Unique Qualities of Singaporean Cuisine You Should Know About

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Food, good food is a core element of Singaporean culture. In fact, 'have you eaten?' is a popular greeting used to express affection in Singapore. If you've ever been to Singapore, you would know that Singaporeans are very particular about their food. It's not uncommon to find them involved in heated debates about who and where serves the best meals.

What makes Singaporean cuisine unique?

Singaporean cuisine is a rich fusion of mainly Chinese, Indian and Malaysian influences. Most items on the menu in Singapore have their origins in either of these three countries. These dishes have undergone years of adaptation to make them uniquely Singaporean. It is also influenced by Western and other Asian cuisines. If you're worried about how Singaporean cuisine fits with your diet restrictions, you shouldn't. In Singapore, the diversity in religious and cultural affiliations means that there is food to cater for people with diet restrictions like Muslims, Hindus, and Vegans.

The flavour of Singaporean food is so diverse, it includes sweet, sour, spicy and rich citrus flavours. The meals are made by combination of spices from different cultures to produce a unique tasting masterpiece.


Best Meals You Should Try in Singapore

If you visit Singapore and leave without exploring its rich food heritage, then you've missed out on half of the Singapore experience. Unlike typical Asian meals that are either rice or noodles based, Singaporean cuisine contains both while incorporating meat, fish and a variety of spices that cut across cultures.


Here's a short list of foods you shouldn't miss out on while in Singapore.


Hainanese chicken rice:

Hainanese chicken rice which belongs to the rice category is considered a Singaporean national dish. It is frequently recommended for tourists. It's a filling lunch of steamed chicken and rice. The quality of the meal depends on how well the chicken broth is made because it is used to cook the rice.


Bak kut teh or Meat Bone Tea or Pork Ribs Soup:

It is a humble Singaporean dish which has received immense recognition. It's made from a combination of pork broth and several spices like anise star and chili. It can be enjoyed in most hawking centres.


Bak Chor Mee or Minced Meat noodles:

A noodle meal garnished with minced pork, liver, meat balls or fish balls, fish cake slices in vinegar braised sauce.


Tandoori Chicken:

A Singaporean dish of Indian origin. The chicken is first marinated in lots of spices before being cooked in an oven.


Where to Eat


Hawker Centers

These were established by the government to accommodate the food hawkers after hawking was abolished. Each hawking centre accommodates dozens of stalls and sellers each specializing in a particular Singaporean meal. You can get meals for as low as $3 and because they're located in every district it's easily accessible. Don't worry, being cheap doesn't mean low quality, as hawking center cooks put great effort into their meals. Two Singaporean street hawkers became deserving recipients of the Michelin star in 2016.







Singaporeans care more about tasty meals than about posh locations, so it's not unusual to find smartly dressed business executives seated comfortably enjoying a plate of food at one of these hawking centers. Hawking centers are not only a prized cultural heritage for Singaporeans, they're also a great tourist attraction.


Restaurants




Many restaurants serving both local and foreign dishes fill the streets of downtown Singapore. While you can find restaurants focused on specific cuisines, others also serve unique fusion dishes combining both local and foreign influences. Unlike the busy hawking centers, the restaurants provide you with a more comfortable and relaxing environment to enjoy your meals. Dining here is more expensive than at the hawking centers, but you get personal service from a waiter which allows you to comfortably soak up Singaporean culture.


Some restaurants like CÉ LA VI have incorporated rooftop bars in Singapore. This enables diners to enjoy the beautiful Singaporean skyline while savoring rich meals and drinks.

Now that Covid19 restrictions have been lifted, outdoor spaces, restaurants, bars and hawking centres are to observe strict sanitation and social distancing guidelines to ensure safety. In addition to upholding these guidelines, CÉ LA VI has opted for online menus to further ensure safety.