Ask any Singaporean what their national favourite pastime is, and they'll most likely answer "Feasting", if not shopping. Singapore food plays an important part in the national identity and is known to bring various cultures together, creating even better fusion dishes our tummies are thankful for.
Discover Singapore food culture with this food guide and eat your way through our top 5 Best Local Foods!
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Is it or is it not? It is a common argument faced when debating whether or not Chicken Rice is a Singaporean dish. Say what you must, but Hainanese Chicken Rice is Singapore's national dish and commonly loved by Singaporeans. While it can be found in all corners of Singapore, we've hunted down the best one so you can make those calories count. While most guides mentioned the all-time favourite, Boon Tong Kee or Five Star Chicken rice, Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice, also known as the Katong Shopping Mall Chicken Rice, takes the cake with its thick and perfectly cooked chicken paired with the fragrant aroma of onion and ginger present in the rice.
Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-85/87, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:30am to 8pm
Inspired by a local dish, this chicken rice potato chips is reminiscent of spiced-infused poached chicken. We strongly recommend you to try their Crusty's Singapore Chicken Rice Flavoured Potato Chips. Did we mention that the snack is halal as well. Crusty launched the new flavour Asian snacks under their Hawker Culture series. Enjoy the ridge-cut potato chips which are reminiscent of the Singaporean dish.
Singapore Chilli Crab
Jumbo Seafood, one of the best restaurants in Singapore, known for its selection of live seafood and it's no surprise that its award-winning Singapore Chilli Crab dish is one of the most sought after foods in the restaurant. With over 20 years of experience in making the uniquely Singapore dish, The thick, sweet, slightly spicy sauce which compliments the flavour of the crab which is strongly recommended by us and many locals. Eat it on its own or pair it steam of fried buns named "man tou".
Jumbo Seafood @ East Coast
Address: 1206 ECP, #01-07/08 East Coast Seafood Centre, Singapore 449883
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4:30pm to 11pm / Sat-Sun 11am to 11pm
Not only can you find Singapore Chilli Crab in restaurants and hawker centres, Golden Duck makes it so accessible with their very own Chilli Crab Seaweed Tempura. The seaweed squares are roasted, coated with house-made tempura batter, deep-fried and then topped with REAL crab meat. Snacking on them is almost like digging into your favourite local crab dish.
Kaya Toast
Lontong, Congee and Roti Prata are one of the many common breakfast foods for Singaporeans. Among these hot breakfast favourites, having the traditional kaya toasts for your breakfast is every Singaporean rite of passage. Started in the 1920s, Ya Kun Kaya Toast is one of the most popular kaya toast complete with the nostalgic atmosphere. The thin and crispy toast with the spread of the velvety kaya and butter are bound to hit the spot.
Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Address: Over 50 outlets
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:30pm to 8:30pm
A Singapore breakfast favourite with a twist! The Kettle Gourmet's Kaya Butter Toast Popcorn brings you the local favourite as a halal certified popcorn in a sweet and buttery, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Singapore Laksa
Laksa is one of Singapore's most iconic dish, especially Katong Laksa. 328 Katong Laksa is famous for their aromatic and spicy coconut based gravy which needs little introduction. With recipe passed down from generations to generations, what started out as a family business have grown into many branches around Singapore.
328 Katong Laksa
Address: 216 East Coast Road, Singapore 428914
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9:00am to 9:00pm
Let the flavour of the aromatic coconut milk, the blend of spices and herbs, and all the other defining things that make Nyonya Laksa take over your tastebuds. The sweet, salty and spiciness of Fupi's Nyonya Laksa makes it ridiculously addictive! The snack is complete with aromatic notes of the spices and herbs with the familiar sweet, salty and spicy of Laksa that we all love. It is considered a healthy snack if you abide by the serving size recommended.
Salted Egg Yolk
What started out as a food trend, turned out to be a craze that is here to stay. Singaporeans love their salted egg yolk, from salted egg Zi Char dishes to fish skin snacks, the list goes on. Boasting an impressive array of zi char dishes is GLC Restaurant, a halal restaurant which is famous for their Salted Egg Chicken Dice Rice which comes with diced chicken generously coated with savoury, spicy salted egg sauce.
GLC Hao Yun Lai Restaurant
Address: 121 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534836
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8:30am to 7:30pm
The salted duck egg is a familiar ingredient used in Asian dishes, and Irvins brought it to the next level. Irvins Salted Egg Fish Skin is mixed with aromatics such as curry leaves and red chilli peppers. A great tasting snack filled with a burst of rich Singapore flavours and it's one of the most popular snacks in Singapore.