Selamat Datang, tourists! If you're in Singapore, you're in for a great adventure, especially when it comes to the eclectic cuisine! Going on a food trip to Singapore is one of the best decisions you can take, as it guarantees a wide range of choices - consider this as a gateway to the delightful East! The Lion City is famous for its choices in food and drinks, as it caters to a vast audience. Be it Taiwanese, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, Indian or continental, Singapore always has food to serenade your taste buds! So, on your next trip experience the different flavours it has to offer, with our ultimate food guide to the Lion City! Here are 20 food and drinks you must try there!
1. Durian
This exotic fruit has intrigued many a traveller, and for a good reason too! You must have heard of the peculiar (read, smelly!) scent that it emanates, but that doesn't mean that you don't savour its deliciously sweet and sour goodness. Singapore is famous for Durian, but it is available only in select stores. Buy this fruit and let us know in the comments section if the taste appeals to you. We're sure it will! You can try a range of dishes like cakes, pastries and even puffs made from Durian.
Where to get: Leon Tree Durian, Tanjong Katong Road (open 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM), Ah Seng Durian, Ghim Moh Market (open 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM), Durian Kaki, Yishun Central (open 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 10 - SGD 20 per kilogram
2. Chilli crab
Listed as the 35th most delicious food in the world by CNN Go, the Singaporean chilli crab is a stir-fried crustacean dish, doused in sweet, spicy and savoury tomato sauces. Served with deep fried buns called mantous, this dish is a Singapore staple which is a must-try for seafood enthusiasts.
Where to get: Long Beach King Seafood, 220 Stadium Boulevard (open 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 1:30 AM), No Signboard Seafood Restaurant, Geylang (open 12:00 noon - 1:00 AM), Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, Upper Circular Road (open 12:00 noon - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 12:00)
Cost: SGD 25 - SGD 90 (depending on the size)
3. Japanese soft shell crab
This eclectic dish is popular because of its soft, delicate taste that goes great on the tongue as well. Combined with some curious ingredients that range from fruit and savouries, this Japanese dish will get your mouth watering for sure!
Where to get: Rice and Fries, Changi Road (open 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM), Long Chim, Marina Bay Sands (open 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM), Fuel Plus, Morse Road (open 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 13 - SGD 25
4. Bak Chor Mee
Literally translating to 'minced meat and noodles', this delicious dish is soupy, meaty and noodle-y all at once! Consisting of minced pork and broth served with flat egg noodles, the chilli and sour flavour in the soup is one that will linger in your mouth. This dish sells out very quickly, so buy your plate ASAP!
Where to get: Lai Heng Mushroom Minced Meat Mee, Lorong Toa Payoh (open 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM), Poh Minced Meat Noodle, Bedok North Street (open 6:00 PM - 3:00 AM), Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Crawford Lane (open 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 3 - SGD 10
5. Ayam Buah Keluak
Often dubbed 'a dish to taste before you die', this exotic Peranakan dish incorporates chicken or pork with its exclusive spices. It gets its distinct taste from Keluak, a nut which contains tangy juices. The result - succulent meat with tangy overtones that will drive you wild!
Where to get: Indocafe, Scotts Road (open 12:00 - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM), Straits Chinese Nonya Restaurant, Queen Street (open 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM), Dulukala Peranakan Restaurant, Upper Bukit Timah Road (appetiser 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 20 - SGD 50
6. Prata
This Indian delicacy is a must-eat for every traveller! Crisp, crunchy, doughy and soft Pratas dunked in delicious and tangy curry ought to get your mouth watering, and hungry for more. Made of wheat flour and served with beef, chicken, fish or vegetable curry, this Indian flatbread/pancake will linger long after you've savoured it.
Where to get: Mr and Mrs Mohgan's Super Crispy Roti Prata, Crane Road (open 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM), Sin Ming Roti Prata, Sin Ming Road (open 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM), Casuarina Curry, Casuarina Road (open 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 3.50 - SGD 10
7. Dim Sum
This Chinese dish is internationally popular, but the best versions are available in Singapore! Comprising of rice paste stuffed with a choice variety of curries ranging from chicken, vegetables, pork, beef and seafood, this appetizer even doubles as a main course if done right. We love!
Where to get: Asia Grand Restaurant, North Bridge Road (open 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 6:30 PM ? 10:30 PM), Yan Ting Restaurant, Tanglin Road (open 10:45 AM - 2:30 PM, 6:45 PM - 10:30 PM), Peach Blossom Restaurant, Raffles Boulevard (open 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 10 - SGD 50
8. Char Kway Teow
Literally translating to 'stir-fried rice noodles', this Singaporean delicacy is a staple of the locals, getting sold out instantly. Made of rice noodles, dark sauce, fish, bean sprouts, eggs, sweet cause and Chinese sausages, this stir-fried masterpiece will leave you craving for more!
Where to get: Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee, Upper Cross Street (open 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM), Hill Street Fried Kway Teow, Bedok South Market and Food Centre (open 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM), Chomp Chomp Fried Kway Teow Mee, Chomp Chomp Food Centre (open 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM)
Cost: SGD 3 - SGD 10
9. Bak Kut Teh
Literally meaning 'Meat bone tea', this local dish is a pork rib soup, in a broth of herbs and spices. Comprising of pork, offal, mushroom, choy sum, tofu and puffs, the soup is spiced up with cinnamon, cloves, garlic, fennel and star anise. And don't worry, there's no tea in the dish!
Where to get: Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh, Connexis (open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM), Legendary Bak Kut Teh, Rangoon Road (open 9:00 AM - 22:30 PM), Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, Chinatown Point (open 10:30 AM - 9:30 PM)
Cost: SGD 6.50 - SGD 10
10. Gado Gado
This dish is a saving grace for health freaks! This Indonesian salad consists of boiled or steamed vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, tofu, tempeh and Lontong (rice in a banana leaf). It is usually served with peanut sauce. Give this a try and take the recipe back home with you!
Where to get: IndoChili, Zion Road (open 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM), Tanjong Pagar Centre, Science Park Drive (open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM), Science Park, Wallich Street (open 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 7 - SGD 10
11. Hainanese Chicken Rice
One of the most popular local dishes of Singapore, every shop from street vendors to posh restaurants serves a variation of this dish. What makes it special is the spices and sauces used, which give the dish a unique, lingering and lip-smacking taste. Hurry to these joints first thing in the morning, because this is sold out by evening! Ditch KFC and try this local dish. Oh, the dipping sauce that comes with the dish is indescribably delicious!
Where to get: Tian Tian, Maxwell Food Centre (11:00 AM - 8:00 PM), Boon Tong Kee, Balestier Road (11:00 AM - 4:45 PM, 5:30 PM - 3:00 AM), Loy Kee, Balestier Road (9:30 AM - 10:30 PM)
Cost: SGD 3.50 - SGD 10
12. Laksa
This traditional Peranakan dish is a local favourite, and for a good reason! Made of flat noodles, coconut soup, fish cakes, prawns and cockles, Laksa tastes best paired with Otah, which is fish cake served in banana leaves. Taste the many flavours of the ocean with this bowl!
Where to get: 328 Katong Laksa, East Coast Road (open 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM), Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa, Bukit Merah Lane (open 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM), Janggut Laksa, Queensway Shopping Centre (open 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 4 - SGD 10
13. Satay
This street food is a local delicacy because it is made of pork, chicken, beef or mutton, which is candied and skewered. Served with peanut sauce, onions and rice dumplings, this snack can be eaten all day long, but get yours soon as they sell out quick!
Where to get: Fang Yuan Satay, Toa Payoh Food Centre (open 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM), Shi Xiang Stat, Chinatown Complex (open 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM), Chong Pang Huat, Gourmet Street (open 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM)
Cost: SGD 1 - SGD 10
14. Masala Dosa
This South-Indian staple is a rice pancake stuffed with potato, onion and spice-mix. Best eaten with a spicy Sambar (spicy broth) and a variety of Chutneys (ground spices and vegetables), the Masala Dosa is a gateway to South Indian food, and super healthy too!
Where to get: Murugan Idli Shop, Syed Alwi Road (open 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM), Saravanaa Bhavan, Syed Alwi Road (open 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM), Komala Vilas, Buffalo Road (open 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM)
Cost: SGD 3 - SGD 10
15. Sambal Stingray
Sambal is a special sauce made from chilli peppers, shrimp, fish sauce, shallot, sugar, vinegar and ginger. Combined with the soft, delicate and distinctive stingray meat, the palate is exquisite. This dish tastes best barbequed.
Where to get: Chan BBQ, Fengshan Market and Food Centre (open 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM), Ming-Yen BBQ, Lau Pa Sat Festival Market (open 5:00 PM - 3:00 AM), Chomp Chomp BBQ, Fengshan Market and Food Centre (open 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM)
Cost: SGD 10 - 20
16. Kopi and Kaya Toast
This is the original staple breakfast of Singaporeans, consisting of especially toasted bread, coconut and egg jam, butter and wok-roasted coffee beans blended with caramel sugar. This aromatic brew combined with hot Kaya toast is a delectable meal which gives you a boost in the morning, to power you through the day!
Where to get: Heap Seng Leong, North Bridge Road (open 4:00 AM - 8:00 PM), Ah Seng Coffee, Maxwell Road (open 5:30 AM - 4:00 PM), Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, East Coast Road (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
Cost: SGD 1 - SGD 3
17. Fish head curry
You heard that right - this dish consists of the head of a fish, marinated and cooked in curry sauce, with a mixture of vegetables like eggplants and okras. Having origins in Kerala and Malaysia, this dish is best eaten with rice or rotis. Tangy, ocean-y and spicy, this dish wins on all fronts!
Where to get: Ocean Curry Fish Head, Toa Payoh Lorong (open 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM), Muthu Curry, Race Course Road (open 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM), Samy's Curry Restaurant, Dempsey Road (open 11:00 - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Cost: SGD 20 - SGD 50
18. Singapore Sling
This refreshing cocktail is endemic to Singapore, and is popular for its mix of tropical flavours and exciting palate. Made with gin, brandy, pineapple juice, syrup and other special brews, this cocktail is a must-have during your night out!
Where to get: Adrift by David Myers, Bayfront Avenue (open 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM), Post Bar, Fullerton Square (open 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM), Halia, Raffles Hotel (open 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM)
Cost: Upwards of SGD 20
19. Ice Kachang
This delicious Malaysian dessert translates to 'iced beans'. A favourite of children and adults alike, this cold dish consists of shaved ice, red beans, grass jelly or agar-agar, sweet flavoured syrups and toppings like sweet corn and other goodies. What more do we need to tell you, to make you eat this?! Yum!
Where to get: Peanut Ice Kachang, Maxwell Centre, Quig Tiang Cold and Hot Desserts, Redhill Lane (open 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM), Lye Huat Ice Kachang, Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre (open 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM)
Cost: SGD 1.50 - SGD 5
20. Teh Tarik
This decadent concoction is every tea lover's delight! Dubbed as 'pulled milk tea', this brew has frothy, thick milk and tea leaves in a sweet, sugary and creamy drew. A staple in every meal, the Teh Tarik will make you forget your normal English concoctions!
Where to get: Sarabat Stall, opposite Kampong Glam Café (5:00 AM - 12:00 AM), A M Mohamed Haniffa Hot and Cold Drinks, Buffalo Road (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM), Komala Vilas Restaurant, Serangoon Road (open 8:00 AM - 10:30 PM)
Cost: SGD 0.50 - SGD 3
Things to Keep in Mind While Eating in Singapore
- Be aware of the different cutlery used in the cuisine - from chopsticks, spoons and forks. Some dishes even require you to use hands
- Be careful about nut and soy allergies, and lactose intolerance - most dishes use nuts, soy and dairy
- If you do not have a high tolerance for spice, ask your chef beforehand to go easy on the spice
- Street-food joints sell out fast or have long lines, so reach the joints quickly and avoid the long waiting period
- Don't forget to Instagram your food! #FoodPorn much?
It is true that we live and love to eat. There is no better place in the world to take your taste buds on a world tour, than Singapore. Which food did you enjoy the most? Which dish are you most eager to try? Comment below, and let us know! #FoodLove all the way!