Singapore is known to be a paradise for foodies due to the plethora of cuisines available and we’re proud to call this place home. Traditional snacks tend to get overshadowed by more popular foods but there’s something about them being so simple that we love.

Old is gold; these snacks are comforting and really brings us back to our younger days. Here are 8 traditional snacks that we love and will definitely make you nostalgic.

#1 EGG TARTS

Buttery and crispy on the outside and smooth eggy custard on the inside, you can find this delectable snack at most old-school bakeries. Some prefer a flaky crust, some prefer a more solid crust and some prefer bite-sized ones, some prefer larger ones. But we can all agree that egg tarts are best eaten when popped in the oven and served warm.

#2 KAYA TOAST

A local breakfast favourite, something about traditional bread toasted to perfection with a layer of kaya and a thick slice of butter just makes it so satisfying. It’s phenomenal when dipped in half-boiled eggs. Sweet and salty, you really can’t go wrong with this combination. Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait.

#3 MIN CHIANG KUEH

Hokkien for peanut pancakes, sink your teeth into these Chinese-style pancakes that are crispy yet fluffy and generously filled with crushed peanuts and sugar. Some stalls also do a thinner and crispier version that is equally as tasty. For the busy bees, min chiang kueh is a popular option for breakfast on the go.

#4 NONYA KUEH

These bite-sized Peranakan treats – affectionately known as nonya kueh – are a staple in Peranakan cuisine. Popular with all generations, most kuehs have a chewy texture and contain coconut, pandan or gula melaka. Our favourite kueh growing up has undoubtedly got to be kueh lapis. Probably the most colourful kueh, it was and still is a joy peeling and eating this layer by layer.

#5 POPIAH

“Thin pancake” in Teochew, popiah is enjoyed by many. Stewed vegetables, egg, prawns, peanuts are wrapped in paper-thin skin that slathered with some garlic paste and sweet sauce. What you get is a humble and not to mention affordable traditional snack that is filling enough to make a meal.

#6 PUTU PIRING

We can’t get enough of these handmade Malay snacks that were featured in the Singapore episode of Netflix’s Street Food. Essentially steamed rice flour cakes, these warm pillowy treats ooze with gula melaka and are topped with loads of shredded coconut. This is one traditional snack that is loved by both adults and children alike.

#7 TEOCHEW KUEH

Contrary to nonya kueh which tends to be sweet, Teochew kueh such as png kueh, soon kueh and chwee kueh is savoury and equally as yummy. Packed with a generous amount of various vegetables and encased in thin, chewy rice skin, there are still several stalls specializing in these traditional snacks.

#8 YOU TIAO

This classic breakfast staple is a good example of less is more. Simply stretched dough sticks that are deep fried till golden brown, it’s crispy on the outside but airy and chewy on the inside. There’s nothing better than you tiao fresh out of the fryer and a cup of kopi or soybean milk to start the day.