There isn’t quite anything like Singaporean cuisine in the world. Maybe we’re biased, but hear us out: with her diverse racial makeup, you’ll find that food here often blurs the lines between different cultures, often encompassing various elements (the best ones!) from across cultures to get the best of both worlds. Here, you’ll find the food an explosion of flavour, hitting every flavour and textural profile out there. It is no wonder that Singapore has birthed people that love eating—you’ll find no shortage of good food, no matter which corner of Singapore you may be at. The best part? These aren’t found at glitzy, out-of-budget restaurants. In this 3-part series, we present to you the best food that Singapore has to offer at its humble hawker centres:
Nasi Lemak
A popular breakfast food, this Malay dish is extremely popular for breakfast. It features fragrant grains of rice with a whiff of pandan and coconut, and is commonly served accompanied by roasted peanuts, fried ikan billis, fried chicken wing, egg and sambal, a sweet and spicy chilli blend.
Ponggol Nasi Lemak
Serving up a wicked Chinese-style nasi lemak, Ponggol Nasi Lemak is a household name in Singapore. Their fried chicken is lip-smackingly moist and crispy, and the coconut rice is extremely fragrant, flavoured with freshly-squeezed coconut water. Beware of imposters with the stall name Punggol Nasi Lemak—the original is spelt only as Ponggol!
Address: 371 Jalan Besar, #01-01, Singapore 208998
Uptown Nasi Lemak
For those who love an indulgent, hearty nasi lemak, look no further than Uptown Nasi Lemak. The nasi lemak served here is closer to the Malaysian-style nasi lemak, with offerings such as rendang and sambal sotong. The rice here is also creamy with coconut milk flavour, a hallmark of a good nasi lemak.
Address: Eden Garden Cafe, 121 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068590
Kaya Toast and Eggs
Singapore’s ubiquitous breakfast dish features toasted white bread slathered with a sweet coconut jam called kaya, and between the layers, a thick slab of butter is inserted. Served alongside soft-boiled eggs dotted with white pepper and dark soya sauce, the sweet and salty flavours of both pair together beautifully; you’ll get why this is so well-loved by locals and foreigners alike!
Heap Seng Leong
While you’ll be able to easily find this iconic duo at almost all hawker centres and coffee shops, if you’re able to, make a trip to Heap Seng Leong, an old school coffee shop that still does things the traditional way—their toasts are still toasted over a charcoal grill! If you’re a sucker for tradition and good food, this is the place to be.
Address: 10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109, Singapore 190010
Fish Soup
The epitome of comfort food and a ‘healthier’ alternative to most other Singaporean dishes, fish soup consists of a lightly-flavoured fish broth and noodles (or you can opt for rice instead). It is served with boiled slices of fresh white fish, but if you’re feeling for something a little more sinful, go for the fried fish version!
Han Kee Fish Soup
At lunch times, Han Kee has snaking queues, and it’s not hard to see why. Their portions are extremely generous, with the soup filled to the brim with slices of white fish. The soup is sweet and light, perfect for a cold day (but hey, it’s great at any time!).
Address: 7 Maxwell Rd, #02-129, Singapore 069111
Piao Ji Fish Porridge
Located right next to Han Kee is Piao Ji. For those that prefer a stronger flavour to their fish soup, Piao Ji will satisfy you. The soup is dotted with fried onion and garlic bits, lending to a much more full-bodied soup.
Address: 7 Maxwell Rd, #02-129, Singapore 069111
Laksa
While many varieties of this dish exist across Asia, the most famous version in Singapore has its roots in Peranakan cooking; it features a rich and slightly spicy coconut-based broth, fragrant with the aroma of prawns. It is definitely one of those dishes you have to try to understand—no words can appropriately describe the complexity of its flavours!
328 Katong Laksa
Tested and approved even by Gordon Ramsey, this laksa stall is perhaps one of the most famous spots to grab a bowl of laksa in Singapore. The thick rice vermicelli noodles here are cut into smaller pieces to make it easier to slurp up with just a spoon, no chopsticks needed!
Address: 51 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428770
928 Yishun Laksa
For those finding themselves exploring the northern side of Singapore, this spot makes an excellent spot for lunch. The soup teeters on the lighter side, but their homemade sambal takes the dish up a notch by providing an extra savoury and slightly spicy kick.
Address: 928 Yishun Central 1, #01-155, Singapore 760928
