10 Must-Have Local Food Cuisines in Singapore: The Top Recommendations by Tourists

Must-Eat Local Food in Singapore

Singapore might be a top tourist destination, but tourists visiting the city are incredibly excited to explore the best local food in Singapore. The Merlion city is quite famous for hawker centers and best Southeast Asian meals. If you plan on stopping at a food center in Singapore, make sure you get hands on the top local food recommendations by tourists who have previously visited Singapore.

Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh or the meat bone tea is a famous local food in Singapore. It is believed to have originated in the Southern China. Bak Kut Teh was first brought to the city of Merlion in 19th century. 

Over the years, Bak Kut Teh has become a must-have local food cuisine in Singapore due to its unique recipe that blends spices, Chinese herbs, and local ingredients. This iconic local food in Singapore is a simple yet savoury delight for the taste buds.

Chilli Crabs

The origin of chilli crabs dates back to 1950s. Lim Choo Ngee along with Cher Yam Tian first started selling stir-fried crabs mixed with tomato sauce and bottled chilli. This popular seafood dish is a favorite of many locals and foreigners in Singapore and Malaysia. 

The chilli crab is served with tangy, spicy, sweet tomato sauce and often thickened using egg. The Singaporean chill crab dish is incomplete without its sauce. It is one deeply savoury and subtly sweet cuisine. 

Bak Chor Mee

Bak Chor Mee is a culinary treasure that was brought to Singapore by Teochew immigrants. The delicious taste of Teochew Bak Chor Mee shows off Singapore’s food culture exceptionally well. Bak Chor Me is exclusively found in Singapore. 

If you will be ordering Bak Chor Mee for the first time, then you can order either the soup version or the dry version. The quality ingredients used to make this popular food in Singapore adds to its freshness. 

Kaya Toast & Soft-Boiled Eggs

Kaya Toast & Soft-Boiled Eggs is a famous breakfast and afternoon snack in Singapore. This acclaimed egg dish in Singapore is often seasoned with dark soya sauce as well as pepper. This popular breakfast meal in Singapore consists of bread toasted with kaya, thin slices of butter, kopi, and soft-boiled eggs. 

The Kaya Toast is satisfyingly sweet and crunchy. You can enjoy having the best Kaya Toast and Soft-Boiled Eggs at Killiney Kopitiam, Toast Box, and Ya Kun Kaya Toast in Singapore. 

Frog Porridge

This Singaporean Chinese delicacy is a must-have when you visit Singapore. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, minerals, and vitamins and low in fat. The frog meat adds to the healthfulness and deliciousness of this iconic Singapore dish. 

The porridge is cooked with farmed frogs. Frogs taste comparatively milder than chicken. Frog has similar texture to crab meat. You can enjoy frog porridge that is flavoured with ginger, soy sauce, and other spices. The flavourful and rich taste of this Singapore cuisine is what makes it unique. 

Kway Chap

The Teochew dish, Kway Chap, is also very popular in Singapore. This dish was first introduced to Singapore by the Chaoshan region migrants in China. Rice noodles served in a bowl of piping hot broth make it tantalizing for the taste buds. 

You can easily find Kway Chap at any hawker center in Singapore. The hearty and humble dish is often served with pork belly, duck, beancurd, pig annards, as well as hard boiled eggs.  

Hainanese Chicken Rice

The Hainanese Chicken Rice meal first made it to Singapore in 1800s. The meal was previously known as Wenchang chicken. This chicken rice gained popularity in Singapore after introduction by Moh Lee Twee.

You can try this national dish of Singapore consisting of steamed white rice, braised gravy, and a mix of curries. As a popular lunch option, it is enjoyed equally by locals and foreign visitors to Singapore. The classic dish is incredibly silky and served at room temperature. 

Laksa

People in Singapore are also fond of the local food Laksa. This local food is made up of shrimp, rice noodle, and fish cake. The creamy coconut flavour of this dish further adds to its appeal.

Laksa is one meal inspired by Malay, Chinese, and many other cultures. Prawns also make an essential ingredient in Laksa. This unique and spicy meal is an amazing choice for people who like variety.   

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak consists of fragrant coconut oil, crispy fried anchovies, and spicy sambal sauce. Every aspect of this local food in Singapore speaks volumes of the cultural tapestry. As soon as you will take a bite of the Nasi Lemak, you will taste the rich diversity of the region. 

Nasi Lemak is one affordable dish that is available at the local food spots in Singapore. Tourists can pick amongst the variety of options to enjoy best ever Nasi Lemak. 

Hokkien Mee 

The Hokkien Mee local food in Singapore is also worth enjoying. The aromatic broth and copious quantities of Hokkien Mee dish are slowly slimmer for many hours.

This Southeast Asian dish, Hokkien Mee, is popular amongst Singaporeans and Malaysians. The yellow noodle dish with rice vermicelli. The spicy as well as savory broth adds to appeal of Hokkien Mee.

Summary

Singapore has many local food cuisines, including Hokkien Mee, Kway Chap, Bak Chor Mee, and more. If you want to enjoy the best food in Singapore as much as you want, make sure you explore their ingredients in detail so that you can eat what’s best in Singapore without any hesitation. 

FAQs

• What is the famous food of Singapore?

Some of the most famous food of Singapore includes Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chilli Crab, and Nasi Lemak. These dishes popularly appeal to all the tourists visiting Singapore for the first time.

• What is Singapore’s local dish?

Singapore’s local dish is Nasi Lemak. This must-try local dish is a treat for tourists who want to explore Southeast Asian cuisine. It consists of boiled rice, coconut milk, fried chicken, and more.

• What is best food to eat in Singapore?

The best food to eat in Singapore is Hokkien Mee and Bak Kut Teh. They are refreshing dishes and are always in high demand. Hainanese Chicken Rice is also an all-time favorite dish of Singaporeans.