singapore food originated in Indonesia before regaining popularity in Southeast Asia through Tamil immigrants who came to Singapore. Idli are fermented and steamed rice cakes that are served plain alongside various sauces, or smothered in flavorful gravies and spices.
21. Rojak
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: At many hawker stalls, learn more here
Rojak is a refreshing Malaysian dish that incorporates fresh fruits and vegetables, lime, and spicy prawn paste. It is commonly served as an appetizer but also as an entree. This Singapore food is a hawker centre staple.
22. Roti Prata
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: At many locations around Little India, more recommendations here.
Otherwise known as Pratha or Roti Canai, Roti Prata is the cousin what most Westerners would consider to the traditional Naan. However, Roti Prata is a ghee infused folded and/or twisted flat bread that bakes out into a crispy flakey delight that is served alongside curries or as a breakfast or snack item. Though this Singapore food came from the Punjab region, it has received the Singapore twist as it’s commonly served with fruit and even egg.
23. Otak-Otak
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Around various places in Singapore, check out more here
Often called Otah, this Singapore food has Peranakan and Malaysian origins. It is a fish, egg, and spice puree that is either grilled, steamed, or boiled in a banana leaf. Its garlic, lemongrass, and coconut milk base make this treat very fragrant. Mackerel is commonly used to prepare Otak-Otak although variations with prawn paste are not unheard of. This Singapore food is light but delicious.
24. Popiah
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Available at many hawker centres and food courts, especially at Food Republic
This Singapore food has southeastern Chinese origins and will remind you of the egg roll. However, the Popiah is served cold and uncooked, making this treat very refreshing. Its thin crepe-like wrapper bundles together sauces, egg, peanuts, crispy bits, cucumber, radish, and seasonings. Please give this underrated delight a try!
25. Kueh Pie Tee
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Available at many hawker centres and food courts, especially at Food Republic
Kueh Pie Tee are crispy cups that contain a variety of fillings. They look like stuffed upside down top hats. This Peranakan dish reminds me of Popiah and are often sold from the same hawker stall. These little cups are usually filled with fresh veggies, a sweet sauce, and even prawns. A sweet and spicy tropical sauce is usually served alongside this Singapore food.
26. Mee Siam
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Available at many hawker centres, cafes, and food courts; learn more here
The origin of this dish is unknown, but it is believed to have Malay, Peranakan, and even Thai influences, hence the Siam in the name. This makes sense as this Singapore food is reminiscent of a Thai curry with its coconut based broth, tofu, and vermicelli noodles. It is also served with egg, bean sprouts, green onions, and red chilies, although you will find variations of this dish.
27. Kaya Toast
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Heap Seng Leong also serves the classic Kaya Toast; you will not be able to avoid this breakfast item as it’s served at many cafes, hawker stalls, and street vendors. Chain restaurants such as Toast Box and BreadTalk are dedicated to Kaya-based baked goodies.
One of the signature dishes across Singapore, this Malaysian breakfast item is one of Singapore’s most beloved eats. Kaya is a green coconut jam that has various origins from across Southeast Asia. It is believed that Hainanese immigrants to Singapore adapted the practice of eating Kaya on toast with butter as many Hainanese worked at European hotels and on ships where bread was a dietary staple. Kaya Toast is often eaten alongside soft boiled eggs with white pepper and soy sauce as well as a side of Kopi. If you love a sweet breakfast then this Singapore food is for you!
28. Kopi
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Heap Seng Leong serves Kopi of course, but you can get Kopi in most places, its hard to miss.
With dozens of variations of Kopi, this coffee is a must at most Singaporean breakfast tables and served along Singapore food like Kaya Toast. It’s a bit shocking that coffee culture became so popular in a tea-dominant part of the world, especially as most Kopi is served piping hot in a climate that is equally as hot. However, Kopitiams (coffee shop) were opened by Hainanese immigrants throughout the early to mid-1900s, even being prevalent during the Japanese occupation during WWII. Tea culture is not totally dead however; iced milk teas are incredibly popular and very customizable all across the city.
29. Ice Kachang
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Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Kim Lotus Dessert and many hawker stalls
Similar to the Philipino Halo-Halo or the Malay Cendol, Ice Kachang (Ais Kacang) is a sweet shaved ice treat served with palm sugar, fruit bits and puree (durian and mango are popular), chocolate syrup, and sometimes topped with red beans, corn, and jell-o chunks. This Singapore food is a doozie to Westerners, but it makes for a unique and refreshing twist of the ice cream sundae. If you want something similar, you can always opt for a simple ice cream loti (ice cream sandwich).
30. Unique Juices & Beverages
Where to try this Singapore cuisine: Available at hawker drink stalls.
One of two drinks on this list of Singapore foods, the unique fruit juices you can purchase at food stalls at hawker centres or food courts are simply delicious, thirst quenching, and ever so refreshing. My recommendations include freshly squeezed sugar cane juice (this one is SWEET), lychee juice, and lime juice. Other popular choices are Bandung, Milo Dinosaur, and barely water.
Summary & Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed scrolling through my list of best Singapore food. Honorable mentions include Sambal Eggs, Chwee Kueh, Hae Mee, Bak Chor Mee, Kway Chap, and Bak Kut Teh. If you are looking for some one of a kind fruit native to Southeast Asia, then click here (or below). If you are looking for hawker centre information, check out Piggy Puggy’s YouTube Channel.
