Have you decided to travel to Singapore soon and what about the Vietnam food and culture there? Welcome! You are exactly in the right place. Here, we are going to look at the cultural aspects that define Singaporean food and bring you ten Singaporean dishes you absolutely should not miss. So you are expected for a wonderful culinary experience which will satisfy all your hunger and make you wish for more!
Singaporean Cuisine
This is the tasty style of describing a menu that is a combination of the different cuisines of the world interspersed with various spices.
The ethnic mix of Singapore people is more or less reflected by foods you would find readily available in this small but metropolitan country. They are a perfect amalgamation of several global traditions of preparation and cooking of food that different groups of immigrants have been introducing to the city over centuries. They also help to make Singaporean food so diverse and tasty, for this Christmas mixture of flavors is formed. Four primary cultural influences have significantly shaped the local gastronomy:Four primary cultural influences have significantly shaped the local gastronomy:
Malay: Some of which are the ‘Nasi Lemak’; rice steamed in a banana-leaferved with coconut milk& also ‘Satay’, barbecued meat on skewers.
Chinese: Singapore inherited some of the best Chinese recipes such as Hainanese Chicken Rice – a plain steamed chicken and rice with soup, and Char Kway Teow, flat wide rice noodles fried in a special sauce.
Indian: Other crews include the Indian who have introduced Singapore modified dishes like Roti Prata, a kind of bread and Masala Dosa, a kind of very thin pancake filled with spiced potatoes.
Peranakan: Thus, the Chinese Malayan cuisine has given birth to some mouthwatering dishes that include Laksa which is a noodle soup prepared using coconut milk and Ayam Buah Keluak which is rich chicken dish prepared using Keluak nuts.
If you are interested in food, especially in cooking it, having a meal in one of the countless Singapore’s cafes may become one of the highlights of your journey; additionally, for such gourmets, taking a cooking class in Singapore can really be an interesting pastime. And this is an effective way of studying the basic trends in local cuisine and then cook such meals at home. Plus, we will also suggest you seven great places in which your taste buds can be pampered with these delightful tastes without having to dig deep in pocket.
Here are ten typical Singapore food to eat:
Setting the scene is coming to an end; it is time to explore the tasteful Singaporean fontain. Below are ten of the most famous foods that you should not miss when in France:
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Singaporeans can proudly state that Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the national dishes and a definite feature of any dinner for tourists. Being a very uncomplicated meal, the focus here is to accent the savory and delicious aspects of the steak. It has covered the poached chicken which is tender, served with rice that is steamed and cooked in chicken and ginger broth. The rice tends to have a mild fragrance that when combined with the tender feel of the chicken, the meal is one that brings so much comfort. It’s often accompanied by a trio of dipping sauces: Specifically, it is infused with a spicy chili sauce, a tangy soy sauce, and a ginger-garlic paste preparation. This dish is widely loved by many people including the natives, visitors since it is not overly spicy and thus can suit many people.
Why It’s a Must-Try: The braised Spare Ribs with Fried Rice requires using a blend of conventional utensils such as chopsticks and spoons. The fusion of the tender chicken, rice, and fragrant sauces is really the reflection of Singapore cuisine, which is simple and perfectly balanced. It is a good way to understand what is waiting for a gastronomic tourist in the city because here you can try literally everything.
2. Chili Crab
Another dish unique to Singapore that one should try is Chili Crab. This dish is popular beliefs as Singapore national dish which has been appreciated by spectators due to its rather spicy tastes. The crab is then fried in a sauce which has tomato, chili, garlic, onions and mixed spices to give a slightly tangy and spicy taste. Worcestershire sauce is used and beaten eggs are used to thicken the sauce giving it a smooth texture that is ideal for coating the succulent crab meat. These dishes have more interplay of tanges that every bite of it is filled with so much flavor and taste and interplay of sweet, sour and a little spicy.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Chili Crab is one of the many treasures of Singaporean cuisine that captivates the audience with varied intense tastes. You have to literally grab for pieces from the dish which is rather sloppy but very fun. Appropriate for hand eat, so do not hesitate to grab it and truly taste all the pieces.
3. Char Kway Teow
Char Kway Teow is another famous noodle dish, which is take in a stir form and is very much relished due to its taste which has a dash of savoury and smoky kind of taste. This dish is prepared with flat rice noodles stir-fried in soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic having other additional ingredients such as eggs, prawns, Chinese sausage and bean shoots. The noodles are stir-fried in a wok at high heat and this process imparts a smoky flavor into the noodles this flavor is known as wok hei or breath of the wok.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Char Kway Teow I think is the best example that raw food can be made by cooking to produce tasty and satisfying dish. This makes it a great tasty dish that you will wish to taste severally until you complete the entire content.
4. Laksa
If soups are your kind of food then you cannot afford to miss Laksa when you are in Singapore. This recipe in particular is one of the hybrids of Chinese and Malay cuisines, specifically, a spicy noodle soup. Coconut milk, curry paste and variety of spices used in preparing the broth and pulverised spices gives the broth it’s creamy property. The soup is usually had with either rice or wheat noodles and usually comes with additions like prawns, chicken, tofu, and/or bean sprouts. Sometimes, just a few leaves of freshly chopped herbs and a hard boiled egg are added to the food.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Laksa is indeed a very filling dish and perfect to be eaten on a rainy day or when one has had enough of sight-seeing around the city. It has a creamy texture and spiciness from the broth and the combination of the ingredients is perfect to make it a filling meal.
5. Satay
Satay is a common dish found in most countries in South East Asia; however, few can prepare them as well as Singapore. This dish is made up of spices marinated meat on a stick, commonly chicken, beef or lamb prepared by grilling over a flame. The skewers come with a tasty peanut sauce which has some element of spiciness complemented by the creaminess of the sauce. The meat is well cooked with a barbeque taste while the pap is chewy and crisp. Many satay dishes have a side dish of rice cakes, cucumber and onions as far as I can tell, therefore can be regarded as a meal in one.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Satay is one of the most popular easy eating meals and can be taken as a snack or a meal. An abundant combination of tender, grilled meat and the rich peanut sauce cannot be refused. This is a meal that can be taken with fine pals or relatives while visiting the street foods markets in Singapore City.
6. Fish Head Curry
Fish Head Curry describes a particular style of Singaporean cooking at its best since this country is an excellent example of multicultural exposures. Start from India, this dish is a fish head served with a chili, spicy, and sour sauce. This is a spicy curry containing mutton, curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili, coconut milk, onion, garlic, and ginger. The fish head is very tender because it is stewed in the curry and the fish head well absorbs the curry taste. It is usually accompanied by steamed rice or can be eaten with chapatti or any other kind of Indian bread.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Fish head curry suits best for the risk takers as it has a strongly spicy taste. The mixture of spices and the thickness of the curry sauce ensures that it is one tasty meal. Yes, it is the distinct dish that is specialty of Singapore, specially related to the Indian cuisine.
7. Rojak
Rojak is indeed an extraordinary dish that is quite mutually different from other kinds of salads. This dish is fruit and vegetables that have been dressed with a tangy sweet sauce from tamarind, prawn paste and chili with crunchy peanuts. The ingredients frequently used for makings of this soup are cucumbers, pineapples, green mangoes, jicama and other times they add tofu and bean sprouts. The salad is then garnished with chopped peanut which gives the salad a crispy feel on the throat.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Rojak it is on the average a delicious and juicy meal you will want to take any time of the day. Sweet and sour taste with appearance of salt and crunching feel of the cover make Momo different and tasty. It is the best method to try the numerous tastes of food popular in Singapore.
8. Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak is an iconic dish especially in Singapore and Malaysia; a dish that consists of fragrant coconut rice served with side dishes. The rice is prepared using coconut milk which makes it rather creamy on the palate. Being a spicy dish, it comes with sambal the spicy chili paste, fried anchovies, boiled eggs, cucumber, roasted peanuts and accompaniment of fried chicken or beef rendang. To sum up, I have to state that this dish is quite down to earth, however, it is very tasty and rather filling which in my opinion is perfect for having a hearty meal.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Nasi Lemak is something which has been in existence for quite sometime and a favorite to most people especially the Singaporeans. The rich coconut rice makes the dish very tasty as well as combining the different elements gives a well seasoned meal. It is more of a meal that can be taken at whichever time of the day; be it in the morning, mid-day, or in the evening.
9. Bak Kut Teh
Bak Kut Teh is a scrumptious soup involving the use of pork ribs that in a soup prepared from herbs and different spices. Interestingly in English the name means “meat bone tea” but in real it is not tea at all. The broth is prepared with star anise, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, among others, which makes the soup savory and flavorable. The pork ribs are slow cooked until they are tender and the soup is typically eaten with steamed rice and a portion of Chinese crullers, which are sticks of deep fried dough.
Why It’s a Must-Try: This dish can be considered as a warm and hearty dish which is suitable for preparing when the weather is cold or a good dish if you are feeling much hungry. It is more savoury and healthier because of the ingredients it is prepared from especially the rich broth and the well-done pork ribs. It’s traditional in preparation and it gives a bite of Singapore’s Chinese food roots.
10. Kaya Toast
Kaya Toast can be enjoyed as a breakfast meal or a snack any time of the day as it is popular in Singapore. It is made up of the toast and butter with kaya, which is sweet coconut and egg prepare from coconut milk and egg through fermentation process. Some of the typical side dishes that are considered include the soft-boiled eggs accompanied by tea or filter coffee. It goes very well since kaya is a rich, creamy spread and when added to toast which is crispy, it simply is delightful.
Why It’s a Must-Try: Kaya Toast is that food which, despite its very basic preparation, is felt to represent and be unique to Singapore. It appears to be a regular and indigenous type of eatery that many Malaysians like their breakfast from. The kaya which has a taste similar to peanut butter is accompanied by the crispy toast to give it a tasty breakfast feel.
Conclusion: Cooking for the Family: An Escapade to Singapore
Eating out in this regions is like going on a cultural tour where every restaurant gives you a taste of different cuisine’s tradition. The dishes are planned so every food will have a different taste, which will represent the flavours of the city. Among the challenging dishes, Fish Head Curry can hardly be mentioned as popular or delicious whereas Hainanese Chicken Rice and Satay are definitely more to the point.
It is advisable that when in Singapore one should ensure that they try out some of the local dishes. This could be a delicious meal at a hawker center dish, or a meal at a fine dining restaurant, or even learning how to prepare some food at a cooking class or demonstration. The culinary traditions of the city are a vivid reflection of its historical development and members of various nations’ successful integration into society.
Hence as you prepare your Singapore tour, ensure that you catch these ten famous Singaporean foods. Every piece taken will be an attempt to taste different colorful food culture in the city and at the end of the exercise, you will be forever changed, you will have gained some sense in the food culture in the city. Food enthusiast or just plain glutton, satisfying and mouthwatering goodies can definitely be found and enjoyed in the Singaporean diet.