How to eat like a local Singaporean
Singapore is the melting pot and gateway to Asia.
Just like Dubai, Singapore houses expats, foreigners, and locals from all corners of the world. You will see people of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu faith just to name a few who all live together cohesively in peace.
Singapore is notoriously known for being one of the most expensive places to live in the world. You thought San Francisco was expensive? Wait 'til you see Singapore!
But that doesn't mean that you have to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy the delicacies of Singapore.
To eat like a local Singaporean, the local secret is to hit up food markets called Hawker Centers.
Think Anthony Bordaine. Dark, hot, crowded stalls. Local food markets where vendors are cooking and serving hot meals off the wok for cheap. You don't have to worry about food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea like India, because the Singapore government highly regulates these Hawker Centers and food markets.
Here were my favorite Hawker Centers in Singapore:
1. Tiong Bahru Food Market
Tiong Bahru Food Market was highly recommended by my friend, Christian. It's a local favorite for many reasons. It's located in an old charming neighborhood gentrified with hipster cafes, bookstores, and hostels. Prices are very cheap!
The general rule about finding the best food vendors is to follow the crowds and lines. If there's a long line at one food stall compared to others, most likely that's because locals know where the best food stalls are.
I got the official Singaporean dish: Hainanese chicken rice for $2.50 SGD, the equivalent of $1.80 USD. There was a long line for this food stall. The chicken melted in your mouth and the rice smelled fragrant. It did not disappoint!
2. Lao Pa Sat
Lao Pa Sat Hawker Center is located downtown by the Marina, and caters to business people and tourists. I loved how Lao Pa Sat was a historic building right smack in the middle of modern high rises.
Although the prices were a little more expensive than Tiong Bahru, you can still get a delicious meal and beverage for under $8 SGD - the equivalent of $5.84 USD. I enjoyed the ambiance and seeing business people and tourists scour the food stalls.
I ordered Char Kway Tiao (fried flat noodles in sweet dark sauce,) and local fried carrot cake which is actually made of turnips, flour, and eggs. Both were sweet and delicious!
3. Newton Hawker Center
Newton Hawker Center is located close to the famed Orchard Road, Singapore's luxury shopping and hotel district. It's a popular place for business people, locals, and tourists alike.
Newton was actually the first Hawker Center that I checked out with Brian, before he began his grad school session.
At this time I wasn't familiar with Singaporean delicacies yet, so I stuck to what I'm used to: Pad Thai from the Thai Express. Brian ordered Peppered Chicken. Both were tasty.
I love that you don't have to spend a lot of money to eat good food in the Lion City. Hawker Centers are the way to go in Singapore.