Singapore street food is as diverse as its population with a perfect combination of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Indonesian, and other Western influences. When you visit the street food vendor stalls in Singapore, you will be gastronomically satisfied as well as amazed by the variety on display. The street food stalls in Singapore is probably the answer to your question of what to eat in Singapore and where to eat in Singapore. Even though Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, it compensates it for its astonishing culinary variety on offer. We have listed some Singapore food dishes which you should definitely try which will probably act as Singapore food guide during your trip to Singapore.
1. Laksa
Rice noodles served in spicy coconut curry soup stuffed with fish cakes, shrimp, chicken meat, and egg. This is a fusion between the Chinese and Malay cuisine and one of the best food to eat in Singapore. Available in many variants in Southeast Asia, the one served in Singapore is the Katong Laksa version with cut-up noodles. They vendors serve the customers at times with cockles and tofu puffs for taste.
2. Hokkien Prawn Mee
Stir-fried thick and flat egg Hokkien noodles are mixed with slices of pork or chicken, prawns, fish cake and squids along with a seasoning of soy sauce, chili, and vinegar for taste. The vendors serve the dish with sambal sauce and a lime wedge to bring down the oil.
3. Hainanese Chicken Rice
It consists of steamed chicken which is served with rice that is cooked in chicken stock. The steamed rice oozes with a fragrant aroma and a flavor which makes this dish fulfilling and delicious at the same time. Try the dish with some dipping sauce for a local flavor.
4. Barbecued Stingray
With origins on the streets of Singapore, the barbecued stingray is one of the popular seafood dishes served at the hawker stalls. The classic version includes stingray meat slated in thick sambal sauce – a spicy version with diced tomatoes, shrimp paste, and chilies which are then wrapped in a banana leaf and slow-cooked on a grill.
5. Fish Head Curry
Originated somewhere in south India and greatly influenced by Chinese and Malay cuisines, the Fish head curry consists of a huge fish head and vegetables are stirred together and cooked in a curry and served with bread or rice. A glass of local lime juice is served as a combo here. You can also request the vendor to add tamarind juice for a sweet-sour taste.
6. Satay
A starter or party platter side dish which includes skewered grill meat which is served with peanut sauce, rice cake, and cucumber-chili relish. Reflecting a strong turmeric fragrance and flavor, you can choose the dish with variants like beef or mutton, chicken, and pork
7. Chendol
A delicious coconut milk drink which is stirred with brown sugar, red beans, and green starch strips. The drink is creamy and fleshy and contains a big seed in several segments of one big & thorny fruit. You can have only two feelings once you taste it, either you like it or hate it. The smell may not be fragrant, but it definitely tastes like heaven.
8. Durian
It has been nicknamed the king of fruits and the Southeastern Asian population has an irresistible taste for this tasty treat. The dish is so pungent that it has been banned in public spaces like hotels and trains. Overall it carries a distinctive sweet flavor and is used to create several varieties of desserts and drinks. One of the things which you should never miss during your trip to Singapore.
9. Bah Kut The
Originating from the Hokkien immigrants in China, this has been on popular demand among Singaporeans. The main ingredients include juicy pork ribs that are cooked for hours in a rich herbal broth. Fine measured qualities of garlic, cinnamon, cloves, dang gui, star anise, and fennel are then added to give the rich flavor to this dish. Other optional ingredients added include mushrooms, youtiao, and tofu. One of the most popular variants includes the light color Teochew version and the dark soy sauce salty original Hokkien recipe.
10. Frog Porridge
Frogs are marinated in spring onions, soy, wine, and spicy chili along with milder ginger variations before it’s cooked. Due to the tender nature of the frog meat, it may taste similar to chicken. The addition of porridge to the tenderly cooked frog meat makes it a light yet delightful snack. It is usually served with green onion sauce. Check out this dish at the historic Geyland Road for a delightful version and variants.
11. Chili Crab
Hard-shell partially cracked crabs are steamed and then cooked in semi-thick gravy with a tomato chili base, ketchup, and eggs. Don’t go by the way, this dish is not all that spicy. Best served with bread which would soak up the gravy.
12. Char Kuey Teow
This dish consists of white noodles fried in a mixture of black soya sauce, fish cake, bean sprouts, clams and Chinese sausage. Available with major vendors across Singapore.
13. Char Siew Rice/Noodles
Thick and long noodles or rice is served with barbecued pork in a thick sauce. The dish is delicious and simply melts in your mouth. It is available with a majority of the street food vendors.
14. Oyster Omelet
An egg omelette is mixed with flour and then fried with small oysters. It is finally garnished with coriander leaves for taste. This dish is available with many street food vendors.
15. Fried Carrot Cake
Fried Carrot Cake, one of Singapore’s most popular street foods, is, ironically, not a dessert! Yes, it’s a black and white dish rather than what you expect as a bright, delicious cake. Fried Carrot Cake is prepared with eggs, chai ooh, and white radish flour cake, which is commonly known as a white carrot (radish), ultimately creating a carrot cake. It is served with a sweet sauce on top of a beaten egg.
16. Ngoh Hiang
Ngoh Hiang, which means Five Flavours” or Five Spices in Hokkien, is a popular dish in Singaporean street food due to its authenticity. The dish originated in Fujian Province, and it comes in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions, with meat or vegetable rolls. The dish basically refers to a tray of five different fitters: prawn fitters, pork liver, pork rolls, pork sausage, and egg rolls. Every ingredient is marinated in spice powders of five different spices and then filled with a crunchy touch of crushed chestnuts.
17. Buk Chor Mee
The Bok Chor Mee is a minced pork noodle dish, a popular and loved Chinese dish in Singapore. This Singaporean street food dish is blanched with thin egg noodles and stored with oil, black vinegar, and a sizzling hot chilli paste. The noodles are then packed with either of the menu options, including minced pork, pork dumplings, pork balls, pork slices, bits of crispy pork lard, and sometimes umami-packed pieces of dried sole fish.
18. Wanton Mee
Wanton Mee is a delicious Singaporean street food made with minced pork added to the prawns. It is served with springy egg noodles and is usually served dry with char siew (barbecued pork) and healthy leafy greens.
19. Chwee Kueh
Chwee Kueh, which literally means ‘water cake,” is a popular food in the streets of Singapore. It is a Hokkien dialect, and most hawkers sell this delicious dish mostly at the time of breakfast and lunch. The water cake is prepared by mixing rice flour and water, which is then steamed in the shapes of bowl and finally served with mouth-watering sides of chai poh and chilli. It has a mushy, almost pudding like texture to it.
20. Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak is an authentic Malay dish that is a beloved street food dish in Singapore. The dish is cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaf with rice, which is mostly enjoyed as breakfast street food in Singapore, and locals love it. Nasi lemak often comes with simple side notes of fresh cucumber, deep-fried anchovies, omelette, peanuts, and sambal chilli. Sambal chillies, in particular, add a delectable blend with a thick paste and spicy taste.
21. Curry Puff
Curry Puff is the perfect go-to snack for people who need a quick break. This snack is great for binge eating as you explore this lush city and its stunning attractions on your trip. Curry puff is a small baked pie or a closed puff pastry packed with aromatic curry gravy, chicken, potato, and egg. Even if you have a low tolerance for spice, this Singaporean street food will definitely win your heart. The simplicity of its flavours and the crispiness of its textures are worth a try.
22. Goreng Pisang
If you’re craving something deep fried and dipped in crunchy batter, this Goreng Pisang is surely your treat. Delectable ripe bananas are dipped in a smooth batter and deep fried, offering a sweet taste of fried goodness. This golden fried dish is very popular among locals, and it will change the way you eat your fruits.
23. Ice Kachang
Ice Kachang is a Malaysian dessert, which translates into iced beans. It is one of the most beloved foods in Singapore, enjoyed by adults and children alike. This lip-smacking, colourful dessert is made of shave ice, red beans, agar-agar or grass jelly, sweet-flavoured syrups, and then served with toppings like sweet corn and other lovely goodies. Sometimes Ice Kanchang is added with condensed milk and red rose syrup that adds the multicoloured effect with a delicious taste to desserts.
24. Singapore Sling
Singapore Sling is not really a street food, yet it is the perfect refreshment to beat the heat of Singapore. You can find this staple drink in several cafes and high-end restaurants. This drink was originally discovered and perfected in Singapore, so it is a must-try on the list of foods you should try when visiting the city.
There are endless varieties of street foods that have not made the list. It is impossible to list all of them in just one article. Get in touch with our travel experts to know more and how to make your Singapore tour special with these amazingly delightful street foods.
What people also ask about Singapore and its street food
Which are the best places to try street food in Singapore?
Some of the best places to try Singapore street food are Maxwell Food Centre, Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre, Bedok South Market and Food Centre, and more.
What is the best time to visit Singapore?
While Singapore is a perfect destination to visit throughout the year, tourists often flock during the months of February to April as it is the dry and less humid season.
Which are the best tourist attractions in Singapore?
Singapore features numerous attractions waiting to be explored. Some of the must-visit attractions include Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa Island, Pulau Ubin, and more.
Suggested Read: Experience a Memorable Singapore Travel on Budget