Singapore Food: The Cultural Mix on a Plate

Singapore's food is the most-distinct in Southeast Asia, the most-photographed in Asia, the most-refined, the most-affordable (for the Michelin-starred), and the most-culturally-diverse. The 5.9 million population produces a food culture that draws from the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, and Western traditions, and the result is the most-distinct in the world.

The cultural mix

Chinese

The largest cultural group (76% of the population), the most-distinct cuisine. The Hokkien (Fujian), Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Hainanese cuisines all contribute. The most-photographed dishes: the Hainanese chicken rice, the char kway teow, the bak kut teh, the Hokkien mee, the bak chor mee, the dim sum, the wantan mee.

Malay

The 15% of the population, the most-distinct cuisine. The most-photographed dishes: the nasi lemak, the nasi padang, the satay, the mee rebus, the rendang, the murtabak, the mee siam, the lontong.

Indian

The 7.5% of the population, the most-distinct cuisine. The Tamil, the Malayali, the Punjabi, the North Indian, the South Indian cuisines all contribute. The most-photographed dishes: the biryani, the roti prata, the thosai, the fish head curry, the mutton soup, the vadai, the appam.

Peranakan (Nyonya-Baba)

The most-distinct cuisine in Singapore, the result of the Chinese settlers marrying the local Malay women in the 15th-17th centuries. The most-photographed dishes: the laksa lemak, the ayam pongteh, the Nyonya cendol, the Peranakan kuih, the itek tim, the chap chye, the babi pongteh.

Western

The colonial influence (the British, the Portuguese, the Dutch), the most-distinct. The most-photographed: the Hainanese western food (the Hainanese-influenced Western cuisine, the most-distinct), the tiffin lunch, the high tea, the most-photographed 1-2 hours at the Raffles Hotel.

The 25 dishes you should know

Chinese

• Hainanese chicken rice: The national dish, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Tian Tian at the Maxwell Centre is the most-photographed, the Michelin Bib Gourmand.
• Char kway teow: The Penang-origin stir-fried flat rice noodles with prawns, the most-photographed Chinese-Malaysian dish.
• Bak kut teh: The pork-bone tea, the herbal broth, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Ng Ah Sio (the Michelin Bib Gourmand), the Founder (the most-photographed).
• Hokkien mee: The prawn-based noodle, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Geylang Lor 29 Hokkien Mee (the Michelin Bib Gourmand).
• Bak chor mee: The minced-pork noodle, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Tai Hwa (the Michelin star, the one-star bak chor mee in the world).
• Wantan mee: The noodle dish with dumplings, the most-photographed in the CBD. The most-photographed: the Kam's Roast (the Michelin star).
• Char siu rice: The Chinese BBQ pork over rice, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Kam's Roast (the Michelin star).
• Fish ball noodles: The fish-ball noodle soup, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Miao Yi (the Michelin Bib Gourmand).

Malay

• Nasi lemak: The coconut rice with sambal, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Ponggol Nasi Lemak (the most-photographed in Singapore).
• Nasi padang: The Indonesian-influenced rice with curries, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Warong Nasi Pariaman (the most-photographed in Kampong Glam).
• Satay: The grilled meat skewers, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Lau Pa Sat satay street (the most-photographed in the CBD).
• Mee rebus: The Malay noodle dish, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Aliffah (the most-photographed in the area).
• Mee siam: The Malay-Thai noodle dish, the most-photographed in Singapore.
• Lontong: The compressed rice cake in vegetable soup, the most-photographed in Singapore.

Indian

• Mutton biryani: The Indian rice dish, the most-photographed in Little India. The most-photographed: the Banana Leaf Apolo (the most-photographed in the area).
• Roti prata: The Indian-influenced flatbread, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Mr. & Mrs. Mohgan's (the most-photographed, the 24-hour).
• Thosai (dosa): The South Indian rice pancake, the most-photographed in Little India. The most-photographed: the Komala Vilas (the most-photographed, the most-distinct).
• Fish head curry:
• Murtabak: The stuffed pancake, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Zam Zam (the most-photographed in the area).

Peranakan

• Laksa lemak: The Peranakan spicy coconut-milk noodle soup, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the 328 Katong Laksa (the most-photographed in Joo Chiat).
• Ayam pongteh: The braised chicken, the most-photographed Peranakan dish. The most-photographed: the Guan Hoe Soon (the most-photographed, the most-distinct).
• Itek tim: The duck soup, the most-photographed Peranakan dish.
• Babi pongteh: The braised pork, the most-photographed Peranakan dish.

Snacks and desserts

• Kaya toast: The Hainanese breakfast, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-photographed: the Ya Kun Kaya Toast, the Killiney Kopitiam.
• Chili crab: The Singapore-invented crab dish, the most-photographed, the most-distinct. The most-photographed: the Jumbo Seafood, the No Signboard Seafood, the Long Beach.
• Black pepper crab: The Singapore-invented crab dish, the most-photographed, the most-distinct.
• Ice kachang: The shaved ice with syrup, the most-photographed dessert in Singapore.
• Chendol: The coconut-milk dessert, the most-photographed in Singapore.

What to know

• The hawker centers are open for breakfast (7 a.m.), lunch (12-2 p.m.), and dinner (6-9 p.m.). The most-crowded is lunch and dinner.
• The price is S$3-8 per dish for the regular food, S$10-20 for the premium. The Michelin-starred is S$2-15 (the Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice is S$2-3).
• Cash is preferred, but most stalls now accept PayNow, NETS, and credit cards.
• Bring your own tissue pack (the "chope" system — the tissue pack marks your seat while you order). The chope is a Singaporean tradition.
• Tipping is not expected. The price is the price.

What to skip

• The "fine dining" at the Marina Bay Sands: The view is the point, the food is the secondary. The hawker centers are the real food.
• The "Singapore food" at the airport: The most-overpriced in the city, the most-distinct from the real thing.
• The "Peranakan buffet" at the hotels: The buffet format is the most-distinct from the real Peranakan. The à la carte is the standard.