People often ask me where to eat and what to eat in Singapore. My advise is simple - In Singapore, eat like the locals do.
WHERE TO EAT IN SINGAPORE?
If you find yourself in Singapore, walk to the nearest Kopitiam or Hawker Center! Don’t let the names fool you though. Kopitiam might translate to a “Coffee Shop” but in the modern Singaporean context, Kopitiams refer to food courts for local food. Over the last five decades, redevelopment and urbanization in Singapore have led to the eviction of local street hawkers from the streets. Instead, the government has allocated special complexes that accommodate the food stalls of erstwhile street hawkers.
The Kopitiams have traditionally been social hubs. Before the majority of Singaporeans moved to government-owned high rise flats, they lived in villages, also known as Kampongs. In these villages, kopitiams became places where villagers caught up with local news and gossip. For many, Kopitiams and hawker centers became places of employment. Yet, it is the food in Kopitiams and hawker centers, which has continued to play an important role in ensuring their perpetuity in Singapore.
In most Kopitiams and Hawker Center, the food is almost as diverse as Singapore’s population. Some shops are dedicated to special dishes such as Chicken rice and Satay sticks, but the majority of shops specialize in a particular cuisine. Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Indian, Hokkien and more cuisines are represented in Singapore’s local Kopitiams and Hawker Centers. However, the best part about these food places has to be the price! Most of these food centers serve a variety of dishes and cuisines for less than $5!
WHAT TO EAT IN SINGAPORE?
Singapore is a food lover’s paradise, but here are some dishes that you must try during your time here:
Kaya Toast
My first meal in Singapore was this humble, no-fuss breakfast dish. Kaya Toast is toast spread with a sweet coconut jam called by its Malay name—Kaya. It is generally served with soft cooked eggs. Pro-tip: mix the eggs with some soy sauce and dip the Kaya Toast. At least that is how the locals eat this dish.
Chicken Rice
Chicken Rice is a simple dish that has its origins in the cuisine of the Hainan region in China. The marinated chicken is usually boiled in a flavorful broth and is served with a portion of rice, some cucumbers, and a sweet-sour sauce. Fun fact: Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle is one of the cheapest one Michelin Star restaurants in Singapore. It is a hawker stall that sells its famous Chicken Rice!
Masala Thosai
As an Indian, I often miss decent Indian food in DC. However, in Singapore, there is an abundance of good Indian food options. One of my favorite Indian dish to have in Singapore is the Masala Thosai. This dish consists of a thin savory rice pancake stuffed with curried potatoes and served with Sambar and chutney (Sauces). This dish is very popular in South India as well. However, in many places in the region, this dish is known as Masala Dosa instead.
Chicken McSpicy
Imagine my surprise, when during the NUS exchange student orientation, one of the presenters asked us to try McDonalds Chicken McSpicy. Unconventional though this suggestion may be, it was a great one! The burger’s patty is a fried chicken breast, which is very well seasoned. A common debate in Singapore is about how spicy is the McSpicy (I don’t think it is that spicy).
A word of advice to vegetarians and vegans - ask your server/ chef about the ingredients in your vegetarian dishes!