Singapore is a country located in southern Malaysia and was founded in 1965. Singapore is known to have various different Asian cultures and cuisines but mostly from Malaysia and China. As a former citizen of Singapore, here are some local Singaporean dishes you need to try if you ever get the chance to go on vacation there!
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese chicken rice is a requirement when it comes to trying different local dishes. Known as the representative dish of Singapore, Hainanese chicken rice is a local dish that consists of steamed white chicken cut in bite sizes served with Hainan rice made up of a garlic chili paste. This dish is also often served with cucumber garnishes, dark soy sauce and delicious chicken soup. This dish blows you away with its garlic, ginger smell and perfect chicken and rice combination. Although the dish includes sriracha, garlic and chili paste, the dish isn’t spicy! Hainanese chicken rice is known for being aromatic and tasty as it was created from immigrants in Hainan, China after being adapted from Singapore. This dish is all over Singapore too!
2. Chili crab
You can’t enter Singapore without rolling up your sleeves to indulge in a plate of Chili crab. Chili crab is definitely a very popular Singaporean dish that originated in the 1960s. The dish consists of mud crab stir fried in a thick savory, sweet chili gravy paste. Eating this dish does get your hands dirty but it’s worth it with its spicy smell. Chili crab is considered to be one of the top traditional dishes of Singapore. Singapore is located in an area where you can eat great seafood, and with the sweet, spicy flavor of the crab, it is a big indication of Singapore’s colorful culture!
3. Laksa
Another seafood dish! Laksa is a spicy noodle dish that consists of different seafood such as: prawn, cockles and fishcake. Laksa originated in Malaysia but Katong Laksa is a Singaporean traditional dish. The spicy soup is the color of a flaming sunset, flavored with creamy coconut milk and dried shrimp along with the blend of lemon, garlic, ginger, chili and many more spices! The noodles are vermicelli noodles cut into smaller pieces so it’s easier to slurp along with the shrimp. The dish can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner too!
So where can we eat these foods in Singapore? The Hawker Centers! Hawker centers are outdoor dining areas that offer a large selection of reasonable local dishes. They typically are next to wet markets and are located in the center of residential regions. One unique feature of Singaporean culture are the hawker centers. Additionally, it is a crucial location for community building and social engagement. Therefore, if you’re ever in Singapore and want to try some amazing food, make sure to check out the Hawker Center!
Sources:
- https://usa.lkk.com/en/recipes/hainanese-chicken-rice
- https://www.seriouseats.com/singaporean-singapore-chili-crab-recipe
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-foods-try-singapore
- https://www.visitsingapore.com/dining-drinks-singapore/local-dishes/laksa/
- https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=d30b9e62-9e71-4e1e-9f5e-a6573380f4b6#:~:text=Hawker%20centres%20are%20open%2Dair,usually%20with%20adjoining%20wet%20markets
