Singapore is a bustling island-city at the heart of Southeast Asia - you might have heard of it when Joseph Schooling beat Michael Phelps for the Gold Medal in the Olympics (Yes, I'm still proud of that!)
Having formed from people who were immigrants from China, India, and the Southeast Asian region, Singapore is not only a melting pot of culture but also a foodie's paradise.
As a foodie who’s grown up in Singapore, I am about to give you my top 5 list of Singaporean meals, drinks, and snacks that you must try if you ever decide to fly to the sunny city-state. Or rather, if you do not have a reason to fly to Singapore, these 5 items are bound to give you at least one!
Time to tickle those taste buds! Here we go.
1. CHICKEN RICE
Often referred to by locals as Singapore's national dish (though there are many delicious contenders), it is exactly what it is called. Succulent boiled chicken is paired with rice, which is cooked in chicken stock, pandan leaves, shallots and ginger. It is usually served with the broth as a side and condiments such as soy sauce and garlic chili sauce. There are also variations of the dish - roasted/soy sauce chicken rice.
Sometimes, simple really is the best.
2. ROTI PRATA
Most Indian-Muslim stalls will sell this classic. Make no mistake, though - this dish isn't from India. It is a Malaysian and Singaporean variation of the paratha, made from white flour instead of wheat. It is usually served with a side of fish curry, although you can request for chicken or vegetarian options. The best Prata is crispy, fluffy and flaky, and definitely makes for a satisfying breakfast on a rainy morning.
In Singapore, you are also bound to encounter many kinds of stuffed Pratas - from the staples like Egg Prata to even a dessert invention, the Ice Cream Prata!
Think stuffed savory crepes, but way better, and fit for literally any meal of the day!
3. ICED MILO
This drink can be found literally everywhere in Singapore - hawker centers, food courts, various food outlets in malls and even fast food restaurants like McDonald's!
It’s Nestle's chocolate malt drink that originated in Australia but soon found fans in most of Southeast Asia. It can be made hot or cold and is often sweetened with condensed milk and sugar.
You can trust me - once you try Milo, no other chocolate drink will ever be enough.
Go to a local hawker center and get it in a small plastic bag to go! That's the traditional Singaporean way.
There are also variations, such as the Milo Dinosaur, a regular Milo drink but topped with extra milo powder, and Milo Godzilla, which adds vanilla ice cream on top of the extra milo powder!
Pair any of these with Prata for the classic Singaporean meal.
4. KUEH TUTU
Kueh Tutu. Photo from hungryisland.files.wordpress.com
This Peranakan delicacy is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth eager to have a taste of Singapore’s Nyonya culture. It is a steamed cake made from finely pounded rice. It is often filled with grounded peanuts or grated coconut. There are also variations with fillings such as chocolate! (My favorite!)
You can find them at some hawker centres around Singapore, but you have to look out for them because they’re usually found in small stalls. Keep your eyes open for the iconic Kueh Tu Tu steaming stations that steam 5 small rice cakes each round!
Be careful while eating them though - they're easy to munch on and before you know it, you'd have downed more than your body needs!
5. CURRY PUFF
This is by far my favorite Singaporean snack. The best way to describe it would be a potato-and-egg-curry-filled pie, though, really, that doesn’t do it justice. It can also be filled with chicken or sardines.
You can get it at any Malay-Muslim stall in a hawker center or food court and even at stalls at local bus interchanges. The most famous chain would be Old Chang Kee, known for their big Curry-Os !
Old Chang Kee's Curry-Os. Photo from paragon.com.sg
So there you have it - 5 food and drinks that are bound to make you salivate and fall in love with Singapore.
Keep in mind though - this is only a small taste of the myriad of delicacies available in Singapore. I could only include so many - so I chose my favorites. But rest assured, there are many many other delicious meals and drinks.
Google some of the others if you'd like, here's a list:
Satay, Fish Head Curry, Laksa, Bak Kut Teh, Wanton Mee, Kaya Toast and Soft Boiled Eggs (this would come in a close no. 6 for me!), Chili or Black Pepper Crab, BBQ Sambal Sting Ray, Ice Kacang, Bandung, Nasi Lemak, the famous (or infamous) Durian and much much more!
Start planning that trip around the world!
