Singapore is an international hub for travellers and foodies, with an abundance of food culture. These are some of the most addictive Singaporean foods which you may not find in other parts of the world. What distinguishes street food in Singapore is the bustling hawker food centres that have been a literal melting pot of culinary magic and culture, so that people around the country could savour simple, easy and quick meals. Although there are chic neighbourhood eateries where one can find the most sophisticated Singaporean food, the hawker centre and its stalls serve bowls of the best food in Singapore. The street cuisine is something else and is a very immersive and authentic experience worth going for. Here is a list of street food delicacies to try and where to find them.
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Kopi, Eggs & Kaya Toast At Ya Kun
Kaya Toast, a famous breakfast and snack in Singapore and Malaysia, is made with kayak (thick and delicious coconut egg jam), crusty bread and butter. This dish is usually served in traditional cafes and paired with soft-boiled eggs, soy sauce and white pepper, making it one of the best foods to try in Singapore. When you order this dish, they serve it with condensed milk over a hot cup of coffee. Ya Kun is one of the most well-known cafes for its Kopi, Eggs, and Kaya Toast meals. The franchise brand is all over Singapore with 80+ locations, giving other cafes a run for their money, with a consistent stream of customers throughout the day at every store.
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #B1-50, Singapore 059413.
Timing: 7: 30 AM - 3 PM
Price: S$6.30 (INR 400 - INR 450)
Laksa At George’s Laksa
Slices of rice noodles are served with fishcakes, prawns and dried prawns in a creamy coconut sauce in this well-liked bowl meal. Local merchants produce numerous varieties of this meal, some with a lot of dry prawns in a sauce, while others use gravy. George's Laksa is located on Changi Road, and if you arrive early, it is quiet and serene. You will witness folks eating bowls of laksa quietly and peacefully. George himself is seated at the front of his stall, and the moment he sees you heading towards it, he will get up and give you a kind smile while you decide what to order. The only thing on the menu is Katong laksa, ceamy from the coconut milk, but not excessive. The copious quantity of dried prawn chunks make the dish full-bodied and umami-rich. Everything feels balanced, and it requirs a lot of self-control not to eat the entire bowl.
Address: 307 Changi Rd, Singapore 419785
Timing: 8 AM - 3 PM
Price: S$7 - S$8 (INR 520 - INR 590)
Chilli Crab At Redhouse Seafood
The umami-sweet tastes of this fiery-red national cuisine have developed over seven decades, inspiring everything from cookies and spaghetti to bao buns and soft-serve ice cream. The 50-year-old family-run micro business specialises in Nanyang-style food. It is usually the standout dish of a multi-course feast and Redhouse Seafood comes to mind when you want to suggest the best food in Singapore and where to find it. .You should order acar, a crisp, vibrant Peranakan pickled vegetable dish with peanut rempah spice along with a 'spicy seafood combination', which is a Chinese spin on Thai curry with a kaffir lime flavour. Chili crab is a classic Singaporean dish. This cult dish is usually deep-fried and is mixed with a sweet, salty and delicious sauce. This dish is found in almost every seafood restaurant in the city and is eaten with fingers.
Address: 392 Havelock Rd, Level 2 Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, Singapore 169663
Timing: 12 PM - 3 PM and 5 PM - 10 PM
Price: S$29 - S$30 (INR 2,120 - INR 2,300)
Image Credit: Flickrr
Nonya Kueh At Molly’s Nonya Kueh
Going to Molly's Nyonya Kueh feels like you've stepped into grandma's home, making it one of the best spots for the best food in Singapore. The staff is pleasant, whether it's the husband-and-wife team who established the business in 1983 or their offspring, who currently operate it and are always eager to show you the many kueh, bao, and rice dumplings. Prices are also kept low here. Their Ang Ku Kueh comes in a pack of ten, and you should also try their Durian Ah Boon, which is also offered in tens. Usually, these are the brightly coloured cookies you can easily see at local buffets or in bakeries. They are often steamed, fried, and usually topped with dehydrated coconut, coconut cream, and yellow milk.
Address: 104 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1121, Singapore 530104
Timing: 6 AM - 6 PM
Price: S$2 - S$10 ( INR 300 - INR 600)
Hainanese Chicken Rice At Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Considered to be a staple in Singaporean cuisine, the tender poached chicken and rice flavoured with chicken broth taste brilliant when paired with sliced cucumbers and a fiery yellow sauce or chilli paste on the side. Although the traditional recipe for the chicken rice is one that takes a full day to prepare, this slow-cooked version is a quicker but still elaborate take on the delicacy, and much easier to replicate in the confines of a home kitchen. This Michelin-recommended restaurant, which has been serving chicken rice at Maxwell Hawker Centre since 1987, may be the most well-known chicken rice store for travellers. According to Anthony Bourdain, an American celebrity chef and presenter of Travel Channel's gastronomy, "Chicken rice is so fragrant and delicious that it can be eaten on its own". Even Gordon Ramsay attempted to duplicate Tian Tian's chicken rice and failed, making this establishment a spot that comes at #1 when you discuss the best food in Singapore. Rice sounds simple, yet it is the foundation of Tian Tian, where rice is cooked to perfection in chicken stock, with plenty of taste and oil, just how Hainanese chicken rice should be.
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Every scoop of rice has a strong umami taste that will have you coming back for more. If chicken is the meat and rice is the foundation of a delicious chicken rice, chilli is the soul. Instead of the customary chilli-ginger-black sauce combo, Tian Tian has limited it to a single saucer, making it impossible to mix and combine as desired. Tian Tian has expanded beyond its first stand at Maxwell Food Centre.
Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-10/11, Singapore 069184
Timing: 10 AM - 8 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Price: S$5–S$8 (INR 300 - INR 480)