With a unique cuisine inspired by a melting pot of cultures including Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan fare, Singapore is a food lover’s paradise, where you can feast all day and night. Here are some of the best places to get a taste of these uniquely Singapore flavours.
A taste of local
For a scrumptious Singapore food experience, make a beeline for Lau Pa Sat in the central business district, an architectural landmark that dates back to the 19th century. Today, this recently restored food market is home to a large variety of hawker stores, selling just about everything from satay to char kuay teow to tantalise your taste buds and satisfy your cravings.
Also worth checking out is Adam Road Food Centre which has a good selection of Muslim and Indian Muslim food, including nasi biryani, Indian rojak and mutton soup. The famous Selera Nasi Lemak which is made with basmati rice and boasts a delicious sambal is also located here.
If you’re willing to travel further afield, the Old Airport Food Centre, located close to the Katong district in the East, is so popular that even taxi drivers stop by for meals during their breaks. This Food Centre is home to hawkers that have passed their business through the generations. Check out Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee (Stall 01-116), for a bowl of noodles topped with rich and gooey gravy or the famous Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee (Stall 01-32) for piquant noodles cooked in a rich seafood stock.
Additionally, if you’re shopping along Orchard Road and need a mid-day perk-me-up, keep a lookout for the street carts along the pedestrian walkway that sell ice cream bread. These are delicious slices of ice cream, sandwiched between crispy wafers or a slice of bread, and are an excellent way to beat the heat.
The best of both worlds
There are also many restaurants showcasing Asian fusion cuisine to dine at. One interesting establishment to check out is Ding Dong on Ann Siang Road, which offers inspired interpretations of Southeast Asian cuisine for both food and cocktails, including Vietnamese scotch eggs and a Golden Mile cocktail containing Thai herb-infused vodka.
Eat all you can
On those days when you want to eat and eat - and then eat even more, you can always rely on a buffet to fill you up. Straits Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt is a Halal-certified buffet restaurant specialising in a huge array of local favourites including chicken rice, tandoori chicken and even home-made durian ice cream to end your meal with a special touch.
AquaMarine at Marina Mandarin Singapore is another excellent Halal-certified buffet restaurant, featuring a global feast of Asian and international dishes. One of the highlights is the seafood station where you can get everything from juicy mussels from France to local chili or black pepper crabs. Signature local dishes to check out here include the Jumbo laksa and the Hainanese chicken rice. Be sure to go there hungry!