Must-Try Hawker Food in Singapore for First-Time Visitors
Whether you’re an adventurous eater or someone seeking familiar comforts, Singapore’s hawker centres offer a tantalising variety of street food that is both affordable and authentic. Navigating this culinary wonderland can be overwhelming for first-time visitors, but fear not—this guide will introduce you to the must-try hawker food dishes and the best hawker centres where you can enjoy them.
These hawker centres are an integral part of local life and offer a unique opportunity to sample an array of flavours, often at very reasonable prices. What sets Singapore’s street food apart is the diversity, quality, and consistency, with many hawker stalls boasting Michelin stars or Bib Gourmand recommendations. Expect bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and a dining experience that will make you feel like a local.
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Often hailed as Singapore’s national dish, Hainanese Chicken Rice is a simple yet flavour-packed meal. The chicken, poached to tender perfection, is served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, accompanied by light soy sauce, garlic chilli, and ginger paste. The subtle flavours make it a favourite for those easing into the local cuisine.
Where to try: The iconic Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre is frequently recommended by food critics and locals alike.
Char Kway Teow
This stir-fried flat rice noodle dish is a must for those who love rich, savoury flavours. Char Kway Teow combines noodles with prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, bean sprouts, and chives, stir-fried in a mixture of dark soy sauce and sometimes lard, giving it a smoky “”wok hei”” (breath of the wok). It’s an indulgent dish, typically found at many hawker centres.
Where to try: Hill Street Char Kway Teow at Chinatown Complex Food Centre is a popular stall with consistently long queues. It’s also reasonably priced at S$4 and S$5.
Laksa
A coconut-based spicy noodle soup, Laksa is an excellent introduction to Singaporean cuisine, blending Chinese and Malay flavours. The broth is thick and creamy with coconut milk, chilli, and dried shrimp, served over thick rice noodles. Toppings usually include prawns, fish cakes, and cockles. The mix of heat and creaminess in each bite makes Laksa a dish not to be missed.
Where to try: 328 Katong Laksa in the Katong area is a well-loved spot, with many locals claiming it serves the best Laksa in town.
Satay
A popular street food across Southeast Asia, Satay consists of marinated meat skewers grilled over charcoal and served with a rich peanut dipping sauce. In Singapore, chicken, beef, lamb, and even pork satay are usually accompanied by ketupat (rice cakes), cucumbers, and onions. Satay is the perfect street snack or appetiser for sharing.
Where to try: Lau Pa Sat is famous for its Satay Street, where various vendors serve up skewers every evening, offering a bustling and lively dining atmosphere.
Carrot Cake (Chai Tow Kway)
Despite its name, Singapore’s carrot cake isn’t a dessert. Instead, it’s a savoury dish made from radish cubes stir-fried with eggs, garlic, and preserved radish. It comes in two versions: the white version, which is softer and eggier, or the black version, coated in a sweet dark soy sauce. Both are equally delicious and worth trying.
Where to try: Fu Ming Cooked Food at Redhill Food Centre is known for its crispy, flavourful rendition of carrot cake. It’s Michelin-Bib Gourmand too!
Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak consists of coconut rice served with a variety of sides such as fried chicken, ikan bilis (anchovies), peanuts, egg, cucumber, and sambal (spicy chilli paste). The rich, fragrant rice paired with the sweet-spicy sambal makes for a delightful and hearty meal, often eaten for breakfast but available throughout the day.
Where to try: Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak at Adam Road Food Centre is renowned for its tasty, well-balanced version of this dish. The Royal Nasi Lemak with the works is a must-try!
Hokkien Mee
This dish is a seafood lover’s dream. It features fried egg noodles and rice noodles in a fragrant broth made from prawn and pork stock. The noodles are cooked with prawns, squid, egg, and bean sprouts, and the dish is served with sambal chilli and a squeeze of lime for extra zing. The combination of flavours makes it one of Singapore’s more satisfying hawker food options.
Where to try: Nam Sing Hokkien Mee at Old Airport Road Food Centre is often cited as one of the best places for Hokkien Mee.
Best Hawker Centres to Visit
For first-time visitors, hawker centres are not just a place to eat but a cultural experience. Here are some of the top hawker centres in Singapore:
- Maxwell Food Centre
- Lau Pa Sat
- Old Airport Road Food Centre
- Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
- Adam Road Food Centre
- Amoy Street Food Centre
- Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre
- Chinatown Complex Food Centre
