Food Guide To Singapore
WHERE THE LOCALS EAT IN SINGAPORE
Let's not kid around, making a food guide for Singapore is quite redundant considering the hundred thousand small stalls and foodcourt options available. To even scratch the surface you'd have to spend a hundred years eating out ten times a day with the appetite of a small nation.
In all honesty, we at -The Mouth- shiver slightly at the thought of staying too long in a place where eyes are on you constantly. Even crossing the road your heart skips a beat incase you accidentally saw Green instead of Red and an overachieving cop throttles you with their piercing whistle before issuing a spot fine in loud batterings. No, we prefer our cities slightly more "off-the-cuff", but positionally it provides a good option for a few nights transfering from the hinterlands of Europe or the Middle East and then onwards to Bali, Australia or KL.
Accept this guide with humble intentions and a pinch of MSG, we are not claiming to be experts, this is just the best of the places we have tried so far. As usual, every guide is a constant work in progress as better places are found or the old ones close down. We ate well, the laksa was good, and the coffee scene is blossoming. Most of the old haunts are being categorically destroyed and replaced with identical concrete monstrosities, but if you sniff hard enough you can smell the decaying gems from a mile off.
Here we go then, Singapore, the country of laws and abiding citizens, and good food also.
For a full link of all the places on google maps, click the icon below:
TAI HWA PORK NOODLE
Nobody likes standing in line for an hour, but when the bowl of noodles is this good you'd come back again tomorrow. An intense hit of vinegar, but forgivable in the grander scheme of things.
328 KATONG LAKSA
Many yarns will be spun about where to find the best Laksa in Singapore. Having tried a few, this is our favourite one. The broth here is just decadently rich, the sambal is fiery, the seafood is fresh as can be and the service is friendly. There are a few locations, but this is the OG spot, and the soup just tastes better here than the others (according to the Grab driver at least).
ZHONG GUO LA MIAN
For those brave enough to withstand the mighty Singaporean humidity in food courts without AC, you will be amply rewarded with plump, slippery, succulent dumplings drenched in spicy Sichuan oil. The other menu items are also excellent, but these are our go-to.
FAMOUS SUNGEI ROAD TRISHAW LAKSA
The second best of the bunch in our opinion. Grab the bowl with the crawfish/mini lobster looking creation poking its beady eyes at you. It's fire....
NAGERCOIL ARYA BHAVAN
Never shy enough to not pork off a hot dosa, this legendary spot behind the giant Mustafa shopping centre gets our nod for the best ghee masala dosa in town.
SONG FA
Every time you pass this street corner you'll be confronted with two familiar senses: The whiff of beautifully prepared soup, a line stretching off into eternity. Brave the line, order the rib bah kut teh, the braised pork belly, some rice, greens and puffs to soak in the soup, lean back and eat until you can move no longer.
HEAP SENG LEONG
Singapore's oldest tea shop is still kicking, serving up hot tea and toast smothered with far too much butter and jam. It's an institution that may not be around forever, so go pay your respects. Combine it with a trip to Tai Hwa which is 2 blocks away.
31 HENG HENG BBQ
You won't find better sambal stingray in town, and the food court itself has so many options that even the fussiest companion will be placated.
MA LI YA VIRGIN CHICKEN
Chicken Rice spots are a dime a dozen in Singapore, these sisters do a cheap plate that tastes just as good as most others in the city. The soy sauce here is thick and sticky in a really addictive way, plus it's 40 meters from our fave dumpling place, so it's a win-win either way if you're double-dipping for lunch.
AZMI RESTAURANT
Long standing slinger of chapati's and kheema, this little india favourite has been our stop for over 20 years. Their chana masala and kheema are the stars, their chapati are a touch on the thick side, but who's being picky.
ZERAH COFFEE ROASTERS
Zerah know how to make a cup of damn fine coffee. The fact that it's behind Hill Street Tai Hwa Noodle up on the 2nd floor only adds to the allure. Being on the 2nd floor also means you'll get no accidental drop-ins, so expect every customer to be fully aware of how awesome this place is.
Singapores best coffee?
KONJIKI HOTOTOGISU
Michelin Starred ramen in Singapore that actually tastes as good as you expect. Divinely flavoured, umami-rich broth, perfect noodles, great egg. Obviously not as mind-boggling as it's counter-part in Tokyo, however all things considered, this is a bowl to savour.
PINHOLE
A tad more hipster than Zerah, but great coffee if you are confined to the downtown areas. They have outdoor seating if you can stomach the punishment of the bastard sun.
