Best Street Foods in Singapore

Singapore is known for its historic and popular food markets, filled with exotic and one-of-a-kind items travelers won’t find in other destinations. Check out these five favorites the next time you’re in the city.

Bak Kut Teh

Translated as ‘pork bone tea,’ this rich, highly seasoned soup-like concoction of pork and broth has a long history. Local folklore says a poor cook first created it to feed a beggar. Whatever its origins, it’s the perfect comfort food and a great introduction to Singapore cuisine for picky or not-so-adventurous eaters.

Chili or Pepper Crabs

Much like barbecue connoisseurs of the States debate whether dry rub or marinade or a bit of both is the best preparation method, the people of Singapore debate whether mud crabs are best served dry with pepper or in a thick chili sauce. The crabs are boiled whole and then fried, resulting in delicious, fall-off-the-shell bites.

Satay

Satay should be familiar enough for most travelers. Marinated meat is skewered and grilled and is a popular choice in many other Asian destinations, and you’ll see street food stalls manned by Singaporean residents originating from all over the continent. You can often choose from a variety of proteins and an accompaniment of rice or vegetables.

Chicken Rice

If your first thought when you read ‘chicken rice,’ is of a bland concoction from your local Chinese-American take-out, think again. Singapore’s Hainanese chicken rice can be found just about anywhere in the city. Created from a whole chicken cooked to perfection, served alongside rice also cooked in the chicken broth, the dish is served with a spicy dipping sauce.

Durian

This famously pungent fruit is highly revered in Singapore. The official national fruit and even the inspiration for some of the city’s architecture, the Durian is served up in desserts of all kinds. However, the smell is so vile to some the fruit has been banned from some public spaces and public transportation.