Singapore may be among the world’s smallest countries but it is rich in various foods: Singapore is known as a food paradise for a reason, with many delicious local dishes. But when it comes to street food, the city-state truly shines. From hawker centers to food markets, Singapore street food is a treasure trove of gastronomic delights that every foodie must experience at least once. From its renowned chili crabs to fusions of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures, Singapore street food is the way to experience Little Red Dot’s melting pot. Immerse in Singapore’s hawker heritage, and get the most bang for your buck as you feat on world-class dishes. This blog will discuss some of the Singapore street food you must try when visiting this island city-state.
Best Singapore Street Food
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the local dishes that needs no introduction, as it is one of Singapore’s most iconic dishes. It consists of tender, and poached chicken served on top of fragrant rice cooked with chicken stock and ginger. The dish is usually accompanied by a light soup and a dipping sauce made from chili, ginger, and dark soy sauce. You can find Hainanese Chicken Rice at almost any hawker center or food court in Singapore, but some of the most famous places to try it are Tian Tian Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Center and Wee Nam Kee at Novena.
2. Char Kway Teow
Another Singapore street food is Char Kway Teow. It is a stir-fried noodle dish that is a favorite of many Singaporeans. The dish is made with flat rice noodles that are stir-fried with eggs, bean sprouts, Chinese sausage, and cockles in a dark soy sauce. The dish is often served with a dollop of chili paste on top. To try one of the best Char Kway Teow in Singapore, head to Hill Street Char Kway Teow at Bedok South Road or Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee at Hong Lim Food Centre.
3. Satay
Satay is a popular Singapore street food that consists of skewered, grilled meat served with a peanut dipping sauce. The meat can be chicken, beef, or mutton, which is marinated with a blend of spices before grilling. Satay is often served with ketupat (compressed rice cake) and cucumber. To try some of the best satay in Singapore, head to Chomp Chomp Food Center in Serangoon, where you can find various satay stalls.
4. Roti Prata
Roti Prata is a popular Indian-influenced dish staple at many Singapore hawker centers and food courts. It is a flatbread made by flipping and stretching the dough until it becomes thin and flaky. The roti prata is usually served with a curry dipping sauce and can be filled with various ingredients such as cheese, onions, and eggs. To try some of the best roti prata in Singapore, head to The Roti Prata House at Upper Thomson Road or Mr. and Mrs. Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata at Jalan Kayu.
5. Bak Chor Mee
Bak Chor Mee is a noodle dish popular in Singapore, particularly in the Hokkien community. It consists of egg noodles tossed with minced pork, mushrooms, and fried shallots in vinegar and chili sauce. The dish is often served with a bowl of soup on the side. To try some of the best Bak Chor Mee in Singapore, head to Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Crawford Lane or Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Hong Lim Food Centre.
6. Laksa
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup famous in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It consists of thick rice noodles served in a spicy coconut milk-based broth, with ingredients such as shrimp, fish cake, tofu puffs, bean sprouts, and hard-boiled eggs. The dish is often served with sambal chili paste for an added kick. To try some of the best Laksa in Singapore, head to Sungei Road Laksa at Jalan Besar or 328 Katong Laksa at East Coast Road.
7. Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak is a fragrant rice dish in Singapore street food and a Malay cuisine staple. It is made of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with various side dishes such as fried chicken, fried egg, cucumber slices, and sambal chili paste. The dish is often wrapped in a banana leaf for added flavor. To try some of the best Nasi Lemak in Singapore, head to Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak at Adam Road Food Center or Chong Pang Nasi Lemak at Yishun.
8. Fried Carrot Cake
Fried Carrot Cake, or Chai Tow Kway, is a unique dish in Singapore and Malaysia. It is made from rice flour, grated radish, steamed, fried with eggs, garlic, and preserved radish. The dish is often served with chili paste for added flavor. Head to Fu Ming Cooked Food at Redhill Food Centre or Hill Street Fried Kway Teow at Bedok South Road to try some of Singapore’s best Fried Carrot Cakes.
9. Popiah
Popiah is a fresh spring roll that is a popular Singapore street food. It comprises soft, thin wheat flour skin filled with turnips, bean sprouts, lettuce, eggs, and shrimp. The roll is then topped with sweet sauce and chili paste. To try some of the best Popiah in Singapore, head to Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Original Popiah & Kueh Pie Tee at Joo Chiat Road or Freshly Made Popiah at Maxwell Food Center.
10. Oyster Omelette
Oyster Omelette, or Orh Luak, is a popular Singapore street food made from a batter of eggs and tapioca flour mixed with fresh oysters. The mixture is then fried with garlic and chili, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft, savory interior. The dish is often served with a side of chili sauce. To try some of the best Oyster Omelettes in Singapore, head to Heng Heng Cooked Food at Zion Road Riverside Food Center or Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette at Chomp Chomp Food Center.
Conclusion
Singapore street food is a must-try for any food lover. With so many delicious and unique local dishes, it’s no wonder that Singapore is considered a food paradise. So if you are proposing a trip to Singapore, leave some room in your stomach for these fantastic street food options!
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