Singapore 's multiculturalism is reflected in its plethora of churches, mosques,
Indian and Chinese temples, and places of worship of other religions. Another
indication that you are in the middle of this ethnic melting-pot
is in one of its two main national past-times - eating! (the other on is shopping).
From hawkers centres, to food courts, through to the busy restaurants, if you
love food, this is the country to go to.
Hygiene standards are strict here, so eating pretty much anywhere can be done
with confidence. The variety of the dishes here is pretty
astounding, and is mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese and British
(among many others), and is made even more particular by the fact that
these were from certain regions of these countries - Southern China, South India
(mainly the areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala) In addition the food of the Nonyas
(Straits Chinese, originally from marriages between Chinese immigrants to local
Malay women in then Malaya), from whom we get the delicious Peranakan cuisine,
there is the food of the Eurasians (Eurasian food is a fusion of Malay cuisine with
Portuguese and Dutch from the 16 th , 17 th and 18 th centuries). Added to the
mix is the influence of the British colonialists, reflected in dishes such as
the Singaporean adaptation of the humble chicken pie. Food snobbery is almost
non-existent in Singapore, and it is not uncommon to get an executive sitting
at the back of a taxi having a hearty discussion with the driver about where the best eating
places are.
Fresh fruit is available everywhere, and you can get freshly-squeezed fruit
juices in almost every food court on every main street. Exotic specimens such
as Jackfruit, Mangosteen and Rambutans abound, or challenge
yourself to taste the most popular local fruit, the durian. The big
spiky shell is cut open to reveal segments containing creamy flesh surrounding
their seeds. It isn't the taste that's the problem for most foreigners, it's
the unusual odour emanating from this unusual looking fruit. People always react
strongly to it – it's either fragrant or stinky, depending on how much you like
durians. There is no in-between. It does help if you were brought up with it.
Despite its being so adored by Singaporeans, it has been banned on public transport
and in hotels. What an indignity for this unique fruit that is commonly known
as the ‘King of the Fruits'!
Restaurants
SINGAPOREAN
Chatterbox
One of the great loves of the Singaporeans is a dish called Hainanese Chicken
Rice , or sometimes simply known as Chicken Rice . There are many eating places
you can find it in, from hawkers centres to fancy restaurants, but one of the
best is to be found at ‘Chatterbox', located in the Mandarin Hotel. More pricey
than the fare you will find elsewhere, but worth it. Look out too for their
Lobster laksa and Tau Suan a warm, soupy dessert made with mung beans. Yum…
Mandarin Hotel
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: (65) 6737 4411
Fax: (65) 6732 2361
Email: mandarin.tms@meritus-hotels.com
Website: http://www.mandarin-singapore.com/dining/the_chatterbox.htm
Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 5am to 1am - Fridays, Saturdays &
Eve of Public Holidays: 24 hours
Lee Tong Kee
Not really Singaporean in origin, the silky smooth haw fun (rice noodles)
they serve here originate in Ipoh , a predominantly Chinese part of Malaysia
(although the restaurant itself started out in Kuala Lumpur ). Many Singaporeans
who work or live abroad make a point of coming to this little restaurant upon
their return to enjoy a bowl of their delicious beef or prawn haw fun , which
you can order dry or with soup. The tenderest chicken you've ever tasted is
to be found here, and they have truly wonderful desserts. A must for anyone
wanting to eat great food off the beaten tourist track.
278 South Bridge Road ,
Singapore 058827
Tel: (65) 62231896
Fax: (65) 62214950
Website: www.ipohhorfun.com
Email: ltkffood@singnet.com.sg
Opening Hours :
Mon - Sun & Public holidays : 10am - 9:pm
A quick word about a must-try local culinary delight – Laksa. Laksa is a
noodle dish served in a creamy, spicy coconut soup with beansprouts, prawns
and, depending on where you go, fried beancurd, clams and other goodies. ‘Kopi
Tiam at the Swissotel The Stamford serves very good Laksa, as does ‘Ah Meng'
at Orchard Point. There are also a myriad of hawker centres that serve good
laksa for those who like to ‘do as the locals do'.
Singapore Laksa differs from Penang Laksa in that it's gravy has a coconut
base, while the one from Penang has an assam (tamarind) base.
CHINESE
Spring Court
A family-run Chinese restaurant since 1929. Consistently good reviews.
Spring Court Restaurant Pte Ltd
52-56 Upper Cross Street
Singapore 058348(across from Chinatown Point car-park)
Tel: (65) 6449-5030
Fax: (65) 6535-6609
Email: enquiry@springcourt.com.sg
Website: www.springcourt.com.sg
Lunch: 11.00am to 2.30pm / Dinner: 6.00pm to 10.30pm
The Eastern Restaurant
Simple decor belies the sumptuousness of the cuisine. Look out for their
melt-in-the-mouth Eastern Yi Ping Steamed Pork Dumplings , or challenge yourself
to eat like a local with their Egg Puff with Durian Paste
176 Orchard Rd
#01-57 CENTREPOINT
Singapore 238843
Tel : 6736-2638
Fax : 6736-0571
Website: www.easternrestaurant.com
Hillman Restaurant
Rather difficult to get to by car (the parking's terrible and the restaurant
can be difficult to find), Hillman is known less for its service (which is not
what you come here for) than for it's scrumptious Paper Wrapped Chicken, known
here as ‘Chicken in a Paper Bag'. Also known for their claypot dishes.
(Another place known for it's paper wrapped chicken is the Union Farm Eating
House in Clementi, although the reviews it's received of late haven't been as
favourable as they used to be)
Block 1 Cantonment Road
#01-159
Singapore 080001
Tel: (65) 6221 5073
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 2.30pm & 5.30pm - 10.30pm daily
LAOTIAN
Indochine Madame Butterfly
Beautiful decor combines with simple yet exquisite dishes from Laos.
Merchants Court
3A River Valley Road #01-02
Singapore 179020
(Located @ Clarke Quay)
Tel: (65) 65576266
Fax: (65) 63374358
PERANAKAN
Chili Padi Nonya Restaurant
Delicious Peranakan cuisine born of its Malay and Chinese ancestry. Full
of flavour and found predominantly in certain parts of Singapore and Malaysia
. The ‘Chili Padi' has won numerous awards for their authentic renditions of
these delicious dishes.
11 Joo Chiat Place #01 - 03
Singapore 486350
Tel: (65) 6275 1002
Website: www.chillipadi.com.sg
Lunch: 11.30pm - 2.30pm
Dinner: 5.30pm - 10pm
Ivins
A gem of a restaurant. The first outlet was so successful they opened
a second in Upper Thompson.
IVINS @ Binjai Park
19/21 Binjai Park
Bukit Timah
Singapore 589827
Tel: (65) 6468 3060
Fax: (65) 6467 3371
IVINS @ Jalan Leban
No. 2/4 Jalan Leban
Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 577548
Tel: (65)6451 4622
Website: www.ivins.com.sg
If you really want the low-down on what and where to eat, check out these websites
where contributions are made by Singapore foodies share information with other.
Be prepared for a lot of ‘Singlish', the local variation of conversational English,
and for names of dishes you've never ever heard of! (By the way, makan
is short for eat)
http://makansingapore.com/
(This website even gives you a glossary of local terms!)
*Just a note to say that Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are two of the best known
places among tourists who want to eat ‘local', but in actual fact more tourists
than Singaporeans actually go there. The food is good, but at tourist prices,
and the vendors rather more pushy than in other less touristy eating place(apart from Newton Circus, where they can be pushier).
There are exceptions, of course. A couple of restaurants are very good (Indochine,
for instance), and this is where the Satay Club relocated to some years ago,
so great satay is to be found here. Come here for a lively atmosphere and nice
surroundings (it is, as the name suggests, on the riverside), but just be aware
that there are so many other great culinary gems to be found if only you look
in the right places.
Cafes/Bars/Pubs
Chijmes
Chijmes is a National Heritage site that is
popular with Singaporeans and tourists alike. Built out of an old girls' convent
school and chapel, there are shops and boutiques that are open until 10 at night,
and places to eat and drink and take in live entertainment until the wee hours.
30 Victoria Street .
Tel: (65) 6337 7810
Ink Club Bar
A relaxed and trendy bar with modern decor.
80 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 189560
Tel: (65) 6431 5314
One Rochester
A sophisticated hang-out for those seeking something more than just a
noisy bar, One Rochester is a large converted bungalow set against a lush leafy
backdrop and offers tasty food to go with their large selection of wines and
other drinks.
1 Rochester Park
Singapore 139212
Tel: (65) 6773 0070
The Post
Located in the Fullerton Singapore, a grand hotel converted from The
Fullerton Building, which was built in 1928. The Post is sitting under the ceiling
that used to be the General Office, while The Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce
and The Singapore Club used to occupy various other parts of the building.
The Fullerton Singapore
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 49178
Tel: (65) 6877 8135
The 1 Nitestand Bar & Comedy Club
Famous for its comedy nights held in the last week of every month, many
of the comedians fly out from the UK to provide unparalleled stand-up comedy.
2 River Valley Road
Clarke Quay
Block A #01-04
Singapore 179020
Website: www.the1nitestand.com
Long Bar
While in Singapore , one of the things on most people's ‘must do' list
is a trip to the Long Bar in the famous Raffles Hotel. The Long Bar was the
birthplace of the ‘Singapore Sling', that most famous of cocktails.
Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: (65) 337 1886
Copyright EasyExpat Ltd © 2002-2008. All rights reserved.