Singapore is deservedly called a culinary paradise and the reason is quite simple: eating well is a national hobby.
Singaporean cuisine is based on the traditional Asian and European cuisines, and the creativity of local chefs who successfully mix them. British roast beef served can be accompanied by Chinese sauce, and Peking duck goes along with Indian spices. Singaporean cuisine is called “Nyonya” and is a mixture of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian cooking traditions.
Here is your comprehensive guide to Singapore national food and must-try dishes, so keep reading.
National Food in Singapore
The most popular national food in Singapore is roll with various fillings (popiah), rice noodles in coconut soup (laksa lemak), shrimp pate.
Enjoy Ayam Buah Keluak national dish, usually served on some important events and on holidays. This is chicken cooked with scented local spices and buah keluak fermented nuts. The spicy fish head curry also claims to be considered as a national dish. It comes from India, but in Singapore it is cooked in a Malay or Chinese way.
National Seafood Dishes
The ocean uninterruptedly provides the metropolis with seafood and fresh fish. Everywhere, especially on the east coast, you will find a lot of restaurants where they cook delicious food dishes from fresh catch.
One of the most popular Singapore national dishes is crabs in chili sauce. Use hammer to break strong shells.
Your clothes may get dirty, but you’ll enjoy this experience. In many restaurants along the coast you can taste crab for 50 SGD. The cost depends on its size.
Asian cuisine in Singapore
Singapore has a huge number of restaurants that specialize in a particular cuisine. Establishments with Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian recipes are in the lead. The best Asian restaurants can be found in Singapore’s ethnic neighborhoods.
Chinese cuisine is presented by dishes from several Chinese provinces. In restaurants where you can taste Cantonese cuisine, the freshest products are fried in hot fat, with seasonings that have a delicate and not very spicy taste.
Fans of something really hot and spicy will enjoy Sichuan dishes, especially spicy shrimps and spicy sour soups. The famous Beijing duck is popular, and the traditional Hainanese chicken with rice, broth and a whole range of sauces has long turned into a national meal in Singapore.
The world of Indian gastronomy is very diverse with its mix of hot spices. The marinated chicken tandoori and the scalding meat dish with vindaloo curry are very good.
In many places, food is prepared in the traditional way – in clay ovens. South Indian restaurants offer vegetarian food.
The most famous of Malay delicacies is satay. These are small pieces of marinated meat on bamboo sticks, barbecued and served with a juicy ketupat (rice cake) and peanut sauce.
Among the Indonesian dishes in Singapore, the most popular are nasi padang – assorted fish, meat, vegetables, served with rice, gado-gado – a salad of raw and steamed vegetables, fried bean curd and potatoes with peanut sauce.
Where to eat and food prices
Cafes and restaurants are located in Singapore literally at every turn. Prices range from incredibly low to fantastically high. Street food will cost 2-5 SGD ($ 1.4-3), and in one of the best restaurants in Singapore, Li Bai, located in Sheraton Towers hotel, a meal for two without wine will cost from 80 SGD. You can also visit very popular Newton Food Centre.
In Singapore, food prices in mid-range restaurants vary from 50-80 SGD, in budget cafes – from 10 to 50 SGD for two without alcohol.
