The ULTIMATE bucket list to taste the most iconic dishes Singapore has to offer, all tried and tested by this picky eater. 

Perfect for first-time visitors, seasoned travelers to the Lion City or even fellow expats, I'm sharing all my tips and tricks accumulated over the span of a whole year here, so that you can avoid tourist traps and instead visit hidden gems/ alternative spots for the BEST experience! I've also added links to relevant Michelin Guide comments and extra info you might want to know before you go. 

All you have to do is follow this interactive map and eat your heart out like a local (just make sure that you have enough space in your stomach though) 😉

By dish:
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
2. Kaya Toast
3. Bak Kut Teh
4. Chilli/ Black Pepper Crab
5. Salted Egg Yolk Chicken 
6. Hainanese Curry Rice
7. Sliced Fish Soup
8. Drinks/ Desserts

Singapore

Must-try local food in Singapore

Check out my other FREE Singapore guides and 'What to do on the weekend in Singapore' series on Youtube below:

A simple yet delicious dish of poached chicken and seasoned rice with cucumber garnishes, usually accompanied by sweet soya sauce, chili sauce and ginger scallion oil. 

- Ask for the boneless parts for a more hassle-free eating experience

- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is NOT worth the long queue imo

Local breakfast consisting of toast with butter and kaya (coconut jam), commonly served alongside coffee/tea and soft-boiled eggs.

- Eat it the local way by seasoning the eggs with dark soya sauce and pepper, then dipping the kaya toast in.

How to Order Coffee (Kopi) in Singapore Like Locals & Differences in Prices

- Order coffee/tea just the way you like it using native terms (refer to article below for more details)

Literally meaning 'meat bone tea', this is a pork rib dish cooked in a broth of herbs and spices for hours. 

- There are normally free unlimited refills of the soup, which goes super well with fried dough fritters 

- The Singaporean version is more peppery while the Malaysian version is more herbal in terms of flavor

Singapore's national seafood dish, made by frying hard-shell  crabs in either a thick tomato-and-chilli-based sauce or black pepper. 

- Pair with fried mantou buns to scoop up the sensuous sauce 

- Chope (reserve) your table/seats at the free-seating eateries by placing a tissue packet on it

Crispy fried chicken coated in a creamy sweet-savory salted egg yolk (from a salted duck egg) sauce. 

Local comfort food consisting of steamed white rice covered in a light mildly-spiced curry gravy,  characteristically accompanied by curry chicken, pork chop, chap chye (braised cabbage) and kong bak (braised pork belly).



- Pork chop cutlet, cabbage and fried egg is the ultimate combo imo

Follow @little.miss.picky for more insider recommendations!

What to do on the weekend in Singapore (Part 1)

 A light yet flavorful fish soup broth topped with boneless fish slices (usually batang or grouper), tofu, veggies and various condiments.

- The price you see is often just for the soup itself, and you'll usually need to add SGD 0.5-1 for rice or thin/thick vermicelli noodles

- Milk or no milk is a common question you'll be asked when ordering

Nothing like a good scoop of ice cream to beat the heat! 

People who know me in real life know that I LOVE ice cream and absolutely adore how the local ice cream scene is abundant with homegrown brands that are melting good. 

So here's ALL the ones I've tried so far, which may or may not be from top to bottom on my list. Scroll to the bottom for a 🍦SURPRISE and exclusive discounts!

Best local ice cream parlors in Singapore

Whether you seek a glimpse into the world of the wealthy elite portrayed in Hollywood blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians or simply wish to explore the rich tapestry of Singaporean culture, this  travel guide will serve as your gateway to an extraordinary experience. 

Prepare to be immersed in breathtaking sights, mouthwatering culinary delights and luxurious accommodations while uncovering the secrets of a city that epitomizes both opulence and tradition.

So pack your bags, get ready to be dazzled, and let Singapore captivate you with its enchanting blend of luxury, tradition, and modernity. 

This guide covers:
- Where to sightsee
- Where to eat
- Where to stay

Note: all Crazy Rich Asians images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. 

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Singapore

A 'Crazy Rich Asians' Singapore Guide

Content:
- Sightseeing spots
- Hidden gems 
- Parks / Nature 

P.S, If you're a tourist, do check out the SingapoRewards program by the Singapore Tourism Board to redeem a free experience during your trip (link at the end of guide)! 

Free places worth visiting in Singapore 

Unleash your taste buds on an unforgettable journey across the latest 2023 ranking of Asia's finest bars, brought to you by the brilliant minds behind The World's 50 Best Bars. This prestigious list is the result of input from a stellar lineup of 260 esteemed drinks experts, including celebrated bartenders, educators, writers, and cocktail connoisseurs from across the continent.

Despite being just a little red dot on the world map, Singapore packs a big punch by proudly boasting an impressive 19% of the top 100 awardees, with almost half of them also ranking in the top 100 globally too. Surprisingly, the order on the Asia list doesn't necessarily mirror that of the World list, adding an exciting twist to your choices. The power is in your hands!

For your easy reference, here's the coveted list of Asia's finest bars in Singapore, accompanied with my personal notes and insider tips (updated occasionally) to ensure you have an extraordinary experience!

Just be warned, drinking in Singapore is not cheap!

Asia's 50 Best Bars 2023 (Singapore Edition)

Here's a curated list of some of the best cafes in town, your taste buds will thank me but maybe your wallet won't...

By district:
- Tanjong Pagar
- Telok Ayer / Raffles Place
- Chinatown / Maxwell
- Bugis
- Joo Chiat
- In the middle of nowhere...

Cafe-hopping in Singapore

Boon Tong Kee Restaurant

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice – a Bib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking restaurant in the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Singapore. The MICHELIN inspectors’ point of view, information on prices, types of cuisine and opening hours on the MICHELIN Guide's official website

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice – Singapore - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

Loy Kee Chicken Rice

Chin Mee Chin

Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Nanyang Old Coffee

Killiney Kopitiam

Sing Swee Kee Restaurant

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road) – a Bib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking restaurant in the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Singapore. The MICHELIN inspectors’ point of view, information on prices, types of cuisine and opening hours on the MICHELIN Guide's official website

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road) – Singapore - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant

A dining experience goes beyond food - it’s about getting families to share stories over the dinner table, say the second generation owners of Song Fa.

Behind the Bib: Song Fa Bak Kut Teh

Bring home a little of our Song Fa bak kut teh experience. Get your bak kut teh spices today, and whip up a bowl of hot piping bak kut teh anytime you wish. Available in a box of 10 packets, at all Song Fa outlets.

Retail Products - Song Fa Bak Kut Teh

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh

Founder Bak Kut Teh

Balestier Bak Kut Teh

The restaurant's chilli crab is cited as an “iconic dish”. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Jumbo Seafood on list of ‘150 Most Legendary’ restaurants

JUMBO Seafood

Mellben Seafood (Ang Mo Kio) – a restaurant in the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Singapore. The MICHELIN inspectors’ point of view, information on prices, types of cuisine and opening hours on the MICHELIN Guide's official website

Must-try local food in Singapore

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