By Introduction
Singapore is renowned for its food, and with good reason. Singaporeans love to eat, and the city-state’s cuisine is reflective of this. Singapore food is a melting pot of different cultures, with Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences all present. This diversity means that there’s something for everyone in Singapore.
If you’re looking to try some of the best Singapore foods, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be introducing you to some of the most popular Singaporean dishes. From street food staples to Michelin-starred restaurant fare, there’s something for everyone on this list. So without further ado, let’s dive in!
Popular Singapore Foods
There are many popular Singapore foods that are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Some of the most popular dishes include chili crab, Hainanese chicken rice, satay, and laksa.
Chili crab is a seafood dish that is cooked in a spicy tomato-based sauce. It is often served with rice or noodles.
Hainanese chicken rice is a dish of poached chicken and rice that is flavored with ginger and garlic. It is often served with a dipping sauce on the side.
Satay is grilled meat skewers that are commonly made with chicken or beef. They are often served with a peanut sauce for dipping.
Laksa is a noodle soup that contains coconut milk, spices, and either chicken, shrimp, or fish. It is often served with a side of chili paste for added heat.
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese chicken rice is one of the most popular dishes in Singapore. The dish is made with poached chicken and served over rice that has been cooked in chicken broth. Hainanese chicken rice is usually accompanied by a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, and chili peppers.
2. Char Kway Teow
There are many different variations of char kway teow, but the dish typically consists of flat rice noodles stir-fried with egg, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, and your choice of meat (usually pork, chicken, or shrimp). The noodles are often cooked in a slightly sweet sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chili. Char kway teow is a popular street food in Singapore and can be found at most hawker centers.
3. Kaya Toast
Kaya toast is a popular Singaporean breakfast dish made with toasted bread and kaya, a sweet egg and coconut jam. It is often served with butter, coffee or tea.
Kaya toast originates from Hainanese cuisine, and was brought to Singapore by early Hainanese immigrants in the early 20th century. The dish soon became popular among other ethnic groups in Singapore and is now considered a national dish.
There are many variations of kaya toast, but the most common ones are plain kaya toast, butter kaya toast and cheese kaya toast.
Plain kaya toast is simply toasted bread with kaya spread on top. Butter kaya toast is toasted bread with butter and kaya spread on top. Cheese kaya toast is toasted bread with cheese and kaya spread on top.
Kaya can be homemade or store-bought. Store-bought kaya usually comes in two types – pandan (screwpine) flavour or coconut flavour.
Pandan flavour is more common and has a greenish colour due to the use of screwpine leaves extract. Coconut flavour generally has a brownish colour as it uses coconut milk instead of water during the cooking process.
4. Chai Tow Kway
If you’re looking for a hearty dish to warm you up on a cold day, chai tow kway is the perfect choice. This dish is made with rice flour and tapioca flour, which are mixed together and then deep-fried. The result is a crispy pancake that’s often stuffed with vegetables like chives, bean sprouts, and carrots. It’s typically served with soy sauce or chili sauce on the side.
5. Hae Mee
Hae Mee is a type of noodle dish that is very popular in Singapore. It is made with egg noodles, prawns, and vegetables. The noodles are cooked in a broth made with chicken or pork bones. Hae Mee is often served with a spicy chilli sauce on the side.
6. Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee is one of the most popular Singapore foods. It is a dish of noodles and prawns in a thick gravy. The noodles are usually yellow or white in color and are cooked in a wok with pork fat. The dish is served with a side of chili sauce, soy sauce, and lime wedge.
7. Bak Kut Teh
Bak kut teh is a dish of pork ribs cooked in a broth of herbs and spices. It is a popular breakfast dish in Singapore, often served with rice and a side of pickled vegetables.
The name bak kut teh literally means “pork rib tea”, and the dish is said to have originated from the Chinese province of Fujian. It was brought to Singapore by migrants from that province in the early 20th century, and has since become one of the most iconic dishes in Singaporean cuisine.
There are many regional variations of bak kut teh, but the most common version in Singapore is Teochew-style bak kut teh. This style uses a clear broth that is traditionally cooked with garlic, pepper, star anise, cloves, cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds and dried chillies. The pork ribs are slow-cooked in this broth until they are tender and falling off the bone.
Bak kut teh is typically served with rice and a side of pickled vegetables such as cucumber or radish. It can also be ordered with additional sides such as egg tofu, fried dough fritters or youtiao (Chinese deep-fried breadsticks).
8. Chwee Kueh
Chwee kueh is a steamed rice cake that is commonly eaten as a breakfast dish in Singapore. It is made with rice flour and water, and often has Chinese preserved vegetables or meat added to it. The dish is served with a chili sauce or soy sauce.
9. Laksa
Laksa is a rich and flavorful soup that originates from Malaysia. It is made with a variety of ingredients, including coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, chili peppers, and shrimp paste. Laksa is typically served with rice noodles and topped with fresh herbs, such as cilantro and mint.
This dish is beloved by many for its unique flavor profile and hearty ingredients. If you’re looking for a delicious and filling meal, laksa is definitely worth trying!
10. Hainanese Curry Rice
Hainanese curry rice is one of the most popular Singapore foods. It is a dish of rice cooked in a curry sauce and usually served with chicken or pork. The Hainanese people are of Chinese origin and they brought this dish to Singapore. There are many variations of Hainanese curry rice, but the most common ingredients are rice, curry powder, turmeric, ginger, garlic, onion, and potatoes.
11. Fish Head Curry
Fish head curry is one of the most popular dishes in Singapore. It is a curry made with fish heads, usually red snapper or grouper. The fish heads are cooked in a curry gravy with coconut milk, tamarind juice, and spices such as turmeric, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and chili peppers. Fish head curry is typically served with rice and vegetables on the side.
12. Oyster Omelette
Oyster omelette is a popular dish in Singapore that is made with eggs and oysters. The dish is often served with a sweet chili sauce or a dipping sauce.
13. Chili Crab
Chili crab is one of the most popular dishes in Singapore, and is often considered a national dish. The dish consists of mud crabs cooked in a savory, slightly spicy sauce made with chili peppers, garlic, and tomato paste. Chili crab is usually served with rice or noodles.
14. Kway Chap
Kway Chap is a type of rice noodle dish that is popular in Singapore. The dish is made with flat rice noodles, braised pork, and a variety of vegetables. It is typically served with a soy-based sauce, chili sauce, and pickled vegetables.
15. Satay
Satay is a dish of marinated, skewered, and grilled meat served with a peanut dipping sauce. It is thought to have originated in Indonesia, but it is now commonly found in Malaysia and Singapore.
There are many different varieties of satay, but the most common type is chicken satay. Other popular types include beef, lamb, and shrimp satay. The meat is usually cut into small strips or cubes before being skewered onto bamboo or metal skewers. It is then grilled over charcoal or an open flame until cooked through.
The Satay Club at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Singapore is one of the most popular places to get satay in the city. Thesatays here are made with various meats including chicken, beef, lamb, and shrimp. They are served with a variety of dipping sauces including traditional peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce, and cucumber yogurt sauce.
16. Roast Meat
When it comes to food in Singapore, roast meat is definitely one of the most popular dishes. This dish is usually made with chicken, pork or beef, and is often served with rice or noodles. Roast meat is often cooked in a special sauce that gives it a unique flavor, and it is also commonly served with a variety of vegetables.
17. Bak Chor Mee
Bak chor mee is a Singaporean dish that consists of egg noodles with minced pork, mushrooms, and a variety of other ingredients. It is typically served with a vinegar-based sauce.
This dish is incredibly popular in Singapore, and can be found at most hawker centres and food courts. Bak chor mee is usually fairly inexpensive, making it a great option for budget-minded travellers.
If you’re looking for a delicious and hearty meal, bak chor mee is definitely worth trying!
18. Roti Prata
When it comes to food in Singapore, there are so many options available that it can be hard to know where to start. However, one dish that is definitely worth trying is roti prata. This Indian-style flatbread is usually served with curry, and can be found at most hawker centres or food courts around the city.
Roti prata originates from India, and is made from wheat flour, water and ghee or oil. It is traditionally cooked on a griddle or tava, and served hot with curry. Roti prata can be plain or filled with various ingredients such as onions, cheese or even chocolate.
In Singapore, roti prata is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack. It is usually served with dhal (a type of curry made with lentils) or chicken curry, and accompanied by a small cup of teh tarik (pulled tea).
If you’re looking for a tasty and hearty meal, look no further than roti prata. This popular Singaporean dish will surely leave you satisfied!
19. Nasi Biryani
Nasi Biryani is a flavorful rice dish that is typically made with spices, meat, and vegetables. It is one of the most popular Singapore foods and can be found in many restaurants across the city.
20. Nasi Lemak
Nasi lemak is a fragrant coconut rice dish that is popular in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The rice is cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, and is often served with a variety of accompaniments such as fried chicken, egg, peanuts, cucumber, and Sambal chili paste.
Final Words
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, Singapore has a lot to offer in terms of food. From street food to fine dining, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
