Singapore is a foodie’s dream destination. It’s world-renowned for many of its foods, but some of those delicacies like the famed chili crab are rarely seen thanks to the price. While some of Singapore’s well-known dishes are too expensive, you can still find affordable, vibrantly delicious cuisine.

Singapore has become a melting pot for Malay, Indian, and Chinese culture. This blending of cultures can be seen in the food that you can find on the streets of Singapore. It was in the early 1970s that rapid urbanization occurred. It was also then when the government started opening markets that had dedicated areas for hawker center. This offered a place for people to always access dishes from permanent food stalls and shared seats and tables. You would be able to find hawker food everywhere in Singapore now they are a major component of Singapore’s food scene.

In recent years, the city has been trying to keep the hawker culture alive as old stall owners retire and the cost of stalls keeps rising. While hawker heritage is in decline, it’s still possible to visit them when you visit or move to Singapore. Here are some popular selections of the local cuisine in Singapore that you can get at hawker stalls.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese chicken rice is considered by many to the national dish of Singapore. It’s made by blanching a chicken in boiling water and then dunking it into an ice bath before slicing it. The meat should be tender and tinted with a layer of congealed fat. The rice is cooked in chicken stock, pandan leaf, and chicken fat. It’s seasoned with garlic and ginger, making it fluffy and aromatic.

Char Kway Teow

One well-loved dish that you can find on the streets is Char Kway Teow. Its name is derived from kway teow, which means flat rice noodles, as well as char, which means stir-fried. It’s made by stir-frying the flat rice noodles in a wok over high heat. They cook it in Chinese sausage slices, bean sprouts, blood cockles, and soy sauce. Many places in the city often serve this dish with cubes of deep-fried lard on top.

Bak Chor Mee

Showing the Chinese influence in Singapore, Bak Chor Mee is popular among the Chinese community in the city. In English, Bak Chor Mee is minced pork noodles. These noodles are made by being blanched, tossed in a feisty chili paste, oil, and black vinegar. It’s served with bits of crispy pork lard, pork balls, pork slices, pork dumplings, and minced pork. In some places, they’ll even serve it with dried sole fish, giving the dish a nice umami element.

Kaya Toast

A great food item for breakfast and/or lunch is Kaya Toast. It’s made by spreading kaya, a thick jam made from egg, coconut, and sugar, over a piece of thinly sliced toasted bread. It’s served with a square of butter, black sauce-drizzled eggs that are half boiled, and a cup of coffee. You can find some stalls that sell kaya on its own if you like it or want to bring it home as a souvenir.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re planning on visiting Singapore or moving to the city, you’ll find dozens of delicious dishes on the streets. You can also easily go to the market and buy groceries to make your own food at your new home. Either way, you’re going to experience a major part of Singapore’s culture.