10 essential hawker dishes to try in Singapore – and where to eat them

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines – and, like us, you’re probably itching to experience them all in one go. Doing so is easier than you might think: simply dine at one of the city’s beloved hawker centres. These communal dining spaces house dozens of different food stalls, allowing you to enjoy a range of culinary delights at once – and at wallet-friendly prices, too. Hawker culture is so deeply embedded in the Singaporean way of life that in 2020 it made Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage list . 

So where should you begin? To help you navigate this gastronomic paradise, here are 10 classic hawker centre dishes to try in Singapore. Pull up a plastic stool and dive in! 

1. Hainanese chicken rice 

Affectionately referred to as Singapore’s national dish, Hainanese chicken rice is a deceptively simple but incredibly flavourful dish of succulent poached chicken and fragrant, fluffy rice. It is served with chicken broth and a choice of condiments, including minced ginger, dark soy sauce and garlic chilli sauce for an umami kick. The version at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre (01-10/11, 1 Kadayanallur Street) is considered a national treasure, but for a roast chicken version, check out Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice at Tiong Bahru Market (02-82, 30 Seng Poh Road). 

2. Char kway teow 

This stir-fried noodle dish exemplifies Singapore's street food tradition of taking humble ingredients and elevating them to new culinary heights. With an intense smoky or wok hei flavour, char kway teow is a tantalising mix of flat rice noodles, prawns, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, and egg, all stir-fried to perfection in a wok over a high flame. The rendition at Hill Street Fried Kway Teow (01-41 Pasar 16@Bedok, 16 Bedok South Road) is savoury with a hint of sweetness – and utterly irresistible. 

3. Laksa 

This warm, comforting noodle soup consists of a rich coconut curry broth that is both creamy and spicy, generously loaded with prawns, cockles, bean sprouts – and extra sambal chilli for those who like a kick. The legendary 328 Katong Laksa (51 East Coast Road) is famous both for its carefully balanced flavours and its finely chopped noodles that can be easily scooped up with just a spoon. A close competitor is Janggut Laksa, which can be found at multiple locations in the city including Queensway Shopping Centre and Chinatown Point. 

4. Satay 

No hawker meal is complete without a mouth-watering plate of satay: marinated meat – typically chicken, beef or lamb – that is grilled on skewers and served with fresh cucumber, rice cakes and a delectable peanut sauce for dipping. In addition to housing multiple stalls selling this beloved street food, Lau Pa Sat Satay Street (18 Raffles Quay) promises a vibrant atmosphere that will enhance your dining experience. Internet chatter suggests hawker stalls 6, 7 and 8 are the best – but honestly, every vendor offers quality satay, so just trust your nose. 

5. Bak chor mee 

Pork lovers will want to get their fill of bak chor mee, or minced meat noodles. This quintessentially Singaporean dish comprises minced pork, noodles, mushrooms and crispy pork lard, all tossed in a tangy blend of soy sauce, vinegar and chilli. It’s a dish that always delights, but the one-Michelin-starred Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (01-12, Block 466 Crawford Lane) serves a rendition that further elevates it, with an unbeatable sauce blend, silky smooth noodles and choice ingredients, including tender pork liver and slivers of crisp plaice fish. 

6. Vegetarian bee hoon 

A meat-free treat, vegetarian bee hoon consists of rice vermicelli noodles cooked in a flavourful savoury broth and topped with a colourful array of vegetables. It’s a popular hawker meal not only among vegetarians, but also those simply seeking a lighter meal. Try it at Ru Yi Yuan at Margaret Drive Hawker Centre (02-36, 38A Margaret Drive), which also offers a range of delicious bean curd skin and mock meat dishes for a little extra variety. 

7. Rojak 

This may be a salad dish, but we assure you, you won’t find a single limp leaf in sight. Rojak is a joyous medley of fruits, vegetables and crispy you tiao (dough fritters), coated in a sweet and tangy prawn paste sauce for a unique flavour profile that must be tasted to be believed. At Toa Payoh Rojak (01-108 Old Airport Road Food Centre, 51 Old Airport Road), other add-ons such as century egg and crispy cuttlefish result in a one-of-a-kind blend of textures and flavours that will leave your taste buds dancing. 

8. Murtabak 

A savoury pan-fried flatbread stuffed with minced meat, onions and spices, murtabak makes for one hearty meal. Order it at Zam Zam Restaurant (697-699 North Bridge Road), one of Singapore’s oldest and most popular Indian Muslim eateries. Its murtabak is a culinary masterpiece, with a crispy outer layer, a soft, doughy inner layer and a juicy, flavourful filling that is certain to hit the spot. 

9. Nasi Lemak 

A hawker classic, this fragrant coconut rice dish is served with spicy sambal chilli sauce and a range of side dishes, including crispy fried chicken, anchovies, peanuts and a hard-boiled or fried egg. The version at Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak (01-02 Adam Road Food Centre, 2 Adam Road) is one of the Lion City’s most popular; it comes with steamed basmati rice for depth of flavour and a spicy-sweet sambal that will have you asking for seconds. Look out for Crave, the stall’s spin-off chain, which has outlets island-wide. 

10. Carrot cake 

Don't be fooled by the name. In Singapore, carrot cake is not a dessert but a savoury dish made by frying radish cake cubes with eggs, preserved radish, a dash of light or dark soy sauce and, sometimes, prawns. Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake (01-30, 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre) is one of Singapore’s oldest carrot cake shops, in operation since the 1950s. It is beloved for its tender cake cubes and balance of sweet, salty and spicy flavours. This dish is vegetarian friendly too – just ask for a prawn-free version.