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I’ll be the first to argue that there is way more to Singapore than just good food. But let’s be real, the food is a major draw, and for good freaking reason. Due to Singapore’s history, and geographic location it really is a melting pot of cultures.
You’ll find unbelievable Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian food, as well as Peranakan cuisine – a unique fusion of the three regions’ cuisine that is uniquely Singaporean. You can get Michelin star dining experiences, speakeasy-style trendy spots, street food, locally loved Hawker Centres, hole in the walls, and viral sensations.
Singapore – despite being relatively small – really has it all.
In this guide I’m going to walk you through all the foods you should have on your radar when you visit Singapore. How you want to prioritize trying them all will be up to you though, and trust me I don’t envy you having to make that decision (though I envy you getting to eat it all soon!). Plus, be sure to check out my other Singapore posts to see all the other planning guides and tips!!
- Best Foods in Singapore (& Where to Eat Them)
- 1. Hainanese Chicken Rice: Singapore’s National Dish
- 2. Chili Crab: The King of Singaporean Seafood
- 3. Laksa: The Spicy, Creamy Noodle Soup of Dreams
- 4. Dim Sum: A Cantonese Classic with a Singaporean Twist
- 5. Peranakan Cuisine: A Unique Cultural Fusion
- 6. Durian: The City’s Most Divisive Delight
- 7. Satay: Peanut=y, Smoky, Street Skewer Perfection
- 8. Indian Food: Must-Try Dishes in Little India
- 9. Hawker Centres: The Heart of Singapore’s Food Culture
- 10. Roti Prata: Crispy, Flaky Flatbread with Curry (My Favorite!)
- 11. Singapore Sling: The Nation’s Signature Cocktail
- 12. Shaved Ice: The Ultimate Cool Treat for Hot Days
- 13. Kaya Toast: Singapore’s Classic Breakfast Staple
- 14. Char Kway Teow: A Smoky, Savory Noodle Favorite
- 15. Drinkies: Pineapple Juice, Teh Tarik, Kopi & More
- FAQs about the Best Foods in Singapore
Wanna explore Singapore like a local?
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Where to stay:
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Can’t miss experience:
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More on Singapore:
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Delve into Singapore
Don’t forget to check out the rest of my Singapore posts and guides if you’re still planning your perfect trip!
Best Foods in Singapore (& Where to Eat Them)
Real Talk:
Singapore – while less affected than some of its Southeast Asian neighbors – is not immune to overtourism, gentrification, and environmental damage. So please: don’t be an asshole when you travel here (or anywhere).
If you’ve made it to my blog, I’d like to think you too care about preserving the integrity of the places you visit – but I’ve seen enough disrespectful behavior from Western tourists to know it’s worth saying out loud:
If you’re going to make locals’ lives harder, just stay home.
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice: Singapore’s National Dish
If you can only try one thing on this list, Hainanese Chicken Rice makes a strong argument for being that one. Hainanese chicken rice is one of Singapore’s most iconic and beloved dishes, and it’s deeply rooted in the country’s food culture.
Though it originated in Hainan, China, it was adapted and perfected in Singapore by early Hainanese immigrants, making it a true Singapore story and national favorite.
This deceptively simple dish packs a lot of flavor. The chicken is traditionally poached and placed on top of a bed of rice that is cooked in chicken fat, garlic, ginger, and pandan leaves.
It’s criminal how good this rice is. It’s served with three iconic sauces as well: spicy chili sauce, dark soy sauce, and a ginger garlic paste.
📍 Best places to try Hainanese Chicken Rice: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre (this is where we tried it) or Liao Fan Hawker Chan (the first Michelin starred hawker stall)
2. Chili Crab: The King of Singaporean Seafood
Singapore Chili Crab is the other main Singapore food recommendation. It’s one of the country’s most iconic dishes, and is known for its rich, tangy, and spicy tomato-based sauce (and obviously, the crab that it coats). It’s messy and indulgent but a totally worthwhile experience.
Despite the name, it’s not actually that spicy, so most people should be able to tolerate it. This dish basically consists of a whole crab (this is where the mess comes in), sweet, savoury, spicy thick sauce all over, and fried or steamed buns on the side. The thing about this dish is that it’s as much about the food itself as it is about the experience of digging into this messy, indulgent plate.
📍 Best places to try Chili Crab: Jumbo Seafood or No Signboard Seafood
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3. Laksa: The Spicy, Creamy Noodle Soup of Dreams
Laksa was one of my personal favorite foods to try in Singapore. I actually had already tried it several times before visiting, and it’s always been one of my favorite things to order when I see it on a menu somewhere in London!
Laksa is one of Singapore’s most famous and loved dishes – it’s a rich and creamy noodle soup dish that’s a perfect blend of Chinese and Malay influences (making it a perfect example of Singapore overall).
The most common version is Katong Laksa, which has shorter, cut up rice noodles, and a distinctively creamy broth due to the coconut milk base. The protein in it is usually seafood based.
It’s pretty spicy, but not crazy spicy!
Pro tip: you use a spoon to eat this! Not chopsticks.
📍 Best places to try Laksa: 328 Katong Laksa and Sungei Road Laksa
4. Dim Sum: A Cantonese Classic with a Singaporean Twist
Dim sum is a classic part of Singapore’s food scene, celebrating the rich flavors and cultural influence of Cantonese immigrants. While you can get Dim Sum in most cities, Singapore offers a unique experience due to the influence of Malay, Peranakan and Singaporean flavors!
There are a ton of dishes to decide between, but I highly recommend trying the Xiao Long Bao (steamed soup dumplings), Chee Cheong Fun (rice noodle rolls), and Char Siew Bao (BBQ Pork Buns).
📍 Best places to try Dim Sum: Swee Choon Tim Sum and Red Star Restaurant – an old-school dim sum experience with pushcarts.
17 of the Best Singapore Restaurants & Bars to Bookmark For Your Next Visit – From Nyonya Tasting Menus to No Frills Hawker Stalls to Vibey Cocktail Bars
10 Essential Singapore Books You Have to Read Before You Visit
5. Peranakan Cuisine: A Unique Cultural Fusion
Peranakan cuisine is unique to Singapore and blends Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian influences. The Peranakans (also called Straits Chinese) are descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia and married into local Malay communities. Their food is a perfect reflection of this cultural fusion—bold, aromatic, and full of spices.
We visited two different Peranakan restaurants and were blown away. I highly recommend booking a table!
📍 Best places to try Peranakan food: Candlenut (widely regarded as one of the best Singaporean food restaurants)
& Rempapa
6. Durian: The City’s Most Divisive Delight
I think it’s safe to say that Durian is one of the most controversial, divisive, and talked about fruits in the world. Popularly known as smelling strong, and awful (so much so that they’re banned on public transportation), these fruits still maintain a strong fanbase!!
Strangely, the fruit is tastes creamy, with a rich custard-like texture that tastes nothing like the smell (if you can get past it). It feels like a slightly daring thing to try, much like Marmite in Australia, but I think it’s a perfect way to get out of your comfort zone and try something new!
If you’re still too put off by trying the fruit on its own you can try a Durian flavored treat, like ice cream, or a pastry!
📍 Best places to try Durian: Ah Seng Durian and Durian 36
7. Satay: Peanut=y, Smoky, Street Skewer Perfection
Satay is definitely one of the best foods to try in Singapore, and also one of the ones you’re most likely to have tried before.
Typically (outside of Singapore) you’ll find this at Thai restaurants, and it’s usually only chicken skewers, slightly blackened on a grill with a side of peanut, spicy satay sauce.
In Singapore you can expect to see some other meat options as well, like beef and pork! This is a great street food option, and ideal to pair with another meal from a hawker centre.
📍 Best places to try Satay: Lau Pa Sat Satay Street (one of the most famous and best food places Singapore has to offer) and Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Too Many Delicious Choices? Let a Food Tour Lead the Way!
With so many must-try options for what to eat in Singapore, deciding what to eat (and where) can be overwhelming. A guided food tour takes the guesswork out of it, bringing you straight to the best hawker stalls, hidden gems, and legendary eateries while sharing the stories behind each dish.
💡 Pro tip: The food tour we took (which unfortunately I can’t recommend) felt rushed, with too much time spent shuttling between locations instead of enjoying the food. Pick a tour that focuses on a single neighborhood for a better experience!
8. Indian Food: Must-Try Dishes in Little India
Indian cuisine is a vital part of Singapore’s diverse food scene, shaped by the country’s Indian community, primarily Tamil, North Indian, and Punjabi influences, which can be seen especially on display in the Little Indian neighborhood.
We got to try a Dosa and Murtabak from the Tekka Hawker Center, both of which were really good. If you’re more interested in currys and other sit down dishes, there are plenty of great restaurants for that too!
📍 Best places to try Indian food: Tekka Center or Samy’s Curry
9. Hawker Centres: The Heart of Singapore’s Food Culture
While Hawker Centers are not a type of food, they are the location where you’ll find almost all the best foods to try in Singapore.
Hawker centers are open-air food courts that are basically the lifeblood of Singapore’s food scene. They offer a wide variety of affordable, delicious, and authentic local dishes under one roof. A lot of the best foods to eat in Singapore can (and should) be found in the city’s Hawker Centers.
10. Roti Prata: Crispy, Flaky Flatbread with Curry (My Favorite!)
Roti Prata (or Roti Canai outside of Singapore) is one of my absolute favorite dishes. It has roots to Indian and Malaysian cuisines (and likely others), but seems to most often be associated with Indian restaurants and hawker stalls.
The dish consists of Roti (the best bread product I’ve ever had in my life), and a small cup, or a few small cups of curry. I genuinely couldn’t love Roti Prata more, so you definitely have to try it in Singapore.
📍 Best places to try Roti Prata: The Roti Prata House and Casuarina Curry
11. Singapore Sling: The Nation’s Signature Cocktail
The Singapore Sling is Singapore’s most famous cocktail. It’s fruity and sweet and gin based – and it’s bright pink, so you can’t miss it.
It was originally designed in 1915 at the Raffles Hotel as a socially acceptable drink for women, thanks to the pink color.
To get an idea of what it tastes like, it’s made with gin, pineapple juice, lime, cherry liqueur, Benedictine, Cointreau, grenadine, bitters, and soda water, garnished with a cherry and pineapple slice. Probably not for everyone, but I think it’s tasty.
While the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel remains the most famous place to enjoy it, many bars across Singapore offer modern twists on the original. Though it can be pricey, sipping a Singapore Sling – whether at Raffles or a more modern bar – is an essential Singapore experience, blending history, flavor, and tropical elegance.
📍 Best places to try a Singapore Sling: Raffles Hotel Long Bar and Atlas
15 Things to Know Before Visiting Singapore For the First Time: How To Avoid Surprise and Enjoy It Like a Local
20 Great Hotels in Singapore: The Most Stunning & Stylish Stays for Every Budget
12. Shaved Ice: The Ultimate Cool Treat for Hot Days
Shaved ice desserts are a popular treat in Singapore, which is understandable given the heat.
The most iconic is Ice Kachang, a colorful mound of shaved ice topped with syrups, red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, attap chee and sometimes with ice cream or durian for an extra treat.
Another favorite is Chendol, which has coconut milk, palm sugar, and green pandan jelly noodles. We had a sweet drink made with this flavor that was unlike anything I’ve tried before!
📍 Best places to try Shaved Ice: Mei Heong Yuen Dessert and Ah Chew Desserts
13. Kaya Toast: Singapore’s Classic Breakfast Staple
Kaya toast is more than just breakfast – it’s a slice of Singapore’s culinary history (but it’s also a really tasty breakfast). One of Singapore’s most iconic breakfast dishes, Kaya toast is deceptively simple: crispy toasted bread, rich coconut jam (kaya), and a slab of butter.
You can also choose to get soft boiled eggs on the side. Kaya Toast is deeply rooted in Hainanese and Peranakan traditions, and I highly recommend trying it while in Singapore. We got it at Chin Mee Chin (with a cup of kopi of course) and I was super impressed with how much I enjoyed it.
📍 Best places to try Kaya Toast: Chin Mee Chin Confectionery and Ya Kun Kaya Toast
14. Char Kway Teow: A Smoky, Savory Noodle Favorite
Char Kway Teow is another one of my personal favorites, and something I order regularly in London! It’s made with flat rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, meat and/or seafood, and veggies in a flavorful dark soy sauce. Cooked over high heat in a well-seasoned wok, this dish has an unique smoky aroma that makes it special.
Char Kway Teow is a Singaporean hawker classic, and combines a perfect mix of sweet, salty, smoky, and savory flavors in every bite. Despite its humble origins as a cheap, filling meal for laborers, it has become a national favorite.
📍 Best places to try Char Kway Teow: Hill Street Char Kway Teow and No.18 Zion Road Char Kway Teow
15. Drinkies: Pineapple Juice, Teh Tarik, Kopi & More
There are a number of different drinks you’ve got to try while in Singapore.
Kopi is Singapore’s traditional Hainanese-style coffee, found in nearly every kopitiam (coffee shop) and hawker center across the island. Unlike Western-style coffee, kopi is made with robusta beans that are roasted with butter or margarine, giving it a bold, slightly caramelized flavor – I recommend trying this when you get some Kaya Toast.
Aside from this traditional coffee, I recommend also getting coffee from any of the numerous third-wave coffee shops around Singapore. They have a really good coffee scene, and we had a ton of good coffees while we were there.
Another drink that I love is Teh Tarik (I like it iced). It’s a sweet milk tea that’s a bit frothy and incredibly delicious. It makes a perfect companion to the spicy food you’ll be eating a lot of.
Last, but certainly not least, is Pineapple Juice. I fell head over heels in love with Pineapple juice in Asia. It’s one of the best tasting drinks I’ve ever had in my life, seriously. You’ll be able to find a lot of different fresh fruit juices in Singapore but after trying a few I feel confident that Pineapple is the best one.
FAQs about the Best Foods in Singapore
What are Singapore famous food?
Singapore is famous for its food scene, with the most famous foods in Singapore being:
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice – Poached or roasted chicken with fragrant rice, chili sauce, and dark soy sauce.
2. Chili Crab – Sweet, spicy, and tangy crab in a rich tomato-chili sauce, best with fried mantou buns.
3. Laksa – Spicy coconut curry noodle soup with prawns, fishcake, and cockles.
4. Satay – Grilled meat skewers (chicken, beef, lamb, or pork) served with peanut sauce and rice cakes.
5. Roti Prata – Crispy, flaky Indian flatbread served with curry, available with egg, cheese, or banana toppings.
6. Kaya Toast – Toasted bread with kaya (coconut jam) and butter, paired with kopi or teh.
What is a Singapore breakfast?
As a global city, you can expect to find pretty much any and all types of breakfast that you might be craving in Singapore, but Asian or American/Aussie/English will be the most prevalent.
For a traditional breakfast you should go for either Kaya Toast, or Roti Prata, depending on your mood!
What is Singapore’s national dish?
Hainanese chicken rice is Singapore’s national dish, making it one of the best foods to try in Singapore.
It’s made with tender poached chicken, fragrant rice cooked in chicken fat, garlic and ginger, and a trio of yummy sauces.
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P.S. When you book using my links, you help support Rachel IRL at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Are you ready to eat your way through Singapore?
I hope that this post about the best foods in Singapore has been helpful in planning your trip to Singapore! As I said before, Singapore is literally teeming with unbelievably taste foods that, in my opinion, goes far too underexplored by most westerners!
I think this guide will help ensure you leave with a full stomach and a deeper connection to the culture of Singapore.
If you have any feedback or want to share your experience with Singapore food places, please leave me a comment!
As always you can always find me on Instagram (tag me in your travel content!), Youtube, or Pinterest.
Happy traveling!
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