Explore Singapore’s mouth-watering cuisine, full of unique flavors and rich in local cultural influences that will make your culinary vacation even more memorable.
Singapore, though small, is known as a culinary paradise that offers unforgettable experiences for food lovers. With its multicultural background, Singapore has managed to blend diverse culinary traditions from Malay, Chinese, Indian and more cultures.
From rich traditional dishes to delicious fast food, Singapore has a variety of choices to satisfy any palate. Not only does it reflect the influences of various ethnicities, Singaporean cuisine also reflects the local culture that is rich in unique flavors and cooking techniques.
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a very famous dish in Singapore and one of the most iconic foods in the country. Although it originates from Hainan Province in China, this dish has become an integral part of Singaporean cuisine.
This dish consists of boiled chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, as well as spicy chili sauce and soy sauce. Tender chicken combined with savory rice provides a delicious and light taste.
Hainanese Chicken Rice, one of the Typical Singapura Food, is very popular because of its appealing simplicity, delicious taste, and nutritiousness. You can easily find this dish in various food stalls in Singapore, making it the first choice for many tourists.
2. Chili Crab
Chilli Crab is one of the most famous seafood dishes in Singapore. Fresh crabs are cooked in a spicy tomato sauce that is rich in spices and slightly sweet, giving it a very appetizing taste.
In addition to its unique taste, this dish is also served with soft mantou buns, used to dip the rich sauce.
The spicy, sweet and sour flavors blend together, making Chilli Crab a very tempting food for those who love seafood with strong flavors. This dish is not only popular in Singapore but also one of the must-try dishes for tourists visiting.
3. Laksa
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup dish that is very popular in Singapore, especially among fans of spicy food. Rice noodles are used as the base in this dish and served in a rich, spicy coconut milk sauce.
Typically, laksa is accompanied by shrimp, boiled egg, bean sprouts, and chili sauce to add to the spiciness. There are two popular laksa variants in Singapore: laksa lemak, which uses thick coconut milk, and laksa assam, which uses sour fish broth.
Both variants have different flavors, but are equally appetizing. With its chewy noodle texture and rich broth, laksa is a perfect dish for those who love spicy and creamy dishes.
4. Char Kway Teow
Char Kway Teow is a fried noodle dish that originates from the Chinese culinary tradition and is very popular in Singapore. This dish consists of wide noodles stir-fried with shrimp, scallops, eggs, tofu, and various other ingredients.
Char Kway Teow has a savory and slightly sweet taste thanks to the use of sweet soy sauce. One of the unique things about this dish is the way it is cooked, which uses high heat to produce a strong caramelization aroma on the noodles.
This dish is often served with a little oil which gives it a distinctive taste. Char Kway Teow is perfect for anyone who loves noodle dishes that are full of flavor.
5. Satay
Satay is a very popular satay dish, and Singapore has a very tasty version of it. Satay consists of pieces of chicken, beef, or lamb skewered on skewers and grilled over charcoal. Once grilled, the satay is served with a rich sweet peanut sauce.
Satay in Singapore is often eaten as a light meal or snack, but can also be a main course. The savory taste of meat combined with the sweetness of peanut sauce makes satay a favorite choice for many people. Often sold at street stalls, satay is a food that is easy to find and very popular with tourists.
6. Rich Toast
Kaya Toast is one of the most typical breakfast foods in Singapore. This dish consists of toast spread with kaya jam, a jam made from eggs, coconut sugar, and coconut milk. Kaya toast is usually served with a soft-boiled egg and a cup of strong local coffee.
The perfectly toasted bread gives it a crunchy taste. on the outside yet soft on the inside, while kaya jam provides a delicious sweetness. Kaya Toast is the perfect way to start the day in Singapore, providing a light yet satisfying filling.
7. Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee is a typical Singaporean fried noodle dish originating from the Hokkien Chinese community. This dish consists of yellow noodles stir-fried with shrimp, scallops, and pork slices, then given a savory seafood broth.
Hokkien Mee is served with a sprinkling of garlic and chili sauce that gives it a spicy and fresh taste. This dish has a rich and pleasant taste, with a combination of tempting seafood flavors and chewy noodles. Hokkien Mee is a very popular food as a lunch or dinner option in Singapore.
8. Prata Bread
Roti Prata is a fried flatbread that is very popular as a breakfast or light dinner in Singapore. It has a crispy texture on the outside and soft on the inside, and can be served with various side dishes, such as chicken curry, beef, or egg.
Roti Prata goes especially well with curry, which gives it a savory and spicy taste. This dish also has many variations, such as egg roti prata which has an added egg inside. Roti Prata is a very satisfying choice for those who want a filling yet delicious meal.
9. Fish Head Curry
Fish Head Curry is a very popular specialty dish in Singapore, especially among fans of Indian cuisine. This dish uses fish heads cooked in a spicy curry sauce rich in spices. This curry sauce provides a strong savory taste with a slight spicy taste, mixed with pieces of tender fish meat.
Fish Head Curry is often served with white rice or roti prata, making it a very filling and satisfying dish. Its rich and spicy taste makes it the perfect choice for those who like food that is bold and full of flavor.
10. Boiled Noodles
Mee Rebus is a noodle dish served with a thick sauce made from beef broth, peanuts, and spices. Chewy yellow noodles served with boiled egg, bean sprouts, potatoes and fried shallots. The rich broth is sweet, savoury and slightly spicy, creating a perfect harmony of flavours.
Mee Rebus is very popular as a snack or lunch in Singapore and can be found at local stalls all over the city. With its mouth-watering flavours and simple ingredients, Mee Rebus is a great choice for local food lovers.
Singapore is renowned for its extraordinary culinary diversity, offering an unforgettable taste experience for anyone who tries it. From simple yet delicious rice dishes like Hainanese Chicken Rice to mouth-watering seafood dishes like Chilli Crab, Singapore has it all.
Exploring these iconic dishes is undoubtedly one of the Things to do in Singapura, offering a delightful experience for food lovers and travelers alike. Each dish mentioned in this article is an example of how diverse culinary traditions have blended to produce such distinctive flavors.
So, when you visit Singapore, be sure to try all these delicious foods and experience a culinary delight that will tantalize your taste buds.