Singapore's food scene is legendary. From its street food stalls to its high-end restaurants, the food here is a reflection of the city's melting pot of cultures. As people immigrated to Singapore from all over Asia, they brought with them their own unique cuisines, which eventually blended together to form the delicious, mouth-watering food we know and love today. And let me tell you, if you're looking for a true taste of Singapore, diving into its food is an absolute must.
So come along with us on this foodie adventure and get ready to chow down on some of the most delicious meals you've ever had!
1. Laksa
This dish is a spicy noodle soup that's packed with flavor and oh-so-satisfying. With a rich and creamy coconut milk-based broth, tender noodles, and a variety of fresh ingredients, this dish is a real taste explosion in your mouth.
2. Chicken Rice
This dish might not look like much, but it's a true masterpiece. The chicken is cooked perfectly, with tender and juicy meat. And the rice? Don't even get us started! It's fluffy and somehow exceptionally delicious. It’s no wonder this dish used to be the world’s cheapest Michelin star meal!
3. Roti Prata
This is a popular breakfast dish in Singapore. It's a thin and crispy flatbread that's fried to perfection and typically served with a curry dipping sauce. However, if you find the right place you can also get a whole range of other toppings, both sweet and savory. If there’s a help group for prata addictions anywhere out there, sign me up!
4. Satay at Lau Pa Sat
This is a must-try street food in Singapore. Every night, the street beside the Lau Pa Sat hawker center is closed off to cars and Satay Street comes to life! Vendors line the street, grilling marinated meat (usually chicken, beef, or prawns) to absolute perfection. The skewers are served with a simple, yet perplexingly delicious peanut dipping sauce.
5. Chilli Crab
This is one of Singapore's most famous dishes and for good reason. Fresh crab is stir-fried with a chili sauce that's sweet, savory, and seriously delicious. Prepare for it to get messy though. This one is quite literally finger-licking good! Make sure to get the little dumplings that are offered on the side to soak up all of the saucy goodness.
6. Char Kway Teow
If you’re a fan of noodles, you won’t want to miss this one. Char kway teow is a stir-fried noodle dish made with flat rice noodles, seafood, eggs, bean sprouts, and a delicious sauce. The key to a great char kway teow is the wok hei (the flavor that comes from the wok itself) which gives the noodles a rich, and almost smoky flavor. Trust me, one bite and you'll be hooked.
7. Sambal Stingray
If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, give sambal stingray a try. Some compare the taste of stingrays to sharks, while others say it’s somewhere between the taste of a lobster and a white-fleshed fish. Either way, the fresh stingray is grilled to perfection, then smothered in a spicy sambal sauce so you really taste the sauce more than anything else.
8. Frog Porridge
Another unique dish in Singapore, frog porridge is a savory porridge made with frog legs and a variety of spices. It's definitely worth a try for the adventurous foodies out there, but I’ll admit, I was never brave enough.
9. Beef Rendang
Beef Rendang is a hearty dish made with tender chunks of beef, spices, and coconut milk. Served with rice, this dish is like a big warm hug in a bowl.
10. Carrot Cake
This dish may sound like dessert, but it's actually a savory dish made with diced radish cake stir-fried with egg, vegetables, and sauces. You can’t leave Singapore without trying this classic hawker staple.
11. Rojak
Rojak is a salad dish made with fruit, vegetables, and a sweet and spicy sauce. The mixture of pineapple, cucumber, and the special sauce make for a somewhat surprising experience that I just don’t have the words to explain. You’ll just have to try it for yourself!
12. Wanton Mee
Wanton Mee is more than just a simple bowl of noodles - it's a true taste sensation. It features tender egg noodles, juicy pork dumplings, and a tasty broth that ties the whole dish together.
13. Mala Xiang Guo
Mala Xiang Guo is a fiery explosion of flavors for your tastebuds. It’s a stir-fried medley of ingredients, including meats, vegetables, and noodles, that are coated in a fiery, numbing sauce made from Sichuan peppercorns. The best part? You get to choose your own ingredients, so you can pick and choose what you like.
14. Economic Rice
If you're looking for a budget-friendly meal in Singapore, look no further than the economic rice vendors. But don't let the name fool you – this dish packs a punch of flavor! Choose from a variety of tasty stir-fried meats, vegetables, and rice to create a custom meal that's both filling and satisfying. Plus, since you get to choose exactly what you want, you're guaranteed to get a meal that's just to your taste.
15. Kaya Toast
Kaya Toast is a classic breakfast staple in Singapore, and for good reason. It's made with soft and fluffy toast, topped with a sweet and creamy kaya spread made from coconut milk, sugar, and eggs. It’s usually served with soft-cooked eggs and a cup of coffee, which once you get used to the runny eggs, is not a bad start to the morning in my opinion!
16. Nasi Lemak
This is a popular dish in Singapore, and it's a real crowd-pleaser. It's made with steamed rice that's cooked in coconut milk and served with a variety of side dishes like fried chicken, anchovies, peanuts, and eggs. Go easy with the sambal though if you aren’t a big fan of spice, it usually has quite a kick to it!
17. Chee Cheong Fun
This soft, steamed rice noodle roll is a breakfast staple in Singapore. It’s often filled with a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, pork, or vegetables and served with a sweet sauce.
18. Popiah
This fresh spring roll is a delicious street-food snack. Stuffed with veggies, peanuts, and sweet sauce. Pro-tip: head to a hawker center for the best popiah around!
19. Salted Egg Yolk Fish Skin
This popular snack is made with deep-fried fish skin and a sprinkle of salted egg seasoning. You’ll see packets of these crunchy treats in many grocery stores and convenience stores, next to the packets of chips. Irvin's is one of the most popular brands so if you’re interested in trying this snack, that’s a good place to start.
20. Durian
Love it or hate it, durian is a big part of the food scene in Singapore. This spiky fruit has a creamy and rich flesh that's super pungent. It’s hard to get past the smell, especially if you’ve never tried it before, but you’ve got to try it at least once in your life!
21. Ondeh-Ondeh
If you have a sweet tooth, find some ondeh-ondeh immediately! This round, glutinous ball of joy is filled with melted gula melaka (palm sugar), giving it a rich, caramel flavor. As you bite into the soft and chewy exterior, the warm, gooey filling oozes out, creating an explosion of sweet, sticky goodness in your mouth. This traditional Peranakan dessert is not just a treat for your taste buds, but a feast for the senses too - its vibrant green color comes from the pandan leaves used in the dough, adding a lovely aroma to the dessert. Can you tell I’m a huge fan?
22. Chendol
This colorful dessert consists of green noodles made from rice flour and pandan, served in a bowl of sweet and creamy coconut milk and topped with red beans, gula melaka (palm sugar syrup), and shaved ice. While this combination might sound a little odd, trust me, once you try that first mouthful, you’ll never look back.
23. Kopi
No trip to Singapore is complete without trying a cup of kopi (coffee). This signature drink is made with robusta coffee beans and is often brewed with sugar and condensed milk for a rich, creamy flavor. But there is a very particular way to order these drinks! So, before you go, save yourself the disappointment of an incorrect coffee order and check out our blog post on all things Kopi in Singapore.
24. Iced Bandung
This pink drink is made with condensed milk and rose syrup, giving it a unique and delicately sweet flavor. Not only does it taste great, but it's also pretty to look at! Some say the pink hue is reminiscent of a sunset on the beaches of Indonesia, where the drink originated. You'll often see people sipping on a glass of Bandung on a hot day or after a meal, but really it's delicious any time of the day.
25. Iced Milo Dinosaur
For a childhood classic, try an iced Milo dinosaur. This cold drink is made with Milo (a popular chocolate malt powder) and is topped with an extra scoop of powder that creates a "dinosaur egg" on top. Fun and delicious!
26. Sugar Cane Juice
This sweet and refreshing drink is made from freshly pressed sugar cane and is a great way to cool down on a hot day. Plus it’s also a healthier alternative to sugary sodas, while still satisfying those sugar cravings.
27. Lime Juice
Another refreshing option, lime juice is a classic drink made with fresh lime juice and sugar syrup. It's a perfect pick-me-up on a hot day or to balance out the richness of some of the more indulgent dishes.
28. Tiger Beer
Tiger beer is a true original, having been brewed right here in the streets of Singapore for over 90 years. Its enduring popularity says all you need to know about it. It’s the perfect accompaniment to wash down all those delicious hawker meals you’ll be having.
29. Singapore Sling
Last but definitely not least is Singapore's most iconic cocktail - the Singapore Sling. This drink is not just any ordinary beverage, it's a sip of history. First concocted at the legendary Raffles Hotel in 1915, the Singapore Sling has since become a staple in the city's effervescent cocktail culture. Made with a blend of gin, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, and a handful of other ingredients, many choose to transport themselves back in time by sipping on this classic at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel. Others enjoy their drink on top of Marina Bay Sands, taking in the stunning views over the bay as the sun sets and the city lights up.
And there you have it! With so many delicious options, your taste buds will never be bored in Singapore. Happy eating!
