DestinationsAsiaThe Best Singapore Food Tour in 3 Days Like a Local
The Best Singapore Food Tour in 3 Days Like a Local

The Best Singapore Food Tour in 3 Days Like a Local

Located at the gateway of Asia, Singapore’s culinary culture has the interference of many parts of the world. Thus, if you have the opportunity to come to Singapore, do not forget to take the time to explore the rich and unique cuisine of this country. Whether wandering in the popular dining areas or the luxurious restaurants, you will be spoiled by the unique and famous dishes with the combination of many different cultures. Let’s follow The Broad Life to explore Singapore food tour in 3 days like a local!

Day 1: Enjoy Unique Zi Char Cuisine

‘Playing’ as a native Singaporean, you shouldn’t ignore these unique Zi char dishes.

Derived from Fujian province, China, Zi means “to cook” and char means “to fry”, which refers to traditional dishes influenced by Chinese cooking styles at home. Particularly, Zi char meals will also be more suitable for large groups of 4 people or more.

You can refer to the 4 addresses below when taking a Singapore food tour for the first time and want to experience this unique culinary culture.

Lam’s Garden

From the space to the taste at Lam’s Garden, you will feel like you are in a miniature China in the heart of Singapore. The menu includes Chinese dishes but was slightly modified by Chef Lam, a restaurant owner and chef with more than 20 years of experience, to better suit the general taste.

Twin Tower Crispy Noodles dish at Lam's Garden
The typical Twin Tower Crispy Noodles dish at Lam’s Garden. Image source: Lam’s Garden Facebook page.

The space of the restaurant is not too spacious and the number of visitors is quite crowded on weekends, so you may have to wait. Besides, diners also need to pay attention to the number of servings here to order accordingly.

  • Must-try dishes: Twin Tower Crispy Noodles, Curry Fish Head.

Zhenyi Veggie Place

Zhenyi Veggie Place is the ideal stop for diners who want to refresh their taste. This is a restaurant specializing in serving vegetarian dishes in the style of Zi char.

Sweet & Sour Pork with white rice dish at Zhenyi Veggie Place
The Sweet & Sour Pork with white rice dish at Zhenyi Veggie Place. Image source: Zhenyi Veggie Place’s Facebook page.

With seemingly familiar dishes but modified from vegan ingredients, fresh and new processing will definitely bring a great experience for this trip to Singapore.

  • Must-try dishes: Ginger Duck, Sweet & Sour Pork, Bak Kut Teh, Veggie Prawn Cereal.

Two Chefs Eating Place

True to the self-introduction of “a place serving high-class dishes at the lowest prices”, the restaurant impresses diners with a new and very creative menu.

Two Chefs Eating Place has 2 branches in Singapore. The capacity of both places is not too large. So, if you visit on the weekend, you may have to wait for a long time, especially with the typical dishes of the restaurant

  • Must-try dishes: Butter Pork Ribs with Milk Powder, Drunken Cockles.

Hualong Fishhead Steamboat

This is the address that is considered to have more unique and impressive Zi char dishes than the common ground. However, some typical dishes of Hualong diners must order a day in advance for the restaurant to prepare.

Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat at Hualong Fishhead Steamboat restaurant
The Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat at Hualong Fishhead Steamboat restaurant. Image source: Hualong Fishhead Steamboat’s Facebook page.

The dishes here are divided into 3 different sizes, which are suitable for many groups of customers. If you come here for the first time, you can consult the staff to choose accordingly.

  • Must-try dishes: Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat, Crispy Salted Egg Calamari.

Day 2: Explore Street Food Culture

Well-known for its diversity of dishes, Singapore caters to foodies of all tastes and budgets. On the second day of your Singapore food tour like a local, street food is a suitable suggestion. In particular, the food court that gathers many restaurants at affordable prices is an ideal stop for visitors to the lion island nation.

Chinatown Complex Market and Food Center

  • Address: 335 Smith Street, Singapore.
  • Price: 2-5 SGD.
  • Note: Restaurants in the food court will have different operating hours. Some crowded spots require customers to make a reservation by taking a sequence number.
Chinatown Complex Market & Food Center in Singapore food tour
Chinatown Complex Market and Food Center should be the must-visit destination in your Singapore food tour.

Not only famous for tourists, but Chinatown Complex Food Center is also a familiar destination for many locals. Gathering more than 260 stalls, this address fully serves typical Singaporean dishes to other countries worldwide, especially Chinese cuisine.

This diversity is a plus when you travel in a group because the taste of the members of the group will be satisfied. Besides, moving to Chinatown Complex Food Center is also very convenient. There is popular public transport stops here.

Suggested stalls and must-try dishes:

1. Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu (#02-88)
  • Must-try dishes: Fried Fish Cake, Ikan Bilis Bee Hoon, Brinjal, Yong Tau Fu.
  • Price: 3-5 SGD.
2. Zhao Ji Clay Pot Rice (#02-53)
  • Food to try: Clay Pot Fice.
  • Price: 3-6 SGD.
3. Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (# 02-135)
  • Food to try: Xiao Long Bao.
  • Price: 5 SGD/10 pieces.

Maxwell Road Hawker Center

  • Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore.
  • Price: 3-8 SGD.
  • Note: Lunch time is the busiest time of the food court.
Maxwell Road Hawker Center food tour Singapore
Definitely, a Maxwell Road Hawker Center food tour will take you even a week in Singapore to finish. Image credit to Aapo Haapanen on Flickr.

This food court has a pretty convenient location when it is located right in the center of Chinatown. Hence, the space is always crowded. Anyways, Maxwell Road Hawker Center has more than 100 stalls forming a top destination with diverse choices. Especially, it has many famous stalls from all over the country and offers famous local Singaporean dishes at affordable prices.

Suggested stalls and must-try dishes:

1. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (#01-10)
  • Must-try dish: Hainanese Chicken Rice.
  • Price: 3-5 SGD.
2. Zhen Zhen Porridge (#01-54)
  • Recommended dishes: Fish Porridge, Century Egg, and Chicken Porridge.
  • Price: 3-6 SGD.
3. China Street Fritters (#01-64)
  • Must-try dishes: Ngoh Hiang, Liver Roll, Egg Slices.
  • Price: 3-5 SGD.
  • Address: Block 51 Old Airport Road, Singapore.
  • Price: 3-12 SGD.
  • Note: The food court has some restaurants serving vegetarian food.

Old Airport Road Food Centre

old airport road food centre recommendations singapore food tour
Old Airport Road Food Center is one of the top recommendations for a Singapore food tour. Image credit to Daniel Lee on Flickr.

Old Airport Road Food Centre is one of the oldest food courts in Singapore. After nearly four decades since its opening, this is still an address loved by locals and tourists for its close and famous local dishes such as Char Kway Teow, Prawn Noodles, Hokkien Mee, Lor Mee, Rojak, and Soya Beancurd. Moreover, the food stalls at Old Airport Road Food Centre all have long-term experience, they truly know how to cook to suit the tastes of a variety of customers.

Suggested stalls and must-try dishes:

1. Albert Street Prawn Noodles (#01-10)
  • Must-try dishes: Prawn Noodles, Pork Ribs Prawn Noodles.
  • Price: 4-5 SGD.
2. Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (#01-12)
  • Food to try: Fried Kway Teow.
  • Price: 3-5 SGD.
3. Lao Ban Soya Beancurd (# 01-127)
  • Food to try: Soya Beancurd.
  • Price: 1.5-2 SGD.

Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Center

  • Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore.
  • Price: 1-6 SGD.
  • Note: There are some restaurants that specialize in serving Indian food.
Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Center building in singapore food tour
Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Center building in Singapore is the place that you can come to for Indian foods. Image credit to Choo Yut Shing on Flickr.

This outdoor dining area is an ideal stopover for visitors to enjoy local delicacies in a cool, airy atmosphere during their Singapore tour. Although this place has many crowded restaurants, diners still do not feel stuffy and uncomfortable because Tiong Bahru uses the most advanced exhaust system in each stall.

Suggested stalls and must-try dishes:

1. Lee Hong Kee Cantonese Roasted (#02-60)
  • Must-try dishes: Roasted Duck Rice, Char Siewrice, Roasted Pork Rice.
  • Price: 4-6 SGD.
2. Jian Bo Chwee Kueh (# 02-05)
  • Must try dish: Chwee Kueh.
  • Price: 1.2 SGD/4 pieces.
3. Koh Brothers Pig Organ Soup (#02-29)
  • Food to try: Pig Organ Soup.
  • Price: 4-5 SGD.

Day 3: Experience Multicultural Cuisine at a Casual Restaurant

As a characteristic of the island nation, multicultural cuisine always leaves an indelible impression in the hearts of visitors. Just walking around the restaurants in Singapore, tourists can fully enjoy the taste of delicious dishes from Europe to Asia.

No need to spend too much money to go to luxurious addresses, at the popular restaurants below, you can discover and experience dishes from different countries right in Singapore.

Canchita – Peruvian Cuisine

Arroz Con Pato peruvian cuisine canchita restaurant
Arroz Con Pato is not only a typical dish of Peruvian cuisine but also a must-try at Canchita restaurant in Singapore.

Enjoying traditional Peruvian cuisine in a colorful space with cheerful salsa music at Canchita will surely be an impressive experience during your trip to Singapore.

The dishes here are handled by Peruvian chef Daniel Chavez. Therefore, you will feel most clearly the taste of Peruvian cuisine. Besides, the dishes here are also carefully decorated, satisfying the “look” of the diners.

  • Must-try dishes: Tacos, Sudado Amarillito, Arroz Con Pato.

Bakalaki – Greek Cuisine

Spalobrizola Me Kokalo at Bakalaki restaurant in singapore
Spalobrizola Me Kokalo at Bakalaki is definitely a great dish for meat lovers. Image source: Bakalaki’s Facebook page.

Bakalaki is favored by locals as the place that serves the best Greek food in the city. The diverse menu is a plus for diners who want to explore and enjoy Mediterranean dishes. Besides, the luxurious space, bringing a comfortable feeling when dining is also an advantage of Bakalaki.

  • Must-try dishes: Tzaziki, Melitzmosalata Agioritiki, Spalobrizola Me Kokalo.

Dumplings.RU – Russian & Ukrainian Cuisine

This is a restaurant run by a Russian couple living in Singapore for more than 16 years. There are not many places serving traditional Russian food in the island nation, so Dumplings.RU is always the first choice if diners want to experience this cuisine.

Also, the atmosphere here is considered to be cozy and very comfortable. It really creates a familiar feeling of being at home with many customers.

  • Food to try: Combo 12 Dumplings with different fillings.

Miznon – Israeli Cuisine

Miznon Singapore Israeli cuisine
The Miznon has the typical dishes of Israeli cuisine. Image credit to Miznon Singapore’s Facebook page.

Miznon is the restaurant chain of the famous Israeli chef Eyal Shani and has been present in many countries. Indeed, Singapore is the restaurant chain’s first stop in Asia.

Since its opening, Miznon has always attracted the attention of many locals and tourists. The dishes here all have their own unique flavors, creating their own impressions in the hearts of diners.

  • Must-try dishes: Pita, Saq De Coq, Ratatouille.

Whether you prefer a popular food court to enjoy typical Singaporean dishes or explore Eurasian restaurants, the lion island nation will be an option to please foodies.


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Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

20 Comments

  • Beth

    This would be so amazing! It blows my mind when I see people on vacation eating at a McDonald’s or something like that. I can get that at home! I want to go to the places where the locals go. I was authentic food of the area.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      I totally agree with you. It’s a huge waste of time and energy traveling to a place and then going to McDonald’s for food.

  • TweenselMom (@TweenselMom)

    I went to Singapore once with my family, and the food at the Hawker Center was very delicious! Will definitely come back 🙂

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yeah, the Hawker Center always have delicious food for its customers.

  • Fransic verso

    I have never been to Singapore before but it’s cool you can do this much in 3 days. Thank you for sharing!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      It’s actually the suggestion for you to choose the food in 3 days. If you want to eat them all it may take you more time.

  • pacioalita9

    The best way to travel and explore a new place is to know the locals. Now, this makes me really want to visit Singapore even if it’s far away!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      You will so much enjoy your trip to Singapore with this food guide.

  • MELANIE EDJOURIAN

    I love try try different dishes. A food tour would be ideal for that.

  • Stephanie

    I would love to try them all one day! When we travel, we try to eat at local places to try new things. I think the street food sounds interesting, too, as we don’t have anything like that near me.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yeah, street food is certainly one of the most attractions in Asia in general, and in Singapore in particular.

  • Bryan Carey

    So many great places to eat in a place like Singapore! I have never been, but I know those who have and they have many great things to say.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      You will have plenty of stories to talk about Singaporean food after eating.

  • Ntensibe Edgar

    Whew! I am in love with Singaporean food already! The sweet and sour pork did the job! Thanks for sharing about it all.

  • Healing Oils

    OMG, the food looks so good I want to go to Singapore right now. It looks amazing!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Hehe, you will extend your trip to Singapore after arriving there. The country is amazing for traveling.

  • Christian Foremost

    So many food dishes right here! Would definitely like to go resto hopping when I’m in Singapore and try all these out!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Singapore is not a big place so surely you will have a chance to eat all the food.

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