Your guide to Singapore’s most iconic bites

1. Hainanese chicken rice

Ask any Singaporean what dish best represents their nation, and chances are you’ll hear this: the Hainanese chicken rice. Poached or roasted chicken, fragrant rice cooked in stock and that perfect trio of chilli, garlic and dark soy sauce – simple, comforting and deeply satisfying. Brought by Hainanese immigrants and refined over decades, the Hainanese chicken rice is a study in technique. The chicken must be tender but not mushy. The rice, never greasy, must carry the aroma of ginger and pandan. And the sauces? Balanced, bold and optional – but you’ll want all three. Here’s where to have the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore (in no particular order):

✅ Le Cheng Kampong Hainanese Chicken Rice. Free-range kampong chicken is gently poached and chilled before it is served with fragrant rice, house-made chilli and ginger sauce. At Le Cheng, expect a deeply flavoured, perfectly textured take on Singapore’s most iconic dish. Open daily, 10AM-12AM; 389 Changi Road; @lechengsg

✅ Boon Tong Kee. Returning to its roots in Chinatown where it started in 1979, Boon Tong Kee’s Smith Street outlet serves nostalgic Cantonese fare. Signature sweet and sour meat joins its famed chicken rice in a sleek, modern setting. Open Thu-Tue, 11:30AM-10:45PM; 11 Smith Street; @boontongkee_sg

---

2. Nasi lemak

Long considered Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak also speaks to Singapore’s Malay roots. Served wrapped in banana leaf or on a plate, it comprises coconut milk-infused rice, sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg and cucumber. Some also add fried chicken, otak-otak (grilled fish cake) or even rendang. Nasi lemak is known for its balance of flavours. The rice is creamy and aromatic, while sambal is spicy, sweet and smoky. Pile on an interplay of textures such as crunchy ikan bilis (anchovies) and runny egg yolk – no wonder this is considered the breakfast of champions, or for supper. Here’s where to have the best nasi lemak in Singapore (in no particular order):

✅ Penang Culture. This halal-certified nasi lemak features fluffy coconut milk–infused rice, crispy chicken and sweet–spicy sambal. A comforting, balanced dish served all day across outlets – from Sengkang to Changi. Visit Instagram for outlet locations and operating hours. @penangculturesg

✅ 97 Nasi Lemak. Born at Old Airport Road, 97 Nasi Lemak serves heritage-rich plates with fragrant rice, crispy wings and bold sambal. Side dishes like rendang and sambal brinjal round out the spread. Open Tue-Sun, 7AM-2:30PM; #01-96/97 Old Airport Road Food Centre; @97nasilemak

✅ Wild Coco. Wild Coco’s nasi lemak features fresh, MSG-free ingredients – including 24-hour marinated fried chicken, small-batch sambal and rice steamed with freshly squeezed santan (coconut milk). Every plate is rich, fragrant and cooked with care. Various outlets; @wildcoco.sg

---

3. Chilli crab

Messy, bold and worth every wet tissue – chilli crab is Singapore’s most theatrical dish. Mud crab is stir-fried in a thick, spicy-sweet gravy made from tomato paste, egg and sambal, best mopped up with golden mantou buns. Though it sounds fiery, it’s more tangy than spicy – a dish built on contrasts. The shell-on experience is part of the charm, cracking claws and licking sauce-drenched fingers. First popularised in the 1950s, chilli crab now defines Singapore seafood dining – the kind you save for special nights and visiting friends. It’s not just a dish – it’s a ritual, best eaten with hands. Here’s where to have the best chilli crab in Singapore (in no particular order):

✅ Hong Kong Street BBQ Live Seafood. Part of the Hong Kong Street Old Chun Kee group, this lively Lau Pa Sat stall serves charcoal-grilled seafood, smoky satay and classic zi char (stir-fry) till late. Their chilli crab is rich, eggy and bold. Open daily, 5PM-1AM; #51–53 Lau Pa Sat, 18 Raffles Quay; @hkstreet_old_chun_kee

✅ Mellben Signature. Served with homemade sambal and silky egg whites, Mellben’s chilli crab balances sweet heat and luscious texture. Trusted since 1988, crabs are cooked to order. Open daily, 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-11PM; #01-105, 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza; @mellbensignaturesg

✅ Ming Yen BBQ Seafood. A crowd favourite for over 30 years, Ming Yen’s chilli crab hits the sweet spot between value, flavour and nostalgia. Not too spicy or mild, every bite leaves you wanting more. Best enjoyed with crispy mantou. Open daily, 5PM-1:30AM; #67–68 Lau Pa Sat, 18 Raffles Quay

---

4. Laksa

A beloved staple across Singapore, laksa is the ultimate bowl of comfort – rich, spicy and slurp-worthy. At its heart: rice noodles swimming in a creamy coconut milk broth flavoured with sambal, dried shrimp and herbs. Topped with prawns, fishcake, cockles and a halved egg, laksa is a satisfying blend of texture and taste. Whether it’s the Katong-style with thick vermicelli or the Penang-inspired version with tamarind, every bowl tells a story of cultural fusion and local pride. It’s a dish that comforts the homesick, delights the curious and always hits the spot – rain or shine. Here’s where to have the best laksa in Singapore (in no particular order):

✅ Coffee Hive / Kopi Korner. Creamy, fragrant and generously topped, this coconut-based laksa is comfort in every spoonful. Served in a cosy café setting, it’s a go-to for classic flavours with a fuss-free, contemporary twist. Various operating hours and branches islandwide; @coffeehiveofficial / @kopikornersg

✅ Hup Hup Mee Siam. Using a grandmother’s recipe and fresh coconut milk squeezed daily, Hup Hup’s laksa is simmered for hours and has a rich, deep flavour. It has also been consistently ranked as one of the Little Red Dot’s best. Regulars say it tastes just like the old days. The broth is creamy yet light, with a nostalgic aroma that lingers. Open Wed–Sun, 6AM-2:30PM; 80 Circuit Road, #02-14; @huphup.co

✅ KANTIN at Jewel Changi. Nominated as one of Asia’s Best New Restaurants, this Bornean eatery is the go-to spot for Sarawak Laksa – a Sarawakian classic famously known as the “Breakfast of the Gods”. Rich prawn broth, simmered with over 30 spices, is ladled over delicate vermicelli and topped with prawns, shredded chicken and egg. Open daily, 11AM-10PM; Jewel Changi #05-206/207; @kantinjewel

---

5. Prata

Crispy on the outside, soft and stretchy on the inside – roti prata is both a breakfast staple and a late-night comfort. Often paired with a bowl of curry or a dusting of sugar, it’s a dish that can be sweet or savoury, depending on your mood. Brought over by Indian immigrants, prata is made by flipping and stretching dough until it is paper-thin, then folding and frying it on a hot griddle. Watching a prata master at work is half the experience. Whether plain, filled with egg or stuffed with cheese, mushroom or even chocolate, prata remains a deeply satisfying staple of Singapore’s food scene. Here’s where to have the best prata in Singapore (in no particular order):

✅ Al-Tasneem. Since 2005, Al-Tasneem has served crisp hand-flipped prata, aromatic dum briyani and hearty, golden murtabak. Bold spices, slow-cooked methods and homestyle flavours make this Kampong Glam icon a go-to for comfort and tradition suitable for all palates. Open 24/7; 709 North Bridge Road; @altasneemrestaurantsg

✅ Casuarina Curry Restaurant. Crisp outside, fluffy inside – Casuarina’s plain prata is the gold standard. Made daily by long-time chefs, it’s “Singapore’s answer to the croissant” and comes in over 100 variations.Open Sun-Thu, 7AM-11PM; Fri & Sat, 7AM-11:30PM; 136–138 Casuarina Road; @casuarinacurry

✅ Chindamani Indian Restaurant. Hot, golden and crisp, Chindamani’s plain prata is based on a recipe from the owner’s hometown of Kollangudi in Madurai. Made fresh to order and best paired with fish curry, it delivers a satisfying crunch around the clock. Open 24/7; #01-1263, Blk 108 Hougang Ave 1; @chindamani.sg

✅ PRATA ALLEY. Voted in 2023 as Singapore’s No. 1 Prata by Class95, PRATA ALLEY serves freshly made prata cooked with olive oil. Balancing authenticity, nutrition and flavour, it is rooted in family tradition.
Open daily, 8AM-10:30PM; 321 Alexandra Road, Alexandra Central #01-07; @prataalley

---

6. Desserts

No meal in Singapore is complete without something sweet – and when it comes to local desserts, nostalgia is the main ingredient. From creamy coconut milk-based bowls to colourful Peranakan kueh, these treats offer more than just sugar highs. They’re edible heirlooms, often made from decades-old recipes, and each bite is a reminder of home, heritage and heart. Whether you’re a night owl craving bubur cha cha at 2AM or a traditionalist hunting for the perfect kueh salat, Singapore has a dessert spot that hits just right. Here’s where to have the best desserts in Singapore (in no particular order):

✅ Tian Wang. Known for its rich, comforting bubur cha cha, this Keong Saik spot blends tradition with a modern touch. Creamy coconut, soft taro, sweet potato and chewy tapioca deliver texture, nostalgia and just the right sweetness. Open Mon-Fri, 5PM-2AM; Sat, 3PM-2AM; Sun, 3PM-1AM; 50 Keong Saik Road, Chinatown Point; @tianwang.sg

✅ Marie’s Lapis Café Marie’s Lapis Café serves heritage Peranakan kuehs (traditional cakes or desserts) made with fresh coconut milk and care. Crowd favourites include the best kueh salat, kueh kosui and their signature lapis – known as the “Four Heavenly Kuehs”. Open Tue-Sun, 10AM-9:30PM; 537 Bedok North Street 3, #01-575, with branches islandwide; @marieslapis