Is it not apparent enough that Singapore is a foodie’s heaven? We have all sorts of cuisine you can ever imagine, but more so, there are so many local dishes that are representative of Singapore and quite possibly exclusive.

Too many that we don’t even know where to start. Chilli Crab is something we all know, and the Singapore-style Laksa has become world famous; there’s Frog Leg Porridge that is comfort supper food, and we have rojak that is oh-so-wonderful.

They are everywhere—in coffee shops, hawker centres, full-fledged restaurants… and these are some of the Local Dishes That Are Representative of Singapore. The next time you run out of ideas, or are just having trouble satiating your local food cravings, this should be your checklist.

CHILLI CRAB

Gordon Ramsay loves it; don’t you too? Singapore is synonymous with Chilli Crab, and the prized seafood dish is something every overseas guest has on their to-eat list.

Some variations are sweet; some are spicy; some are both. What’s your favourite?

XO CRAB BEEHOON

This is one of our favourites! A piping hot pot that features vermicelli soaked in sweet broth that is prepared with fresh crabs, milk and XO; this is our all-time comfort food.

We love having a glass of ice-cold Coke light® to go with their XO Crab Beehoon. Imagine the fizzy ice-cold Coke®, paired with a mouth-watering bowl of rich, milky goodness – absolutely delicious.

KAYA TOAST

The traditional kaya toast is a widely consumed breakfast staple in Singapore. Sweet coconut jam spreads are sandwiched between butter-smeared bread toasts.

Kaya Toast usually comes in a set, complete with 2 half-boiled eggs and a hot drink (either coffee or tea) of choice.

FROG’S LEG PORRIDGE

Frog’s Leg Porridge sounds like an exotic dish to eat in TV series Fear Factor, except that it is not. The local Singaporean delicacy of succulent frog meat served with smooth congee is usually consumed during dinnertime or suppertime.

We like ours in gong bao-style, a great way to balance the spiciness from the dried chilli is with a refreshing glass of ice-cold Coke®. Instant happiness; we call that.

LAKSA

Nothing beats a warm bowl of Laksa and Singapore’s version of it is sometimes referred to as Katong Laksa.

Typically, the Katong Laksa is topped with cockles, fish cake and boiled prawns. Laksa is best consumed with a soup spoon only. You can add extra spice to your laksa with sambal chilli.

HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

Ask any local which dish you must try in Singapore and most of them will point you to their favourite Hainanese Chicken Rice stall.

Nobody does chicken rice better than Singapore. Period.

How to make it better? Do it the local way and reach out for that can of Coca-Cola®. The great taste of Coke® paired with a plate of familiar, fragrant, chicken rice delivers one of the most satisfying meal experiences!

ROTI PRATA

The Roti Prata (as it is called in Singapore) has made its mark and goes down as one of our country’s most iconic dishes.

It is like a flour pancake that is usually made a-la-minute, and the most common varieties are plain and egg prata.

FISH BALL NOODLES

Fish Ball Noodles is a true Singapore supper food. It comes in the form of soup noodles, or a dry version where egg noodles are tossed in chilli and served with a bowl of fish ball soup.

The savoury and flavourful dish goes great with can of refreshing ice-cold Coke® that gives an extra something to this bowl of bliss.

CHAR KWAY TEOW

The Singaporean version of Char Kway Teow is an addictive plate of sweet-and-savoury rice cake strip noodles stir-fried with several ingredients—bean sprout, belachan chili paste, blood cockles, eggs and sweet sauce.

ROJAK

We call Rojak the Singapore-style salad. It is a fruit and vegetable “salad” tossed in a shrimp paste sauce and sprinkled with crushed peanuts.

The Indian version of this is very different. It is a variety of deep-fried doughs, seafood and meats that is eaten with a red peanut sauce.

This article was brought to you in partnership with Coca-Cola®, the opinions are of the writers’ own.

Singapore’s cafe scene is thriving, with new ones popping up like daisies every now and then. They can be found all over Singapore – in more populated areas in town and at the fringe of town, and much more in residential areas.

But despite the different selection of cuisines these cafés offer, there are some dishes that are just too popular to be left out that cafe owners have to put them on their menus; think pancakes, pasta, and truffle fries.

Let’s see if you agree that the following are 10 Classic Dishes You Will Find In Almost Every Cafe in Singapore?

#1 PANCAKE

Pancakes have always been a thing with cafes. They come in both sweet and savoury options, though the former is more common. You will find them paired with bananas or berries, drenched in sweet, thick maple syrup, and topped with whipped cream or icing sugar or ice cream.

#2 WAFFLE

Waffles have seen many waves of makeovers. Cafes in Singapore have recently been spicing things up by pairing them with savoury toppings such as fried chicken and bacon. Otherwise, waffles are typically paired with scoops of ice cream and a sauce.

#3 PIZZA

Pizzas are all-time comfort food and it has made its way into all of our hearts, and into many cafe menus as well!

While cafes are all sorts of drinks on the menu, honestly, no pizza meal is complete without a can of ice-cold Coke light®. It helps to refresh your palate in between bites, and who does not enjoy the thirst-quenching fizzles of Coke paired with the rich and savoury flavours of pizzas?

#4 EGGS BENEDICT

Looks like Eggs Benedict is not going out of trend anytime soon. While it may be a ubiquitous cafe dish, Eggs Benedict remains a favourite because the creaminess of runny yolk and Hollandaise sauce is one so addictive. The more innovative cafe owners use alternative ingredients such as roast beef and pulled pork.

#5 TRUFFLE FRIES

There was (or still is) a time when people went crazy over truffle fries. They can be found on almost any cafe’s menu you will ever find, and even though the standards vary, they are probably the most common dish.

Of course, the unrivalled satisfaction comes from the pairing of fries and the bubbling fizz of an ice-cold Coke®. Talk about happiness amidst simplicity!

#6 RAINBOW CAKE

Rainbow cakes took Singapore by storm some two to three years ago, and though the hype has died down, cafes are not removing it from their menus yet. Look into the display fridges of cafes and you might just find a variation of this rainbow-hued dessert.

#7 FRENCH TOAST

French Toasts are what we always order when in cafes! Often served as a brunch item, cafe owners have been putting different spins on the classic breakfast number, often pairing them with bananas, strawberries and ice cream.

#8 PASTA

We turn to pasta dishes when we need something filling. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer cream-based or tomato-based pasta, because cafes these days have options aplenty.

A plate of good pasta should be cooked al dente and tossed in quality sauce – to balance the rich and sometimes creamy taste, have it with a glass of refreshing, icy Coke light®.

#9 BURGER

Cafes are bringing their burger games to a whole new level. We are not talking about fast food chain-standard burgers, but towering ones with juicy patties and melty cheese, sauces and the likes.

And of course, what goes better with burgers than a glass of chilled Coke®? The fizzy, uplifting sensation perfectly complements a full-bodied burger, and brightens our days anytime!

#10 SALTED EGG YOLK ANYTHING

From croissants to waffles and French Toasts, most cafes these days have at least one dish with salted egg yolk as the key ingredient. It is all the rage and we are glad this trend is going strong!

Our favourite indulgence includes salted egg yolk croissants, and when the thick and cheesy goodness is paired with the refreshing sensation of a glass of Coke®, that is when our afternoons are made.

This article was brought to you in partnership with Coca-Cola®, the opinions are of the writers’ own.

Serangoon Garden Market is our go-to hawker centre for economical local fare; we practically grew up with it – from its initial days to its new facade after renovation. We watched as stall owners come and go. Some of our favourites are still there since our childhood days, some familiar faces are no longer around because they have passed on to their next generation, some have left entirely.

As one of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore, Serangoon Garden Market is a favourite among residents in the vicinity and many other Singaporeans who would travel down just for a simple, hearty meal over local food and drinks.

With so many stalls in the hawker centre, do you know which are the very popular ones with perpetual queues, and what are some of the dishes you cannot miss? If it is going to be your first trip down, here are 9 Local Fares You Must Try at Serangoon Garden Market. If you are a regular, hands up if we share the same likes!

#1 ALIFF NASI LEMAK

They may not be famous, and the stall might look unassuming altogether. But Aliff Nasi Lemak is reliable and always satisfying. The Halal-certified rice dish has been a breakfast staple for us, and there are several sets with prices starting from S$3.50.

What is your favourite beverage to complement your food? Well for us, Coke always works. The refreshing drink is best for hot, summer days – precisely what we need when dining out in a humid setting such as hawker centres.

Have a can of ice-cold Coca-Cola® to go with your plate of nasi lemak at lunch for a great food pairing as it complements the rich and hearty taste of the local favourite!

#2 BUGIS FISH SOUP AND SEAFOOD SOUP

The ladies will love this. Fish soup is a lower calorie option, and this stall here knows how to please by being generous with the vegetables. If you like your soup sweet with a creamy taste, get the stall keeper to add milk to your order.

We prefer the sliced fish version because the fish slices are always very fresh.

#3 GARDEN STREET KWAY CHAP

Sitting at the corner is Garden Street Kway Chap, and queuing up is part of the experience as the stall owner takes his time to chop up the meats and intestines. No, really. He is super slow, but for great kway chap, we will gladly wait.

The spread is comprehensive, from the various intestines to pork belly to beancurd, and salted vegetables and eggs. The braise is aromatic and flavourful, but it is not complete without the chilli. We like drenching our intestines in the chilli sauce for a more robust flavour.

#4 POH POH ROASTED CHICKEN RICE

Everyone knows Pow Sing for being the chicken rice to eat when in Serangoon Garden. But Poh Poh Roasted Chicken Rice comes close with its fragrant roast chicken and addictive chilli sauce.

Their prices are also much more competitive, and we love to pile our plate up with cabbage and egg add-ons. Of course, chicken rice and Coke zero® go hand in hand; the refreshing taste of Coke zero® complements the familiar taste of chicken rice so well.

#5 SERANGOON GARDEN BAKERY & CONFECTIONERY

The daily fresh bakes from Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery are a true testament to the standards of old-school local-style breads. The stall occupies two units in Serangoon Garden Market, and since young, we’ve watched the two uncles picking breads from the shelves and calculating the total sum in godlike speed.

The aroma of the bakes often fill the market, and despite inflation and rising food costs, their prices remain low and the uncles are ever humble of their successes. It makes our day every time we take our pick from the many shelves, and there is something therapeutic about hearing the plastic lids close one after another every time the uncle reaches out to grab a bun with his thong.

#6 PANCAKE KING

You might dismiss this snack stall on the first look, but Pancake King did not accumulate their accolades without reasons. From old-school banana cake to brownies to peanut pancakes, these local snacks are reminiscent of our childhood days and the taste hasn’t changed since.

Growing up, a can of Coke® was always a reward when we behaved. And what better way to enjoy an old-school crunchy and rich peanut pancake than with a fizzy glass of ice-cold Coke®? It makes the experience of snacking even more pleasurable.

#7 SERANGOON GARDEN CARROT CAKE & WANTON NOODLE

There are several stalls in Serangoon Garden Market that sell fried carrot cake, but it is this stall that won our hearts with its consistency. The portion is always generous, and so is the sweet sauce. This is another of our hawker centre staple!

And the best drink once again to enjoy with your fried carrot cake? A can of Coke light®, with a fizzy, uplifting sensation that makes for a great complement with the greasy goodness.

#8 SIANG HEE SEAFOOD

This is a zichar stall with irregular opening hours. They used to be at Zion Road market, but has located and gained a new following among the Serangoon Garden residents. Standout dishes include the Mee Goreng and Butter Cream Meat with Pumpkin Sauce.

But be warned that the stall operators are all very rude and impatient. Sometimes, they may even raise their voices at you. We are not too fond of patronising them because of their attitude, but if it is your first time, maybe you can brave the hostility and try the two dishes.

#9 SOON HUAT PIG’S ORGAN SOUP

If there is one favourite that residents would concertedly agree with, it is Soon Huat Pig’s Organ Soup. This stall sees a perpetual queue during lunch hours, and you have to join the line if you are a fan of pig’s organ soup.

We like how they are generous with the salted vegetables and tomatoes; they elevate the flavour of the soup, and cuts out any remaining odour from the intestines.

This article was brought to you in partnership with Coca-Cola®, the opinions are of the writers’ own.