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Singapore is renowned for its vibrant cuisine, where traditional dishes meet modern culinary innovation. As a melting pot of cultures, the island nation offers diverse flavours, making it a haven for food enthusiasts. From bustling hawker centres to upscale fine dining, Singapore’s culinary landscape is rich with options that reflect its multicultural heritage. Here’s a guide to the best foods in Singapore that you must try, each offering a unique and unforgettable taste of the city’s gastronomic delights.
Top 10 Best Places To Enjoy Best Foods In Singapore
Here is a list of the top ten best foods in Singapore that one should not miss during a visit.
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
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Hainanese Chicken Rice is perhaps the most iconic dish in Singapore, often considered the national dish. It features tender, poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and a trio of sauces: chilli, ginger, and dark soy. The dish’s simplicity belies its rich flavours, making it a favourite among locals and tourists. The chicken is tender and juicy, while the rice is infused with the broth’s essence, creating a comforting and satisfying meal. Often garnished with cucumber slices and served with a side of light soup, Hainanese Chicken Rice is a must-try for anyone visiting Singapore.
Location: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 5 / ₹322 onwards
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2. Chilli Crab
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Chilli Crab is a must-try dish for seafood lovers visiting Singapore. This dish features fresh crab cooked in a tangy, sweet, spicy tomato-based sauce thickened with egg. The sauce is rich and flavourful, perfectly complementing the succulent crab meat. Traditionally, the dish is served with steamed or fried mantou (buns), perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce. Chilli Crab is a communal dish, making it an excellent option for group dining. Pair it with a cold beer or a refreshing drink for the ultimate seafood in Singapore.
Location: Jumbo Seafood, East Coast
Timings: 11 AM – 11 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 50 / ₹3225 onwards
3. Laksa
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Laksa is a spicy noodle soup that reflects the Peranakan culture, blending Chinese and Malay influences. The dish consists of rice noodles or vermicelli served in a rich, coconut milk-based curry soup with ingredients like shrimp, cockles, fish cake, and tofu puffs. The broth is fragrant and harmonious with spicy, sweet, and savoury flavours. Laksa is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for those looking to experience Singapore’s multicultural culinary heritage. Adding a generous dollop of sambal and a squeeze of lime enhances the dish, offering a burst of flavour with every spoonful.
Location: 328 Katong Laksa, East Coast Road
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 5 / ₹322 onwards
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4. Char Kway Teow
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Char Kway Teow is a popular stir-fried noodle dish that’s beloved for its smoky flavour and rich taste. Made with flat rice noodles, Chinese sausages, prawns, eggs, and bean sprouts, the dish is stir-fried in a hot wok with dark soy sauce and lard, creating a savoury, slightly sweet dish with a unique wok hei (breath of the wok) flavour. Char Kway Teow is a staple in Singapore’s hawker centres, offering a taste of the island’s street food culture. Adding cockles and crispy pork lard enhances the dish’s flavour profile, making it even more indulgent.
Location: Hill Street Char Kway Teow, Bedok South Road
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 4 / ₹258 onwards
5. Hokkien Mee
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Hokkien Mee is a fragrant and flavourful noodle dish made by stir-frying a combination of yellow noodles and rice vermicelli with prawns, squid, and pork lard, all simmered in a rich prawn broth. The dish is often garnished with crispy pork lard, lime, and sambal chilli on the side for an added kick. The noodles soak up the broth, making each bite a burst of umami. Hokkien Mee is a comforting dish that embodies the essence of Singapore’s hawker culture. Undoubtedly, this dish is one of the best in Singapore.
Location: Tian Tian Lai Hokkien Mee, Serangoon Gardens
Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 5 / ₹322 onwards
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6. Bak Kut Teh
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Bak Kut Teh, or “pork rib tea,” is a peppery soup made with pork ribs simmered in a broth of garlic, white pepper, and other spices. The dish is hearty and warming, often served with rice, fried dough sticks (you tiao), and pickled vegetables. The broth is clear and peppery, offering a comforting and satisfying meal that’s particularly popular for breakfast or supper. Bak Kut Teh is a dish steeped in history, reflecting the culinary traditions of Singapore’s Teochew community. The tender pork ribs, infused with spicy broth, create a delightful contrast with the crunchy dough sticks.
Location: Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh, Rangoon Road
Timings: 7 AM – 10 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 8 / ₹516 onwards
7. Satay
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Satay is a beloved Singaporean dish featuring skewered and grilled meats like chicken, beef, or mutton, typically accompanied by a flavorful peanut sauce, rice cakes, onions, and cucumber. The meat is marinated in a blend of spices, giving it a smoky and slightly sweet flavour once grilled. Satay is a favourite at Singapore’s hawker centres and is often enjoyed as a communal dish. The tender, charred meat and the creamy, nutty sauce make for a delightful snack or starter. Adding ketupat (rice cakes) and fresh vegetables adds texture and balance to the dish, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Location: Satay by the Bay, Marina Bay
Timings: 5 PM – 12 AM
Cost/Person: SGD 6 / ₹387 onwards
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8. Fish Head Curry
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Fish Head Curry is a unique dish that combines Indian and Chinese culinary traditions. The dish features a whole fish head simmered in a spicy and tangy curry sauce made with a blend of spices, tamarind, and coconut milk. The fish is tender and absorbs the rich flavours of the curry, making for a hearty and satisfying meal. Fish Head Curry is often served with rice or bread and is best enjoyed in a group due to its generous portion size. The bold, tangy flavours of the curry are balanced by the delicate, flaky fish, making it a standout dish.
Location: Muthu’s Curry, Race Course Road
Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 25 / ₹1612 onwards
9. Kaya Toast with Soft-Boiled Eggs
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Kaya Toast with Soft-Boiled Eggs is a quintessential Singaporean breakfast dish. Kaya is a sweet coconut and egg jam spread generously on toasted bread, which is then served with soft-boiled eggs drizzled with soy sauce and a dash of white pepper. Combining the creamy eggs and the sweet, crispy toast makes for a comforting and satisfying start to the day. Kaya Toast is often paired with a solid local coffee, making it a favourite morning ritual for many Singaporeans. This simple yet delightful breakfast encapsulates the essence of Singapore’s special food, providing a perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours.
Location: Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Multiple Locations
Timings: 7 AM – 9 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 4 / ₹258 onwards
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10. Nasi Lemak
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Nasi Lemak is a beloved dish in Singapore, often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch. It consists of fragrant coconut rice served with various accompaniments, including fried chicken, ikan bilis (fried anchovies), peanuts, a hard-boiled egg, cucumber slices, and sambal chilli. The dish is a perfect balance of flavours and textures, with the coconut rice’s richness complementing the sambal’s spiciness and the ikan bilis’s crunchiness. Nasi Lemak is a comfort food that reflects Singapore’s multicultural heritage. The dish’s versatility allows for various combinations, making it popular among locals and visitors.
Location: Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak, Adam Road Food Centre
Timings: 7 AM – 5 PM
Cost/Person: SGD 5 / ₹322 onwards
Singapore’s culinary scene offers a tantalising array of flavours that reflect its rich multicultural heritage. From the iconic Hainanese Chicken Rice to the hearty Fish Head Curry, each dish uniquely tastes the city’s diverse gastronomic culture. Ready to savour the best foods in Singapore? Plan a trip with TripXL to Singapore and explore the city’s top food spots and hidden gems.
Cover Photo: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
