It is a known fact that Singaporeans love their food. Many people consider Singapore the global hub for food because it has food from all cultures and countries. Whether you feel like eating Turkish delights, Japanese food or even Malay cuisine in Singapore – you are easily able to get it in Singapore.

In fact, CEOWorld Magazine has recently interviewed business travellers and corporate travel agents on their favourite cities to visit in terms of the best food. A majority of the results were in favour of Singapore, with them edging out neighbours like Malaysia and Thailand. Moreover, one advantage that Singaporeans have is the ability to try various cuisines locally without physically visiting another country.

However, with a myriad of dishes available, even the local citizens need advice and a guide in discovering the best dishes in the country. So, if you are open to trying new cuisines and dishes in Singapore, this must-try list is perfect for you!

Chili Crab

Although the chili crab is the national dish of Singapore, you would be surprised as to how many locals have yet to try it. So, if you are on the fence about trying the chili crab dish, it would be a waste missing out on one of the World’s 50 Best Foods; as stated by a 2011 CNN Poll.

This dish has been said to have originated in 1956 on a pushcart by a couple experimenting new ways to cook the crab other than steaming it. They then tried adding chilli to the stir-fried crab in tomato sauce which became a hit among the locals. Fast forward to several years later, a local chef revisited this recipe and added his own spin into it with sambal sauce, tomato paste and eggs used in the gravy – a version which is now the most common form of chilli crab! But on the other hand, if you’re looking for an alternative – you could also try the black pepper version, which is just as flavorful.

Nasi Lemak

If you are a fan of Malay food, the fragrant and authentic nasi lemak is one way you can experience Malay cuisine in Singapore. Unlike the rice that you can get when buying other dishes, the nasi lemak rice is one that stands out in terms of smell and taste. But that’s not the only reason why it’s so highly sought-after – what makes it so delicious is the way it is prepared. The rice is cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves which give it an easily distinguishable aroma.

Furthermore, some stalls that sell nasi lemak have a fixed nasi lemak set which comes with the white rice, fried anchovies, peanuts, eggs, cucumber, sambal and the choice between a fried chicken or a slice of fish. But if you’re looking for extra add-ons to spice up your dish – find options like chicken, eggs, fish and all sorts of other ingredients!

Laksa

Laksa is essentially thick noodles in a rich, spicy and savoury broth. Prawns and cockles are typically added to enhance the taste behind each bite. If you are wondering what makes laksa special when compared to other noodles, it would be the gravy. The gravy is cooked with coconut milk to give it its creamy consistency. It is also infused with various spices, so each bite is guaranteed to pack a punch. As such, this makes it one of the best dishes to have on a cold, rainy day.

Not to mention, one unique fact about laksa is that unlike most dishes, it differs in taste, ingredients used and cooking style depending on where you buy it. For example, if you get the Penang laksa, you would notice that it would taste like mackerel and tamarind. On the other hand, if you were to buy the Sarawak version of laksa, you would notice that they use more of a seafood stock base for their broth. Hence, you are able to experiment and try all the variants of this unique dish.

Conclusion

If you are ready to embark on your food tasting journey, you can start with this list of 3 delicious yet significant dishes in Singapore!