The 11 Best Street Foods in Singapore
Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, and its street food scene is a testament to its diverse heritage. From savoury noodles to delicious desserts, the street food scene in Singapore has something for everyone. This article will showcase some of the best street food options in Singapore that are worth trying for anyone visiting the country.
For newcomers, so many delectable sweets are available that it can be overwhelming. We have put together a must-eat guide for your upcoming visit to help you place the proper order and enjoy your hawker food like a local.
Come hungry because you will want to devour everything!
Best Street Foods in Singapore
Char Kway Teow
Noodles are a staple in Singapore’s street food scene, with many delicious options. One of the most popular noodle dishes is Char Kway Teow, a stir-fried dish made with flat noodles, eggs, and various ingredients such as shrimp, bean sprouts, and chives.
This Singaporean street dish is a hawker centre mainstay and frequently gets sold out. Oil is used instead of protein as a healthier alternative with additional veggies. They commonly serve it on a banana leaf with a wedge of lime squeezed on top to enhance the scent.
The entire dish is stir-fried in lard, giving it a flavour and texture that will make you want more. Visit Meng Kee Fried Kway Teow on Havelock Road for some of the best. For more than 30 years, they have been dishing out steaming hot dishes of the good stuff.
Hokkien Mee
This delicious dish is popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, each with local variations. The Singaporean version includes egg and rice noodles, vegetables, sambal, and lime for a zingy kick and is stir-fried with egg, pork, prawns, and squid.
For a warm bowl of delicious noodles, visit Swee Guan Hokkien Mee. It is more expensive than other vendors, ranging from AUD 6 to 10 for each plate, but it is worth it.
Watch: The Best Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee in Singapore!
Singapore’s Best Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee Noodles at Singapore Hawker Street Food Centre.
Laksa
You may think, “I have already eaten the best laksa from my local takeaway.” We are sorry to burst your bubble, but Singapore has the best spicy broth. There is a good reason why this traditional Peranakan dish is a Singaporean favourite!
Laksa includes flat noodles, coconut broth, fish cakes, prawns, and cockles, which pair best with Otah, a fish cake in banana leaves. Regarding fish and noodles, laksa comes in a variety of flavours. With this bowl, explore the various flavours of the ocean!
There are a lot of delicious laksa stalls, but we choose Janggut Laksa at the Queensway Shopping Centre because they have been perfecting this dish since the 1950s.
Satay
Satay is a must-have in Singaporean cuisine, and the hawker centres there consistently produce platters that win awards. It is perfectly seasoned meat (often chicken, beef, or mutton) on bamboo skewers grilled over a charcoal fire while constantly doused with oil to produce the perfect, delectable coating.
The skewers are served hot off the grill with a spicy peanut sauce made of roasted peanuts, coconut milk, and seasonings. Chomp Chomp Satay at the Chomp Chomp Food Centre in Serangoon is among the best.
Nasi Lemak
When visiting a Singapore hawker centre, Nasi Lemak, traditionally eaten for breakfast but excellent any time of day, must be tried. There are wide varieties, but Nasi Lemak typically includes a mountain of coconut milk, pandan-infused rice, plenty of sambal, toasted peanuts, a fried egg, and cucumber slices.
You may find our favourites at the Changi Village Hawker Centre’s Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak and the Boon Lay Food Village’s Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak.
Watch: Trying 3 Types of Nasi Lemaks in Singapore
Roti Prata
Every tourist visiting Singapore should try this Indian delicacy! Your mouth should be watering and craving more after savouring some crisp, crunchy, doughy, and soft pratas drenched in a delectable and tangy curry. This Indian flatbread or pancake is made from wheat flour and pairs best with beef, chicken, fish, or veggie curries.
For the best roti prata in town, visit The Roti Prata House at 246 Upp Thomson Road for quality food and service.
Bak Chor Mee
This wonderful dish, which translates to “minced pork with noodles,” is soupy, meaty, and noodle-y all at once! Slices of fish cake, liver, minced pork, and a special sauce that makes it steam make up this Singaporean street snack. Although one can select between ketchup or chilli and a wide variety of noodles, this dish is typically served dry to savour the full flavours of the sauce! The soup version with handmade noodles is one of the variations.
Try the Michelin-starred stall Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Block 466 Crawford Lane for its heavily-seasoned bak chor mee with perfectly prepared noodles and meat.
Ice Kachang
You should get some ice kachang because everyone should have something sweet to end their dinner. This dessert is a childhood favourite of many Singaporeans and tastes just as good as it looks. This dessert is effortless to make—a giant mound of finely shaved ice is drizzled with vibrantly coloured syrups and topped with everything from red beans and sweet corn to palm seeds.
Visit ABC Brickworks Food Centre’s Jin Hot/Cold Dessert stall to try some. Matcha and Red Ruby are among the flavours they offer, but the Gangsta Ice, which comes in mango or durian flavours and includes fresh fruit and a scoop of ice cream, must be considered their speciality.
You may also like to try an Ice Cream Loti, the famous ice cream sandwich in Singapore.
Watch: Making Ice Kachang
Wanton Mee
Wanton Mee is a staple of Singaporean street food culture. Some people like the dumpling portion, while others prefer the noodle’s texture. The vendor sells soup and wanton chilli. The dish has recently seen numerous modifications, including Malaysian, Thai, and Hong Kong versions.
Head to Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist at Hong Lim Food Centre, for a not-the-typical classic wanton noodle flavour. Everything is perfect, from the char siu and the sauce to the soup.
Bak Kut Teh
Bak Kut Teh, translated as “Meat Bone Tea,” is one of Singapore’s most well-liked street foods. Pork rib soup with herbs and spices is a popular local meal. The soup’s ingredients include pork, offal, mushrooms, choy sum, tofu, and puffs. Cinnamon, cloves, garlic, fennel, and star anise are used to season it. Considering that tea will assist in saturating a significant amount of fat in the soup, this dish is best enjoyed with a cup of tea. Although it can be consumed at any meal, most people have Ban Kut Teh for breakfast.
Ng Ah Sio’s Pork Rib Soup Eating House at 208 Rangoon Road is the most well-known eatery selling genuine Bak Kut Teh, serving since 1988. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang frequently dines at Ng Ah Sio, which has become a brand that is synonymous with the Bak Kut Teh dish and is more than simply a paltry dish.
BBQ Sambal Stingray
Sambal is a unique sauce prepared with ginger, fish sauce, shallots, chilli peppers, and shrimp. The palate is superb when combined with the soft, delicate, and peculiar stingray meat. It tastes best when barbecued. The Malay culture served as the inspiration for this well-known Singaporean street cuisine because it was they who discovered how tasty sambal is. It is also referred to as Ikan Bakar and is traditionally barbecued with Sambal on top while covered in a banana leaf. For improved flavour, lime is squeezed over the fish.
Head to the Hai Wei Yuan Seafood Barbecue stall in Chomp Chomp Food Centre to try their main attraction, the stellar sambal stingray, which ranges from eighteen dollars.
The 11 Best Street Foods in Singapore – The Conclusion
In conclusion, the street food scene in Singapore is truly a food lover’s paradise. With so many delicious options, it takes work to get it right. Whether you are in the mood for savoury noodles, juicy satay, or sweet desserts, you will find it all on the streets of Singapore. So next time you visit the country, try some fantastic street food options and taste the flavours of this vibrant and diverse culture.
Best Street Foods in Singapore – FAQs
What is street food in Singapore?
Street food in Singapore refers to small food stalls or vendors that offer a variety of dishes and snacks that are commonly found on the streets and hawker centers in the city-state. These foods are often influenced by the diverse cultural heritage of Singapore, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other Southeast Asian cuisines.
What are some of the most popular street foods in Singapore?
Some of the most popular street foods in Singapore include Hainanese Chicken Rice, Char Kway Teow, Laksa, Satay, and Nasi Lemak. These dishes have become synonymous with the street food culture in Singapore and are a must-try for anyone visiting the city-state.
Where can I find street food in Singapore?
Street food in Singapore can be found at some of the best hawker centres, food courts, and street-side stalls across the city-state. Some of the most famous hawker centres in Singapore include Maxwell Food Centre, Tiong Bahru Market, and Chomp Chomp Food Centre.
Is street food in Singapore safe to eat?
Yes, street food in Singapore is generally considered safe to eat. The city-state has strict food safety regulations in place to ensure that street food vendors adhere to high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. However, as with any street food, it’s always a good idea to exercise caution and use your own judgement when choosing a stall to dine at.
What is the price range for street food in Singapore?
Street food in Singapore is generally very affordable, with most dishes costing between SGD 3 to SGD 10 ($2 to $7). This makes it a great option for travellers and locals who are looking for a quick and delicious meal at a reasonable price.
Are there any vegetarian options available in street food in Singapore?
Yes, there are many vegetarian options available in street food in Singapore. Dishes like vegetarian laksa, noodles with vegetable stir-fry, and Indian vegetarian snacks like samosas and pakoras are widely available.
Is it possible to find halal street food in Singapore?
Yes, there are many halal street food options available in Singapore. Some of the most popular halal street food stalls are located in areas with a high Muslim population, such as Tekka Centre and Geylang Serai Market.
Is it customary to tip street food vendors in Singapore?
No, it is not customary to tip street food vendors in Singapore. Most street food vendors do not expect to receive a tip, as the prices of the food are already very affordable. However, if you would like to show your appreciation for the food and service, you can round up the amount of your bill.
