A foodies guide to Singapore

A bustling destination of the future, Singapore is a melting pot of cultures with a lot to offer travellers. Thanks to the fusion of influences it benefits from, the food scene here is unlike anywhere else in the world. For a foodie, Singapore is an adventure. A theme park of flavours and a buffet of unique dishes and fresh ingredients. Here, we discover which dishes you should try during your cruise to Singapore: 

For seafood lovers, chilli crab is an incredibly popular dish on the island that brings fresh crab together with powerful flavours. Made with mud crabs most commonly, the dish is served with a tomato and chilli sauce. Despite the name, it isn’t too spicy. You’ll find this dish everywhere in Singapore, with each place serving it in a slightly different way thanks to recipes that have been passed down through generations.  

Although it may not look like the most exciting dish, Hainanese chicken is the national dish of Singapore for a reason. Poached chicken with light flavours of ginger and spring onion served with rice and a chilli sauce. Made to bring out the natural flavourings of the meat, it’s a delicate dish that is a must-try for all in Singapore. 

“When in Singapore, everyone should try the local Hainanese chicken rice,” says Raymond from Travelling Foodie. “It’s the national dish of Singapore and is absolutely delicious.” 

The most traditional breakfast in Singapore, kaya toast is a local delicacy with a unique flavour. Toast with butter and kaya jam, it is often served with coffee and eaten to start the day. Kaya jam’s unique flavour is popular over the island and as well as kaya toast, you’ll be able to find other products that make the most of it. It’s a coconut egg and caramel jam with a sweet, rich flavour. 

Read next: A guide to Singapore’s skyline 

Laksa is a spicy curry dish that you can find variations of around Asia. However, in Singapore, it is a must-try! Usually served with a distinctive orange colour, it can contain all manner of ingredients but commonly features noodles, coconut milk broth, some kind of meat (usually chicken or prawn) and includes fresh vegetables and spices. 

JB from Will Fly For Food recommends laksa, “Singapore is such a delicious and diverse food city that it’s hard to narrow it down to just one dish but if I had to choose just one must-try dish, then that would be laksa. Laksa is a spicy noodle soup typically made with chicken, prawn or fish in a rich and savoury coconut milk broth. It can also be made with a sour tamarind or gelugur-based broth. But in Singapore, the most popular version is the coconut-based curry laksa.” 

Kara from Stretchy Pants Tours also recommends laksa for those who like a bit of heat, “If you like a spicy kick, be sure to try the Singaporean laksa, a traditional noodle dish. Laksa can be found all over the country or you can learn how to make it yourself by taking a local cooking class. 

Oyster omelettes are popular dishes in eastern Asia and Singapore is no exception. You can find it done slightly differently here, as in Hawker Centre the omelette is fried in a batter for a light, fluffy filling and a crispy bite. As the ingredients stay virtually the same from stall to stall, the cooking method and style are what give each place a unique flavour. That, and the sauce they serve with it. Some stalls go for chilli whereas some go for more of a gravy. We suggest trying a few styles to know what your favourite is. 

If you’ve always wanted to try a Michelin Star meal but have been turned off by the large price tags, you’ll be extremely excited to hear that Singapore is home to the cheapest meal in the guide. Soya chicken is a common street food in Hawker stalls all around Singapore. It’s marinated and then cooked in a salty and sweet broth, giving it its distinct bronze colouring. Once cooked, it is glazed, chopped and served with rice.