Singapore is called the ‘Street food Mecca’ for its wide variety of affordable and delicious local Singapore street food. Singapore food scene resonates with Indian where their greeting is like “Have you eaten?” Singaporean may be a tiny country but has voracious appetite influenced by various cultures. If you are travelling to Singapore and need a small Singapore food guide, this article is for you.
It covers Singaporean food culture with options for vegetarian and non-vegetarian followed by the popular Indian eateries and average food cost in Singapore.
Singapore food culture
Singapore is an island country. Therefore, seafood like crab, prawn, and fish are the staple food of the people. Maybe that’s why Crab is the national dish of the country. Singapore has one of the wealthiest economies where you get affordable and authentic street food. Migrant workers come from across the world and go food is your way-out.
Singapore food is influenced by Asian, Chinese and Eurasian tastes. It means an Indian will surely find his favourite Chicken Biryani or fish curry with Singaporean twist. The best food is found at the enclosed Hawker centres or Cze Chas, which are made with good and humble ingredients. You can spend your entire lifetime with a bowl of stir-fried noodles with egg and coffee, which happens to be the common diet. The spices, fruits and beverages are some other things you should explore in the Singapore famous food.
Singapore street food
When in Singapore, don’t miss out on Singapore street food. You can check out the enclosed Hawker Centres, Cze Chas (eating houses), Kopitiams (Coffee houses) for street food. These are the lifeblood of Singaporean food scene.
Some street foods you must try out while in Singapore are:-
- Hainanese Chicken Rice: This iconic dish has tender boiled chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken gravy. It’s often accompanied by chili sauce and ginger soy sauce. It costs around ₹250 – ₹400
- Laksa: It is a spicy noodle soup with a rich coconut milk soup. It typically includes noodles, prawns, cockles, bean sprouts, and tofu puffs. It costs around ₹300 – ₹450
- Satay : It is a small skewer which has Grilled chicken meat served with peanut sauce and cucumber slices. It’s a quintessential Singaporean street food experience. It costs around ₹350 – ₹500
- Char Kway Teow: This stir-fried flat rice noodles dish is full of flavours. It includes ingredients like prawns, Chinese sausage, egg, and bean sprouts. It costs around ₹250 – ₹400.
- Roti Prata: A crispy and flaky Indian-origin flatbread, Roti Prata is a popular breakfast or snack option. It’s often served with curry or dhal. It costs around ₹100 – ₹200
Vegetarian food of Singapore
Some vegetarian Indian-origin foods you must not miss while in Singapore are:-
Vegetarian Laksa
- Location: VeganBurg
- This creamy popular noodle soup of Singapore is a plant-based version of the traditional laksa, featuring tofu, mushrooms and served with cucumber, pineapple, and mint garnish. It costs around SGD 9-12.
Rojak
- Location: Geylang Serai Market
- A spicy and tangy salad featuring a mix of fruits and vegetables, coated in a spicy, peanut-based sauce. It costs around SGD 4-6.
Dosa
- Location: Muthu’s Curry
- Description: Who doesn’t know about Dosa? A South-Indian dish served with various chutneys and sambar. It costs around SGD 8-12
Gado-gado
- Location: The Soup Spoon and Indo Chilli
- It is a traditional Indonesian salad that features a variety of boiled or steamed vegetables, often including potatoes, green beans, cabbage, and carrots, and tofu. It costs around 8-15
Mee Goreng/Nasi Goreng
- Location: Swan Street Eating House
- An Indonesian noodle dish with vegetables and tofu, usually served with fried shallots and lime. It costs around SGD 5-8.
Non-vegetarian food of Singapore
Meat eaters should make a mental note of the following authentic non-vegetarian dishes:
Chili Crab:
- Locations: Jumbo Seafood, No Signboard Seafood
- It is a spicy, sweet, and savoury dish is best enjoyed with fresh, crusty bread. It costs around SGD 50-70 for a medium crab.
Kaya Toast:
- Locations: Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Kopitiams
- A breakfast staple featuring toasted bread with coconut jam and half-boiled eggs. It costs around SGD 3.
Hokkien Mee
- Location: Hokkien Mee
- A Stir-fried noodle dish with seafood, including prawns and squid, cooked in a savory soup with a hint of charred aroma. It costs around SGD 5-8.
Seafood Fried Rice
- Location: Dian Xiao Er
- Fried rice with a lot of seafood such as prawns, squid, and fish, often seasoned with soy sauce and other spices. It costs around SGD 10-15.
Jain food in Singapore
Singapore boasts a diverse culinary scene, including a growing number of options for Jain food. While there might not be dedicated Jain restaurants, many Indian vegetarian restaurants cater to Jain dietary restrictions like Komala Vilas, MTR or Annalakshmi.
You may go to the Hawker centres or Little India, the hub for Indian Culture for Jain food. You may find the following items in Jain thali: Dal, Sabji, Roti, Rice, Paneer
Please check the ingredients used or inform about your Jain dietary requirements before you order food.
Indian Eateries at Singapore
Some popular authentic Indian restaurants in Singapore are:
Shahi Maharaja
Shahi Maharaja offers a unique blend of Northern Indian and Mexican cuisines, catering to a diverse palate. In Northern Indian dishes delicacies, expect rich curries, kebabs, and biryanis, while their Mexican dishes include tacos and quesadillas.
- Notable Dishes: Butter Chicken, Paneer Tikka, Mexican Tacos.
Curry Village
- Curry Village is known for its authentic Northern Indian dishes, offering a variety of curries, tandoori items, and Biryanis.
- Notable Dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, Rogan Josh, Garlic Naan
Spice Junction
- Spice Junction offers a wide menu covering a range of Indian dishes, including both North and South Indian specialties.
- Notable Dishes: Hyderabadi Biryani, Masala Dosa, Palak Paneer
Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant
- The restaurant provides an authentic taste of South India.
- Notable Dishes: Chettinad Chicken Curry, Mutton Sukka, Appam.
TANI Bistro & Bar
- TANI Bistro & Bar is famous for its myriad range of thalis and Indian street food.
- Notable Dishes: Tandoori Platter, Chole Bhature, Pani Puri
Average food cost in Singapore
A 2-day trip where you aim to try a variety of popular Asian food, including local Singaporean, Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines, you can expect to spend approximately ₹10,400 – ₹15,600.
On average, you can expect to spend SGD 30-50 per person per day on food. This estimate covers a mix of meals from hawker centres, food courts, and casual restaurants.
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