Food is one of the best reasons to visit Singapore. Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan cooking all meet here, and some of the best meals cost only a few dollars at a hawker centre. This Singapore food guide lists the 15 dishes to try first, what each one is, and where we would send you to eat it.
How to use this Singapore food guide
Most of these dishes are sold at hawker centres, the open-air food courts found all over the city. Each stall cooks one or two dishes, so you can try several in one meal. Before your first visit, read our hawker centre etiquette guide to learn how to find a seat, order and pay.
Rice and noodle dishes
1. Hainanese chicken rice
Singapore's best-known dish: tender poached or roasted chicken, rice cooked in chicken stock, and chilli, ginger and dark soy sauces on the side. Try it at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice in Maxwell Food Centre, or see our list of the best chicken rice in Singapore.
2. Laksa
Rice noodles in a rich, spicy coconut curry broth with prawns and fishcake. Katong laksa uses cut noodles, so you eat it with just a spoon. Try 328 Katong Laksa or browse the best laksa in Singapore.
3. Char kway teow
Flat rice noodles fried over high heat with dark soy sauce, egg, cockles and Chinese sausage. It is smoky, sweet and very filling. See the best char kway teow in Singapore.
4. Hokkien mee
Yellow noodles and rice vermicelli fried in a rich prawn stock, served with prawns, squid and a squeeze of lime. Find the best Hokkien mee in Singapore.
5. Bak chor mee
Noodles tossed in vinegar, chilli and lard, topped with minced pork, liver and meatballs. Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle is one of the most famous stalls.
6. Wanton mee
Thin egg noodles with sweet barbecued pork and dumplings, served dry with chilli or in soup. Try Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist.
7. Prawn noodles
Noodles in a deep, sweet prawn broth, with big prawns and sometimes pork ribs. See the best prawn noodles in Singapore.
8. Nasi lemak
Fragrant coconut rice with fried chicken or fish, crispy anchovies, peanuts, egg and sambal chilli. A favourite breakfast. Try The Coconut Club.
Seafood and curries
9. Chilli crab
Whole crab cooked in a thick, sweet and spicy tomato and chilli sauce. Order fried mantou buns to mop up the sauce. Try Jumbo Seafood at Riverside Point, or see the best chilli crab in Singapore.
10. Fish head curry
A whole fish head cooked in a tangy curry with okra and aubergine, made popular by Singapore's Indian restaurants. See the best fish head curry in Singapore.
11. Bak kut teh
Pork ribs simmered in a peppery, garlicky broth, eaten with rice and a pot of Chinese tea. Try Song Fa Bak Kut Teh.
Grilled food and snacks
12. Satay
Skewers of chicken, mutton or beef grilled over charcoal and served with peanut sauce, cucumber and onion. Eat it in the evening at Lau Pa Sat, where satay grills fill the street outside.
13. Oyster omelette
Eggs fried with sweet potato starch and fresh oysters until crispy at the edges, served with chilli sauce. Try Hup Kee Fried Oyster Omelette.
Breakfast and late-night favourites
14. Kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs
Toast with coconut jam (kaya) and butter, with soft-boiled eggs and strong local coffee. Try Ya Kun Kaya Toast, or read about Singapore's local breakfast.
15. Roti prata
Crispy, flaky flatbread served with curry for dipping, often with egg or cheese inside. Many prata shops open late. Try Springleaf Prata Place.
Where to try these dishes
For a first visit, go to a hawker centre where you can try several dishes at once. Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown, Newton Food Centre near Orchard and Old Airport Road Food Centre all have many of the dishes on this list. Read our guide to the best hawker centres in Singapore to plan your visits.
FAQs about Singapore food
What food is Singapore famous for?
Singapore is best known for Hainanese chicken rice, chilli crab, laksa, satay and char kway teow, along with many other hawker dishes.
Where is the best place to try local food in Singapore?
Hawker centres are the best places for local food. They are cheap, have many stalls in one place and serve the dishes locals eat every day.
Is hawker food safe to eat?
Yes. Hawker stalls in Singapore are licensed and regularly inspected by the food safety authorities, and hawker centres are cleaned every day.
How much does a hawker meal cost?
Most single dishes cost a few dollars, so you can eat well at a hawker centre for under S$10.
More food tips in our hawker dish guides.
