Best Thai, Korean & Asian Food in Singapore

Where to find Thai, Korean and Asian food in Singapore

Singapore is a short flight from much of Asia, and its food shows it. Thai, Korean and Asian food in Singapore ranges from simple rice shops to tasting menus. This page brings those kitchens together. It covers Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Malay and Malaysian cooking. Japanese food has its own Japanese page. Chinese food sits under Chinese & Dim Sum.

What to order, cuisine by cuisine

Malay food and nasi padang

Nasi padang is rice served with a choice of dishes. You point at what you want from a glass counter, and staff add it to your plate. The name comes from Padang, a city in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The style grew out of the region's Minangkabau cooking. Look for beef rendang, a dry curry cooked slowly in coconut milk and spices. Sambal, a chilli paste, comes with most meals.

Warong Nasi Pariaman and Rumah Makan Minang both serve nasi padang in Kampong Glam. Hjh Maimunah is a Malay restaurant in the same area. See Nasi Padang for more, or read Malay Hawker Dishes to Know Before You Order.

Korean food and Korean BBQ

At a Korean barbecue, you cook raw meat on a grill set into your table. Staff often help with the first round. Small side dishes called banchan, such as kimchi, come with the meal. Many places top them up if you ask.

Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ grills over charcoal in the Orchard and River Valley area. Super Star K is in the Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar area. Tanjong Pagar has many Korean restaurants close together. For a more formal meal, Nae:um serves Korean fine dining in Marina Bay and the CBD. Vatos Urban Tacos mixes Korean and Mexican flavours. See Korean BBQ for more grills.

Thai and Vietnamese food

Thai food balances sour, sweet, salty and spicy flavours. Good first orders are tom yum, a hot and sour soup, and green curry with rice. Pad kra pao is minced meat stir-fried with holy basil and chilli. Jai Thai is in Bugis. Un-Yang-Kor-Dai is in the Marina Bay and CBD area.

Vietnamese food is lighter and full of fresh herbs. Try pho, a rice noodle soup, or fresh rice-paper rolls. Madame Saigon serves Vietnamese food in Marina Bay and the CBD.

Modern and regional menus

Seroja serves Malaysian fine dining in Kampong Glam, so book well ahead. Fiz cooks Southeast Asian food in the Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar area.

Best areas for Asian food

• Bugis & Kampong Glam: Malay food and nasi padang near Sultan Mosque. If you visit the mosque, dress modestly and follow the signs for visitors.
• Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar: Korean barbecue, casual Korean food and modern Asian kitchens.
• Marina Bay & CBD: Thai, Vietnamese and Korean options among the office towers. Weekday lunch gets busy.
• Orchard & River Valley: Korean barbecue, plus many food courts inside the malls.

Pair a Kampong Glam meal with a stroll down Kampong Glam & Haji Lane.

Tips for ordering and eating

• Ask about spice. Thai and Malay dishes can be very hot. Ask for "less spicy" if you are unsure.
• Nasi padang is priced by dish. The bill depends on what you pick, so ask if you want to keep it low.
• Book barbecue at peak times. Korean grills fill up at dinner, especially at weekends.
• Use a spoon and fork. Some diners eat rice with the right hand. Most people use a spoon and fork, and nobody will mind.
• Halal food. If you need halal food, look for the MUIS halal certificate at the shop. MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. See Halal Food for more.
• Know rough costs. A nasi padang plate often costs around S$8 to S$15. Korean barbecue and tasting menus cost much more. Prices change, so check menus first.

FAQs about Thai, Korean and Asian food

Where is the best area for Korean food in Singapore?

Tanjong Pagar has many Korean restaurants close together, including barbecue places. You will also find Korean food in malls around Orchard Road and the CBD.

Is there halal Asian food in Singapore?

Yes. Many Malay restaurants and some other Asian kitchens hold halal certification. Look for the MUIS certificate on display, or ask staff before you order.

What is nasi padang?

It is steamed rice with dishes you choose from a counter, such as rendang, curries and vegetables. It comes from Minangkabau cooking in West Sumatra and is popular across Singapore.

Is Thai food in Singapore very spicy?

It can be. Many dishes use fresh chilli, but kitchens can often make them milder. Ask when you order, and eat curries with rice to balance the heat.

Do I need to book Korean barbecue?

For weekend dinners and groups, it helps. For a weekday lunch, walking in is usually fine.