Singapore offers a food scene that isn’t like any other place in the world. While this is one of the most expensive cities in the world to enjoy dining experiences, it is worth the money because the food here is second to none. There are many iconic meals here that you absolutely have to try, as well as lots of eating adventures that are not possible anywhere else in the world.
Food lovers will rejoice at the culinary opportunities that are available to them in this huge city. As you are planning out where to eat and what to try, you need to use this guide to ensure that you don’t miss out on the best food in Singapore.
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A Food Lover’s Guide to Singapore
1. Satay Street
Singapore is famous for its satay, and there is even a street that is famous for offering you access to this dish. Wander through the Lau Pa Sat neighborhood and admire Victorian architecture while enjoying the amazing smells coming from the various satay sellers in the area. Satay is traditionally served as a street food treat, and you can grab many different kinds of satay here from the various vendors hawking their wares. This entire street is a sensory delight for those who love food, and the satay is the star of the show.
2. Chinatown
While it might seem odd to look for Chinese food to eat in Japan, the Chinatown Complex area of the city offers you the chance to enjoy some of the most delicious food in the world. Make sure to consider sitting down at Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, a Michelin-starred dining opportunity that you might not have known existed. The bak chor mee and dumplings at the various Chinatown eateries are absolutely incredible and should be on your list of things to try.
3. Tekka Centre
The Tekka Centre area, also known as Little India, is the home of a wet market, as well as a ton of street food vendors plying their wares. You will be able to try foods from all over India here, and you can get your food at any level of spiciness that you request. This is one of the most overlooked areas of Singapore, and if you love Indian cuisine, it would be a shame for you to miss it.
4. East Coast Lagoon Food Village
Who doesn’t enjoy eating delicious food on the beach? If you love seafood, then you need to head to this part of the city to enjoy the culinary offerings with a view of the water. Places like Long Beach Seafood offer traditional fish-based meals, but there are also plenty of street vendors offering you access to unique cuisine options to try out here. Song Kee Fried Oyster (stall 15) offers an iconic omelet made with oysters on top, and you should also consider getting the duck at Cheok Kee Duck Rice.
5. Maxwell Food Centre
This is a hawker mecca where there are many, many food stalls to check out. This is one of the places that Singapore food tours always stop at, and you will find the most diverse set of offerings here. Consider the iconic Hainanese chicken rice that is offered at various vendor stalls, as it is the start of the show here. The smells and sights and the general energy of this food center are really inspiring. You will probably see more food here than you can actually find room for, so pick and choose wisely during your visit.
6. Buffets
Singapore is well-known for its amazing buffets, which are known for being all-day affairs that are intended for socializing as much as they are for eating. Head to Estate for the black truffle roasted duck that they are famous for, or the halal-certified Peppermint for abalone rice and black pepper oyster. Save some room before you visit these all-you-can-eat locations so that you don’t miss out on unique and delicious food that you can’t enjoy anywhere else. Many of these buffet locations just charge a flat fee for everything that you eat and drink, but you might want to inquire if you are worried about added charges for drinks and other items.
When to Visit Hawker Stalls
One of the things that many people are uncertain about is when to head to these locations to try the food. You should plan to head to food markets and hawker gathering places in the afternoon or the evening. Some of these locations will be open until the wee hours of the morning, while others will close up at a more reasonable time. Be sure that you also have cash on hand so that you can be certain to try everything that you want to eat. Not every local vendor is equipped to handle card payments, and you might miss out on food you’ve been dying to try out.
The restaurants mentioned in this guide are often very busy, so you should consider getting a reservation before your visit. It would be very disappointing to head to a famous dining outlet without a reservation and be turned away at the door. The cost of dining is fairly reasonable here in Singapore, but sit-down restaurants will, of course, cost more than hawker stalls or food markets.
Consider joining a food tour if you don’t feel comfortable navigating the city but still want to try out all the places in this guide on Singapore. Many of the best food tours will take you all over the city to check out the food that is offered in each region. This can be the easiest way to make the most of your foodie experience with the risk of getting lost.
Singapore Offers Unparalleled Eating Experiences
No matter where you choose to eat in Singapore, you will find that the food is superb. There are few places on earth where you can count on a culinary experience to remember nearly every time you sit down to have a meal. Heading to Singapore without plans to enjoy the cuisine would be a waste, so make sure that this helpful guide is on your mind as you decide where to eat during your visit.
Featured Photo by Kin Pastor: https://www.pexels.com
