Best Local Food Stalls to Visit in Singapore
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There are so many things to see and places to go when you are in Singapore, but the best thing about the country is the abundance of delicious food choices. There is always something for everyone here and even the pickiest eater can find something that they will like. So, when you are in Singapore, and you get hungry after exploring the sights, try visiting one of these local food stores to satisfy your hunger.
Chin Mee Chin Confectionery and Coffee Shop
It may not seem like it, but Singapore has a strong coffee shop culture. Many adult Singaporeans will start their day off with a cup of strongly brewed black coffee. The coffee is known locally as ‘Kopi O’, with the ‘O’ signifying that the coffee does not contain any sugar or milk. A popular breakfast dish to accompany the strong coffee would be kaya toast or ‘roti bakar kaya’. Kaya is a coconut cream spread that is often flavored with pandan, and many Singaporeans would have kaya more often than jam.
If you go to any local coffee shop or ‘kopitiam’ in Singapore, you will be able to find kaya toast and black coffee on the menu. However, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery and Coffee Shop is considered one of the best places in the whole country to get your daily fix of toast and coffee. The coffee shop first opened in 1925 and they specialize in baked goods, as well as local breakfast dishes. So, if you still feel a little peckish after having your kaya toast, you can also grab a few other sweet treats before you leave.
If you like your black coffee strong and dark, you will not be disappointed with what you will get at Chin Mee Chin. Many patrons have praised their coffee to be strong but not overly bitter, so you will still get that aromatic coffee taste. As for the kaya toast, the highlight would be that the coffee shop toasts the bread buns over a charcoal fire, rather than using a gas stove or an electric toaster. This really helps to give a nice toast flavor to the buns, without leaving any bitter burnt taste. You can also order a soft-boiled egg with your toast and coffee, which tastes a lot better with a dash of soy sauce and a sprinkle of white pepper.
Sungei Road Laksa
Singapore has a lot of different noodle dishes but one of the most popular, with both locals and foreigners, is laksa. A bowl of laksa usually consists of noodles, a serving of protein, some vegetables, and flavourful curry gravy. This dish is a demonstration of Chinese and Malay influence in Singaporean food and is loved by almost everyone in the country.
There are many places in Singapore that are known for their laksa but there is one food stall that is considered a legend amongst laksa lovers. The Sungei Road Laksa food stall has been serving laksa for decades and the secret to their success lies in the curry gravy. The curry is cooked over a charcoal fire instead of a typical gas stove, which ensures that curry does not burn thanks to the gentler charcoal heat.
Each bowl of laksa is packed full of goodness, from the rice noodles to the creamy curry gravy. The dish is topped with lightly cooked bean sprouts, which gives it a nice bite. During peak hours, the Sungei Road Laksa food stall will be visited by tons of people, but service is incredibly fast because they only offer one variation of the dish.
Berseh Ice Kacang
The Singaporean climate is hot and humid all year long, and even sitting in an air-conditioned room is not enough to cool you down. What you really need when the weather gets too hot is a nice refreshing bowl of ice kacang. This is Singapore’s version of a shaved ice dessert, and it is packed with tons of sweet toppings.
You can find ice kacang at almost all hawker stalls and on the menu for most restaurants in Singapore. However, if you want to try the best ice kacang in Singapore, then you need to head over to the Berseh Ice Kacang stall. They have a variety of ice kacang to choose from but every one of them is amazing. The stall is also generous with their portions, and they really pile on tons of toppings per bowl. Some of the toppings include chewy jellies, pudding, and fruit.
Most ice kacang stalls focus on the toppings but at Berseh Ice Kacang, every part of the dish is delicious and that includes the ice. The stall uses finely shaved ice that absorbs nicely the sweet syrups and condensed milk. The texture is almost like ice cream and gives a great mouthfeel, alongside the various toppings.
Tian Tian Chicken Rice
The Singaporeans love a good plate of chicken rice, and it is difficult to not love it. While there is nothing too grand about a plate of flavourful rice with a side of steamed or roasted chicken, it is still one of the more beloved dishes to eat in Singapore. It is also a versatile dish because you can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner.
Everyone who loves chicken rice has their go-to place to get a plate of it. However, one place that is undoubtedly the best place in Singapore to get some good chicken rice is Tian Tian Chicken Rice. It is loved by both locals and tourists and is even raved about by the late Anthony Bourdain. The highlight of their chicken rice is the rice because it is fragrant, and you can taste the garlic and homemade chicken broth. The chicken is well-cooked but is still soft and has absorbed the seasonings very well.
The stall also makes its sauce from scratch, and it is packed with ginger flavour. The best way to eat chicken rice is to create a spoonful with all the elements. When you get the rice with the chicken all in one go and it is topped with sauce, it is the ultimate bite.
Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata
Roti Prata is one of Singapore's most popular and well-liked dishes. For most Singaporean, there's no such thing as a wrong time to eat roti Prata. Whether it's for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even supper, it's a comfort food that always hits the spot, especially when paired with some delicious curry.
Mr and Mrs Mohgan's Super Crispy Roti Prata is widely regarded as one of the best Roti Prata stalls in Singapore delivering a wide variety of classic and modern selections. A typical coffee shop along Joo Chiat Road, is home to this well-known Prata vendor. With thousands of crispy Roti Prata have been fried by this power couple, it is no surprise the stall is popular and often sold out by noon.
There are many types of Prata to choose from, but the 'kosong' is one of the most popular. It tastes much better when the Prata is torn and dipped into the curry. The stall offers three distinct varieties of curry dips to go with your Prata: fish, mutton, and dhal, which are served by default if you don't specify. To give your curry that extra kick, ask for sambal chilli. You'll love it.
