The vibrancy and diverse local food scene of a place is often seen as a reflection of the diversity of that place, and Singapore is the best example of that.
Singapore’s food scene, which is a concoction of the best cuisines from around the world, is often seen as a celebration of the multiculturalism that Singapore has.
Singapore’s different ethnic groups have come together, without giving up their cultural heritage or beliefs hence creating a diverse and thrilling food scene.
From Michelin-starred delicacies and western cuisines to local comfort food by homegrown chefs, Asian cuisines and timeless hawker favourites. In summary, Singapore has it all.
Discover our favorites here: https://eatinbcn-shop.com/products/singapore
BEST VALUE: HAWKERS AND FOOD COURTS
What are some things synonymous with Singapore? You may think of the Merlion, Gardens By The Bay, and, of course, hawker food.
If you want to experience Asian food like locals, go to a hawker.
You will find very cheap prices (not everything is expensive in Singapore!) and delicious flavors from all over Asia. Hawkers are found at street level or on the ground or upper floors of shopping malls.
But, what is a hawker? A market-type space where you will find all kinds of Asian food spread out on stands here and there. Don’t expect anything fancy, but good prices and an authentic experience.
Budget? From 4S $ the plate (does not reach € 3 at the exchange rate of April 2019). We have tried a few, and we always enjoy it!
Tip: Look out for those stalls with moderately long queues and opened for just that few hours a day.
~ Laupasat / Telok Ayer Market
Lau Pa Sat (also known as Telok Ayer Market) is a popular food centre located in the heart of Singapore’s central business district.
It was first built in 1824 as a fish market on the waterfront serving the people of early colonial Singapore and rebuilt in 1838. This octagonal building with beautiful Victorian roof and column structures houses many stalls selling good hawker food, although not the best (it is a touristy place with more commercial stalls).
In our opinion, it is a must-pay visit while exploring the CBD and it is very convenient if you are looking for an affordable meal when working in the area.
A very touristy thing to do (you must do it if you are visiting Singapore for the first time!) is head to its Satay street.
Each night the Boon Tat Street side of Lau Pa Sat is blocked and transformed into an outdoor market dedicated to satay. Expect pushy “aunties and uncles” all around throwing menus at you! It is part of the experience.
~ Red Hill Food Centre
Situated at 85 Redhill Lane is just a few minutes away from the Redhill MRT Station, and is lined up with a wide assortment of food stalls.
Very local and one of the more under-rated and less talked about ones. At night is very quiet and only has 2 stalls opened, we recommend you going during the busy mornings to feel the local vibe.
Don’t miss out the Hua Kee Chicken Rice (#01-72 Redhill Food Centre) and Fei Zai Xiang Roasted Meat, try their Char Siew Rice and Roasted Duck Rice.
~ Maxwell Centre
Maxwell Food Centre is one of those food centres that both tourists and Singapore locals go to, home to over 100 food stalls!
Here, do not miss Tian Tian Chicken Rice, probably one of Singapore’s most famous chicken rice stall.
Bonus point: it’s open until late!
~ Amoy Street Food Centre
Located in the CBD area, Amoy Street Food Centre houses both Michelin Bib Gourmand awardees and noteworthy stalls. With two storeys of diverse hawker choices, you’ll never run out of choices!
Do not miss their most famous stall, A Noodle Story, #01-39. It is a Michelin Bib Gourmand listed-stall selling Singapore style ramen noodles.
Tip: make sure you go there before 12.30pm or you will find they have run out of noodles already!
~ Lucky Plaza
Chicken rice is one of Singapore’s most iconic dishes and everyone has an opinion about their favourite place for the meal.
If you’re in the Orchard Road belt, and craving comfort food, go to Lucky Plaza. Hidden away in a humble, old-school corner shop space on the second floor of the building is Lucky Chicken Rice, which serves value-for-money chicken rice.
The eatery offers both roast and steamed chicken.
Side dishes to order include stir-fried bean sprouts, kai lan and dumpling soup.
A serving of chicken rice starts at $4.80.
Where? Lucky Chicken Rice, 304 Orchard Road, Lucky Plaza, 02-110, tel: 6738-4175
~ Tiong Bahru Food Centre
It was the first modern market to be built in a housing area and today is one of Singapore’s favorite.
Must try stall: Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodles which isfamous of their ‘bu jian tian’ char siew, roastedpork and noodles.
~ Old Airport Food Centre
Located near Dakota MRT Station, it has 40 years of history and was built in 1972.
With 168 food stalls, it is considered one of Singapore’s largest food centres!
Must-try stalls:
- Xin Mei Xiang Zheng Zong Lor Mee: the line does get very long during peak hours, and bowls can be sold out before closing hour (as it happens in A Noodle Story in Maxwell Centre). But, what is Lor Mee? A thick and gooey beef soop with noodles and other toppings as boiled eggs, bean sprouts, etc. The prices go from 4$ to 6$ and you will get your money’s worth thans to the generous servings.
- Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee – Michelin Recommended Wanton Noodles
~ Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Chinatown Complex Food Centre is located at Block 335 Smith Street.
It is the largest hawker centre in Singapore with +260 food stalls, including the world’s first Michelin hawker stall.
- Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, the world-famous stall known for serving the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the world.
- Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao, offers great value for your money with delicious handmade Xiao Long Bao, Szechuan Spicy Wanton, and hand-pulled noodles.
- Lian He Ben Ji Claypot, one of the most popular claypot rice stalls in Singapore.
~ Havelock Cooked Food Centre
Located amongst the resident flats (nearest train: Tiong Bahru MRT Station), it is not easy to find for a tourist.
Why you should visit Havelock Food Centre? To try Tan’s Tu Tu Coconut Cake, a humble food stall that is known for selling Tu Tu Kueh.
Tu Tu Kueh is a sweet Singaporean delicacy. They’re little steamed rice-flour cakes filled with delicious fillings such as peanut, coconut and occasionally chocolate or gula melaka.
If you are around the Orchard road belt and craving a traditional sweet pastr, you can also find them in Wisma Atria Food Republic Level 4 (although it misses the charm of the original stall at Havelock).
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