How to Eat in Singapore Like a Local

Although Singapore is sometimes regarded as a relatively expensive destination in comparison with other countries in Southeast Asia, this is not true and even includes aspects like the local street food. These dishes are so reasonably priced that many locals choose to eat out every day. Here, you will find street food at hawker centres where you will encounter a host of stalls serving up inexpensive local culinary favourites. Provided below are some suggestions for dining in Singapore as a local would.

Enjoy Hainanese chicken rice

Hainanese chicken rice happens to be a particular favourite in Singapore that you will find at modest hawker centres and upscale restaurants alike. In fact, whenever you notice cooked succulent chicken hung up at a Singaporean food stall, there is likely to be Hainanese chicken rice available. Basically, this dish will consist of bite-size chicken slices – or perhaps an entire chicken for a group of diners – served along with sweet-smelling rice, spicy chilli sauce and ginger paste. This delectable dish was introduced to Singapore by immigrants from the Chinese island of Hainan. However, today, you will find that the Singaporean version of this dish incorporates some local adaptations as well.

Taste Singapore chilli crab

One of the most iconic and best-known Singaporean dishes would be the famed Singapore chilli crab, which is known around the world for its irresistible flavours. In Singapore, traditionally mud crabs with their meaty and sweet flesh are used to prepare this dish. However, any local would tell you that it is the dish’s distinctive sauce that makes it so delicious. When prepared well, the sauce in this dish would be full of seafood flavours, not overly spicy, robustly savoury and delicately sweet. Interestingly, chilli crab may not be available at hawkers due to the cost of the crabs; instead, it’s best to visit a seafood restaurant to savour this dish.

Savour laksa

The very popular laksa may be described as a spicy noodle soup with a base of coconut milk. Although you will find several varieties of laksa in Singapore, probably the best-known would be the locally developed Katong laksa which originated in the Peranakan community. This variety features a vibrantly coloured soup stock, is embellished with the flavours of dried shrimp and coconut milk, and includes toppings like prawns, cockles and fishcake. However, one of Katong laksa’s most important characteristics would be the noodles; this would be thick vermicelli sliced into small pieces which could be easily eaten using only a spoon.

Relish satay

The delicious satay is much liked in Singapore just as it is in other nations in Southeast Asia. Satay happens to be a meat dish where the meat is seasoned, then skewered and finally grilled; it is usually served accompanied with a sauce. In Singapore, satay can be found in chicken, pork, mutton and beef versions and is often served along with rice cake, cucumber-chilli relish and peanut sauce. A CBD accommodation choice to consider where you could enjoy chicken satay would be Grand Park City Hall which may be regarded as one of the appealingly located SG Clean certified five-star hotels in Singapore.

Try rojak

The sticky dark rojak, despite its appearance, happens to be a tasty salad featuring a delectable blend of flavours. Whilst rojak is believed to have originated in the island of Java, you will find that the Singaporean variation of this dish reflects the city-state’s cosmopolitan culture, including strongly flavoured ingredients in a harmonious blend. This zesty salad would include a mixture of vegetables, dough fritters and fruits slathered with a black sticky sauce and topped with finely sliced ginger flowers and chopped peanuts. One of the most important elements of rojak would be its sauce, which is composed of fermented prawn paste, lime, chilli paste and sugar to create a combination of sour, sweet and spicy flavours.