During trying times like these, do continue to support our local hawkers by getting takeouts or ordering local hawker food from delivery apps such as Deliveroo and Foodpanda.

Here are 5 hawker centres in Singapore where you can order your favourite local dishes from and have them delivered to your doorstep.

Photo Credit: Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice on Facebook & @paulasjunk14

#1 MAXWELL HAWKER FOOD CENTRE

Loved by both tourists and locals alike, Maxwell Hawker Food Centre is one of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore and there are many famous hawker stalls that have long queues every day.

If you’re a chicken rice lover, you will be glad to know that Ah Tai Hainaese Chicken Rice is available to order on Foodpanda. The Steamed Chicken Rice is a hit. Besides chicken rice, there are other stalls to check out, including Rojak, Popiah & Cockle, a Michelin-Recommended stall; and the crowd-favourite Jin Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon.

Available for food delivery on Foodpanda.

Maxwell Food Centre
1 Kadayanallur St
Singapore 069184
Open Daily: 8am – 2am (stall hours might differ)

#2 CHOMP CHOMP FOOD CENTRE

Arguably one of the most popular supper spots in Singapore, Chomp Chomp Food Centre is in the heart of Serangoon Gardens. Some of the hawker stalls at Chomp Chomp you can order via Foodpanda include Traditional Hai Nam Fang Yuan Satay, AMK 409 Fried Carrot Cake, and even desserts from Ding Hao Sugarcane & Desserts!

If you’re a fan of barbecued food, Chomp Chomp has an array of choices, but our favourite remains the Large Sambal Stingray from Lucy BBQ Seafood on Deliveroo.

Available on Foodpanda and Deliveroo.

Chomp Chomp Food Centre
20 Kensington Park Rd
Singapore 557269
Open Daily: 4pm – 12.30am (stall hours might differ)

Read our guide on the best dishes at Chomp Chomp Food Centre.

#3 OLD AIRPORT ROAD FOOD CENTRE

This hawker centre was voted “Best Hawker Centre In Singapore” last year when 96.3 HAO FM launched its “The Search for Singapore’s Best Hawker Centre” campaign, garnering the most votes and twice as many votes as its nearest competition.

You will be overjoyed to know that Michelin-Recommended stall Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee is available for delivery on both Foodpanda and Deliveroo, starting at S$5.90. Other options from Foodpanda include Fried Carrot Cake, Albert Street Prawn Noodle, and Xin Bee Congee.

Available on Foodpanda and Deliveroo.

Old Airport Road Food Centre
51 Old Airport Rd
Singapore 390051
Open Daily: 6am – 11pm (stall hours might differ)

Read our guide on the best eats at Old Airport Road Food Centre.

#4 YISHUN PARK FOOD CENTRE

One of the newer hawker centres in the hawker scene, Yishun Park Food Centre was opened in 2017. A modern take on the traditional hawker centres, the founders wanted to attract the younger generation and encourage them to support local hawkers.

Be sure to order the Atas Wing Meal from Ah Tan Crispy Chicken Har Cheong Gai, which is available on both Foodpanda and Deliveroo. Deliveroo also has options such as Thunder Tea Rice from Ah Lock Tofu, and Beef Brisket Noodles from One Mouth Noodle. Foodpanda has Belgian Chocolate Pancakes from Munchi Delights and Century Egg and Lean Meat Congee from Li Fang Congee.

Available on Foodpanda and Deliveroo.

Yishun Park Food Centre
51 Yishun Ave 11
Singapore 768867
Open Daily: 6am – 10pm (stall hours might differ)

Photo Credit: @jennysggoh

#5 BUKIT PANJANG HAWKER CENTRE

This hawker centre is one of the newest in the hawker scene as well, opened by NTUC Foodfare back in 2018. Selling tasty, delectable food at affordable prices, its no wonder everyone who dines here is spoilt for choice.

Hawker favourites include Prawn Noodle from Zai Lai Prawn Noodle, Fishball Noodle from You Xiang Teochew Noodles, Chicken Rice from Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, and Fried Carrot Cake from Father & Son’s Fried Carrot Cake And Char Kuey Teow.

Available on Foodpanda.

Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market
2 Bukit Panjang Ring Rd
Singapore 679947
Open Daily: 6am – 10pm (stall hours might differ)

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles is an all-time favourite of ours all these years and if you haven’t tried it, you’re indeed missing out in life.

Hawker food is of ultimate comfort to us, and what makes it even better is seeing young people run the stalls. It is a dying trade, sadly, for being a hawker means very long working hours and physically-taxing duties.

Perhaps, that’s what made Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles a stand-out; the couple running the stall is only 30 years young! And they’ve totally nailed the well-loved fried prawn noodles. We’ll go out on a limb and say that this is the best Hokkien Mee in Singapore.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles, like many other good hawker stalls, sit unassuming within a coffee shop in Serangoon North, and they only operate in the day. Be there early or be sorry.

The stall owner, Terence, has more than 10 years of experience with fried prawn noodles. He was an apprentice in his teenage years, and he worked really hard to master the art of frying prawn noodles. Finally, after years of hard work, he set up his own stall: Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles.

If you are more inclined to the wet fried prawn noodles, you’d absolutely love his rendition. Terence gets up early every day for the prep work, including preparing the fabulous prawn broth that makes his noodles so damn good.

There are only two pricing: S$4 and S$5. Each portion comes with a generous serving of fresh prawns, cuttlefish, slices of pork belly and a sprinkle of pork lard. On the side is their homemade chilli—one of the best sambal belachan we’ve tried. Or perhaps, the best.

The wok hei is evident. Combined with the robust stock gravy, every mouthful is a burst of flavours in your mouth, and trust us, one plate just won’t do! If you fancy a little bit of tanginess, squeeze a lime (provided on the side) all over then mix them all in with the chilli.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles is indeed one of the gems of Singapore’s hawker scene and it is one that has won our loyalty over the years with its consistency.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodles
153 Serangoon North Ave 1, #01-512
Singapore 550153
Nearest Station: Serangoon

It has become quite an apparent trend that many restaurant chefs—some even hailing from prestigious hotels—have decided to hang up their aprons to pursue their own businesses, operating in hawker stalls instead.

Perhaps it’s due to the alleviated pressure, or maybe these veterans just want to settle down and finally do something that they can wholeheartedly call their own. Either way, it’s always a new reason to get excited whenever we hear of such news. To enjoy high-ses food at low-ses prices, here is our list of 6 hawker stalls opened by ex-restaurant chefs.

A NOODLE STORY

Opened by 2 young hawkers who gained accolades from Michelin-starred restaurants such as Saint Pierre and Iggy’s, their passion and relentless efforts in creating a local-style Singapore ramen led A Noodle Story to what it is today. This Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed stall located at Amoy Street Food Centre serves Singapore-style ramen that is specially created to suit local taste buds.

Inspired by modern European techniques and Asian flavours, their signature ramen has a distinctive local flavour that kind of reminds us of our wanton noodles–with tender cha-shu, Hong Kong-style wontons, onsen egg and crispy potato-wrapped prawn that sits neatly atop the thin and springy egg noodles.

A Noodle Story
7 Maxwell Road
#01-39 Amoy Street Food Centre
Singapore 069111
Tel: +65 9027 6289
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 7pm
Sat: 10.30am – 1.30pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

LITTLE BOWL

Previously known as Le Bouillon, Little Bowl is an unpretentious eatery that serves restaurant quality European grub as it is. Tucked in Clifford Centre’s NTUC Foodfare, Little Bowl is a hit among the office crowd due to the affordable prices and of course, quality food.

Started by 3 chefs who met during their time working at Saveur, they decided to start their own business after the founders of Saveur sold the business and went their separate ways. You can look forward to a delectable spread of French fare that is similar to that of Saveur’s standard, without burning a hole in your pockets.

Little Bowl
24 Raffles Place
#B1-01/10 Clifford Centre NTUC Foodfare
Singapore 048621
Mon to Fri: 10am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 3pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Photo Credit: Eddie Tai

MEET 4 MEAT

With over 20 years of experience working in a professional kitchen, former Wooloomooloo Steakhouse chef, Jimmy Teo, co-founded Meet 4 Meat—a no-frills eatery that serves up premium grilled steaks at affordable prices. Located in a humble Kopitiam along the bustling East Coast Road, Meet 4 Meat offers restaurant quality fare in a casual and relaxed dining experience to people from all walks of life.

Their steaks are cooked using a flame-grill, which adds a robust smoky flavour to the different cuts of meat. One of the must-try dishes is their signature Beef Wellington, which comes with a tenderloin coated in a red wine mushroom duxelle (a finely chopped mixture of mushrooms), wrapped in a puff pastry shell and baked.

Meet 4 Meat
228 East Coast Road
Singapore 428925
Tel: +65 8290 3605
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 3.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

MR CHICKEN RICE

Opened and run by an ex-Mandarin Orchard Hotel chef who knows all the secrets to the plate of award-winning Chatterbox’s tasty chicken rice, Mr Chicken Rice is a humble and fuss-free eatery at Downtown East that serves almost the same standard of chicken rice at prices as low as a hawker stall’s.

The Signature Tofu Set comes with a plate of silky smooth steamed Hainanese chicken that sits atop the fragrant chicken rice, deep-fried tofu drizzled with sweet and tangy Thai chilli and a side of cabbage soup to wash down the spiciness of their piquant chilli sauce.

Mr Chicken Rice
1 Pasir Ris Close
#02-120 Downtown East
Singapore 519599
Tel: +65 6582 1302
Mon to Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

Photo Credit: supremeramenxiaolongbao

SUPREME RAMEN XIAO LONG BAO

The brainchild of Chef Li — an ex-Crystal Jade chef with over 20 years of experience as a dim sum chef — Supreme Ramen Xiao Long Bao located in Holland Drive serves authentic and affordable Chinese cuisine, which is absolutely worth travelling for.

A basket of their signature Xiao Long Bao (6 for S$4.50) comes with 6 plump Xiao Long Bao—all of which came with a translucent skin that encapsulates the generous amount of pork filling and tasty pork broth. Given the size and quality of the XLBs, we have to say that it is really value-for-money and we would definitely head down to get our XLB fix if we were around that area.

Supreme Ramen Xiao Long Bao
46 Holland Drive
Singapore 270046
Tel: +65 9798 2211
Daily: 9am – 1.30pm, 4.30pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village/Buona Vista

Photo Credit: Yokozuna Stall

YOKOZUNA STALL

Tucked in an unassuming Kopitiam in Toa Payoh, one would think that Yokozuna Stall is just like any other mediocre hawker Japanese food stall. However, this humble establishment is opened by Chef Francis, an ex-teppanyaki chef at M Hotel with two decades of experience in the F&B industry–and his wife.

Starting an eatery of his own, Chef Francis gets to enjoy the liberty of creating new flavours so be prepared to get treated to a modest selection of creative and mouth-watering Japanese delights.

Yokozuna Stall
211 Lor 8 Toa Payoh #01-01
Singapore 310211
Tel: +65 9732 8813
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5pm – 8.30pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Braddell/Toa Payoh

Charting a hawker-forward course to flavour town, Spice Brasserie—PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road’s all-day dining restaurant—is set to welcome an all-new spread dedicated to the very best of Singapore’s local hawker scene.

Curated by Executive Chef Robert Chan, along with his culinary brigade of seasoned chefs, diners can expect unlimited servings of local must-haves from the classic street side favourites, Oyster Omelette, zi char staple, like Marmite Chicken as well as the crowd favourite, Slipper Lobster in Black Pepper Sauce. If you’re a die-hard durian fanatic, we promise you their sweet, decadent Durian Pengat with Sticky Rice is worth every penny.

Guaranteeing a smorgasbord of mouthwatering delights all in one place and at a very reasonable price point, look no further than to Spice Brasserie from 14 February to 15 May 2019. And to spice things off even further, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” upon making a reservation to enjoy 25% off the lunch and dinner buffets.

BAK KUT TEH MEE SUA

We’ve tried many contemporary renditions of bak kut teh and our verdict is always the same; don’t mess with the quintessential foundations of the dish. Here, the chefs do well to adhere to the dish’s original recipe with their Bak Kut Teh Mee Sua, making sure to strike a good balance between peppery notes, meaty pork flavour and garlicky umami.

The broth is clear, mildly flavoured yet possesses a good body. We liked that the pork ribs were fork tender but not overly soft such that they would crumble like flaky pastry into the broth.

OYSTER OMELETTE

Crispy around the edges, eggy and tossed in a generous helping of fresh oysters, few things come close to the satisfaction that a properly cooked oyster omelette gives. The version served here differs in that they use considerably more egg in the mixture, creating an omelette that’s much fluffier and less chewy—not particularly a bad thing.

The oysters are fresh, plump and give off a nice briny flavour that goes exceptionally well with the chilli sauce served on the side.

SLIPPER LOBSTER IN BLACK PEPPER SAUCE

On weekends, look out for a series of tantalising seafood offerings packed with heady aromas and flavours that every Singaporean can identify with. Their Slipper Lobster In Black Pepper Sauce is one such offering that impressed us quite a bit.

The savoury, concentrated sauce coupled with a punchy pepper flavour nicely complements the sweet, tender lobster flesh and we are huge fans of how the lobster separates easily from its shell, a credit to its freshness and overall doneness.

MUD CRAB IN CHILLI AND PEANUT SAUCE

A rather odd pairing that left us confused at first, their Mud Crab In Chilli And Peanut Sauce strikes a surprisingly delicious balance between a sweet nutty crunch and a tangy, savoury chilli crab sauce.

Executed well, the flavours complemented one another rather nicely breathing new life into what would otherwise be an experiment-gone-wrong. Don’t be shy about slapping on a few deep-fried mantou buns to mop up the spicy, lip-smacking gravy.

MARMITE CHICKEN

Coated in a sticky Marmite-based sauce that boasts a consistency as syrupy as fudge, the Marmite Chicken—a popular zi char meat dish—is one worth loosening your belt buckle for. Period.

This divine dish sees tender pieces of chicken, coated in flour and deep-fried to golden perfection before being tossed in a syrupy marmite sauce. The result? Savoury, succulent chicken that is salty, sweet and tangy all in one. We highly recommend having this with white rice on the side.

MASALA THOSAI

To further showcase the true multicultural food scene in Singapore, diners can look forward to a repertoire of dishes spanning all corners of Southeast Asia, from their Penang Assam Laksa, Indonesian Beef Rendang and more.

Fans of Indian food can look forward to an array of Indian delights such as their Masala Thosai, cooked fresh upon order over at the live action station. Crispy on the outside and spongy on the inside, filled generously with a masala packed with intense aromas and chunks of potatoes, giving the dish body underscored by a good amount of heat.

WOK FRIED LA LA IN XO SAUCE

Shining light on hugely underrated hawker classic is their very-well-done, Wok Fried La La in XO Sauce. Spicy, fragrant and everything in between, this dish had us addicted from start to finish. The la la was fresh and like a sponge, they took on the savoury flavour of the XO sauce really well.

CRISPY FRIED SEA BASS WITH HOT AND SPICY SAUCE

Riddled with a heady aroma of tang and bright fruity notes and crisp flaky skin that just pulls apart effortlessly, the Crispy Fried Sea bass with Hot and Spicy Sauce is one centrepiece stunner that deserves top marks as well. You have to act quickly though because this dish is one that gets mopped up as soon as it exits the kitchen.

DURIAN PENGAT WITH STICKY RICE

We’re suckers for anything containing durian but what we particularly love about their Durian Pengat is the fact that despite it having a strong aroma of the fruit itself, the flavour was nice and mellow.

Sweet, the way it should be, the velvety smooth dessert boasts a buttery flavour, a reflection of the high-quality durians that they use. Served with warm sticky rice, a lightly salted coconut cream and fried tau suan, the otherwise mousse-like dessert is taken to a whole new level and after much trial and error, the chefs really nailed it.

LOCAL DESSERTS & DIY MUAH CHEE

If durian isn’t your thing, there are loads of other time-honoured treats such as Pulut Hitam, Tau Suan with fried fritters, assorted Nonya kueh, cakes and more to tickle your sweet tooth. Oh, and they even have a DIY muah chee station which is one of the buffet restaurant’s more unique attractions!

Complementing the spread is a selection of appetisers over at the seafood on ice counter, sashimi and sushi at the Japanese corner. This local hawker food feast will be going on from 14 February to 15 May 2019 and diners can quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 25% OFF both the lunch and dinner buffets.

The Local Food Fare
14 Feb to 15 May 2019

Weekdays (Sun to Thu)
Lunch: S$32++ (Adult), S$16++ (Child)
Dinner: S$42++ (Adult), S$21++ (Child)

Weekend (Fri & Sat)
Lunch: S$32++ (Adult), S$16++ (Child)
Dinner: S$48++ (Adult), S$24++ (Child)

Terms & Conditions:

• All prices quoted are subject to GST and service charge.
• The menu is on a rotational basis and is subject to change at the discretion of the hotel and without prior notice.
• Advance reservations are required.
• Offer is not valid in conjunction with other existing discounts and promotions.
• Child prices are only applicable for children below 12 years old.
• Offer is available from 14 February to 15 May 2019.

Spice Brasserie
181 Kitchener Road
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3160
Reservations: spicebrasserie.prskt@parkroyalhotels.com
Daily: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

This post was brought to you by PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road.

Good food is what it is, but throw a few fancy words and overly exaggerated expressions into the mix and what do you get? Food that automatically sounds luxurious, extravagant and expensive.

Just for giggles, here are 8 local dishes that you would think costed a bomb if you didn’t know what they were before, based on corny expressions, overly pretentious descriptions and bombastic words.

PORRIDGE

Chinese risotto using short-grain Jasmine rice. Served with pickled vegetables, foraged nuts, cured hen’s egg and crispy, hand-rolled dough fritters.

SATAY

Skewers spice-marinated bovine, seared over roaring hot coals and accompanied with a viscous, tangy sauce of foraged nuts, garden-grown aromatics, spices and tropical pineapple.

BAK KUT TEH

Pork Rib, White Pepper & Pork Bone Consommé, Whole Garlic.

(Because nowadays it’s cooler to list down the ingredients of a dish rather than to give it a name.)

CHWEE KUEH

Upside-down, savoury pannacotta made of rice served with a dollop of braised radish, chilli paste and artfully stacked on wax paper.

CHAR KWAY TEOW

Smoky and savoury wok-fried flat rice noodles with sweetened dark sauce, hand-cracked farmed eggs, bean sprouts and sweet Chinese sausages.

ROTI JOHN

Seared French baguette topped with your choice of mutton or chicken, farmed eggs and delicately diced onions, served meat-side up and finished elegantly with lashings of artisanal tomato sauce and mayonnaise.

HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

Gloriously robust slivers of free-range chickens, topped with a savoury sesame-accented brown sauce. Served with a trifecta of sauces and a bowl of fragrant steamed rice imbued with chicken fat and aromatics.

ROJAK

Handcrafted salad of cut-up fried dough fritters, prematurely-foraged mango, lashings of ginger flower, young turnip, green cucumber, pungent prawn paste and granulated peanuts.

Thanks to the downtown line, it is easier for us to explore other parts of Singapore in search of hidden food gems. And when it comes to hidden gems in Singapore, who can deny that Beauty World is amongst the top of most foodies’ lists? A secret food haven brimming with cosy cafes and eateries that serve tasty, affordable nosh, this enclave has it all.

We have here a list of great places that sell mouth-watering food. These places are located 5 minutes away from the MRT, so all you need to do is hop on the train, get off at Beauty World and then walk there!

Photo Credit: Buta Kin

BUTA KIN RAMEN 

Never would you expect to find good quality ramen in Singapore for under S$10. However, Buta Kin has managed to do just that. They sell restaurant-quality ramen in generous portions for S$6.90 a bowl, and we love how they are not stingy with their ingredients. Each bowl comes filled to the brim with thick slices of chashu, black fungus, nori, and a soft boiled egg.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-28
Singapore 588177
Daily: 11.30am – 8.30am
(Closed on Mondays)

CARPENTER & COOK

This is probably the most popular at Lorong Kilat that is both a vintage home store and cafe, with some of the prettiest cakes. This is the ideal spot to rest and relax with a nice warm cup of coffee and a book.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06,
Singapore 598120
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

G7 SIN MA CLAYPOT LIVE FROG 

To some, the idea of eating frog porridge may sound a bit squeamish. However, don’t dismiss it too quickly because frog porridge is actually really delicious! If you’re a first timer looking for a good place to try frog porridge, this would be a great place to try. The frog here is very sweet and tender, and tastes just like chicken — if not better!

5 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Tel: +65 64677317
Singapore 599730
Daily: 12pm – 3am

Photo Credit: Eatalltheyumz

HE ZHONG CARROT CAKE 

Tucked away in Bukit Timah Market and Food Centre is He Zhong Carrot Cake, which hands down sells some of the best white carrot cake in Singapore. For just S$2.50, you get an incredibly generous portion of chunky, springy and fragrant carrot cake that is great to chow down by yourself or to share around. For an extra kick, you can dip it in their tangy homemade chili sauce.

Bukit Timah Market and Food Centre
#02-185, Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 588215
Thu to Tue: 6am – 8.30pm
Wed: 6am – 1am

Photo Credit: Jew Kit

JEW KIT CHICKEN RICE 

This place sells some really great chicken rice, and is a great place to go to when the chicken rice cravings hit you hard. The chicken served here is incredibly tender and silky, and it goes really well with their fragrant rice. Order a whole chicken to share around if you’re planning on going in a big group!

Bukit Timah Shopping Centre
170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #B1-16/17/18
Tel: +65 64632637
Daily: 10am – 9pm

Photo Credit: Limpehtakemeto

JOO SENG TEOCHEW PORRIDGE AND RICE 

Joo Seng Teochew Porridge is one of our go-to places when we need to have our Teochew porridge fix. They have a plethora of ingredients to choose from, and it’s all very affordably priced. This place is great for a gathering with family and friends as you can order and try more dishes to share around.

14 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Singapore 599738
Tel: +65 64630768
Daily: 10am – 4am

KINDRED FOLK 

Tucked away in the new KAP Residence Mall is Kindred Folk, a charming double-storey ice cream cafe that serves a decent selection of unique homemade ice creams such as Roasted Rice Milk Tea and Wasabi. Besides ice cream, they also sell mains such as pasta and chicken drums.

9 King Albert Park
#01-09, King Albert Park Shopping Mall
Singapore 598332
Tel: +65 69283043
Daily: 12pm – 10pm

Photo Credit: Remintheeatingplace

PROSPERITY SEAFOOD WHITE BEE HOON 

Seafood White Bee Hoon is becoming a popular food item for a lot of Singaporeans these days, and it’s not hard to understand why. There is something incredibly satisfying about a steaming plate of white bee hoon that’s accompanied by a copious amount of seafood. Prosperity Seafood Bee Hoon does this job well and sells must-try white seafood bee hoon.

Bukit Timah Hawker Centre
51 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #02-182
Singapore 588215

Photo Credit: Jessalynnnhoe

SIN CHEW SATAY BEE HOON 

Satay Bee Hoon is one of the less raved about dishes here in Singapore, and we feel like it deserves more attention because it’s so sinfully good! Sin Chew does a good job of making a plate of satay bee hoon, and its hard to resist their plate of rice vermicelli smothered in a copious amount of sweet and savoury satay sauce.

Bukit Timah Market and Food Centre
51 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-162
Singapore 588215
Wed and Thu: 5pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Friday)

Photo Credit: Kianzoid

XIE KEE HOKKIEN MEE  

Xie Kee Hokkien Mee is hands down one of the best Hokkien mees we have ever tried in Singapore, and its never-ending long snaking queues can attest to that! What makes them special is that they use flat noodles instead of the usual yellow noodles. The noodles soak up the gravy really well and have that satisfying touch of wok hei to it.

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #02-174
Singapore 588215
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm

Photo Credit: Platgal 

ZHONG ZHONG FINE SPICE  

If you’re looking for a stall that specialises in ngoh hiang, this is the place to be at. They have a decent variety of ingredients here such as crispy prawn fritters, you tiao, yau kwa, whole stuffed squid and pink sausages. We love dunking it in the pink sweet sauce for a sweet touch!

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #02-149
Singapore 588172

Photo Credit: The.coolbean

ZHOU PIN PORRIDGE  

We feel that Zhou Pin porridge does not get as much credit as it deserves. This humble stall sells a wide range of porridges that are great for a rainy day or if you’re looking for some comfort food. Each bowl comes with a long, crunchy stick of you tiao, and the owners are very generous with their servings of porridge. 

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #02-149
Singapore 588172

Read: Beauty World Food Centre Guide – 8 hawker gems to try

Few things in life satisfy as much as the Kaya Toast—a traditional Singapore-style breakfast. It has undoubtedly become a staple for many Singaporeans since generations ago, and today, it is still widely loved.

We enjoy the old-school fare in various ways—dipping it in soft boiled egg, coffee, or just having it on its own. Very often, it is also paired with a set meal of two soft boiled eggs and your choice of coffee or tea.

You can find renditions of this dish almost everywhere you go, and to get you started, here are 11 Best Kaya Toasts In Singapore.

#1 YA KUN

Ya Kun is one of the most frequented coffee stalls in Singapore, with its history dating back to the early 1940s.

The kaya from Ya Kun—made up of eggs, coconut milk, sugar and pandan—is sandwiched between crisp brown toasted bread. The household brand constantly keeps up with the trend to offer new menu items, and the consistency is the reason for our loyalty.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast
1 Harbourfront Walk, #B2-26, Vivo City
Singapore 099253
Tel: +65 6225 5789
Sun to Thu: 8.15am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8.15am – 10.30pm
Nearest MRT: HarbourFront

#2 FUN TOAST

Fun Toast was originally Kheng Nam Hong, a coffee house widely known by the early residents of Telok Ayer Street. It has since rebranded to a fun-loving label where the younger generations of Singaporeans can better relate to.

One of their signatures includes the Kaya Butter Soft Bun set (S$5.20) which features kaya smothered on buns that are crisp on the outside and incredibly soft on the inside. We highly recommend you to dip it into their soft-boiled eggs for an elevated flavour.

Fun Toast
Citylink Mall, 1 Raffles Link, #B1-04, Singapore 039393
Tel: +65 6533 1233
Mon to Thu: 7am – 8.30pm
Fri: 7am – 9.30pm
Sat: 8am – 9.30pm
Sun & PH: 8am – 8.30pm
Nearest MRT: City Hall

#3 KILLINEY KOPITIAM

The pioneer outlet of Killiney Kopitiam was founded in 1919 and still operates along Killiney Road today; it is the longest standing Hainanese coffee shop in Singapore.

Other than the kaya toast (S$2.40 for 2 slices), the coffee shop also dishes countless of local delights such as their famed Laksa and Curry Chicken. The standards across various outlets have dropped over the years, but the original branch at Killiney Road is still as good as before.

Killiney Kopitiam
67 Killiney Road, Singapore 239525
Tel: +65 6734 3910
Mon, Wed to Sat: 6am – 10pm
Sun, Tue & PH: 6am – 6pm
Nearest MRT: Somerset

#4 TOAST BOX

Established under the BreadTalk group, Toast Box prides itself on offering authentic breakfast that will bring one back to the 70′s.

It is set to ignite nostalgia amongst the Singaporeans, completing the experience with a good Nanyang cuppa and grilled Kaya Toasts (S$1.70 per slice). Other standouts from the menu include the Floss Toast and Crunchy Peanut Butter Thick Toast.

Toast Box
AMK Hub, No. 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #01-01, Singapore 569933
Tel: +65 6484 6591
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio

#5 OLD TOWN WHITE COFFEE

Though the food at Old Town White Coffee is slightly pricier, their Kaya Toast (S$1.60 per slice) is still worth a shot.

Originating from Malaysia, this franchise is now a familiar name in Singapore too. Patrons visit them for fragrant white coffee and an array of simple but delectable local fares.

Old Town White Coffee
180 Kitchener Road
#B1-31/32 City Square Mall
Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 6509 8355
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park

#6 KAFFE & TOAST

Being the halal subsidiary of Coffee & Toast, Kaffe & Toast offers Kaya Toast at S$1.80 per serving. Their kaya spread is made with more doses of egg yolk and is generously slathered on each slice of freshly grilled bread.

We also love with the Mackerel Otah Bun that comes with fish otah.

Kaffe & Toast
Singapore General Hospital (SGH), 4 Hospital Drive, Level 1, Singapore 169608
Tel: +65 6221 0136
Mon to Fri: 7am – 8pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 8am – 5pm
Nearest MRT: Outram Park

#7 TONG AH EATING HOUSE 

Known for its rich history since the 1930s, Tong Ah has since moved a few doors from its original location to reside in the same space as Potato Head Folk.

Be sure to catch them toasting the kaya toast on traditional charcoal grills and you can even request for your toast to be extra crispy. Their formula? Toasting it thrice before scraping off the charred parts using a condensed milk lid.

Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089143
Tel: +65 6223 5083
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Outram Park

#8 HEAVENLY WANG

Heavenly Wang serves a mean slice of Kaya Toast (S$1.50), with thick butter slices and a sweet kaya spread generously tucked in between slightly crisp bread.

This halal eatery also whips up several other Singaporean classics too, so be sure to try out their signature Mee Siam that is well-loved by the locals.

Heavenly Wang
277 Orchard Road, #B2-07/08, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Mon to Sat: 8am – 9:30pm
Sun & PH: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest MRT: Somerset

#9 GOOD MORNING NANYANG CAFE

The kaya toast (S$1.60) at Good Morning Nanyang Cafe is really unique. Their kaya spread is freshly made in-house, following the recipes of a man from Segamat; so rich, luscious and subtly sweet. But this is what sets them apart from the rest—they use ciabatta instead of regular white bread.

Other toast selections include the Orange Ciabatta set, with caramelised orange peel added to bring about a robust element in the toast.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #02-03, Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9650 3256
Daily: 8.30am - 8.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest MRT: Orchard

#10 HILL STREET COFFEE SHOP

Hill Street Coffee Shop evokes a sense of nostalgia that is hard to beat.

Their Kaya Toast (S$2.50) spots a different execution with the replacement of steamed bread—and we love it so much. Expect to sink your teeth into the incredibly soft white bread, coated with a generous kaya spread with a distinct coconut element and topped off with pieces of savoury butter.

Hill Street Coffee Shop
Supertree Grove, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 6702 3373
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Bayfront

#11 TOAST HUT

One of our favourites in this list, Toast Hut is a place that is worth all the hype and crazy queues. The owner heads over to the stall at 4am every morning to prepare for the opening of the stall so patrons can get their coffee-fix as early as 6.30am in the morning!

Their Kaya Butter Toast (S$1.60 for 4 pcs, S$3.00 for a set) goes extremely well with the aromatic and fragrant coffee.

Toast Hut
51 Old Airport Road #01-52
Old Airport Road Food Centre
Singapore 390051
Daily: 6.30am – 1.30pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

A healthy diet is paramount to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. More often than not, eating healthy equates eating salads and quinoa. But that does not mean that the hawker fare Singaporeans love and know cannot provide us with the necessary nutrients and vitamins that we need too. You see, as long as we are conscious about picking healthier choices, those are baby steps to achieving a healthier lifestyle—slowly but surely.

Hawker food is the epicenter of Singaporean culture. But there is a common notion that hawker foods are not as healthy. As such, those of us in search of healthier options tend to give in to salad and grain bowls—which often take a massive toll on our wallets.

There are actually healthier options available in hawker centres that are generally lower in calories and some are even prepared with healthier oil or wholegrain ingredients.

Rejoice, for we now have 8 Healthier Hawker Food in Singapore Under S$5 for when you are broke but still want to eat healthier. Remember to look out for the Healthier Choice Symbol when placing your orders!

FATTY CHEONG – WANTON MEE

When it comes to roast and barbecued pork, Fatty Cheong, located at the ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre remains an institution. With most of their offerings featuring fatty cuts of meat slathered in a gooey dark sauce, we can see why people would not typically associate them with being a healthier choice—but we stand corrected.

We got their Wanton Mee (S$3.50) that we noticed was listed as a healthier choice. Remember? It may not be healthy through and through, but as long as it is healthier (and there is a worse option), we are good.

Underneath the thick and dark gravy hid springy yellow noodles as well as thick, lean cuts of barbecued pork. The absence of fat, which made the texture less oily, made us feel so much better about our waistlines.

6 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-120 ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre
Singapore 150006
Tel: +65 9882 4849
(Closed on Thursdays)
Mon to Sun: 11am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

ROS MUSLIM FOOD STALL – SOTO AYAM

Boasting a huge bowl of soup packed full of lean shredded chicken breast and rice cakes, the Soto Ayam (S$3) is one of the heartiest yet lightest alternatives around. The soup itself is considerably clear, as opposed to many of its other counterparts that come with a layer of oil floating on the top.

The broth brimmed with spices and comforting chicken flavour and the chicken itself was lean and fork tender. For something that is light but definitely not short on flavour, this is a great healthier choice.

6 Jalan Bukit Merah
ABC Brickworks Market Food Centre #01-05
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

SOON LEE STEW BEEF – STEW BEEF NOODLES

The Stew Beef Noodles (S$4) at Soon Lee Stew Beef is just the thing to get you by on a rainy day. For only S$4, what you get is a generous plate of tender beef brisket that sits atop springy yellow noodles, which is topped with a ladle-full of their homemade beef and herb-infused gravy.

For a bit of texture and some added flavour, chunks of soft carrot and daikon are also added. We also liked that the gravy was tasty without being overly salty.

120 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-16 Alexandra Village Food Centre
Singapore 150120
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

LIAN KEE – MINCED MEAT NOODLES

One can never really go wrong with a tasty bowl of minced meat noodles. Encompassing the essential components of sweet, salty, sour and umami, the minced meat noodles (S$3) at Lian Kee over at Alexandra Village Food Centre is done just the way we like it with a few minor tweaks to ensure that it stays relatively healthy.

For one, the ingredients used are fresh and the chef takes his time per bowl to ensure that every order is cooked properly with minimal oil—hence the long wait.

120 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-50 Alexandra Village Food Centre
Singapore 150120
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 7.30am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

JIN DING XIANG PIG’S ORGAN SOUP CLAYPOT

Ang Mo Kio Market & Food Centre is filled with many food options and one of the more popular stalls is Jin Ding Xiang Pig’s Organ Soup Claypot. Specialising in a variety of pork and mutton herbal soups, their Bak Kut Teh (Pork Bone Soup, S$5) carries the Healthier Choice Symbol and it is lower in calories.

The pork fell off the bone so easily and was extremely lean with little to no fats, making it a healthier option compared to their other dishes.

However, the broth was the ultimate winner. Packed with spices and intense herbal flavours, it was a joy to slurp up. For just a mere $5, we had a very satisfying meal that didn’t guilt-trip us too much.

Ang Mo Kio Market & Food Centre
Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #01-45
Singapore 560724
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

AL ZAMIRA RESTAURANT

With a myriad of prata (S$1), biryani (S$5) and set options, this Indian Muslim stall does not fall short in providing great variety for its customers.

The Plain Thosai (S$1.50), however, deserves special mention for surprisingly being a healthier yet tasty alternative. For the aforementioned price, the crisp texture of the thosai and generous servings of accompanying gravy make for a superb deal indeed.

Apparently, eating healthy does not necessitate lavish spending after all.

724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #01-04
Singapore 560724
(Closed on Sun)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

YUNOS N FAMILY

This corner stall within the bustling Ang Mo Kio Market and Centre offers a vast selection of hearty Malay hawker fare at very reasonable prices.

The menu includes the famous Mee Soto (S$3), Mee Rebus (S$3), Gado Gado (S$3) and Satay (S$0.60/stick). You also have the option of customizing your meals with their readily available add-ons.

The broth of their highly raved Mee Soto is well-flavoured and the portion of springy yellow noodles is decent. This affordable bowl of goodness also has a lower calorie count, which means less guilt while indulging in it.

724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #01-01
Singapore 560724
(Closed on Sun)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

HOCK LAM STREET POPULAR BEEF KWAY TEOW

Hock Lam Street Popular Beef Kway Teow is also on our list of go-to when we crave hawker food but still need to toe the line of being healthy.

There is a variety of noodles as well as beef cuts from different parts of the cow. On a budget but still want something less sinful? You will be pleased to know that their Sliced Beef Noodles (S$5) option on their menu bears the Healthier Choice Symbol and it is lower in calories.

Dig into this delicious bowl of goodness served with a generous amount of sliced beef, bean sprouts and kway teow. This for less than 500 calories and reasonably priced at S$5? Count us in!

51 Old Airport Road, #01-22
Singapore 390051
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 8.30pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Dakota

This post is brought to you by Health Promotion Board, Singapore.

Singapore is a city filled with colourful cuisines and all sorts of (fattening) goodies. Eating is a national hobby in Singapore and it is not exaggerating to say that Singaporeans are all foodies in our own rights.

Here are 20 Times Singapore Proved To Be The Best Food City.

#1 THIS PLATE OF CHAR KUAY TEOW FROM ZION ROAD

Nothing says comfort food like char kuay teow with egg, bean sprouts and lap cheong (chinese sausage).

#2 A BOWL OF SAVOURY LAKSA FROM JANGGUT LAKSA

One of the best bowls of laksa you can find in Singapore! If you haven’t tried this, you haven’t lived.

#3 THE BEST ROTI PRATA FROM RK EATING HOUSE IN SERANGOON GARDENS

Roti prata is a lifetime staple. ‘Nuff said!

#4 HOKKIEN MEE FROM XIAO DI HOKKIEN MEE

If you love the wet version of Hokkien Mee, you will love Xiao Di Hokkien Mee’s renditon.

#5 CRAB BEE HOON FROM LONG BEACH SEAFOOD

This is a pot of delicious crab goodness.

#6 CHARCOAL WAFFLES WITH SALTED EGG YOLK SAUCE FROM FAT CAT ICE CREAM BAR

Salted egg yolk tastes great in desserts too.

#7 TINY KUEH TUTUS FROM LAU TAN TUTU KUEH

A sweet childhood snack with peanut or coconut fillings, Tutu Kueh is ever comforting.

Photo Credit: ConnexionSG

#8 KACANG PUTEH FROM KACANG PUTEH PUSHCART OUTSIDE PEACE CENTRE

Probably the last kacang puteh seller in Singapore.

Photo Credit: The Straits Times

#9 INTERESTING YUAN YANG MUAH CHEE FROM CIRCUIT ROAD FOOD CENTRE

Muah chee (chewy glutinous rice flour) is common but white and black sesame ones? Now that’s something.

#10 SHIOK MAKI FROM KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR

The one dish that makes everyone go back to Koh Grill & Sushi Bar again and again is the Shiok Maki. It is a maki made up of avocado, unagi and aburi salmon, drenched with a supremely addictive creamy sauce that is seemingly a legit mixture of mayo and mentai, then topped with a copious amount of tobiko.

#11 TRADITIONAL KAYA TOAST AND SOFT BOILED EGGS SET FROM CHIN MEE CHIN CONFECTIONERY

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is an icon of Singapore in its own rights and you have to try their legendary kaya toast and eggs.

#12 THE ICONIC CHILLI CRAB

We Singaporeans sure love our chilli crabs. Its savoury chilli sauce goes well with deep-fried mantous (buns) too.

#13 A SIMPLE BOWL OF WANTON MEE FROM ENG KEE NOODLE HOUSE

A classic Singapore dish of noodles, char siew, vegetables, wantons (dumplings) and hot soup.

Photo Credit: Wee Lee Brothers

#14 APPETISING OTAH FROM LEE WEE AND BROS OTAH

This is another traditional snack made of ground fish meat that is seasoned and wrapped in coconut leaves before it is flame grilled.

#15 THIS DELIGHTFUL ROLL OF POPIAH FROM QI JI

An alternative to the Western style crepes, the Chinese popiah has fillings such as steamed turnip, bangkuang, tofu, shredded omelette and chopped peanuts.

#16 A PLATE OF SPICY SAMBAL STINGRAY FROM CHOMP CHOMP FOOD CENTRE

Hands down one of the best hawker food in Singapore.

#17 LOVE ROJAK FOREVER

Even meat lovers will devour a plate of Singapore Rojak—essentially fruit and vegetable salad in sweet and spicy sauce.

#18 OUR SINGAPORE SLING IS WORLD FAMOUS

Yes, we have our very own national cocktail—the Singapore Sling.

#19 ICE CREAM SANDWICH

Buzzfeed needs to know that these Ice Cream Sandwiches are unique to Singapore. Yes, we own them.

#20 HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

And because there is nothing quite like Hainanese Chicken Rice in Singapore.

Singapore’s local food is so diverse and multi-cultural that you will never get sick of eating it. And what if we told you there are several buffet spreads that focus on local food?

Imagine free-flow roti prata, Chinese roast meats and delicious beef rendang!

You will find yourself going for a second, maybe third serving of that fragrant chicken rice. And free-flow chilli crab for you? Well, here are 8 Local Food Buffets in Singapore You Need To Try.

#1 CLIFFORD PIER 

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: Besides the fact that Clifford Pier’s interior is absolutely stunning with sleek furniture and natural light streaming in, their Heritage Afternoon Tea Buffet features an array of 8 savoury and 8 sweet items that reflect Singapore’s culinary past and present.

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PRICE:
Afternoon Tea /  S$45 (Daily)

The Fullerton Bay Hotel
80 Collyer Quay
Tel: +65 6597 5266
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 12 midnight
Fri: 11.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#2 COLONY

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: Everything about the local food spread at Colony is quintessentially Singaporean and we love it. Get the chef to slice some premium char siew for you and pair it with a plate of fragrant chicken rice. Then, finish off your meal with some tandoori meats and lip-smackingly good lobster laksa.

PRICE:
Lunch / S$58 (Daily) Dinner: S$78 (Daily)

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

#3 J65

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: J65′s buffet is extremely value-for-money and you get to enjoy fresh seafood on ice while getting the chef to whip up a scrumptious plate of Fried Oyster Egg (you must have it with the accompanying chilli) and grill satay for you. There’s also a DIY rojak station!

PRICE:
Dinner / S$55 (Sun to Thu), S$60 (Fri & Sat)

Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore
Lobby Level, 1A Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249176
Reservations: +65 6831 4374 / J65@hoteljen.com
Daily: 6.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#4 MARRIOTT CAFE 

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: Get your tummies ready for a huge spread of local goodies at Marriott Cafe. The high tea buffet spread includes XO carrot cake, bak kut teh, chicken rice, char kway teow and many more local delights.

PRICE:
High Tea / S$42 (Mon to Fri), S$45 (Sat & Sun)

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#5 PLAZA BRASSERIE

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: In this buffet, you not only get a great range of local cuisine but also food from all over Asia. Think an aromatic bowl of prawn laksa, many local-style cooked dishes such as salted egg yolk prawns and rendang. There is also a prata station where you can enjoy free-flow prata!

PRICE: Dinner / S$53 (Mon – Thu), S$58 (Fri – Sun)

PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road, Level One
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 6505 5710
Daily: 6am – 12am
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

#6 SPICE BRASSERIE

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: Apart from its iconic Union of Crabs and Lobsters dinner buffet, Spice Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road also offers the Singapore Nostalgic Lunch and Dinner buffet, featuring an extensive range of local and Asian cuisines, the popular Teochew Porridge corner, and a tantalising variety of appetisers and desserts.

PRICE: Lunch / S$33 (Daily), Dinner / S$36 (Mon to Wed)

 #7 STRAITS CAFE

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: To start, literally every single item featured in their buffet spread is delicious and perfectly encapsulates the essence of Malaysian and Singaporean street fare. Whether it’s their kueh pie tee, KL-style prawn noodles or even their Nonya laksa, we guarantee you that you will be filled with delight with each bite you take. We particularly love their à la minute-cooked sambal seafood from the live station and be sure to save space for their wide selection of durian-based desserts.

PRICE:
Lunch / S$42++ (Mon to Fri), S$48 (Sat & Sun)
Dinner / S$50++ (Mon to Thu) S$58++ (Fri to Sun)

9 Bras Basah Road, Level 1,
Singapore 189559
Tel: +65 6708 7745
Daily: 6.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah / Dhoby Ghaut

#8 STRAITSKITCHEN

WHY YOU SHOULD COME HERE: StraitsKitchen is a Halal-certified buffet restaurant and they are easily the best buffet restaurant in Singapore for a comprehensive local food spread. From grilled satay and black pepper crabs, fried carrot cake to chicken rice, prata and laksa, the choices are almost endless. The range of local-style dessert is also huge; think nyonya kueh, goreng pisang and muah chee!

PRICE: Dinner / S$73 nett (Daily)

10 Scotts Road, Lobby Level
Grand Hyatt Singapore
Singapore 228211
Tel: +65 6732 1234
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Read: 14 Best Seafood Buffets In Singapore.

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.

To say Singapore is a foodie’s paradise is an understatement. We are more than that!

Perhaps, you may think that your everyday carrot cake and bak kut teh are all too common, but Singapore is blessed with different races and cultures, and this has directly impacted our food and all that we have to eat today.

Being in Singapore simply means you will never run out of options on what to eat, because just local food alone, we have a huge plethora and they are all unique in their own ways. We take a look at some of The Best Things To Eat in Singapore.

#1 BAK KUT TEH

Bak Kut Teh is a popular pork bone soup that has many different renditions across Southeast Asia. But of course, nothing beats the Singapore-style Bak Kut Teh – a rich and peppery clear pork bone broth with tender pieces of pork ribs.

Braised for many hours, the broth has an intense flavour and the pork is so tender that it falls off the bone easily. Traditionally eaten with white rice, braised peanuts and/or salted preserved vegetables, this is one of our all-time favourite local dishes.

#2 BEEF NOODLES

Beef noodles can be a pretty vague term because there are, too, many renditions across Asia. Here in Singapore, beef noodles are traditionally served in two ways – dry or with soup.

The dry version is served with a thick starchy brown sauce, whereases the latter is served in a rich herbal-like broth. Tender slices of beef are often accompanied by beef tendon or beef balls.

#3 CAI FAN/ MIXED VEGETABLES RICE

A great economical option for all, Cai Fan translates to Mixed Vegetables Rice. It is the most common stall in hawker centres and coffee shops, where you pick your own ingredients that will be piled atop white rice. Some popular dishes include Stir-Fried Kai Lan, Sweet & Sour Pork and Steamed Fish.

There is a Teochew porridge version which works the same way but porridge is used in place of rice.

#4 CHENG TNG

Cheng Tng is a popular and affordable dessert, usually found in coffee shops and food courts in Singapore. It used to be sold by street vendors in the past, but is a ubiquitous dessert that can be found just about anywhere in Singapore today.

It is a sweet “soup” that features ingredients such as dates and longans in a light brown broth. Cheng Tng can be eaten both warm or chilled, and are mostly under S$2.

#5 HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

As Singapore’s most iconic dish, it is hard to not love this irresistible plate of goodness that can be found everywhere in Singapore. The Hainanese chicken rice dish features a fragrant rice that is cooked in chicken broth and pandan leaves, topped with tender chicken slices.

The chicken is steamed for long hours, and the Hainanese chicken rice is traditionally served with ginger, dark soya sauce and chilli sauce on the side.

#6 CURRY PUFF

Curry puffs are found in many shapes and sizes, and each ethnicity in Singapore has their own version that varies very slightly from each other. A rich curry (usually chicken curry) paste with potatoes and chicken are enveloped inside puff pastry.

This extremely delectable pastry can be found with different stuffing variations. Popular ones include Sardine or Vegetarian Curry. Some quirky ones are Chilli Crab to Chicken Satay.

#7 DURIAN PENGAT

Pureed durian is mixed in with palm sugar and coconut milk, and pandan leaves are used to enhance the flavours of the dessert. This is how the typical Durian Pengat is prepared and this dessert is well-loved by many Singaporeans.

Typically served chilled, some places also top their Durian Pengat off with a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream.

#8 FRIED HOKKIEN MEE

The Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee can also be referred to as fried prawn noodles. Yellow noodles and thick bee hoon are wok-fried with bean sprouts, squid, prawns and lard – all in a sweet broth that gives the dish its primary flavour.

When served, it comes with a slice of lime and a dollop of fiery chilli.

#9 ICE KACHANG

Ice Kachang is every citizen’s saving grace in our nation’s tropical heat. Coarse shaved ice decorated with ingredients such as red bean, pandan jelly, attap seeds and more. Multi-coloured sugar syrups are drizzled on the shaved ice to give the dessert a colourful finish.

In the past, street vendors used to serve Ice Balls – which were actually coarse shaved ice too, but shaped into a ball and served with just the sugar syrups. These days, ice kachang are a lot more elaborate. But they are still very economical – mostly under S$2.50!

#10 KWAY CHAP

Kway Chap is one that might intimidate foreigners, for it includes a multitude of ingredients – mostly intestine from a pig. The ‘Kway’ refers to thick cut flat noodles or kway teow served in a herbal broth, and ‘Chap’ refers to the braise sauce.

The braise often features pig’s intestines (both big and small), pork belly, and braised beancurd. Salted vegetables are add-ons, and the accompanying chilli sauce is often a pretty spicy one.

#11 LAKSA

Nothing meats a warm bowl of Laksa and Singapore’s version of it is sometimes referred to as Katong Laksa. Katong is the place where this iconic dish originated from and the bowl of cut-up thick bee hoon is flavoured with dried shrimp, assam leaves, spices and enhanced with fragrant coconut milk.

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.

#12 MILO DINOSAUR

Milo is a malt chocolate drink, and it is Singapore’s favourite drink. The Milo Dinosaur might seem like an intimidating name, but it is quite the contrary.

Iced Milo is piled up high with more powdered milo, and it is also how this quintessential drink had the name ‘Milo Dinosaur’ coined – with the ‘dinosaur’ referring to the mountain of Milo powder.

#13 OYSTER OMELETTE

Oyster Omelette is a mainstay in many hawker centres and coffee shop stalls because it tastes so ridiculously good. Beaten egg and flour, together with seasonings and condiments, are wok-fried with plump and fresh oysters to produce this incredible dish.

The flour, when fried, becomes crisp on the outside but still soft on the inside. It adds a good textural variety and bite to the dish. Have it with some sambal chilli and you are in for a treat.

#14 PRAWN NOODLE SOUP

Prawn Noodle Soup is a great comfort for Singaporeans. Typically, yellow noodles or vermicelli is used together, served in a rich prawn and pork ribs broth, and topped off with fresh prawns and pork meat.

Most prawn noodle stalls in Singapore also offer a dry version where the noodles are tossed in various sauces.

#15 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.

#16 ROTI PRATA

Called ‘Roti Canai’ in India, 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 served with a side of chicken curry. The most common varieties are plain and egg prata. And as typical Singapore kids, we grew up eating our prata with sugar.

#17 SATAY

Who can pass up on barbecued skewered meats? Pork, chicken and beef are usually used, and the skewers are grilled or BBQ-ed upon order. It is served with ketupat (Malay rice cake), onions and a side of peanut stalls.

Way back in the past, satay seller used to have mobile stalls where they push through estates where they call out “SATAY!” to alert residents of their arrival. Now, we can find satay in everywhere in hawker centres, food courts and coffee shops.

#18 SWEET & SALTY GLUTINUOUS RICE

It is quite difficult to find stalls selling this traditional dish of sweet & salty glutinous rice, with many long-standing stalls fast depleting. But if you are lucky and happen to chance upon a stall selling it, do not hesitate to purchase it.

Typically, the salty one is more popular but some will choose to mix theirs in with some sweet glutinous rice too. This is one local gem that should not be forgotten.

#19 SWEET CHEE CHEONG FUN

We all know the Hong Kong-style Chee Cheong Fun where either shrimp or char siu meat is stuffed inside. Singapore’s version is served bare (no fillings) and topped with sweet sauce, sesame seeds and sometimes, chilli.

This rice noodle (‘fun’) is made by steaming a mixture until it becomes a large sheet, then rolling it to resemble a pig’s intestine (‘chee cheong’). It is a common and economical breakfast staple in Singapore.

#20 YONG TAU FOO

Yong Tau Foo is can be easily found in coffee shops and hawker centres, with a shelf of ingredients where you take your pick. Grab a bowl and a thong, choose your favourite ingredients and hand it over to the shop assistant.

Choose between soup or dry (some places serve laksa or mee rebus sauce to go with it) and pick a noodle or rice of choice. Popular ingredients include fish balls, cabbage, tofu, stuffed chilli, beancurd skin and stuffed taupok.

#21 BAK CHOR MEE

Bak Chor Mee is a Singaporean hawker dish of minced meat noodles that is commonly eaten as supper.

The piping hot bowl of springy noodles is tossed in black vinegar and chilli, then topped with sautéed mushrooms, lard, minced pork, meatballs, pig’s liver and sambal chili paste. There are a variety of noodles – from thick to thin to flat ones – and you can request for a non-spicy bowl too.

#22 BAN MIAN

Ban Mian in Singapore is a crossbreed noodle dish influenced by the Hakka and Hokkien cuisines. Essentially a big sheet of noodles, the sheet is then cut up to bite-size pieces.

The end result is bouncy delicious egg noodles submerged in a near-boiling anchovy stock broth, complete with minced pork, vegetables and a runny egg.

#23 BRAISED DUCK RICE

Braised Duck Rice is a popular Teochew Chinese delicacy that is well-loved by Singaporeans. The tender duck meat is complemented with a rich sauce and served with a bowl of porridge or fragrant rice.

There are numerous variations of the sauces across Singapore but recipes typically include a myriad of herbs, spices and other flavourful condiments to give the dish an irresistible oomph.

#24 CARROT CAKE (BLACK & WHITE)

Black Carrot Cake, otherwise known as Chai Tow Kway, is nothing like the sugary sweet treats you would come across in Western bakeries. The Singaporean version is a savoury spicy dish that is available in white or black.

The traditional Southeast Asian Carrot Cake is a plate of white radish cake cubes stir-fried with rice flour, chye poh (Chinese dried radish) and eggs. Additional sweet dark sauce is added for the black version.

#25 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.

The dish is extremely unhealthy due to its high fat content but it is insanely delicious! Just drop all your concerns and enjoy a plate of char kway teow; it’s worth it.

#26 CHWEE KUEH

Chwee Kuehs – or more professionally known as Water Rice Cakes – are actually mini bowl-shaped steamed rice cakes topped with crunchy salted turnips.

These savoury snacks are inexpensive (typically under S$1.50 for 4 pieces) and are often consumed as breakfast in Singapore. Best eaten with the kickass chilli, of course.

#27 FISH HEAD CURRY

Fish Head Curry is literally an entire red snapper fish’s head cooked with vegetables. The bubbling red curry stew is spicy and slightly sour, often eaten with fragrant white rice.

These are often found in zichar stalls in Singapore, and it is a communal dish.

#28 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. In fact, it is one of the best things in Singapore!

The local Singaporean delicacy of succulent frog meat served with smooth congee is usually consumed during dinnertime or suppertime. There are various cooking styles, but the most popular one is ginger with onion, and gong bao (dried chilli).

#29 HOR FUN

Hor Fun is a plate of thick flat rice noodles served with prawns, squids and snakehead fish slices and drenched with an aromatic viscous sauce.

The sauce is made of chicken stock, egg whites, fish sauce, oyster sauce, light sauce and thickened by corn flour. It may look like second to nothing but this is a very flavourful dish that is more often than not very filling.

#30 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.

#31 LOR MEE

Lor Mee is a Chinese braised thick yellow noodles dish characterized by its starchy sauce. A good bowl of lor mee is hard to come by these days.

Its contents are rather complex, but basically comprises beansprouts, Chinese black vinegar, celeries, dark soya sauce, fried fish, hard-boiled egg, garlic cloves, ginger slices, meat broth, rock sugar, sliced pork belly meat, spiced powder and tapioca starch to produce a mouthwatering dish.

#32 MEE GORENG

Mee Goreng in Singapore is more often than not Halal-certified, and is a popular supper dish.

This spicy convenient snack is a plate of yellow noodles served with seafood and traces of fried egg. The yellow noodles are usually cooked to varying shades of brown and red, depending on the amount of tomato sauce, oyster sauce and sweet soya sauce used.

#33 NGOH HIANG

Ngoh Hiang is a deep-fried roll of meat wrapped with beancurd skin and seasoned with five-spice powder. The filling is usually finely diced water chestnut, minced meat, prawns and yam.

#34 NASI LEMAK

When directly translated, Nasi Lemak actually means rice in cream. Indeed, the fragrant rice has been soaked in coconut cream before it is steamed and served. The rice is served with cucumber slices, dried shrimp paste, crispy fried anchovies and hard-boiled eggs. A dollop of sambal chilli goes along with it as well.

Optional condiments such as chicken wing and sambal sotongs are common add-ons for a more wholesome meal.

#35 PEANUT PANCAKE

Peanut Pancakes are more affectionately known by the Hokkien community as Mee Chiang Kueh. The pancakes are crispy on the outside, incredibly chewy and fluffy on the inside, and filled with a generous amount of roasted crushed peanut.

#36 POPIAH

Popiahs are fresh spring rolls that are considered festive food to the Peranakan and Hokkien communities. Today, they are commonly eaten throughout the year as a savoury snack.

The delicate tapioca egg skin wraps a rich variety of turnip, bamboo shoots, firm bean curd, minced garlic, pork, prawns and topped off with a sweet sauce.

#37 SAMBAL STINGRAY

Sambal Singray is a divine spicy seafood creation where the stingray is wrapped in banana leaves and charcoal-grilled till cooked.

A spicy concoction of fermented shrimp paste and tamarind paste along with other spices such as lemongrass and red chilies are then smeared over the fish.

#38 TUTU KUEHS

Tutu Kuehs are mini steamed white rice cakes filled with either grated coconut or roasted peanuts. These traditional Singaporean desserts are served on a fragrant piece of pandan leaf and are nostalgic snacks for the older generation.

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.

Do you remember back in school when you would sprint to the canteen during recess, just to get that steaming warm plate of Chee Cheong Fun (rice noodle rolls) with sweet sauce or a plate of delicious Lor Mai Kai (Chicken Glutinous Rice)?

If you grew up in Singapore, chances are, all of these are more than familiar to you. To us, these local breakfasts are still what comforts us the most in the mornings.

As Singaporeans, we are always proud of our multi-ethic society and of all the different cuisines available. Also, these local breakfast foods are usually inexpensive. If you are new to our Lion City, here are 12 local breakfasts in Singapore to try. And to all fellow Singaporeans, don’t you agree that these are better than the typical brunch fare of eggs Benedict and pancakes?

#1 BANANA LEAF-WRAPPED NASI LEMAK

This popular Malay cuisine usually consists of coconut rice with Ikan Billis, Sambal Sauce, Fried Fish, Omelettes and more.

Typically wrapped up in banana leaf to give that extra bit of fragrance, Nasi Lemak is our favourite comfort breakfast. And they usually cost only a dollar or two – depending on the ingredients in the packet.

#2 CHAR SIEW PAU

A Singaporean-style Char Siew Pau is a fluffy white bun with chopped char siew (honeyed BBQ pork), then steamed until cooked. These used to cost us only about S$0.50 back in school, and they are about S$1 to S$1.50 now at coffee shops.

#3 CHEE CHEONG FUN WITH SWEET SAUCE

The Singapore version differs from its Hong Kong-style counterpart and is more sweet than savoury. These rice noodle rolls are steamed, cut up then served with sweet sauce and sesame, and chilli upon request.

These are a great breakfast option as it will satisfy your cravings without filling you up to an uncomfortable extent. A serving these days costs an average of S$1.

#4 CHWEE KUEH

Chwee Kueh is really steamed rice cakes topped off with Cai Poh (diced preserved radish), and chilli is served on the side upon request. The rice cake itself is pretty much tasteless but the Cai Poh is flavourful and slightly salty, hence balancing out the textures and overall taste of each bite.

A serving of 6 Chwee Kuehs in Singapore typically goes at a mere S$1.50 at local coffee shops, thus making it both economical and understatedly delicious.

#5 DOUJIANG YOUTIAO

Doujiang is soya bean milk, and Youtiao is dough fritters. When put together, it is a match made in heaven.

More often than not, the dessert of jellied beancurd (or what we call douhua) is served instead of soya bean milk. But whatever it is, you dip your youtiao into it for the best taste. Breakfast or supper, Doujiang Youtiao is always a good idea.

#6 FISHBALL NOODLE SOUP

A bowl of fishball noodles go for an average of S$3.50 in coffee shops. It may look next to nothing, but this unassuming bowl is sheer comfort food for most Singaporeans.

Yellow noodles served with fishcake slices and fishball in a bowl of sweet broth, fishball noodle soup is well-loved by both children and adults in Singapore. Add some chilli padi for an extra punch.

#7 KAYA TOAST & HALF-BOILED EGGS

Kaya is coconut jam for the uninitiated, and kaya toast is quite simply toasted old-school bread with a spread of kaya and butter slice(s). Kaya toast is often served with two half-boiled eggs and a cup of warm beverage.

Back in school, we had half-boiled eggs and kaya toast with a warm cup of Milo or Horlicks. Now, when we have it in coffee shops or hawker centres, we have them with a nice cup of black coffee or tea.

#8 LOR MAI KAI/FAN CHOY

Lor Mai Kai (Glutinous Chicken Rice) and Fan Choy (Glutinous Char Siew Rice) are quick and easy meals as they are usually pre-packaged and re-steamed to be served hot.

Both glutinous rice variations are extremely filling, and though they are harder to find these days, we have fond memories of this local breakfast that typically costs S$1.50.

#9 PEANUT PORRIDGE

This is as old school as it can get. Primarily accompanied with shredded chicken and/or peanut, it is one of the most economical breakfast option in Singapore hawker centres. You can easily get a bowl for S$1 or less.

#10 PRAWN NOODLES SOUP

Hours and hours of simmering pork bones and prawn shells and more; nothing beats the sweetness of prawn noodles soup.

The choice of noodles is yours – vermicelli, yellow noodles or flat noodles, you take your pick. But the highlight here is the flavourful broth and fresh prawns, with fried shallots to top. A bowl of Prawn Noodles Soup costs an average S$4, but the better ones can go up to S$10 per bowl (served with tiger prawns).

#11 ROTI PRATA

This local Indian dish is hands down our ultimate guilty pleasure. Few things in life please us like a slice of piping hot egg prata. Prata comes in a plethora of variations, but we prefer ours the classic way – kosong (plain) or with egg.

Dip it in the complimentary curry sauce, or do it the Singaporean way and eat ‘em with sugar.

#12 WANTON NOODLES

Wantons are popular meat dumplings and they are either boiled or deep-fried when sold here in Singapore. Whether you have it dry or with soup, a bowl of Wanton Noodles never disappoints.

When the wantons are big and juicy and the noodles are nice and springy, the whole dish just falls into place. Having Wanton Noodles for breakfast is lovely, but it works as a lunch or dinner dish too!

Illustrations for ladyironchef by Chen Xuan

Korean Bingsu is all the rage in Singapore right now, but it is not cheap – a bowl of Bingsu is easily S$15 and above. To beat the sweltering heat in Singapore, try this watermelon dessert bowl from Xue Hua Fei Cold & Hot Drinks in Bedok Interchange Food Centre. The humble and honest stall is a real find amidst the hundreds of stalls in the hawker centre.

We paid the stall a visit on a quiet weekday afternoon especially for the Watermelon Ice (S$5 small, S$8 big). The store owner was really friendly and sawed the watermelon bowl prettily for us right on the spot.

He was also quick to point out that even the smaller S$5 bowl could serve 2 to 4 people, so you can be rest assured that he does not skimp on the toppings and other fruit items in the bowl. Having the refreshing Watermelon Ice was the best decision we made for ourselves that day.

He first scoops a decent amount of shaved ice as the base of the dessert, then proceeds on to scoop rounded watermelon bits to fill a thick layer on top of the ice. The dessert bowl is then topped off with a mixture of cocktail fruits such as peaches and cherries, and of course, huge longans.

Just the simple fact that it is a comforting, refreshing and overall satisfying bowl of fresh fruits, was good enough for us.

It is hard to come by honest old-school dessert stalls like these these days, and we are glad that Xue Hua Fei Cold & Hot Drinks is still around. The stall also offers a variety of drinks and other fruit or local desserts.

Xue Hua Fei Cold & Hot Drinks
Bedok Interchange Food Centre
Blk 208B New Upper Changi Road
#01-29 Singapore 462208
Daily: 2pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Bedok (Located right beside the interchange)

So everyone knows that a plate of chicken rice is about 700 calories and that a laksa is not far away from that number – but who really knows how much of a punch that sugar cane drink can add to your meal?

We find out how many calories there are in popular hawker drinks in Singapore such as kopi, grass jelly, bandung, soya bean drink, milo dinosaur and more.

#1 KOPI (194G)

The morning caffeine hit of choice for many Singaporeans, young or old. It’s a concoction of strong brewed ground coffee mixed with condensed milk.

Calorie count of Kopi: 113

#2 KOPI-O (194G)

Instead of condensed milk, the black coffee is sweetened with sugar. It is much lighter in calories than Kopi.

Calorie count of Kopi-O: 66

#3 TEH (260G)

A strong, fragrant black tea mixed with condensed milk.

Calorie count of Teh: 153

#4 TEH-O (255G)

Just the tea with sugar – no milk! This is the lowest-calorie drink, out of all the entries on this list.

Calorie count of Teh-O: 64

#5 BANDUNG (250G)

This pink creation is made with rose syrup and evaporated milk, creating a sweet, floral-scented, milky delight.

Calorie count of Bandung: 158

#6 FRESH LIME JUICE (250G)

A refreshing, zingy drink that’s a favourite complement to a heavy zi char meal. Often has loads of sugar added into it to balance out the tartness.

Calorie count of fresh Lime Juice: 160

#7 SOYA BEAN DRINK (250G)

The drink is made by soaking and cooking soya beans, before blending it and straining the mixture to get the milk.

Calorie count of Soya Bean Drink: 158

#8 GRASS JELLY DRINK (235G)

You often get served this in a giant glass mug at the hawker centres. It’s made up of syrup and slivers of light-tasting grass jelly.

Calorie count of Grass Jelly Drink: 75

#9 MILO DINOSAUR (240G)

Who doesn’t love a milo dinosaur? A cold, chocolate malt drink mixed with condensed milk, and then heaped with an extra tablespoon of milo.

Calorie count of Milo Dinosaur: 270

#10 SUGAR CANE DRINK (263G)

This drink comes by squeezing out the liquid storedd in the fibres of a sugar cane plant.

Calorie count of Sugar Cane Drink: 126

CALORIES OF POPULAR HAWKER DRINKS IN SINGAPORE

As you can see, these drinks here (especially the cold ones), can add a significant number of calories to your meal.

Jaclyn Reutens, clinical dietitian at nutrition consultancy Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants, says, “The calories of these drinks come mainly from sugar, found in the condensed milk, syrup and pure white sugar. To enjoy our local creations without feeling too guilty, always ask for less sugar or a ‘less sweet’ drink.

Ordering it with a meal will also help neutralise the spikes in your blood sugar level when these drinks enter your body. If you have frequent spikes, you’ll crave more sweet drinks and food. Apart from the teh and kopi that most of us need for our daily caffeine fix, try to limit the other drinks to less than twice a week.”

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Calorie count provided by Jaclyn Reutens. Illustrations for ladyironchef by Anna.

This year’s Singapore Food Festival (SFF) focuses primarily on local food and chefs, circling around the theme of ‘A Fresh Taste of Tradition’. From 17 July to 2 August 2015, indulge in the festivities of Singapore Food Festival with various locations around Singapore, featuring modern takes on nostalgic local food by some of Singapore’s top chefs.

Do you miss the dishes your grandma or your parents used to cook when you were younger (or still do now)? As our society progresses, more and more people have taken the initiative of putting their own spin on these classic dishes to produce some of the best modern-traditional Singaporean fare.

In lieu of Singapore Food Festival 2015′s theme – ‘A Fresh Taste of Tradition’, share your Family’s signature dish and stand a chance to win weekly prizes including exclusive event passes to SFF 2015 and F&B dining Vouchers!

Be it using your family’s special recipe passed down for generations or one that you have experimented with yourself, if you think that your dish tastes fantastic, share it with all of us!

To celebrate Singapore’s tradition and all of the unique flavours we call our own, start a conversation flowing with Singaporeans who share the same passion in food as much as you do by starting with any of of the following:

1. Blog about it. You can choose to share photos, recipes and a little back story on the inception of your dish and what it means to you. If you want to keep your family’s ‘secret’ recipe to yourself, you need not share the recipes, just talk about the dish itself and maybe a little history of how it came about.
2. Social media. Take a beautiful photo of your dish and Facebook or Instagram it! Share it with your social circles and a conversation is bound to start. Your friends may ask you to share with them the recipe or even offer their own. It is always refreshing and eye-opening to hear about others’ very own dishes, unique to their own family.

From here on out, you can encourage these friends, family or acquaintances of yours to share these dishes on Hungrygowhere.com (http://sff2015.hungrygowhere.com/), where they stand a chance of winning exclusive event passes to Singapore Food Festival 2015 and F&B dining Vouchers. It is that simple!

For social media posts, use hashtags - #SFF2015, #myfamilyssignaturedish, and #YourSingaporeFood so others can find your photos easily using these to navigate. Also remember to mention that this initiative is part of Singapore Food Festival 2015.

Here is an example of how you can share your dishes.

For us, our family’s signature dish is Go Lo Yuk (Sweet & Sour Pork in dialect). Sweet & Sour Pork is a classic dish and has it’s own interpretations around the world. However, we do love the local version of dish this and especially the one cooked by our mother or grandmother.

This dish is a mainstay at dinner where mom would whip this up from scratch, using ingredients acquired from the wet market in the neighbourhood. She would sometimes add a little more spice to it to even out the sweetness of the pork.

Every family has their own special take on this dish, some would add a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables like cucumber and pineapple and some would omit these completely. If your family has a unique version of this classic local dish, remember to share it using the steps stated above. Good luck!

This post is brought to you by Singapore Tourism Board.

We pit 20 hawker favourites with similar taste profiles together, to see who comes up tops as the healthier choice. Will duck rice beat out chicken rice? And should you go for black fried carrot cake or char kway teow? I got the help of Clement Gan, nutritionist at nutrition consultancy Eat Right, to help me play judge.

Here is the battle of 20 Singapore’s hawker food. Which is healthier?

#1 WANTON MEE (330G) VS BAK CHOR MEE (311G)
Calorie count: 407 cal vs 511 cal
Winner: Wanton Mee

Both dishes are quite similar in nutritional content but bak chor mee has twice the amount of fat compared with wanton mee (23g vs 12g). You can thank the delicious globs of minced pork, which are usually high in fat, since it’s made up of different cuts of meat. Both of these noodle dishes could use more vegetables to up the fibre content though, so ask the hawker auntie or uncle for just that! Watch out for the sodium levels too, which are quite high – ask for less sauce and drink less of the soup.

#2 CHICKEN RICE (320G) VS DUCK RICE (410G)
Calorie count: 618 cal vs 673 cal
Winner: Neither – it’s a tie!

They both have similar a calorie count, are good sources of protein and are both fat-laden. Some ways to up the health factor on these delicious Singapore signatures would be to remove the skin from the poultry and order a side of steamed vegetables to get more fibre, vitamins and minerals. Also, go easy on the sauces! With the chicken rice, you can mix in white rice to tone down the fat content and enjoy the same savoury kick.

#3 INDIAN ROJAK (290G) VS CHINESE ROJAK (300G)
Calorie count: 752 cal vs 443 cal
Winner: Chinese Rojak

Both dishes comprise a medley of ingredients doused in a sweet, peanut-y sauce. However, the winner is clear because of the difference in preparation between the two dishes.

The food items in indian rojak are coated with flour, herbs and spices, then deep-fried. Chinese rojak uses fresh fruits and vegetables, and cooked ingredients tossed in a paste. The former therefore has a high fat, sodium and calorie count, and you should only treat yourself to it occasionally. The one up side? It often contains tempeh, which is a good source of gut-loving probiotics.

#4 CHENDOL (368G) VS ICE KACANG (500G)
Calorie count: 386 cal vs 255 cal
Winner: Ice Kacang

Both contain similar amounts of carbohydrates (59g vs 57g) but chendol contains significantly more fat than its fellow icy dessert (15g vs 1g), thanks to the coconut milk. While coconut milk does contain some good fat, too much can also raise your cholesterol levels. If you, like me, are a chendol fan, consider asking the hawker to mix the coconut milk with some low-fat milk – or just share a bowl with a friend to minimise the damage.

#5 CHAR KWAY TEOW (385G) VS BLACK FRIED CARROT CAKE (500G)
Calorie count: 742 cal vs 493 cal
Winner: Neither – it’s a tie!

When you are after that wokhei-heavy, sweet black sauce taste, these are the two dishes you’ll think of. While the calorie count for chye tao kuey is lower, it is also much lower in protein – it has 2g compared with 22.7g in char kway teow (which is cooked with a variety of seafood).

Protein is what makes you feel fuller and for a longer time, so you won’t be reaching out for a snack soon after your meal. Bear in mind that both dishes are high in fat and sodium, thanks to the liberal use of cooking oil and kecap manis – plus they both have little or no vegetables. Enjoy these babies once in a while!

We Singaporeans love our hawker food – oh, yes we do. But as with all relationships in life, some love are a little more toxic than others. Check out Singapore’s 10 unhealthiest hawker dishes, listed according to total calories.

#6 GADO GADO (148G) VS MEE REBUS (515G)
Calorie count: 256 cal vs 571 cal
Winner: Gado Gado

Take note that a portion of gado gado is much smaller than a bowl of mee rebus. But even so, it’s a clear winner. Gado gado will give you more dietary fibre per serving (10g), than the latter (8g), since it’s made up of blanched vegetables and steamed potatoes. If you equalise the portion size, the malay salad dish wins over its noodle counterpart in terms of protein too. Finally, it’s chockfull of potassium (even more than a medium-sized banana!), which helps to regulate blood pressure. It’s one undoing? It can be rather high in carbohydrates (41.5g) for such a small serving, thanks to the potatoes.

#7 TAU SUAN (325G) VS PULUT HITAM (375G)
Calorie count: 293 cal vs 290 cal
Winner: Tau Suan

Both desserts are actually very similar in terms of calories and nutrients – they both have a high dietary fibre content and a considerable amount of carbohydrates. Tau suan beats out pulut hitam because it has a significant amount of calcium, contributing to almost 25% of your daily needs (based on a 2,000 cal diet). It also has a lower glycaemic index, which means it will not have that spike-and-crash effect on your blood sugar levels. Enjoy your pulut hitam if you must, but try to go easy on the coconut milk.

It is amazing how much our nation loves food. Our day-to-day conversation inevitably revolves around food. And the best part is for a fraction of the price, you get something no less satisfying than a meal in a high-end restaurant. So here is a guide to introduce 10 of the best Singapore Hawker Food.

#8 CHAPATI (1 PIECE, 40G) VS THOSAI (1 PIECE, 91G)
Calorie count: 165 cal vs 196 cal
Winner: Both!

Having either one would be making a healthier decision already – especially over something like high-fat roti prata. Chapati and thosai are both pan-fried with little or no cooking oil, so they’re lower in calories and fat. They both also have a low glycaemic index, with thosai rating a little higher since it contains white rice. The two indian staples are seldom eaten on its own so make the right choices with your side dishes – pick a vegetable one for more fibre, vitamins and minerals, and a meat one to fill up on protein. Remember to go easy on the sauces too!

#9 PRAWN MEE (574G) VS SLICED FISH NOODLE SOUP (686G)
Calorie count: 294 cal vs 500 cal
Winner: Prawn Mee

This result surprised even nutritionist Clement. After all, sliced fish noodle soup has often been touted as the healthier choice. Prawn mee wins because it has a lower glycaemic index, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Otherwise, both dishes are actually very high in sodium, low in dietary fibre and consists of a good amount of protein from the seafood and meat sources. Hard as it is, try not to finish the prawn mee soup, and order a side of steamed vegetables to improve your meal.

#10 SEAFOOD FRIED RICE (428G) VS HOKKIEN MEE (400G)
Calorie count: 907 cal vs 522 cal
Winner: Hokkien Mee

This doesn’t mean you can have hokkien mee every day, okay? It’s still quite a sinful treat. While the noodle dish has less calories, it’s got more sodium (1,423mg) and less protein (18g) compared with the seafood fried rice (1,245mg and 28g respectively). On the other hand, seafood fried rice has almost double the amount of carbohydrates (125g vs 69g) and fat (33g vs 19g), leading to the high calorie count.

Both dishes also do not provide you with enough dietary fibre and have high cholesterol levels, thanks to the seafood and seafood broth used. Enjoy these dishes only occasionally, or share them. You can also order some extra steamed vegetables to up the health-factor of these local favourites.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

We Singaporeans love our hawker food – oh, yes we do. But as with all relationships in life, some love are a little more toxic than others. I got a local dietitian to help shed light on what dishes we should keep a distance from. Check out Singapore’s 10 unhealthiest hawker dishes, listed according to total calories. I do apologise for the impending heartbreak.

10. CHICKEN SATAY AND SAUCE
5 sticks of satay with 5g of sauce each (75g) = 185cal

Well, this is a small number – what’s the big deal, right? But this is a lot of calories, fat (10g) and sodium (249mg) in a small amount of food. Typically you’ll have satay alongside other dishes as well. Oh, and if you wolf down 10 sticks, you would have already hit about one-third of your daily fat allowance.

9. CHENDOL
Grass jelly, red bean and pandan jelly served in a sweet coconut milk base soup (368g) = 386cal

Who can resist the addictive combo of gula melaka and coconut milk? But it is precisely all of its sweet goodness that’s leading to the high calorie count. Plus, a bowlful has about nine teaspoons of sugar. Chendol has a high glycaemic index (GI), which means it’s digested and released into the body quickly, giving you a spike in energy that crashes, and leaves you tired and hungry quickly.

8. FRIED ECONOMIC BEE HOON
Fried vermicelli with fried luncheon meat and fried egg (273g) = 427cal

A favourite at breakfasts, this dish will almost hit your daily limit for cholesterol (300mg) at 219mg, so be careful with the rest of the day’s intake. Luncheon meats are also highly processed and contain a lot of MSG, which will make you thirsty. Try to reach for water instead of a sweet drink.

7. BLACK FRIED CARROT CAKE
Fried radish with egg and sweet sauce (295g) = 493cal

This dish scores high marks not just in taste but in all the wrong nutrients as well. There is a lot of fat in it (35g), because it’s usually cooked in pork lard. There is also a lot of sugar from the sweet sauce (up to 6 teaspoons) and about 1,289mg of sodium – this is more than half of your 2,000mg daily requirement.

6. MEE GORENG
Yellow noodle with vegetables, egg, cooked in tomato and chilli sauce (309g) = 500cal

This one’s a real danger for adults with hypertension as the salt content of 1,851mg is close to one entire day’s requirement of 2,000mg. A large proportion of mee goreng’s calories come from fat (20g), which makes the quality of the calories low. A dish with high quality calories would be a better balanced one (think salads with olive oil dressing and lean meats).

5. LAKSA LEMAK
Noodles with prawns and fish cakes in coconut-based soup (540g) = 591cal

The richness of the coconut milk which gives laksa that wonderful full-bodied mouthful is also the undoing of this dish – nutritionally. More that half the fat (32g) comes from saturated fat (17.8g), which is harmful to the heart. The sodium levels are right up there as well at 1,588mg.

4. CHICKEN RICE
“Roasted” chicken with skin, served with rice and chilli sauce (382g) = 607cal

The rice, while delicious, was cooked swimming in chicken fat. The total fat count here is at 23g, which is about one-third, or half of your daily requirement, depending on your gender. A fatty meal takes about four hours to digest – a plate of this will leave you sluggish and sleepy after you eat it, especially with a rush of serotonins (a feel-good hormone) from the high carbohydrate content. Again, watch the sodium too (1,287mg).

Read: recommendations on some of the best chicken rice in Singapore.

3. NASI LEMAK
Coconut rice with fried chicken wing, fried egg, fried anchovies and chilli sauce (306g) = 657cal

This one’s my personal favourite and I’m horrified to find it third on the list. The fat content of 25g is high and it’s all thanks to the rich coconut milk-soaked rice and deep fried accompanying dishes. At 657 calories, this exceeds your “budget” for a meal, based on a 1,800cal diet.

2. MEE SIAM
Thin, white rice noodle, hard boiled egg and dried beancurd in tangy gravy (655g) = 694cal

A bowlful of mee siam always looks so unassuming, until you find out about the high amount of carbohydrates from the noodles and sugar-laden gravy (92g). This dish also takes home the award for highest amount of sodium, clocking in a whopping 2,659mg – that’s one entire day’s allowance and a third of tomorrow’s.

1. CHAR KWAY TEOW
Rice noodles fried with cockles, Chinese sausage and sweet sauce (384g) = 744cal

This tasty plate of wok hei-heavy kway teow noodles tops the list at 744 calories. It is also extremely heart-unfriendly with it’s high levels of fat (38g) – of which 70% is saturated fat (29.2g) – and cholesterol (234mg). It gets most of its calories from the sweet sauce, highly processed meats and pork lard used. Also take note of the sodium levels, which sits at 1,459mg.

So there you go, remember that you don’t have to cut these hawker favourites from your life forever – they are after all, as Singaporean as they come. Enjoy them no more than once a week, and choose healthier dishes for your other meals on the days you decide to indulge.

Expert source: Jaclyn Reutens, clinical dietitian at nutrition consultancy Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants www.aptima-nsc.com

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

Have you ever experienced that awkward silence when you are asked about Singapore’s culture, and you fumble, hem and haw as you try to find some costume, dance or tradition that is unique to Singapore? I have. Well, at least until I start talking about food. Now that’s where stopping me would be a problem.

It is amazing how much our nation loves food. Our day-to-day conversation inevitably revolves around food. And the best part is for a fraction of the price, you get something no less satisfying than a meal in a high-end restaurant. So here is a guide to introduce 10 of the best Singapore Hawker Food.

Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow was a dish created by coolie workers who needed a cheap way to prepare an energy-rich meal. Today, calories have become a bane, but we love our char kway teow all the same. How can anyone resist a plate of silky rice noodles fried with cockles, chinese sausage and – wait for this – heaps of crispy pork lard. I’d risk having a heart attack for Hill Street Char Kway Teow (Blk 16 Bedok South Road). Though the master is no longer helming the wok, he has imparted his skills to the son, who has taken over. Otherwise, try our Prime Minister’s favourite stall, Zion Road Char Kway Teow (Zion Road Food Center).

Carrot Cake

No it does not come with cream cheese and walnuts, but I’d pick our local version of Carrot Cake any day. Black or white, a good carrot cake is one that is crispy and eggy on the outside, and as you place a chunk in your mouth, dissolves without the need to even masticate. Fu Ming Carrot Cake at Redhill Food Centre is the epitome of carrot cakes. For a more unique version, I’d recommend U Fried Carrot Cake (Block 89 Pipit Road Market). The chunks of steamed radish cake are chopped larger than the usual, and it is sweeter than usual since they are more liberal with their sauce. Still, it is fried just nice such that you get that smokey aroma of burnt caramel in your mouth.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

If there’s one dish that’s synonymous with Singaporean cuisine, it has to be Chicken Rice. The name itself sounds so unappealing; how good can chicken on rice taste? Pretty awesome, actually. The glistening grains of rice perfumed by fresh chicken stock and a whiff of ginger is so good you can even eat it on its own. I could go on for hours about the best chicken rice in Singapore, but for the sake of trying the most famous one in Singapore, head to Tian Tian at Maxwell market which has earned boasting rights to getting Anthony Bourdain’s stamp of approval. Otherwise, Sin Kee (Mei Ling market) is good for those who prefer grains with a little more moisture.

Tze Char

So Tze Char is not exactly a dish per se, but it represents our culture of communal dining. Dishes are placed in the middle of a round table for sharing and each person will be equipped with a bowl of rice and a pair of chopsticks. For me, Tze Char (which means ‘cook and fry’) is all about bold flavours, good wok hei and gravy. It is difficult to recommend a particular Tze Char stall since there are usually hits and misses, but I know I’d never go wrong with Kok Sen Seafood (Keong Saik Road). I have recommended to many people for their big prawn hor fun amongst other fantastic dishes, and not once has it disappointed. For more creative offerings (think pumpkin prawns and coffee crabs), check out Siang Hee (Serangoon Gardens Way). Joo Hing (Joo Chiat Road) is where you can get your Tze Char fix amidst classier ambience but with equally good food. Their rendition of the steamed fish head is one of the best in town.

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best Tze Char restaurants in the west of Singapore.

Chilli Crab

While chilli crab is not a hawker food, no food guide is complete without a feature of this national dish. The vibrant red hue of the dish instantly captures the attention of any reader. The silky gravy, laced with shreds of egg, is sweet and mildly spicy (at least by the standards of locals; I have heard foreigners breaking out into a sweat from it).

The history of this dish dates back to the 1950s when the owners of Roland Restaurant (Marine Parade Central) decided to do a little experimentation with crabs, tomato sauce and chilli sauce. Today, big players in seafood cuisine include Long Beach, No Signboard and Jumbo Seafood. Each restaurant’s rendition is slightly different, and it’s a tough call as to which is the best.

Bak Chor Mee

When I need something hearty after a hard day at school, I’d head straight for Bak Chor Mee. Perhaps it is the lightly blanched lean pork slices and pinkish liver, or maybe it is the sharp vinegar-laced sauce, or just the fact that everything comes together so well to make this the perfect comfort food. No one will dispute that Tai Hwa (Block 466 Crawford Lane) serves the best Bak Chor Mee in Singapore; you will find queues even at odd hours of the day despite the obscure location. Lian Kee (Alexandra Village Food Centre) is unique for its slightly sweet sauce, while the two stalls at Block 85 Fengshan Centre battle it out for the best soup version of Bak Chor Mee.

Rojak

Rojak is a fruit and vegetable salad dish consisting of you tiao (fried dough fritters), bean curds, bean sprouts, pineapples, and turnips. Everyone knows about Hoover Rojak (Whampoa Market) and Toa Payoh Rojak (oddly located within Old Airport Rd). But I will let you in on a little secret. The nameless rojak stall at the basement food court of Katong Shopping Centre is extremely value-for-money at just $2 for a regular size portion.

Ice Kacang

It is not as delicate as the Japanese version, nor is it as fine as Taiwanese snowflake ice, but our Ice Kacang is nonetheless, very satisfying on a hot day. A towering portion of crushed ice slapped on with sugar syrup in a myriad of colours. The standard version comes with atap seeds, grass jelly, agar bits and red bean, though we can be thankful for product differentiation by our hawkers these days.

Those who miss Annie’s, which started serving the first peanut ice kacang at Tanjong Pagar market, is now at Ghim Moh Market since the former closed for renovation. Jin Jin’s version comes with thick gula Melaka syrup, and is hands down my favourite dessert stall in Singapore. I can easily conquer another of their Gangster ice (which comes with mangoes and durian puree) after finishing a bowl of their ice kacang. It is the stall with the longest queue at ABC market at Bukit Merah.

Yong Tau Foo

The healthiest of the lot, Yong Tau Foo is probably something you will want to have after days of indulging in lard-laden hawker dishes. Hui Ji (Tiong Bahru market) serves a version that is a cross between fishball noodles and Yong Tau Foo. Yong Xing Xiang (People’s Park Complex) has one of the best Yong Tau Foo in Singapore with a soup base that is clear yet intensely flavourful. Do not miss the crispy deep-fried pork balls from Xi Xiang Feng (Ang Mo Kio central market). It is so addictive that I’d advise putting at least three of these little morsels in your bowl, lest you regret afterwards. Ok, maybe I lied… It is not exactly all that healthy after all!

Wanton Mee

Wanton mee is probably the most underrated hawker dish ever… or maybe it is just something I personally have a soft spot for. There is so much more to it than just noodles and dumplings. I like my noodles thick and al dente a la Ji Ji Wanton Mee (Hong Lim Food Centre); I am salivating just thinking about it. Though if I had the luxury of time, I’d queue half an hour every morning to have Chun Ji (164 Stirling Rd). It is sticky, gooey, mildly sweet gravy coats each strand of noodles, which in turn are cooked with deft skills that only comes with decades of practice. For ardent fans of Hong Mao Wanton Mee previously at Tembling Road, the man is back in action and has set up stall at the basement of Dunman Rd Food Centre; do pay Ah Huat Wanton Mee – they have the most flavourful wantons ever.

Words by Sarah Lim, photographs by ladyironchef