Singapore’s World Famous Signature Dishes

If you adore food and constantly crave for some of the best, most authentic world cuisines, then this small island city-state may just have the perfect quencher. Of course, when talking about sustenance and nourishment, it doesn’t exclusively involve our palettes, as a Huffington Post article suggests, more often than not, you eat with your eyes first.

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There’s just something so endearing about the aesthetics of food. You see something as simple as a gorgeous-looking, perfectly executed scramble eggs, and you instantly feel you mouth salivate. It’s also a primary signifier of joy, which in turn becomes the prelude of more good things to come. Take visual stimuli such as toys and video games. Upon seeing a stuffed animal, you’ll immediately look forward to how soft, comforting, and emotionally uplifting it is. The same goes with digital pastimes, as these fluffy characters create a friendlier atmosphere amidst the ultra-competitive and unpredictable world of games.

Now in terms of eating with your eyes, Singapore offers an abundance of local cuisines that are not only delicious, but also satisfying to look at. Having said that, here are some of the best Singaporean dishes to try when visiting this Southeast Asian nation:

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Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak

One of the most recognizable food stalls in Singapore is the Adam Road Nasi Lemak. This little kiosk serves – according to locals – the best Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak, which has sambal, and a bunch of proteins from fried chicken and fish to egg and anchovies. The dish – or bowl – is highlighted by fluffy and fragrant coconut milk cooked basmati rice that complements the other ingredients well. Since Nasi Lemak is synonymous with Adam Road, be sure to bring tons of patience, as usually, there will be about 50 people in line waiting for their fix.

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Chili Crabs

Hard shell crabs slathered and cooked in thick and smooth tomato based chili sauce, what’s not to like? These lightly stir fried steamed crustaceans are partly cracked so the vibrant flavors can seep in every nook and cranny of the meat. In spite of the dish’s name, it’s not all that spicy. As a matter of fact, these chili crabs teeter the scale of sweet, savory, and fiery in such a way that it gives justice to a chili sauce, ketchup, and egg centered red gravy. To complement this dish and soak up the sauce, most diners offer airy and fluffy bread. When ordering chili crabs in Singapore, be sure to check out Palm Beach Seafood on 1 Fullerton Road, or Ghim Moh Road’s Master Crab Seafood Restaurant.

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Roti Prata

As we all know, Singaporean cuisine is sort of a melting pot of different savory flavors coming from various regions in Asia and Europe. There are ones such as the aforementioned Nasi Lemak, and, of course, a local favorite roti prata. Basically, it incorporates an Indian version of a flour-based smooth, buttery, and velvety pancake matched with a serving of aromatic spicy curry. Many Singaporeans claim that the best place to try is at The Roti Prata House along Upper Thomson Road. Here, you can select from an array of specialties, including the plain prata, the mushroom cheese prata, and the chicken floss prata. Indeed, the simple façade of The Roti Prata House embodies the English idiom of not judging a book by its cover.

Hokkien Prawn Mee

Asian dishes usually feature a wonderful mix of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors. Though they tend to go over the top or unsophisticated compared to high end Western food, you can be sure how every meal is well balanced and matching. Take Hokkien Prawn Mee, for instance. This dish somewhat represents everything good with Asian food culture. It has seafood favorites such as prawns, fish cakes, and squid rings, as well as portions of flavorful pork or chicken, all on top of a bed of stir fried Hokkien noodles. The cherry on top of the proverbial cake is a bath of special sambal sauce and a lime wedge to alleviate the oily taste and add a citrusy zest to the dish. If you’re already craving for the best Hokkien Prawn Mee, then head on over Toa Payoh Lor 1 and look for Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, or Geylang Lor 29 Fried Hokkien Mee along East Coast Road.

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Barbecued Stingray

While we’re on the subject of food and carbohydrates and pratas and protein, it’s also imperative to put a spotlight on a classic – though not exactly Singaporean meal – barbecue. Growing up, we’ve probably seen, heard, and tasted many versions of this grill top goodness, however, nothing still beats its timeless coordination with sambal sauce, banana leaf, and stingray meat. Chan BBR at Fengshang Market and Food Centre on Bedok North Street has arguably the tastiest, most amazing barbecues in Singapore. In fact, it’s considered to have a distinct sambal sauce, owing to a subtler, lighter version compared to the stinging pungent taste of others. On the flipside, you can walk a few paces to Chomp Chomp BBQ, another local food joint that offers barbecued stingrays; only this one’s moister, more distinct smokiness in the meat. Be sure to ask for extra servings of the Chinchalok sauce.

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Author: April Brooke

Funny, charming, and cute, those are just some of the adjectives highlighting April Brooke’s pet poodle, Punk. Aside from being a devoted pet parent, she always finds time being a full-time mom to her energetic five-year-old son, Philip. April’s usual tasks involves driving Phil to school and wrestling practice, whipping up delicious homemade dishes, and travelling the globe to taste authentic world cuisines.