Singapore is a paradise for foodies. It is a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan cuisine. Aside from its signature dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and laksa, the city-state also has a great selection of local snacks that are a reflection of its multicultural background. Here are six local snacks that every first-time traveller should try.
1. Kaya Toast
No visit to Singapore is complete without a bite of kaya toast, the traditional breakfast staple. The seemingly plain but addictive treat comprises crunchy toast smeared with kaya, a sweet coconut jam made from eggs, sugar, and pandan leaves. It is finished with a generous pat of butter.
Traditionally paired with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of kopi (local coffee), kaya toast doubles as a tasty snack. You can find some of the best versions of kaya toast served in the city’s restaurants and in a robertson quay hotel such as the elegant Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore.
2. Curry Puff
Flaky pastry puffed with spicy curried potatoes, chicken, and sometimes egg, the curry puff is a snack in Singaporean bakeries and hawker stalls across the island. It has been described as a Southeast Asian-style mini pie. The Old Chang Kee chain is famous for its golden, crispy puffs. However, numerous local vendors also make handmade versions based on family recipes. Filling and delicious, curry puffs make the perfect grab-and-go snack.
3. Popiah
Popiah is a spring roll containing a mix of shredded turnip, bean sprouts, lettuce, egg, and sometimes shrimp or Chinese sausage. It’s wrapped in a thin wheat crepe and typically accompanied by a hoisin-style sweet sauce and crushed peanuts. The combination of textures — soft, crunch, and juicy — comes together perfectly with each mouthful. Popiah is ideal for those who want to sample something light but rich.
4. Ondeh-Ondeh
These bite-sized green glutinous rice balls are a Peranakan snack. Filled with hot gula melaka (palm sugar) and topped with shredded coconut, ondeh-ondeh provides a burst of sweetness the minute you take a bite. The chewy texture and fragrant pandan taste make it a local favourite among those with a sweet tooth. Freshly-made onde-ondeh is sold at traditional markets or dessert stalls like Bengawan Solo.
5. Satay
While it is usually considered to be a main dish, satay is also a favourite snack served at night markets and food courts. These meat skewers consist of chicken, beef, or mutton and are barbecued over charcoal, then served with creamy peanut sauce, cucumber, onions, and rice cakes (ketupat). The smoky taste and tender, flavourful meat make satay an addictive part of Singapore’s street food scene. Travellers can visit Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street in the evening to taste some of the best satay in the city.
6. Otah (Otak-Otak)
Otah is a grilled fish cake known for its spicy flavour. It is made with ground mackerel and mixed with coconut milk, chili, and spices before being wrapped in banana leaves. Aromatic, moist, and mildly smoky, it’s a snack that epitomizes Singapore’s Malay culinary heritage. It’s available at hawker stalls and even served between slices of bread as a local sandwich option.
