If there is one thing for you to do while in Singapore for the International 11, it is to try local food. Forget the restaurants, cafes and fast food joints. The real stuff is in Singapore’s heartlands and what we know as hawker centres – street food for the masses.
It can be overwhelming for a first-time visitor and that is exactly why we are here. Here are some of our must-haves while you are here visiting!
- Hainanese Chicken Rice
We could not share this list without introducing you to one of our national dishes. Hainanese Chicken Rice consists of glistening poached chicken, fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock, garnished with fresh cucumber strips and a side of chilli and sweet dark sauce. You can visit the Maxwell Food Centre to find a plate of this delicious goodness.
There, you can find not only one, but two stalls selling outstanding yet affordable chicken rice. The first being, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. A plate of the dish can cost as low as S$3.50 but we recommend you go for the S$5 portion instead.
The other option is Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice, which costs as little as S$4 per plate.
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Maxwell Food Centre, #01-10/11, Singapore 069184
- Nasi Lemak
Another Singaporean favourite, Nasi Lemak is a plate of coconut-flavoured rice topped with crispy fried chicken wings, with a side of anchovies, ground peanuts, cucumber slices and sambal chilli. Sambal chilli is a sweet chilli paste made with shrimp paste. Trust us when we say it is incredible.
For the best Nasi Lemak, you should visit Adam Road Food Centre. Like the chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre, you can find two stalls selling a scrumptious plate of this dish – Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak (starting from S$2.90 per plate) and No.1 Adam’s Nasi Lemak (S$4 per plate).
Address: 2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289876
- Western Food
If you are from the western hemisphere, you must be wondering: “What is western food?” It is something unique to Singapore that describes a fusion of both Hainan and British influences in food. Its most common dish is what we call Chicken Chop. It is a piece of moist grilled chicken, served with a side of coleslaw, baked beans, crispy fries and a fried/toasted bun. Where can you find the best western food?
At a stall called Wow Wow West, located in ABC Brickworks Food Centre. The prices of food here can run a little high but you can still find anything you want at under S$10. If you prefer a cheaper option, visit Hot Plate Western Food in Tiong Bahru Food Centre, where you can find a plate of chicken chop at just S$6.
Address (ABC Brickworks Food Centre): 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006
Address (Tiong Bahru Food Centre): 3 Seng Poh Road Green World #01-01, Singapore 168891 Singapore
- Laksa
This hearty bowl of noodles with a spicy, coconut milk gravy will definitely steal your hearts. It is usually served with fishcakes, firm tofu and cockles.
You can find a S$5 bowl of this fragrant noodle at the Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa in the Hong Lim Market and Food Centre. Alternatively, you can visit Sungei Road Laksa to try some for only S$3.
Address (Hong Lim Market and Food Centre): 531A Upper Cross St, Singapore 051531
Address: (Sungei Road Laksa): 27 Jln Berseh, #01-100, Singapore 200027
- Zi Char
Zi Char, is a word in the hokkien dialect that can be directly translated to “cook and fry”. Zi char stalls serve a large assortment of Chinese cuisine that is meant to be shared with a group. You can find many iconic Singaporean favourites there like Chilli Crab and Cereal Prawns there. You cannot say you have had the Singapore experience unless you have sat down to have Zi Char with a group of friends or family.
Drop by one of the two locations that Keng Eng Kee Seafood has and start feasting!
Address 1: 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-136, Singapore 150124
Address 2: 1/A Tampines Street 92, Singapore 528882
Website: Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Bonus!
Avoid Newton Food Centre. No seriously. Yes, it is popular and the food is decent but it’s way too expensive. Part of the reason is because it is a tourist trap but also because it was featured in Crazy Rich Asians. For locals, there are dozens, hundreds of places in tiny Singapore that serve better, and cheaper food.
