The Ultimate Guide to Singapore Hawker Food

Singapore is renowned for its food culture, with a diverse range of cuisines available from hawker stalls across the island. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about Singapore hawker food, including its history, must-try dishes, and top hawker centers.

History of Hawker Food in Singapore

Singapore’s hawker food culture has its roots in the 1800s, when immigrants from China, Malaysia, and India brought their own culinary traditions to the island. As the population grew, hawker centers became the go-to place for locals to grab a quick and affordable meal. Today, hawker centers are an integral part of Singapore’s food scene, offering a wide variety of dishes at budget-friendly prices.

Must-Try Dishes

1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
2. Char Kway Teow
3. Laksa
4. Satay
5. Rojak
6. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a national dish of Singapore, made with steamed chicken served on a bed of fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth. It is typically served with chili sauce, ginger sauce, and dark soy sauce.

Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow is a popular street food dish made with flat rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, bean sprouts, Chinese sausage, and cockles. It is typically served with chili paste on the side.

Laksa

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup dish made with rice noodles in a coconut milk-based broth, flavored with chili paste, lemongrass, and spices. It is typically served with shrimp, fish cake, and tofu puffs.

Satay

Satay is a popular street food dish consisting of skewered and grilled meat, usually chicken or beef, served with a spicy peanut dipping sauce and cucumber slices.

Rojak

Rojak is a fruit and vegetable salad dish dressed with a sweet and spicy sauce made with shrimp paste, chili, and tamarind. It typically includes ingredients such as cucumber, pineapple, turnip, bean sprouts, and fried dough fritters.

Top Hawker Centers

• Maxwell Food Centre
• Chinatown Complex Food Centre
• Tiong Bahru Market
• Old Airport Road Food Centre
• Amoy Street Food Centre