Top 10 Street Foods You Should Try in Singapore

There’s heaps to love about Singapore: immersive indoor attractions, heritage buildings, and agricultural marvels. But, if there’s one thing to watch out for while you’re in the Lion City—it’s their wide array of delectable local food.

From its world-renowned chilli crabs to fusions of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures, Singapore street food is the best way to experience the melting pot that is The Little Red Dot. Immerse in Singapore’s hawker heritage, and get the most bang for your buck as you feast on world-class dishes.

Ready to satisfy your craving? Here are 10 Singapore street food that will make you feel like a local: 

Hainanese Chicken Rice is widely considered Singapore’s national food, and we’re not surprised! This refreshing yet filling dish fuses the taste of chicken broth, ginger, and the aroma of pandan on a steamy bowl of white rice—food for the soul, no doubt. Eat a spoonful with the chilli sauce and ginger dip. Yum!

Klook recommendation: Can’t choose one restaurant to get your Hainanese Chicken Rice? Join this Hainanese Heritage Tour to explore more about the Hainanese culture and make your own chicken rice while you’re at it!

Looking for a quick brekky fix? Kaya Toast is a popular morning Singapore street food. It’s a magnificent combo of thin, melt-in-your-mouth toast with slabs of butter and kaya, a thick jam made with coconut, egg, and sugar, served alongside soft boiled eggs and coffee. 

Klook Recommendation: Get your sweet and savoury breakfast at Ya Kun Kaya Toast. It has branches all over Singapore, plus it has an energising kopi range to pair with your toasts.

You’ve probably heard of the mouthwatering Singaporean Chilli Crabs, but ever wondered what makes them so special? They're mud crabs stir-fried in a semi-thick sauce, a mixture of sambal, vinegar, tomato paste, and egg. Be prepared to get your hands dirty to extract that savoury crab roe and fresh, firm meat! Can’t get enough of the sauce? Fried mantous are served alongside, so you can mop that up!

Klook Recommendation: Enjoy a seafood dinner at Clarke Quay! Before you enjoy your meal along the Singapore River, join the heritage tour and the river cruise for the most majestic night sceneries of the Lion City.

Wanna have a taste of Malaysia while you’re in Singapore? Nasi lemak is a typical brunch item in the city. It’s filling and refreshing simultaneously, with its rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. The sides range from fresh cucumber, omelette, deep-fried anchovies with peanuts, and sambal chilli. You may choose from pairing it with crispy fried chicken or fried fish.

Klook Recommendation: Head to Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak in Yung Sheng Road for some authentic Malay dishes.

Another well-loved Singapore street food is Char Kway Teow, and its flavour profile will let you know why! Usually sold in hawker centres, Char Kway Teow is a plate of flat rice noodles stir-fried over high heat in dark soya sauce, egg, bean sprouts, prawns, and blood cockles. If you’re looking for that umami flavour, you better indulge yourself with a plate!

Klook Recommendation: Go to Hong Lim Complex for Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee!

Singapore’s Wanton Mee is served dry, so don’t go looking for that broth. Instead, these springy egg noodles are drenched in sauce with flavourful char siew or barbecued pork, soft dumplings, and leafy greens.

Klook Recommendation: One of the popular places to get Wanton Mee is at Eng’s Wantan Noodle in Tanjong Kantong Road!

A Singapore street food must-have for lunch is Beef Rendang. This flavour bomb of a dish is a labour of love, with hours dedicated to get its famous thick sauce of spices and coconut milk. Dig your fork into those tender beef chunks and you’ll understand why beef rendang is one of the best dishes to have for lunch!

Klook Recommendation: Drooling for beef rendang? Rumah Makan Minang at Kandahar Street or Tampines Walk is the place you should go!

Another brekky staple in the Lion City is Roti Prata, the Asian croissant. Hailing from South India, this flatbread is fried to perfection on a griddle with ghee, or clarified butter, and egg. It’s served with a side of fish, mutton curry, or sugar. It’s also the best Singapore street food to eat if you’re looking for carbs any time of the day.

Klook Recommendation: Head to the neighbourhood coffee shop Sin Ming Roti Prata for the best roti prata in town!

Get ready to chomp down on satay, or sticks of smoked meat paired with chunky peanut sauce, in Singapore—Crazy Rich Asians-style! A beloved hawker food, satay is served with tons of onions, rice cakes, and diced cucumber on the side. It’s the most quintessential Singapore street food to have!

Klook Recommendation: The Crazy Rich Asians scene happened in Newton Food Centre. Alternatively, you can also go to Lau Pa Sat for some crazy good satay!

Prepare for more umami flavours with Bak Chor Mee, or minced pork noodles. These are blanched egg noodles, which are then tossed in oil, chilli paste, and black vinegar. Perfect for a late-night nosh, Bak Chor Mee is served with minced and sliced pork, pork dumplings, and deep-fried lard. 

Klook Recommendation: Tai Wah Pork Noodle is another Hong Lim Complex gem. Go there as early as you can to avoid the long queues!