15 Must-Try Singapore Street Food and Where to Get Them
Singapore Street Food: A Guide to the Best Hawker Centers and Dishes
Singapore is known for its vibrant street food scene, a melting pot of flavors and cultures. Singapore’s local food culture reflects the city-state’s diverse history and the various ethnic groups that have made it their home. From Malay, Chinese, and Indian to Peranakan and Eurasian, Singapore’s street food offers diverse dishes that will impress your taste buds.
One of the most popular Singapore street food – Chicken Rice photo by Nauris Pukis via Unsplash
Street food in Singapore is not just about the food but also the experience. Hawker centers and open-air food courts are integral to Singapore’s street food culture. These centers are where locals and tourists enjoy affordable and delicious food in a casual and laid-back setting. Some of Singapore’s most popular hawker centers include Lau Pa Sat, Maxwell Food Centre, and Chinatown Complex Food Centre.
Whether you are looking for a quick snack or a hearty meal, Singapore’s street food has something for everyone. From the famous Hainanese chicken rice to the spicy laksa and the savory satay, there is no shortage of options to choose from. So, if you are a food lover, add Singapore’s street food to your list of must-try culinary experiences.
History and Influence of Street Food in Singapore
Singapore has a rich history of street food that dates back to the mid-19th century. Hawker centers were first set up during this time, primarily street food stalls selling various foods. These street vendors usually set up stalls by the side of the streets with pushcarts or bicycles and served cheap and fast food to the working class.
Chinese cookie sellers in Singapore circa 1900 by Lambert & Co G.R. via Wikimedia cc
Chinese cuisine has a significant influence on Singaporean street food. Many of the dishes served in Singaporean hawker centers have their roots in Chinese cuisine, such as Hainanese chicken rice, bak kut teh, and char kway teow. Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore brought their culinary traditions, which have since been adapted and modified to suit local tastes.
Malay cuisine also has a strong influence on Singaporean street food. Malay dishes such as nasi lemak, mee rebus, Laksa, and satay are popular in hawker centers across the island. Malay cuisine is known for its use of spices, often used to add flavor and aroma to dishes. Turmeric, coriander, and cumin are commonly used in Malay cooking.
A Chinese Soup Seller Trading in Singapore By John Edmund Taylor, CC BY 4.0 , cc
Over the years, Singaporean street food has evolved and adapted to changing tastes and trends. Today, hawker centers serve a wide variety of dishes from different cultures, including Indian, Malay, Chinese, and Western. Singaporean street food has garnered international recognition for its unique blend of flavors and influences, and it has become a major draw for tourists visiting the island.
In recent years, there have been concerns about the future of Singaporean street food. Rising costs and changing lifestyles have led to a decline in the number of street food vendors. However, efforts are being made to preserve this vital part of Singaporean culture, including the recent recognition of Singapore’s street food as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Popular Hawker Centres
Singapore is famous for its street food and hawker centers, which offer various delicious dishes at affordable prices. Here are some of the most popular hawker centers in Singapore:
Lau Pa Sat by Bjorn Strausmann via Unsplash
Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat is one of Singapore’s oldest and most famous hawker centers. It is located in the heart of the Central Business District and is known for its satay, grilled meat skewers marinated in a variety of spices. Other popular dishes include Hokkien mee, a stir-fried noodle dish with prawns and squid, and chicken rice, a simple but delicious dish of steamed chicken and rice cooked in chicken broth.
Maxwell Food Centre by Joshua Tsu via Unsplash
Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell Food Centre is another famous hawker center located in Chinatown. It is known for its Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, which several food critics voted the best in Singapore. Other popular dishes include oyster omelet, a crispy egg dish with oysters and vegetables, and char kway teow, a stir-fried noodle dish with cockles and Chinese sausage.
Newton Food Centre by Ania Mendek via Flickr cc
Newton Food Centre
Newton Food Centre is a popular tourist destination known for its seafood. It is located near Orchard Road and is known for its barbecued stingray, chili crab, and black pepper crab. Other popular dishes include satay, oyster omelet, and Hokkien mee.
Chomp Chomp Food Centre by ProjectManhattan via Wikimedia cc
Chomp Chomp
Chomp Chomp is a famous hawker center located in Serangoon Gardens. It is known for its barbecued seafood, including stingrays, prawns, and squid. Other popular dishes include satay, oyster omelet, and Hokkien mee.
Amoy Street Food Centre photo by Sengkang via Wikimedia cc
Amoy Street Food Centre
Amoy Street Food Centre is located in the heart of the Central Business District and is known for its nasi lemak, a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and served with various side dishes. Other popular dishes include char kway teow, Hokkien mee, and chicken rice.
ABC Brickworks Food Centre By Red Eyes Black Dragon 92 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 , cc
ABC Brickworks Food Centre
ABC Brickworks Food Centre is located in Alexandra and is known for its famous char siew roast pork. Other popular dishes include Hokkien mee, oyster omelet, and satay.
