What to Eat in Singapore: 15 Must-Try Dishes and Street Food Favorites

Wondering what to eat in Singapore? From Hainanese chicken rice and chili crab to laksa, satay, and kaya toast, the food in Singapore is a flavorful mix of cultures best tasted in bustling hawker stalls and heritage kitchens.

A vibrant blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan influences has shaped Singapore’s culinary identity into something truly unique. From hawker centers buzzing with sizzling woks to heritage eateries tucked into historic shophouses, every meal is a chance to explore a new layer of the city’s multicultural story.

If you’re wondering what to eat in Singapore, start with the classics: bold spice, comforting textures and surprising depth in every spoonful. Whether you're grabbing kaya toast for breakfast or digging into a fiery laksa by the waterfront, these are the best dishes in Singapore to try on your next visit.

1. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Often considered the national dish of Singapore, this deceptively simple plate is a local favorite. Poached chicken is served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock, accompanied by chili sauce, ginger paste and dark soy sauce. It’s light, flavorful and an essential part of the Singapore food experience.

2. Chili Crab

Sweet, savory and messy in the best way, chili crab is one of the most famous foods in Singapore. Fresh mud crabs are stir-fried in a rich tomato and chili-based sauce and typically served with steamed or fried buns to soak up every drop.

3. Laksa

A spicy noodle soup with Peranakan roots, laksa combines rice noodles, coconut milk, chili paste and seafood like prawns or fish cakes. It’s rich, creamy and comforting, often topped with a spoonful of sambal for an extra kick.

4. Char Kway Teow

This wok-fried noodle dish is a favorite at hawker stalls across the city. Flat rice noodles are stir-fried with eggs, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts and cockles in a dark soy sauce, creating a smoky, savory flavor known locally as wok hei.

5. Satay

This dish features marinated skewers of grilled meat served with a thick, slightly sweet peanut sauce and a side of cucumber and rice cakes. Satay is a crowd-pleaser found in night markets and street stalls, often paired with a refreshing local beer.

6. Hokkien Mee

A mix of yellow noodles and rice vermicelli stir-fried in a prawn and pork broth, Hokkien mee is topped with shrimp, squid and a dollop of spicy sambal. A squeeze of lime adds the perfect acidic balance to this iconic hawker dish.

7. Roti Prata

Make sure to sample this flaky, crispy Indian flatbread often served with a side of rich curry for dipping. You can order it plain or filled with cheese, egg or even banana for a sweeter twist. It’s a must-try for breakfast or a late-night snack.

8. Fish Head Curry

This bold and spicy dish is exactly what it sounds like: a whole fish head cooked in a rich curry with vegetables like okra and eggplant. It’s typically shared family-style and eaten with rice. The flavor is intense, tangy and unforgettable.

9. Kaya Toast

A beloved breakfast staple, kaya toast is made with crisp white bread spread with coconut jam (kaya) and butter, usually served with soft-boiled eggs and soy sauce. Paired with a strong cup of kopi (local coffee), it’s Singapore’s answer to comfort food.

10. Nasi Lemak

Originally a Malay dish, nasi lemak has become a Singapore staple. Coconut rice is served with fried anchovies, peanuts, sambal, egg and either fried chicken or fish. It’s aromatic, spicy and full of texture.

11. Carrot Cake (Chai Tow Kway)

Don’t let the name fool you — there are no carrots involved. This savory dish is made from stir-fried radish rice cakes with eggs, garlic and preserved radish. It comes in black (with sweet soy sauce) or white (without) versions and is a hawker center classic.

12. Mee Rebus

Indulge in a noodle dish with a thick, slightly sweet gravy made from fermented soybeans and sweet potatoes, often topped with boiled egg, fried tofu and green chilies. It’s rich and satisfying with a signature sweet-savory balance.

13. Bak Kut Teh

Translating to "meat bone tea," this herbal pork rib soup is simmered with garlic, pepper and medicinal herbs. It’s soothing, aromatic and perfect on a rainy day, especially with a bowl of rice and a side of braised tofu or preserved vegetables.

14. Popiah

Popiah is a fresh spring roll filled with grated turnip, carrots, bean sprouts, egg and sometimes prawns or Chinese sausage. Wrapped in a thin crepe and topped with sweet sauce and crushed peanuts, it’s light, crunchy and packed with flavor.

15. Ice Kacang

Sample this colorful, icy dessert made from shaved ice piled high over red beans, jelly, sweet corn and attap seeds, then drenched in syrup and condensed milk. It’s sweet, cold and wildly refreshing — perfect for Singapore’s tropical climate.

Discover Food Excursions in Singapore

Experience Singapore’s culinary depth and cultural richness with excursions that bring you face-to-face with its most iconic neighborhoods and flavors:

Singapore Sojourn
- Discover the storied history and natural beauty of Singapore with a visit to some of its most striking cultural landmarks. Explore Little India, Chinatown and the National Orchid Garden. Enjoy free time in bustling Chinatown, where you can wander narrow streets, visit temples and shops and sample traditional Chinese cuisine straight from the source.