Singapore Food Guide: What to Eat During Your Holiday in Singapore

Singapore may hold many reputable labels for the vibrant travel destination it is, but the culinary scene here is an unparalleled experience and our Singapore food guide is a focused effort to introduce a few good things to eat in Singapore.

From upscale Michelin star restaurants to humble Singapore street food vendors, the city-state boasts of a gastronomic feast that will leave your taste buds craving for more. 

Fiercely fuelled by international influence, the cuisine is a diverse cornucopia of colours, textures, and flavours making Singapore an absolute gourmet paradise. In fact, the array of diverse cuisines in this culinary mecca is intriguing enough that you will be left spoilt for choice.

So, loosen your belts and prepare yourselves for a lip-smacking culinary adventure on this Singapore food guide.

If you’re wondering what to eat in Singapore, here’s a list of the best Singapore food that you must try during your getaway.

1. Bak Kut The

Every country in Asia prides itself on a local soup or broth that it calls it's own. In Singapore local food, Bak Kut Teh makes this treasured cut. Literally translated to “meat bone tea”, Bak Kut Teh is a spicy and flavoursome meat broth that is served either as a clear broth or a clouded soup. Though there are many variations across households, there is no denying that this humble soup of sorts is food for the soul. In Singapore, you will find locals gulping down piping hot bowls of this culinary delight at any time of the day, but for a truly satiating experience on a Singapore holiday, there is nothing like a hot bowl of Bak Kut Teh on a cold and rainy day.

Where to try it? A few recommended restaurants to try Bak Kut Teh are House of Bak Kut The, Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh (Marina Square), Song Fa Bak Kut Teh and Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut The.

2. Mud Crabs

No food trip in Singapore is complete without a taste of the iconic mud crab. Popularly served either in a chilli or pepper sauce, this quintessential Singapore food is packed with a delicious mix of herbs and spices. Although tucking into the saucy crab might be a messy feat, the tantalizing flavours make all that effort worth it.

Where to try it? For a taste of the best mud crab in town, places to eat in Singapore such as No Signboard Seafood, JUMBO Seafood, and Red House Seafood are just your ticket.

3. Laksa

When in Singapore, nothing spells comfort food better than the humble Laksa. In fact, the dish is so popular with every Singapore food guide that you will find people queuing up in the sweltering heat just to get their hands on a bowl of this rich soup. An epitome of balanced flavours and aromas, Laksa is a rich, spicy, coconut infused soup that packs a flavourful punch. While the broth is traditionally the same, the dish can be given versatile variations by topping it off with an assortment of seafood, meat or herbs.

Where to try it? For the best Laksa in Singapore, head to the streets where Michelin star hawkers will offer you a feast for the senses. A few recommended restaurants to try laksa are 328 Katong Laksa, Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa, and Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa.

4. Bak Chor Mee

Also known as minced meat noodles, this iconic street food is Singapore’s unique take on the simple noodle. Tangy, savoury and spicy are but a few words that begin to describe the complex amalgamation of tastes and textures in this dish. Lauded for its flavour-packed goodness, this soupy noodle dish comes topped with an assortment of braised vegetables, herbs and minced meat. Finished off with some fish sauce, the dish tastes like a mouthful of heaven. Trust me, Bak chor mee is unlike any other noodle dish you have tasted.

Where to try it? Our Singapore food guide recommends Bak Chor Mee (Kovan Hougang Market), Jin Minced Pork Noodle and 58 Minced Meat Noodle (Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre) as preferred restaurants to try Bak Chor Mee.

5. Wanton Mee

Wanton Mee is a Cantonese dish that originally traces its roots to Hong Kong. Nonetheless, the fondness for it in Singapore has only increased. The noodle is blanched and soaked in a steaming hot broth. The noodle broth by itself is absolutely delicious that you will gulp it down as it is. But what makes this dish as arguably the best food in Singapore is the stuffed wontons that render the perfect balance to the dish as a whole. One serving and you will come back wanting more.

Where to try it? A few recommended restaurants to try wanton mee are Lo Chan Kee Cantonese Wanton Noodles, Wong Kee Noodle, and Noodle Evolution.

6. Roti Prata

As simple as it may appear, the Roti Prata has remained Singapore’s most beloved food. Overflowing with a great amount of ghee, this fluffy Indianized bread is food for the soul. Typically paired with a gravy of sorts, the flaky and crispy prata is also served with a variety of dips, sambal or pickles. If you want to take it to the next level, then the crispy egg prata is a winner. Most Indian restaurants in Singapore serve this delectable dish. 

Where to try it? A few recommended restaurants to try roti prata are Springleaf Prata Place, Mr. and Mrs. Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata, and Mr. Prata.

7. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Simplicity is key to great food and when on a Holiday in Singapore, nothing is more welcoming than a generous serving of spicy Hainanese chicken paired with a bowl of hot steamy rice.  Succulent and tender chicken pieces are steamed and then blanched in a hot and spicy vinegary sauce, garnished with some sprouts and herbs. The enticing aroma of chicken is so tantalizing that you can smell it miles away. This local food is a must try on every Singapore tour package foodie’s list.

Where to try it? A few recommended restaurants to try Hainanese chicken rice are Chin Chin Eating House, Nam Kee Chicken Rice Restaurant and Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice.

8. Orh Luak

If you are a seafood lover, then the oyster omelette or Orh Luak as it is locally known is a must try dish. Unlike any other regular omelette, the eggs are stir-fried with fresh oysters, spring onions and spicy chilli sauce, giving it that zingy taste. The best way to relish this Singapore food is with a serving of hot sauce.

Where to try it? For a truly authentic taste of Orh Luak according to our Singapore food guide, head to the streets where the hawkers will offer you a sensory feast. A few recommended restaurants to try orh luak are Ang Sa Lee Fried Oyster, Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant and Ah Chuan Oyster Omelette.

9. Fish Head Curry

Most favoured by the Indian community in Singapore, this tangy fish stew attracts food enthusiasts from all over for its simple yet exciting flavours. Traditionally, the dish features a succulent red snapper. But the curry so delicately balances contrasting flavours of sweet and savoury that it can complement any kind of seafood. The best way to relish this simple dish without distorting the flavours is to pair it with a bowl of hot steaming rice.

Where to try it? A few recommended restaurants to try fish head curry are Xin Yuan Ji, Yu Cun Fish Head Curry and Soon Ho Eating House.

10. Satay

As you venture through the winding streets of Singapore’s culinary heart, you will find yourself immersed in the aroma of seasoned meat cooking on grills and barbeques. This is none other than that popular street food of Singapore, Satay. Traditionally cooked with chicken, Satay is the counterpart of the middle eastern kebab that is marinated in a unique blend of local spices and cooked over hot coal. As hot fans blow away excess heat from the coals, the smoky flavour gets infused in the meat rendering it a distinctive charred taste. The perfect way to enjoy satay is to top it off with a dollop of sambal and wash it down with a pint of beer or a glass of local rice wine.

Where to try it? A few recommended restaurants to try satay are Lau Pa Sat Satay, Chomp Chomp Satay, and Chuan Kee Satay.

11. Ais Kacang

It’s an undeniable fact that no meal is complete without a sweet touch. In Singapore, there is no better way to finish your meal than with a snowy concoction of sugary goodness. Translated to mean ‘iced beans’, Ais Kacang is a refreshing dessert that is also served as a milkshake of sorts. Popularly made with evaporated milk, red beans, jelly, cut fruits and palm sugar, this dessert is your one-stop solution to a thoroughly enjoyable sugar rush. Topped with shaved ice and flavoured syrups, this dessert is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes.

Where to try it? A few recommended restaurants to try ais kacang are Annie’s Peanut Ice Kacang, Lit Lit Xin Cold and Hot Dessert and Mei Heong Yuan Dessert.

With bustling streets and hawkers in every corner, with fancy Michelin star restaurants and numerous joints serving delicious food, where to eat in Singapore is never a question. With this Singapore food guide, things to eat in Singapore has been answered too. Try some of the best food in Singapore on your Singapore tour package and do share your thoughts with us!