Singapore
Singapore’s cuisine might be quieter on the global scene than its Southeast Asian neighbours, but like those places, it has a rich and proud culinary heritage which makes it a must-visit destination for foodies.
Despite only being a small city-state, the variety of different communities which have settled in Singapore throughout its history have all brought their own ideas, quite literally, to the table. East Asian, South Asian, and Western delights can all be found, and places to eat range from street stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants.
If you’re a foodie heading to the Lion City, here are the culinary hotspots you need to know about.
-
Redhill
Redhill is a charming district to the south of central Singapore that is a popular residential area for locals. It’s also become a bit of a go-to region for anybody interested in eating like the locals, which can easily be done at one of the neighbourhood’s many hawker centers.
Hawker centers are the local term for what you might otherwise know as food courts, and they can be a excellent places to find delicious, well-priced street food. Because the centers are permanent, the conditions are generally more sanitary than those of mobile street food vendors, and there are lots of places to sit.
-
Arab Street
One of Singapore’s most colourful and architecturally beautiful streets, Arab Street is where many of the city’s Halal, Middle-Eastern, South Asian, and Central Asian food offerings are to be found. Shawarma, kebabs, and delicious Turkish coffee are all available here, and opening hours often extend late into the evening. Arab Street has something for all tastes, as there is a mixture there of street vendors, informal restaurants, and beautiful fine-dining establishments.
However, Singapore’s proximity to Malaysia means that there are plenty more places to find halal food in the city. For example, Asian Market Cafe in the Marina area is considered by many to be the best Halal buffet in Singapore.
-
Little India
After the Chinese and Malay, Indians are the largest ethnic population in Singapore, and their delicious spicy recipes are widely available. Many restaurants also serve amazing Indian adaptations of recipes from elsewhere in Asia, such as mee goreng (fried noodles). The best way to try some of these is to head to the neighbourhood of Little India, which is full of charming restaurants and adorned with beautiful Indian decorations. It’s also one of the best places for teh terik, a popular hot milk tea beverage.
-
Geylang
This is the perfect spot for those with more culinary curiosity than most. It is where you can find unusual dishes from turtle soup to fish head curry and frog porridge. One way to try a lot of what this district has to offer is to book one of the weekly food tours on offer. These last around four hours and give you a chance to see lots of the area’s sights as well as sample tons of food.
Conclusion
There’s no shortage of dining options for all tastes and budgets in Singapore, but to really make the most of it be sure to visit some of the places suggested here to try the unique local fare.
