Singapore Street Food – You must to try
Singapore street food scene is a delightful mix of Indian, Chinese, and Malay influences, thanks to its diverse communities. When you dine at local spots here, you’re getting the real deal, not the Westernized versions, so be ready for some new and tasty experiences if you haven’t been to India or China.
Malay cuisine might be a bit under the radar but it’s definitely worth trying. Plus, there are some dishes that are uniquely Singaporean.
Here are some must-try street foods when you visit Singapore. There are many more, but these picks will give you a good start. I’ve added a few suggestions on where to find them, too. Enjoy your culinary adventure!
1. Satay
You’ve probably had satay before, but in Singapore, it’s a big deal. You can choose skewers of chicken or beef, or mix it up with both, and dip them in tasty satay sauce.
Where: Outside Lau Pa Sat Food Court (also known as Telok Ayer Market) from 7pm every night. The street gets closed off and market vendors set up charcoal grills. It becomes a massive satay fest and the aroma is absolutely mouth-watering.
2. Laksa
Laksa is a yummy Singaporean/Malaysian dish full of rich, creamy flavors. You get rice noodles in a coconut-based broth with chili, lime, and often tofu or squid, or both.
Where: Lau Pa Sat Food Court or Maxwell Food Centre are great places to find it. You’ll spend around $4 for some of the best street food in Singapore.
Wow, paradise!
3. Murtabak
Murtabak is an Indian dish I first tasted in Singapore, even though you can also find it in Thailand and Indonesia. It’s made by frying roti into parcels filled with chicken or mutton, along with onions and often egg or cheese.
The restaurant owner once told me, ‘If you have this for lunch, you won’t need dinner.’ (I still had dinner, but I get what he meant).
Where: You can find Murtabak all over Little India. I had a particularly delicious one at Big Boss Bistro on Dickson Road.
4. Nasi Lemak
One of my favorite Malaysian dishes, Nasi Lemak is also quite popular in Singapore. It’s a mix of rice, spicy sambal paste, peanuts, and cucumber. It usually looks all neat when served, but the trick is to mix it all up for a tasty and somewhat messy meal.
Where: You can get Nasi Lemak just about everywhere, from street stalls to restaurants, even chain cafes. If you’re up for a slightly fancier experience, check out Village Nasi Lemak Bar.
5. Kaya toast
Kaya toast is a staple breakfast in Singapore. It’s basically slices of toast spread with sweet kaya butter and served with soft-boiled eggs. The best way to enjoy it? Dip the toast in the yolk. Yum!
Where: Many chain cafes serve kaya toast, so you can head to Toast Box or Ya Kun Kaya Toast for a quick and affordable bite. For a more authentic experience, swing by Tong Ah Eating House, a local favorite that’s been serving kaya toast for years.
6. Dim sum
Dim sum is super popular all over the world, and it would be strange if it wasn’t a big hit in Singapore. You can find the usual meat and veggie dim sum all over Chinatown, but if you want something a bit different, check out the cute cartoon pig dim sum I tried at Canton Paradise.
Unfortunately for me, these little piggies were filled with salted egg yolk, and that’s just not my thing. They’re definitely Instagram-worthy, though!
Where: The traditional type of dim sum is all over Chinatown. Tim Ho Wan is known as one of the best places, with five spots serving dim sum around the clock.
7. Hokkien Mee
This dish, with roots in China, is a staple in both Singapore and Malaysia. It’s kinda like pad Thai but without the peanuts. Instead, it’s packed with egg, prawns, sambal paste, lime, and chili.
Where: Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee is a top-rated food stall in Toa Payoh, an area known for its awesome hawker stands. Albert Hawker Centre (shown in the pic) also has delicious Hokkien noodles.
8. Chilli/Pepper Crab
Oh man, chilli crab! This is one of Singapore’s must-try street foods, served in a creamy coconut sauce. Black pepper crab is another crowd favorite… really, you can’t go wrong with crab!
But heads up – our chilli crab feast got super pricey. We got caught in a tourist trap at a riverside spot in Boat Quay. We took the waiter’s advice on two ‘seasonally priced’ crabs for three people and ended up with a $300 Singaporean dollars (around £150) bill, including a couple of beers and sides – ouch.
Where: Jumbo Seafood and No Signboard Seafood are top spots to try, and you’ll spend about S$40. Both of these places started as hawker stalls and now have flagship restaurants.
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, Makansutra Gluttons Bay is a cool open-air hawker spot with a great vibe.
9. Michelin Star Chicken Noodles
Did you know that the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world is in Singapore? For just $5 (£2.50!) you can enjoy a generous serving of chicken noodles or rice. The rice is served with a side of soybeans that look like peanuts, while the noodles come with some greens, both drenched in a sweet soy sauce. Honestly, I wouldn’t say it’s the best food in Singapore, but the hype is something to experience!
Where: Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice Noodle (quite a mouthful!) located in Chinatown.
10. Palak Paneer
This is one of my all-time favorite Indian dishes, and it’s especially well-loved in Singapore. Palak is a rich spinach sauce with cubes of paneer cheese.
Where: Banana Leaf Apollo – a well-known spot in Little India. We spent $50 (£25) on dinner and drinks for two, and it was delicious. If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind sitting on a stool by the street, you can find palak paneer elsewhere for half the price.
11. Carrot Cake
Despite its name, this traditional Singaporean dish doesn’t have any actual carrots in it! Made with omelette and cubes of rice, topped with spring onions and white radish (which some call carrot in Singapore, hence the name), it’s a salty and flavorful treat with a hint of sweetness from the sauce. Absolutely recommended!
Where: I had a fantastic carrot cake at Liang Court near Fort Canning Station for S$4. This place is popular with locals on their lunch breaks. You’ll find other great spots around Chinatown and at the Amoy Street Food Centre, where there’s also some fantastic street art to check out.
12. Oyster Omelette
Think of this as the seafood version of carrot cake. It’s basically a fried omelette with oysters instead of the usual rice cubes. If you love seafood, you gotta give this a try!
Where to find it: Head over to Chinatown, Maxwell Food Centre, or Lau Pa Sat Food Court. You can grab this tasty treat for just a few bucks.
What to Drink in Singapore
Singaporeans are just as crazy about their coffee as they are about their food (and who can blame them?). You’ll find everything from budget-friendly tea stalls to swanky cocktail bars here. Ready to sip on something special? Check these out…
1. Kopi
The local term for coffee in Malaysia. This drink is perfect if you’re into something sweet, as it’s made with condensed milk. It’s not overly sugary, making it a great choice to start your day!
2. Selfie Coffee
Food purists might scoff at this, but it’s a fun novelty. Imagine having your face printed on your coffee’s foam! At Selfie Coffee, that’s exactly what you get. Plus, posing with the café’s props before choosing your photo adds to the fun!
3. Sugarcane Juice
Yep, a lot of Singaporean drinks are on the sweeter side. But at least this one is all-natural and super refreshing, especially in the heat.
4. Rosewater
I was at a restaurant in Little India when they suggested I try this beloved soft drink. It has a unique rose flavor mixed with lime juice, so it’s not too sweet. I’d definitely go for it again.
5. A Singapore Sling
Probably the most iconic drink in Singapore. But heads up, it’ll set you back $37 at Raffles Hotel. You can find it cheaper elsewhere, but you’ll miss out on the Raffles vibe. The hotel was closed for renovations during my visit, so that decision was made for me. Even without the fancy setting, it was delicious – think fruity flavors and a gin kick.
Want an Expert Guide to Find These Foods?
One of my top food tours in Asia is Ultimate Food Journey. They go all out to offer you the best eats with guides who are locals and know the city like the back of their hand.
You’ll get to taste 12 different dishes while exploring the city on a delightful and cultural evening. It’s a must-try experience!
If you’d like to explore more activities in this beautiful country, feel free to check them out and support us by booking through the link below.
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