Food and Culture in Singapore

Singapore, officially called the Republic of Singapore, is a city-state in Asia. Besides its tourist attractions, the country has earned massive popularity among travellers for being a food paradise. If you have planned your next international vacation to Singapore, make sure to check out its culinary delights. Go through this page to learn more about Singapore's food and culture.

Popular dishes to try in Singapore

Did you know?

• Most dishes in Singapore, especially street food, contain a combination of sauces, spices and chillies. If you are not a fan of hot and spicy food, make sure to ask for mild versions of the dishes.

• If you worry about cleanliness, look for the grade points at hawker centres. These points are given on the basis of overall cleanliness, hygiene and housekeeping standards. There are four grade points, A, B, C and D, with A being the highest and D being the lowest.

First-time travellers visiting Singapore must try at least some of the dishes mentioned below in order to get the real taste of Singaporean cuisine;

• Hainanese Chicken Rice: The real fun of trying local food in Singapore begins with Hainanese Chicken Rice. Often dubbed the "unofficial national dish", it is an aromatic dish containing white rice, big or small slices of steamed chicken, spicy chilli and ginger paste. This famous dish is available all across the country, from small hawker centres to large luxurious restaurants.
  A food tip: The Hainanese Chicken Rice costs around 5 to 15 SGD/plate and has good portion sizes. It can be sufficient for one person or shared between two individuals. For the best chicken rice within a small budget, try the shops on Balestier Road and Thomson Road.
• Char Kway Teow: Char Kway Teow is a renowned street food item you can find at almost all hawker centres in Singapore. It is a unique dish that comes with a mixture of egg noodles, flat rice, Chinese sausages, eggs, bean sprouts, etc. It is perfect for a quick snack or a light meal while you explore the streets of Singapore during your trip.
  A food tip: The average cost of Char Kway Teow is between 5 to 8 SGD/plate. Depending on where you try it, you can get a healthier version of this dish with more vegetables. Consider trying Char Kway Teow at a shop that serves it on a banana leaf, which enhances the aroma and the whole eating experience.
• Laksa: Laksa is another famous street food you can try during your Singapore trip. This noodle dish is a fusion of Malay and Chinese cuisine, made with flat noodles, fish cakes, prawns, coconut soup, cockles, etc. The two types of Laksa are Assam Laksa, found in Malaysia, and Curry Laksa, found in Singapore.
  A food tip: The approximate cost of curry laksa for two people in Singapore is 8 SGD. Individuals can also try Assam Laksa in some places in Singapore, such as Penang Seafood Restaurant, which is within 3-5 min walking distance from Aljunied MRT.
• Chilli Crab: Chilli Crab is a popular and must-try dish in Singapore. Available at most restaurants and even some famous street-food stalls, it is very delicious and known for its unique blend of spicy, sweet and savoury flavours. It is a stir-fried crab dish prepared with a specially-made chilli paste and sauce. Chilli Crab is best served alongside mantou, which is a type of deep-fried bun.
  A food tip: The cost of this dish depends on the size of the crab, usually ranging between 25 to 90 SGD at a mid-level restaurant. Some of the most famous places to try chilli crab in Singapore are Red House Seafood Esplanade, Kelly Hie Seafood, Melben Seafood, etc.
• Orh Luak: Orh Luak, or fired oyster omelette, is an iconic seafood item you can try in Singapore. The contents of this dish include bean sprouts and fried potato starch batter with eggs, which are then garnished with some fresh and raw oysters. A single serving of Orh Luak in Singapore can cost 6 to 15 SGD.

Best restaurants to visit in Singapore

Did you know?

• If you are a fan of comic books, you will love to visit Parkview Square. It is locally known as the "Gotham City Building" because its architecture resembles Batman's fictional hometown. Inside the building, you will find the Atlas Bar, which is one of the most elegant places to grab a drink in Singapore. To get to this building, take the train and alight at Bugis MRT Station and cover a 5-minute walking path.

Here are some prominent restaurants that you can check out to satisfy your hunger in Singapore;

• Altro Zafferano
  Located on the top floor of Ocean Financial Centre, Altro Zafferano is one of the most popular restaurants in Singapore. The beautiful interior, spacious seating arrangement and the magnificent view of Marina Bay from the top create an extravagant ambience at this restaurant. Some of their must-try items besides the full A La Carte Experience Menu are Beef Tartare and rose wine.
  Do note: Dining at Altro Zafferano is expensive, costing around 350 SGD for two people. The best way to reach this restaurant is by travelling to Raffles Place MRT and covering the rest of the distance by a 2-minute walk.
• Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora
  If you are looking for a fine dining experience in Singapore with your family or significant other, consider checking out Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora. The delicious food and the view of the aquarium create a unique atmosphere and perfect date nights. It is a part of the Equarius Hotel, and some of their must-try items are 42°C Sous Vide Salmon and Tomato Gazpacho.
  Do note: If you want to dine at Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora, consider making reservations, especially for lunch. Also, for the best experience, request a seat by the aquarium glass, which doesn't guarantee it but increases your chances to some extent.
• Yum Cha Chinatown
  Located on 20 Trengganu Street, Yum Cha Chinatown is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Singapore. The restaurant is most famous for serving dim sums in traditional baskets made of bamboo. They remain operational every day of the week and are known for their delicious dishes and budget-friendly menu.
• Burnt Ends
  Burnt Ends is a one-MICHELIN star restaurant just a few metres from the centre of Chinatown in Singapore. The place is known for its immaculate service, elegant atmosphere and high-quality food. The non-veg dishes are the highlight of this restaurant, and during your visit, try out their classics, such as Smoked Qualis Egg and Cavia, Steak Frites, Brunt End's Sanger, etc.

Dining Etiquette and Tipping Culture in Singapore

Did you know?

• Some eateries in Singapore, mainly a few hawker centres, only offer chopsticks and not any fork or spoon. So, if you can't use chopsticks, consider carrying your own eating utensils.

• If you see items left on a table at hawker centres, think that the table is reserved. It is not a good idea to steal someone else's spot.

Here are some essential dining etiquette that individuals can follow during their Singapore trip;

• It is typical in Singapore to start eating after all the dishes are served on the table. Do note that all food items on the table are shared among everyone.
  Do note: The usual lunch hour in Singapore is between 12 Noon to 1 PM. As for dinner, most restaurants start serving at 6 PM and take the last order between 9 PM to 10 PM.
• While the skill of using chopsticks can come in handy in Singapore, you can always use spoons and forks to eat with if they are available or offered.
  Do note: Do not rest chopsticks vertically when you are not using them. Instead, put them across the bowl.
• Making sounds while eating food, such as slurping noises while eating noodles or beverages, may attract unappreciative glances from others. It is considered bad manners and is better to avoid.
• Singapore doesn't have a tipping culture, and tips are entirely voluntary. While some mid to high-level restaurants include a 10% service charge, you can still leave an extra tip if you are impressed with the quality of the service.

Local culture and traditions in Singapore

Did you know?

• If you are looking for pocket-friendly street food places in Singapore, consider checking out Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Old Airport Road Hawker Centre, Hong Lim Market Food Centre, Geylang Serai Food Centre, Tiong Bahru Food Centre, Chomp Chomp Food Centre, etc.

Authentic Singaporean cuisine takes inspiration from a wide number of different cultures and regions. You can notice the influences of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian, etc., cooking styles and recipes in various Singaporean dishes. Food in this city-state is closely tied to the local culture and is considered a very important part of the national identity. In addition to serving veg and non-veg dishes, various religious dietary strictures are followed across the country, such as Hindus don't eat beef, Muslims don't eat pork, etc. Singapore is a very diverse country, and food brings everyone closer, no matter their background.

Tips related to food in Singapore

A tip for foodies:

• The average cost of food in Singapore can vary massively depending on where you choose to eat. While you can have a decent meal at a hawker centre for under 25 SGD, the budget to dine at a top-level restaurant can be around 150 SGD per person. Even if you are on a tight budget, you can make do with a budget of 50-60 SGD for meals/day.

Here are some useful tips for individuals interested in checking out the culinary delights of Singapore;

• Many dishes in Singapore contain a variety of chillies, and if you can't handle spicy food, make sure to let the person preparing your food know in advance.
  A food tip: If you are missing Indian food during your Singapore trip, consider heading towards Tekka Centre, where you can find all staple South and North Indian dishes.
• Drinks are quite expensive in Singapore due to the high liquor tax. If you want to grab alcoholic beverages in the city-state, look for happy hours outside restaurants and bars. Happy hours usually stretch between low-traffic periods, such as 4 PM to 8 PM.
  A travel tip: For your Singapore trip, consider downloading the myENV app. It is a platform that provides information on nearby hawker centres as well as tons of other things, such as weather, air quality, flood levels, etc.
• Most food establishments in Singapore accept payments via cash, card and e-wallet. If you intend to pay in cash, do carry sufficient coins.
• Ask the local residents or hotel staff for the best recommendations on good food and restaurants in Singapore.

Conclusion:

A trip to Singapore is never complete without trying its massive range of delicious foods and beverages. From eating mouth-watering dishes for cheap to a fine dining experience with a view of the cityscape, the city-state offers all kinds of experiences. So, make sure to have enough room on your travel itinerary to fit the delectable food of Singapore.

FAQs

1) What are some popular Indian restaurants in Singapore?

Some well-known Indian restaurants in Singapore that you can visit include Bombay Cafe, Yantra, Rang Mahal, Urban Roti, etc.

2) What are a few must-try desserts in Singapore?

Chendol, Pandan Chiffon Cake, Ice Cream Uncle's Ice Cream Sandwiches, Ice Kachang, etc., are some of the most iconic Singaporean desserts you can try.

3) What are the most famous beverages tourists can try in Singapore?

While on your Singapore food exploration, don't forget to try out some delicious local beverages, like Bandung, Chin Chow Drink, Singapore Sling, etc.

4) Where to find the best Hainanese Chicken Rice in Singapore?

For the best Hainanese Chicken Rice in Singapore, consider checking out Boon Tong Kee, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice, etc.

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