If your favourite travel activity is to savour the flavours of the local dishes of the place you’re visiting, then Singapore should definitely be your next destination.
Although this city-state is mostly known for stunning cityscapes, high-end shopping districts, efficient public transportation system, and iconic attractions like The Merlion statue, it also boasts a unique cuisine that’s as colourful and diverse as its people.
Everywhere you go, your senses will be tickled by the sights, sounds, and smells of Singapore’s scrumptious dishes that will make your mouth water. With so many meals and treats to choose from, however, exploring Singaporean cuisine can be an overwhelming experience. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to make your foodie journey through Singapore an enjoyable and memorable one. Let’s have a look:
Try Some of the Best Restaurants at The Jewel
Even if your time in Singapore is limited, you can still try some of the city’s best eats. For instance, if you’re looking to dine in some of the best restaurants in the city during a layover, you can do so at The Jewel. This nature-themed entertainment and retail complex features some of Singapore’s homegrown restaurants, and it’s easily accessible from all four of the airport’s terminals. In fact, the Arrival Hall in Terminal 1 is directly connected to it! The local dining establishments you can find in The Jewel include Dian Xiao Er, Dapur Penyet, Birds of Paradise, and Beauty in the Pot. If you want to make your dining experience at The Jewel even more worth your while, consider downloading the Changi app and using its ChangiPay feature. ChangiPay is a digital wallet you can use to pay for the goods and services you’ve purchased at The Jewel. With every use, you earn rewards points, which you can use to offset your next purchase at participating stores.
Use a Singapore Food Map to Guide You
First time exploring Singapore’s cuisine? Then let a food map not only guide you through your journey, but also help you stay organised. A Singapore food map is a great tool for discovering a treasure trove of gastronomic delights. There are many free maps to choose from online, so just pick one that can provide you with the foodie adventure you’re looking for. You can download a food map that can take you across the city and sample some of the best dishes from different food establishments, from bustling hawker centres to upscale restaurants. If you prefer taking off the beaten paths, then a Singapore food map that focuses on the city-state’s hidden food gems is the one for you.
Make a List of Must-Try Singaporean Dishes
Another way to help you navigate Singapore’s complex cuisine is by making a list of local, must-try dishes. This is a great way to sample a broad spectrum of Singaporean flavours and enjoy a variety of dining experiences during your stay. Singapore is home to countless mouthwatering meals, but if you’re hankering for the nation’s iconic dishes, then you should definitely include the following in your list:
– Chili Crab: Crab cooked in a spicy, sweet, and savoury tomato-based sauce.
– A flavourful noodle soup with a coconut milk base.
– Char Kway Teow: Stir-fried noodles with prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, and bean sprouts, which are then tossed in a savoury soy sauce.
Skewers of marinated and grilled meat, which are often served with a peanut sauce.
– Kaya Toast: A popular breakfast meal that consists of toasted bread filled with kaya, a sweet and creamy jam made from coconut cream, eggs, white sugar, and pandan leaves.
– Ice Kacang and Chendol: Sweet desserts that are popular among locals and tourists. Ice kacang is a colourful shaved ice treat, while chendol is an iced dessert that contains green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup.
Discover the Unique Flavours of Peranakan Cuisine
Many of Singapore’s popular dishes have Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian influences, but did you know that there’s another culinary tradition that completes the city’s diverse cuisine? Peranakan cuisine—also called Nyonya or Straits Chinese cuisine—is food that comes from a community that has mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage. It’s known for its aromatic herbs and spices, as well as its use of intricate preparation methods that release the complex flavours and textures in its dishes. Some of the famous Peranakan dishes you have to try include ayam buah keluak (chicken braised in a thick, spicy gravy made with the black Indonesian buah keluak nut), otak-otak (a spicy fish cake wrapped in banana leaves), and Nyonya kueh (cakes made from gula melaka and coconut).
While most travellers visit Singapore to see the sites and shop till they drop, foodies prefer another unique way to experience Singaporean culture. By exploring the nation’s distinct cuisine, you can get a better understanding of Singapore’s rich heritage and diverse society with every clean plate.
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