Singapore is one of the greatest gastronomic countries in the world. It’s a real cultural melting pot with a fantastic variety of food to choose from, covering all budgets. Historically and still today, this small island country is a major trading port. This has developed the epic food culture that you see today; most of which comes from nearby China, India and Malaysia. Tuck into nine of the best things to eat in Singapore.
1. Oyster omelette
You won’t find a fluffier omelette than this one! Eggs are whisked together with cornstarch and water to create a cloud-like texture. Diced potatoes and plump oysters are added, rounded off with crisp edges from the grill.
2. Hainanese chicken
Touted as one of Singapore’s national dishes, Hainanese chicken is a must try! A whole chicken is poached with aromatics, keeping it moist and tasty. This broth is then used to cook the rice, which really boosts its flavour profile. Finally, two classic sauces (a chilli and a garlic, ginger and oil combination), cucumber, and a bowl of the aforementioned chicken broth are served to complete the dish.
3. Congee
An Asian take on porridge, congee is a savoury rice porridge that Singaporeans love for breakfast. It’s made savoury by being cooked with pork or chicken bones, fish and/or even century-old eggs. Dress it with soy sauce, sesame oil and spring onions, and pair the congee with youtiao (Chinese fried bread) for dipping.
4. Carrot cake
This Singaporean specialty is not the sweet carrot cake that we know and love. Instead, this is a savoury hawker market favourite. Its main ingredient is radish, known as ‘white carrot’ in some parts of Asia. The radish is stir fried to perfection with egg, garlic and steamed rice flour. The type of soy sauce used defines the carrot cake as white (a lighter taste with light soy sauce) or black (dark soy sauce makes it slightly saltier).
5. Murtabak
The best place to find murtabak is in Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Muslim Quarter. This stuffed pancake a popular street food in the Middle East that has made its way to Singapore. You can find different sweet or savoury variations, but a classic option is egg, onion and your choice of chicken, mutton or beef.
6. Glutinous rice balls in soup
Glutinous rice balls can be an acquired taste but it’s worth trying for the chewy, textural element. Traditionally they were only eaten during winter solstice or Lantern Festival, however you can now find this dessert in most hawker centres. Choose your rice ball filling (ranging from peanut to red bean) and soup flavour (like peanut or red date), and dig in.
7. Rojak
This salad is unlike any other! First, shrimp paste, sugar, lime, chilli, peanuts and tamarind sauce are whisked together to make a sauce. This combination of ingredients imparts a unique sweet and savoury flavour bomb. The salad components usually include chopped tofu puffs, crispy dough fritters, cucumber and pineapple. It’s unusual but refreshing to combat that Singapore humidity!
8. Laksa
Another national treasure, a bowl of laksa is true comfort food. You’ll find regional variations throughout Asia; however, the two main types are curry laksa (with a creamy, coconut-based soup) or asam laksa (a sourer soup made with tamarind paste). Laksa is often seafood-based but chicken is an option if you’re not a huge seafood fan.
9. Chilli crab
You know a dish will be good when it’s served with a bib to wear! Singaporean chilli crab is messy, but delicious. A whole (mud) crab is stir fried and cooked in a luscious tomato, egg and chilli sauce. Don your bib and get stuck into cracking open the shell with the nutcracker to find the juicy crab meat. And don’t forget about the sauce, too! Chilli crab is served with rice or mantou (bread rolls) to soak up all of the deliciousness.
This is just a small number of the best things to eat in Singapore. Discover this incredible country with Globus on an Independence by Globus holiday.
