If you’re someone who travels to eat, be sure to add Singapore to your wanderlust wish list. From Michelin-starred restaurants in five-star hotels and casino resorts, to street hawkers selling homemade food, Singaporean foods offer something to suit all tastes and budgets.
I asked some of my favourite travel bloggers what foods they enjoyed eating when they visited Singapore, and here’s what they said:
1. Laksa
If you’re visiting Singapore, you MUST have laksa – a spicy coconut soup, often made with prawns and fish, stemming from the Peranakans. Curry laksa is the most popular in Singapore, but you can also find different variations of laksa in Malaysia.
The easiest way to start a heated discussion among a group of Singaporeans is to ask them where you should find the best laksa in Singapore!
— Karen, Wanderlustingk
2. Wanton Mee
Wanton Mee originates from Guangzhou, China and means “Swallowing Clouds”. To me, that actually translates as “swallowing something magical you can’t quite define, but must have more of”.
‘Mee’ is Hokkien for noodles, which in Singapore are springy, but not tough. The vegetables are green; the char siew sweet and fatty, but not greasy. This sweet yet salty dish is served with wontons and a side of soup – not an integral part of the dish, like in China.
– Sarah, A Social Nomad
3. Kaya toast
If you are visiting Singapore, you must try kaya toast – one of the most unique of all Singaporean foods. Singaporeans usually eat kaya toast for breakfast, although you can enjoy it at any time of day.
This light meal is prepared with kaya jam and sugar, and usually comes with a soft-boiled egg and a dash of pepper and soy sauce. As the kaya jam consists of eggs, sugar and coconut milk, it adds sweetness to the savoury dish. Pair it with Singapore milk tea, and you have yourself a great snack!
– Nancy, enSquaredAired
Visiting Singapore for a holiday? Check out the best things to do in Singapore.
4. Char kway teow
Char kway teow consists of flat rice noodles (kway teow) stir-fried with blood cockles, prawns, sausage, egg, chive, and bean sprouts, with an abundant helping of dark soy sauce and lard. The resulting dish is extremely high in sodium and saturated fat, yet it’s everything you’ll ever want from a Singaporean dish; tasty, cheap, quick and oozing with authentic local flavour!
You’ll know it’s traditional char kway teow when you can sense a distinct (but not overpowering) burnt aroma that locals call “wok hei”, or “breath of the wok”, imparted by the stir-fry process.
– Mike Aquino, Southeast Asia Time Traveler
5. Singapore Chilli Crab
All the way from Singapore is the uniquely flavoured chilli crab! Complementing this spicy, yet tangy dish are sambal kang kong (stir-fried water spinach with spicy prawn paste) and salted egg prawns (prawns fried and coated with salted egg mix).
Chilli crab is best eaten with hot ‘mantous’ (deep-fried buns).
– Irina, The Feed Walks
Fancy having a go at making Singapore Chilli Crab at home? Try out this Singapore Chilli Crab recipe.
6. Braised duck rice
Located at Tekka Food Centre, Heng Gi Goose and Duck rice sells portions at S$3.50 for one person, and S$18 for half a duck. The tender duck meat soaked with homemade sauce and savoury chilli sauce. The fragrance of the duck will fuel your taste buds instantly.
Donovan, Travelvoila.com
For more ideas on what to eat when visiting Singapore, whether you’re looking for a luxury VIP experience or a budget trip, check out this solo traveller’s guide to Singapore.
Do you like the look of these Singaporean foods, or is there a must-try Singaporean food that isn’t mentioned in this post? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
This is a collaborative post.
I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever tried any Singaporean food but how good do they look, I would love to try the Kaya Toast that looks delicious.
BTW the image under 5. Singapore Chilli Crab has been removed.
Ah yeah, I noticed that too – my friend has had to put her account private temporarily, but hopefully it’ll be back up soon! 🙂
I love the way you described the foods here! They all sound utterly fantastic and I really can’t wait to finish work so I can go home and eat something that is hopefully as tasty as these dishes sound.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 It made me hungry just writing it!
Oh wow all of these dishes look so delicious! I think what stands out the most for me is how fresh and mouth watering they all look! I have never tried Singaporean food but this has definitely made me want to try it.
I’ve always loved south east Asian food, but I am yet to experience Singaporean cuisine for myself. After writing this post, I feel like booking flights to Singapore right away!
I lived in Singapore with my family when I was quite young. My Mum taught me how to make Singapore chow mein and it is delicious. All of the above certainly appeals to me. I’m not shy when it comes to food and anything Asian tends to be packed full of flavour. Thank you for posting a mouth watering list!
Glad you enjoyed this post! I would love to experience authentic Singaporean food for myself some day.
Oh the duck rice sounds really tasty, although a lot of new dishes I’d never heard of before x
I love the sound of the Kaya toast. I actually have some in my cupboard too, so I’ll be trying it out for myself soon.
I love Asian food and would love to go to Singapore to sample some authentic cuisine. I like the sound of kaya toast. Thanks for sharing these travel bloggers suggestions.
Glad you liked the post. I have some Kaya coconut jam in my cupboard and so I could even try the toast myself, although I am also considering using it to make a coconut cake.
you win me with this post i am such a fan of foods like this full of flavour and look so cheerful to eat
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the read!
So many lovely dishes to choose from, they look very tasty. I would love to tried the braised duck rice first! Yummy!
It looks like perfect comfort food, doesn’t it?!
Sadly I am allergic to shell fish but the Kaya toast and braised duck sound delicious
Aww, I’ve spoken to a few people lately who have a shellfish allergy. It must be so frustrating for you.
Oh I could just eat this all – yum! I am a big fan of Asian food. A laksa is a must
I love Asian food too. Laksa is always a hit!
Lovely post. I lived in Singapore for 8 months so this is making me nostalgic. Chilli crab is a definite must. I can’t remember what my favoruite dish is called now!!!
Chilli crab does sound really good – I’d love to taste it for myself.
OMG you are making me salivate with all this amazing food! Love Singapore food as its so close to Malaysian cuisine as well and I grew up eating these delish food.
I love SE Asian food. Singapore is definitely on my foodie bucket list!
I think I’ve had vegetable laksa before and enjoyed it. I prefer veggi meals when I eat out rather than fish and meat x
I love laksa. I’ve never tried the veggie version but I bet it’s just as tasty!
I love Laska, it’s absolutely one of my faves – so yummy! H 🙂
Me too – perfect comfort food.
Laksa is one of my favourite dishes and we eat it a lot at home, so that would be the first thing I tried there.
I love laksa too. Such a comforting dish!
I haven’t tried any of these foods before but adding it to my list as my wanderlust feet want to be heading to Asia ASAP
Ooh lucky you, where will you be travelling to altogether?
That all looks delicious. I’ve never had a laska before but they sound unreal! Since there’s no chance of me going to Singapore any time soon I’ll have to give it a go making one at home.
Katie xoxo
Sounds like a great idea Katie! I might do the same actually.
Laska is one of my favourites. I must learn how to cook my own at home.
I love a good laksa too, such a comforting dish!
They all look delicious but I do think that toast looks the nicest! Will have to try this if I ever visit Singapore.
I am very lucky to have some Kaya jam in the cupboard – so I am going to try the toast out very soon 😀
I really miss Singapore for the food now!
I can imagine! It makes me salivate just thinking about it, haha.
Singapore seems like such a foodie paradise! Gutted I was restricted with what I could eat on my visit!
I know what you mean – I would love to go to Singapore someday. It must have been difficult having to eat a restricted diet while you were there.