Singapore street food has achieved world-class recognition, making it one of Asia’s biggest culinary destinations. Hawker centers, markets, and street-side snakes are scattered all over Singapore. Malay, Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Indian stalls offer a wide range of traditional fare at affordable prices. Singapore always has food to serenade your taste buds. Your culinary journey in Singapore will be incomplete if you don’t try these mouth-watering street foods.
24 Delicious Street Foods to Eat in Singapore
1. Chilli Crab
Juicy crab doused in a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce, no one can resist one of Singapore’s national dish-The Chilli Crab. Basically, chilli crab is a seafood dish in which stir-fried crab is coated with sweet, savoury and spicy tomato based sauce. Mud crab, with its generous amount of flaky sweet flesh, is traditionally the crustacean of choice for chilli crab. The intense flavour comes from the spice paste-a harmony of chilli, garlic, shallots and ginger-mixed with a touch of vinegar and tomatoes. This low-fat, spicy crab dish is a versatile street food that you can like. So if you want a taste of authentic Singaporean cuisine you have to try this chilli crab in Singapore.
2. Laksa
Laksa is a popular street food in Singapore. Laksa consists of thick wheat noodles or rice vermicelli with chicken, prawn, shrimp or fish, served in spicy soup based on either rich and spicy curry coconut milk or on sour asam. Traditional Singapore Laksa is one of the most flavourful, rich but light and delicious soup. A bowl of curry laksa can only deliciously shine with the help of spicy coconut based soup. So if you never had Laksa, you have to try this amazing food. You don’t want to miss out all the amazing flavours in this incredible soup.
3. Bak Kut The
Bak Kut Teh is one of the most popular street food in Singapore which meaning ‘Meat bone tea’. This dish consists of pork ribs stewed with a mixture of fragrant herbs and spices such as garlic, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds and coriander. Comprising of pork, offal, mushroom, choy sum, tofu and puffs. The traditional way to consume this soup was with a cup of tea, which helped cut through the richness and fattiness of the dish and also gave rise to the name of the dish. It is often served along with rice, pickled vegetables, braised peanuts, Chinese fried dough fritters. So if you haven’t try Bak Kut Teh than try this dish.
4. Hainanese Chicken Rice
One of the most popular local dishes of Singapore, every shop from street vendors to posh restaurants serves this Hainanese chicken rice. Hainanese chicken rice is a dish of poached chicken and seasoned rice, served with chili sauce and usually with cucumber garnishes. It is considered one of the national dishes of Singapore. What makes this dish special is the spices and sauces used which give the dish a unique, lingering taste. The whole chicken is marinated in chicken broth and pork to absorb the flavors. The dish is made more attractive with red chili and garlic. If you are a lover of chicken and comfort food, then this dish is for you.
5. Fish Head Curry
Fish head curry is a Singaporean specialty dish consisting of fish heads, coconut cream, tomatoes and seasonings such as curry leaves, garlic, chili, coriander, cumin, turmeric, pepper and tamarind. A fish head is marinated in spicy curry and served with assorted vegetables, mainly eggplant and ladyfinger. This dish is special because it denotes a fusion of two cuisine-India and China. The first thing you taste about the curry is the fragrance of the coconut milk. Fish head curry is an mysterious dish which has a South Indian origin but is inspired by the culture of Singapore. Fish head curry is definitely a must try dish.
6. BBQ Sambal Stingray
BBQ Sambal Stingray also known as spicy banana leaf stingray is a Singapore seafood dish. Three key ingredients of BBQ Sambal Stingray is the Sambal, the ray and cincalok. You’ll find BBQ Sambal Stingray at various seafood stalls throughout Singapore. This thin stingray fillets are usually coated with Sambal and are than grilled and served on a banana leaf. The Stingray will be served on the banana leaf with lime wedges, onions or sliced chili peppers and a small bowl of sour sauce. The smoky and spicy meat is on the top and the cartilage that holds the wings together is at the bottom. BBQ Sambal Stingray is a great dish for sharing and is usually eaten with rice.
7. Satay
A street food dish that can be found in many variations all across Southeast Asian, Satay is a staple of Singaporean community dinning. Resemble to kebab, these grilled meat skewers trace their origins to Arabian culture. Chicken, beef and mutton are the most common meat employed in this dish and served with peanut sauce, rice cakes and salads. These easy grilled skewers are the perfect blend of tender, juicy meat and a hopelessly addictive. The barbeque smoke carrying the irresistible aroma of the Satay revels the readiness of Singapore style barbeque party. These grilled meat skewers are bound to delight lovers of street food in Singapore.
8. Bak Chor Mee
Bak Chor Mee is a street food in Singapore that means “minced meat and noodles” is a noodle dish tossed in vinegar, minced meat, pork sliced, pork liver, stewed sliced mushrooms, meatballs and bits of deep-fried lard. The addition of chili is optional and you have a choice of Mee Kin( thin egg noodles) or Mee Pok(flat egg noodles). The original version was a soup dish, using Mee Pok. Later the dry version tossed in a mix of chilli, vinegar, and lar oil became popular. It’s one of Singapore’s most iconic street foods and this beloved dish. This is definitely a truly uniquely Singaporean dish that you probably can’t find out of Singapore.
9. Fried Carrot Cake
Commonly referred as ‘Chai Tow Kway’ in Teochew dialect, these smooth and soft fried rice cakes can be found in almost every hawker centre in Singapore. This Singaporean carrot cake doesn’t contain any carrot at all instead it is made with cubes of radish cake which is then stir-fried with eggs, preserved radish and other seasonings. It is served black(fried with sweet dark soya sauce) or white(original). There are also versions where fish sauce is used instead of soya sauce. Whether its black or white it’s up to you to try this amazing Fried carrot cake.
10. Tau Huay
Tau Huay also known as Soybean curd in Hokkien, most common and tasty desserts in Singapore. It is like a pudding that can be consumed both hot or cold , sometimes with glutinous rice balls, grass jelly or soybean milk added as well. It’s made by mixing Soybean milk with a coagulant, such as gypsum or gelatine, before being left to solidify. It’s smooth and silky and slides down the throat with the ease of drinking water. This soybean pudding has silky texture that you will never forget so try this amazing Tau Huay.
Singapore’s street food, known as “hawker food,” is a melting pot of flavors influenced by its multicultural population. Here’s a detailed look at some of the must-try street foods in Singapore:
11. Char Kway Teow
A popular stir-fried noodle dish, Char Kway Teow is made with flat rice noodles, Chinese sausage, shrimp, egg, bean sprouts, and chives, all tossed in a flavorful soy sauce mixture. It’s a savory and satisfying street food option.
12. Roti Prata
A South Indian-influenced dish, roti prata is a type of flatbread that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It’s typically served with a side of curry for dipping, making it a delicious and comforting street food option.
13. Hokkien Mee
A flavorful noodle dish, Hokkien mee consists of thick yellow noodles stir-fried with prawns, squid, egg, and bean sprouts in a fragrant seafood broth. It’s often garnished with lime and sambal chili for added zest.
14. Nasi Lemak
A Malay rice dish, nasi lemak features fragrant coconut rice served with crispy fried chicken, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber slices, and spicy sambal chili paste. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s commonly eaten for breakfast.
15. Popiah
Similar to spring rolls, popiah features a thin crepe wrapped around a filling of julienned vegetables, tofu, shrimp, and sometimes pork belly. It’s often served with a sweet and savory sauce and is a popular street food snack.
16. Kaya Toast
A traditional Singaporean breakfast staple, kaya toast consists of toasted bread spread with kaya, a sweet coconut and pandan jam, and a slab of butter. It’s often paired with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of strong coffee or tea.
17. Oyster Omelette (Orh Luak)
A Teochew-style omelette made with fresh oysters, eggs, and a starchy batter, orh luak is fried until crispy and served with a tangy chili sauce. It’s a beloved street food dish known for its unique texture and savory flavor.
18. Mee Goreng
This spicy fried noodle dish is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Made with yellow noodles stir-fried with a spicy tomato-based sauce, vegetables, tofu, and your choice of protein such as chicken or prawns, mee goreng is bursting with bold flavors.
19. Rojak
A traditional fruit and vegetable salad, rojak features a colorful mix of ingredients such as cucumber, pineapple, jicama, and bean sprouts tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce made from shrimp paste, tamarind, and lime juice. It’s a refreshing and flavorful street food snack.
20. Prawn Noodles (Hae Mee)
A comforting noodle soup dish, prawn noodles feature a flavorful broth made from prawn heads and shells, served with yellow noodles, prawns, pork slices, and bean sprouts. It’s often garnished with fried shallots and fresh cilantro for added aroma and flavor.
21. Murtabak
A popular Indian-Muslim street food, murtabak is a stuffed pancake filled with minced meat, onions, and spices. It’s cooked on a griddle until crispy and golden brown, then served with a side of curry sauce for dipping.
22. Kueh
Singapore is home to a variety of traditional Malay and Peranakan kueh, or snacks and desserts. These colorful and delicate treats come in a variety of shapes and flavors, from steamed rice cakes to coconut milk puddings, offering a delightful taste of Singapore’s culinary heritage.
23. Ice Kacang
A beloved Singaporean dessert, ice kacang features shaved ice topped with sweet syrups, red beans, grass jelly, sweet corn, and colorful agar jelly cubes. It’s a refreshing and cooling treat, perfect for Singapore’s hot and humid weather.
24. Durian
Known as the “king of fruits,” durian is a divisive tropical fruit with a strong aroma and creamy texture. While not everyone’s cup of tea, durian is a must-try for adventurous eaters looking to experience one of Southeast Asia’s most unique flavors.
These additional street foods highlight the diversity and richness of Singapore’s culinary scene, offering a tantalizing array of flavors and textures to satisfy every palate.
These diverse and delicious street foods represent just a sampling of Singapore’s vibrant hawker food culture. Whether you’re exploring bustling food centers or hidden neighborhood stalls, Singapore offers an endless array of culinary delights waiting to be discovered.
Read also – 25 Easy Sauces To Make At Home
