Singapore spoils visitors with a diverse range of dishes inspired by its Chinese, Malay and Indian populations. In kitchens, experimentation is applauded while history is cherished, and feasts can be either inspiring, mixing flavours in new and original ways, or an education in closely guarded tradition. Best of all, with so many hawker centres and independent eateries at the forefront of the dining scene, you can eat well for less than S$20. Here are just a few must-try morsels on Singapore’s abundant menu of affordable eats…
Two Men Bagel House
Focused on bagels, coffee and humanity, Two Men Bagel House was opened in 2014 in a quiet corner of Tanjong Pagar by founders Jerome and Jereborne Lam. The ultra-modern space soon had siblings and now there are three branches across Singapore. The brand has garnered a devoted following with generously filled bagels such as the ‘Elvis’, made with candied bacon, caramelised banana jam and peanut butter. Another popular choice is the Zoidberg; beet cured salmon, cream cheese, alfafa sprouts, capers, dill, pickled beets and onions. These innovative creations cost just S$13-15 and are portable and filling – perfect for long days exploring Singapore.
Various outlets, https://twomenbagels.com/main
Mr Biryani
Mr Biryani put its eponymous Indian dish on Singapore’s culinary map. Located in the heart of Little India, its hearty Hyderabad dhum biryani is legendary. It can be made with vegetables, chicken, fish, prawns, mutton or lamb, but the base remains the same: herbs and spices including ginger, garlic, fresh mint and coriander, with fried onion, yogurt and fine basmati rice. This is comfort food at its best.
Yum Cha
It was more than 20 years ago when Yum Cha first opened in a first-floor space above the narrow streets of Chinatown – and it remains as popular today as it ever was, thanks to its signature dim sum. Fish roe siew mai and soup-filled xiao long bao are among the favourites wheeled to tables on rickety carts at the weekends when this institute is at its busiest. Other popular options include the salted egg prawns and roasted Peking duck. The marble tabletops and teak chairs may recall a Singapore of the past, but loyal patrons are proof that this place is still on trend.
20 Trengganu Street (off Temple Street), Singapore, http://yumcha.com.sg/
Yu Kun Kaya
Another historical haunt is the home of cheap and cheerful kaya toast. This ubiquitously Singaporean breakfast has been a staple since the 1940s and comprises hot buttered toast slathered in kaya, a kind of sweet coconut jam, served with runny golden eggs intended for dunking the sweet toast. Yu Kun Kaya started out as a simple coffee stall and its dense coffee is the perfect accompaniment, laced with sweet, condensed milk. With branches now throughout Singapore and Asia, finding one is easy; burning off the calories might be a little harder.
Various outlets, http://yakun.com/
Chinatown Complex Food Court
One of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore, the Chinatown Complex Food Court manifests an air of what the locals call “kampung spirit”, a term that refers to the architecture of old Asia. In this warren of food stalls, influences hail from China and Malaysia but dishes such as CMY Satay’s satay bee hoon can lay claim to being a true Singapore invention. For mere pennies you can sample this fusion of spices, cuttle fish, cockles, pork, kangkong (water spinach) and rice vermicelli doused in a rich satay sauce. The most famous stall here is Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, thanks to it winning a Michelin star. Queues for the soya sauce chicken can last more than an hour, but the signature crispy skin is clearly worth the wait, and at less than S$10, it’s an absolute bargain.
335 Smith St, Singapore
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Another food haven blessed with Michelin honours is Hong Lim Market & Food Centre. Built in 1978, it was one of the first hawker centres to be established in Chinatown. Nestled among the residential estates of Upper Cross Street, it houses more than a hundred stalls – among them some absolute gems. Dumpling specialist Ji JI Wanton Mee and Ah Heng Duck Rice, purveyors of traditional tender Teochew braised duck, have both won Michelin Plates, while Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa has been honoured with a Bib Gourmand from Michelin. Its bak kut teh (pork bone soup), wanton mee (noodles with dumplings) and bak chor mee (minced pork noodles) are culinary wonders.
531A Upper Cross St, Singapore