Try Your Way Through Six Local Singapore Dishes

Erin
Feb 1, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Singapore is known for many things, from their cheap souvenirs, beautiful sunny summers, endless parks, clean streets, and one-of-a-kind food. I can't say that I've tried all of these, but these are the staples that Singaporeans love.

Two rectangular slices of golden-brown grilled toast, each filled with a generous slice of pale yellow butter, are diagonally placed on a white oval plate. The toast shows distinct grill marks, and the butter appears slightly melted. The plate rests on a light grey, textured surface. — Kaya Toast with Butter

Kaya Toast

A local jam that Singapore is known for is coconut egg jam or Kaya. Singaporeans typically pair this local favorite jam with toast and a sweet sugary topping for the perfect breakfast dish. Neighborhood coffee shops have started adding this to their menus.

Roti Prata

The origin of Roti Prata or Paratha is a varied one, but there is nothing quite like it. Many say it has its roots in India or Malaysia as Roti Canai. Though the varied past, it is a flatbread fried in Ghee. It can also be served as savory, with vegetable or meat curries, or sweet with sugar and jellies.

A vendor's hands are busy grilling numerous satay skewers over a charcoal grill, which is encased in foil. To the left, a large pile of uncooked meat on skewers sits in a silver foil tray, ready to be cooked. The scene appears to be at a bustling outdoor food stall, with other people and a red and white checkered cloth visible in the blurry background. — Singapore Satay

Singapore Satay

This dish generally consists of grilled meat cubes, typically chicken, on a stick served with peanut sauce. The great thing about Satay is that it is available at many street stalls and hawker centers throughout the island. One of the most incredible places to find Satay is Boon Tat Street after 7 pm. You'll find spot after spot that serves this staple dish.

Singapore Chili Crab

This accidental dish has come about from a pushcart selling crab. The husband and wife duo improvised this recipe from a bottle of chili and tomato sauce. This receipt would later be duplicated and find its way into the hearts of the locals.

Ice Kacang

This genuinely unique Singaporean dessert will remind you of your childhood with a little bit of a twist. This icy snow cone is filled with red beans and corn, and other deliciously sweet toppings for this dessert. You may even find grass jelly or agar-agar and gula melaka syrup as a hidden prize at the bottom of your dessert. It can be topped with generally any sweet flavor of your choosing. It is easy to find all across the streets as an excellent way to cool off under the intense heat of the Singapore sun.

A colorful Yu Sheng Prosperity Toss salad is arranged on a large, clear platter, with various finely shredded ingredients forming a circular pattern. The ingredients include vibrant orange carrots, light green cucumber, dark purple cabbage, and white daikon or radish, all spiraling around a central mound of translucent, thin noodles or jellyfish. — Yu Shen Prosperity Dish

Yu Shen Prosperity Dish

This is a traditional dish that celebrates Chinese New Year. It is a special tradition that is only practiced in Singapore and Malaysia. As part of the celebration, this dish is tossed in the air as a symbol of prosperity. The dish you'll find comprises raw fish, herbs, spices, and fresh and pickled fruits and vegetables. The entire dish gets tossed, and then wishes of prosperity are passed around the group for the year to come.

Now that you have an idea of what you'll be able to eat when traveling to Singapore, schedule a consultation to start planning your trip.