As the world teeters on the brink of a new global conflict, uncertainty hangs heavy in the air. Tensions have erupted over President Trump’s controversial decision to bar International students from Harvard, sparking outrage and diplomatic rifts. Trade relations are also deteriorating, with new tariffs fueling the flames of international discord.

In these turbulent times, Singapore remains a calm oasis—its skyline glittering, its streets vibrant and secure. Who knows how long this peace will last? Now might be the perfect moment to savour what the city has to offer before change sweeps across the region.

If you want to experience top-tier dining in Singapore, seize the chance while you can. From sumptuous hawker centres to Michelin-starred restaurants, the city is a culinary playground. Consider making a reservation at Odette for refined French cuisine or sampling innovative local flavours at Labyrinth.

While the world outside grows more uncertain, take comfort in the pleasures close at hand. Singapore’s food scene is a reminder that even in tense times, there are moments worth cherishing.

Singapore Food Locations

MAXWELL FOOD CENTRE (Chinatown)

Location: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore
Ambience: Central, accessible hawker hall in Chinatown – bustling, authentic street food atmosphere
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly accessible, multiple vendors, central location

1. Oyster Omelette (Orh Luak)

Ingredients: Oysters, eggs, starch batter, bean sprouts
Cooking Method: Pan-fried until edges are browned and crisp
Features: Hot, fleshy oysters with crispy edges; “oceanic slime” texture
Pricing: Not specified
Delivery: Not mentioned
Tourist Value: Acquired taste – recommended for oyster lovers only
Vendor: Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
Address: Maxwell Food Centre, #01-05, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184

2-3. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Vendors: Ah Tai (Stall 01-07) vs Uncle Sky (Stall 01-02

Ingredients: Poached chicken, fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock, ginger-scallion sauce, chilli sauce, dark soy sauce
Cooking Method: Chinese poaching technique for a lustrous finish
Features: Uncle Sky preferred – moister chicken, perfectly cooked rice grains
Pricing: Not specified
Delivery: Not mentioned
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Iconic Singapore dish, fierce competition between vendors

4. Zhen Zhen Porridge (Stall 01-54)

Ingredients: Rice porridge, fish, chicken, century egg
Cooking Method: Slow-cooked congee, with nearly 40 years of technique
Features: Smooth, thick, almost soupy consistency
Pricing: SG $3 for “small” size
Sides: Fresh sliced chilli, soy sauce
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Essential breakfast experience

HOTELS

5. Six Senses Duxton – Yellow Pot Breakfast

Location: 88 Duxton Road, Singapore
Ambience: Character-filled boutique hotel, upscale breakfast setting
Pricing: Hotel rates (expensive)

Signature Dish: French omelette with pickled chilli crab
Ingredients: Eggs, chilli crab, mantou buns (Chinese steamed bread)
Features: Buttery perfection, creative fusion approach
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Luxury experience, unique fusion

6. Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel

Location: 1 Beach Road, Singapore
Ambience: Iconic restored room from 1892, colonial grandeur
Service Style: North Indian buffet with thali experience, staff table service

Dishes: Fresh spiced North Indian cuisine, cheese-stuffed flatbreads
Features: Copper pot presentations, unlimited top-ups
Pricing: Premium hotel pricing
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Historic significance, interactive dining

GEYLANG (Red Light District)

7. Ho Kee Pau

Location: 43 Lor 27 Geylang
Ambience: 24-hour franchise, late-night dim sum spot
Service: Tick-box menu ordering system

Specialty: Pau (fluffy white Chinese buns)
Features: Round-the-clock availability
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐ Late-night dining option

8. Geylang Famous Beef Kway Teow

Location: 237 Geylang Road (corner shop)
Also Known As: Geylang Lorong 9 Beef Hor Fun

Ingredients: Rice noodles, beef slices, gravy, bean sprouts
Cooking Method: Stir-fried rice noodles
Features: “Suspiciously tender” beef, rich gravy coating
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local favourite, authentic preparation

9. Geylang Lorong 9 Fresh Frog Porridge

Location: 235 Geylang Road
Website: geylanglor9.com

Ingredients: Frog meat, rice porridge, ginger, aromatics
Cooking Method: Stew-like preparation
Features: Tastes like soft chicken, ginger-fragrant
Function: Hangover cure
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐ Adventurous eating experience

10. Wonderful Durian

Location: 147 Sims Ave (corner of Lor 17 and Sims Drive)

Service: Whole durian cracking and sharing experience
Features: Fresh, seasonal durian selection
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authentic durian experience (with selection guide recommended)

11. No Signboards Seafood

Established: 50+ years ago
Multiple Locations: Check nosignboardholdings.com

Specialties: Chili crab, white pepper crab, razor clams, Chinese steamed egg custard
Features: Reliable quality, extensive menu beyond crab
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Established reputation, multiple locations

12. JB AH Meng

Location: 534 Geylang Road
Ambience: Hectic late-night chef hangout spot

Specialties: White pepper crab, san lou bee hoon
San Lou Bee Hoon Ingredients: Rice vermicelli, shrimp, squid
Cooking Method: Fried until crisp pancake-like disc
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authentic late-night culture, chef-approved

AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANTS

13. Burnt Ends

Location: 20 Teck Lim Road
Website: burntends.com.sg
Ambience: 18 counter seats, no reservations (except specific times)
Reservations: Fri/Sat noon/12:30pm, Tue-Sat 6pm/6:30pm dinner

Signature Dishes:
- Steak tartare: Raw beef, caviar, potato squares fried in fat
- Congee: Orange egg yolk, sliced shiitake
- King crab claws: Garlic butter, hand-eating
- 45-day dry-aged beef rib
- Bone marrow bun: Brick kiln-cooked, charred crown, pre-cut with marrow stuffed between incisions
Pricing: High-end
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ International reputation, unique Australian BBQ approach

14. Cloudstreet

Location: 84 Amoy Street
Website: cloudstreet.com.sg
Named After: Tim Winton’s Australian novel
Team: Chef Rishi Naleendra (kitchen), Gareth Burnett (floor)
Ambience: Chef’s counter seating recommended, upscale dining

Cuisine Style: Sri Lankan-Australian fusion with seasonal ingredients
Signature Dishes:
- King crab curry: Tamarind and coconut broth
- Grilled lamb: Young jackfruit accompaniment
- “Vegemite on Toast” petit fours
- Singapore stout and liquorice bread
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Creative fusion, chef’s counter experience, Australian representation

KAMPONG GLAM (Muslim Quarter)

15. Singapore Zam Zam

Location: 697-699 North Bridge Road (opposite Sultan Mosque)
Website: zamzamsingapore.com
Established: 1908
Ambience: Takeaway display downstairs, fluro-pink tables over two levels

Target Clientele: Originally Indian-Muslim, now broader appeal
Specialties: Roti prata, biryani, murtabak
Murtabak Ingredients: Flaky pastry, egg, onion, choice of chicken/mutton/beef/sardine/deer
Features: Affordable, guidebook-recommended
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Historic establishment, authentic Muslim cuisine

16. Hjh Maimunah Restaurant & Catering

Location: 20 Joo Chiat Road & 11 & 15 Jalan Pisang
Website: hjmaimunah.com
Service Style: Glass counter selection, nasi padang style

Pricing: SG $1-4 per dish
Dishes Available: Jackfruit curry, brittle fish skin, ayam goreng (fried chicken), barbecued fish, tahu telur (bean curd omelette), beef rendang
A la carte: Oxtail soup (popular)
Features: Many spicy dishes, friendly staff
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Affordable authentic Malay food, variety

17. % Arabica Coffee

Origin: Kyoto, Japan
Website: arabica.coffee
Ambience: Minimalist-chic, concrete floors, white walls, designer aesthetic

Coffee: House-roasted blend
Pricing: SG $8 for signature latte
Spanish Latte: Vietnamese-style with condensed milk
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐ Premium coffee experience, Instagram-worthy

18. 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup

Location: Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, Stall 01-75
Website: 75ahballing.com
Established: 1947 (street cart to 1975 permanent location)
Generation: Third-generation business, three outlets

Product: Glutinous rice balls in soup
Ball Fillings: Peanut, sesame, yam, red bean, matcha
Soup Options: Peanut, ginger, almond milk, red date
Cultural Context: Traditional Winter Solstice/Lantern Festival food
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Historic recipe, cultural significance

19. Shaved Ice Dessert Stall

Location: Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road (next to Ah Balling)

Specialty: Snow ice, fresh mango (seasonal)
Method: Machine-shaved ice with fresh toppings
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐ Cooling dessert, seasonal offerings

CHINATOWN

20. Tong Ah Eating House

Location: 35 Keong Saik Road
Facebook: TongAhEatingHouse
Established: Originally 1939 (relocated)
Type: Iconic kopitiam (coffee house)

Breakfast Specialties: Sweet kopi (coffee), extra crunchy kaya toast
Additional: Affordable tze char dishes
Features: Eat like a local experience
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Historic kopitiam culture, authentic local experience

21. Foong Kee Coffee Shop

Location: 6 Keong Saik Road
Operating Hours: From noon
Ambience: Unassuming, crowded tables, queues form outside

Specialty: Roast meats (duck, pork)
Serving Options: Platters, rice, springy egg noodles
Char Siu Options: Lean, fatty, or both
Accompaniment: Cleansing broth bowl
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local favorite, quality roast meats

22. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh

Established: 1969 (street pushcart on Johor Road)
Locations: ~12 in Singapore, 20+ throughout Asia
Website: songfa.com.sg

Signature: Bak kut teh (peppery herbal pork rib soup)
Sizes: Two sizes available
Sides: Salted green pickled vegetables, braised sides
Features: Mini bins on tables, packaged wet wipes, hands-on eating encouraged
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Chain success story, interactive dining

JOO CHIAT & KATONG (Peranakan Area)

23. Original Katong Laksa

Locations:

Roxy Square, 50 East Coast Road
1 Queensway, Queensway Shopping Centre
331 Upper Paya Lebar Road Distinction: Original vs popular 328 Katong Laksa
Identifier: Yellow sign “More than 50 years experience in serving best Nonya laksa”
Ingredients: Pre-cut noodles, prawns, fish cake, bean sprouts, minced pork, creamy aromatic broth
Serving Method: Spoon only (chopsticks unnecessary due to pre-cut noodles)
Recommendation: Add otah from neighboring Bei-ing Wanton Noodles
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Original recipe, authentic Peranakan dish

24. Bei-ing Wanton Noodles

Location: Roxy Square, 50 East Coast Road
Facebook: being1ton
Service Style: Take number system, 20-minute fresh cooking wait

Signature: Wanton mee
Components: Fresh noodles, char siu, deep-fried pork wontons, steamed wontons
Features: Dramatic number-calling by owner, fresh-cooked to order

Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Theatrical service, fresh preparation

25. Kim Choo Kueh Chang

Established: 1945
Website: Multiple branches at kimchoo.com
Specialty: Heritage Peranakan kueh (cakes)

Famous Product: Sweet and savory Nyonya sticky rice dumplings (hanging in bunches)
System: Color-coded strings indicate different fillings
Additional: Sweet kueh in plastic containers
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heritage preservation, traditional techniques

HAVELOCK ROAD COOKED FOOD CENTRE

26. Guang Fa Laksa

Location: Stall 01-08, 22B Havelock Road
Chef: Uncle Tan

Special Technique: Homemade chili paste
Features: Flavorful broth, right amount of coconut, not too oily, bouncy fishcake
Options: Cockles optional
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authentic preparation, customizable

27. You Yi Fish Soup

Location: Stall 01-30, 22A Havelock Road

Style: Tom yum broth – clean and spicy
Serving Method: Deep-fried fish served separately to prevent sogginess
Accompaniments: Yam and vegetable rice, chili sauce, fresh sliced chili
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐ Thoughtful preparation, complete meal

28. Meng Kee Fried Kway Teow

Location: Stall 01-07, 22A Havelock Road
Recognition: Featured on “best of” kway teow lists
Generation: Father to daughter succession

Technique: Intense wok hei (breath of wok), pork fat frying
Sauce: Sweeter than average
Ingredients: Slippery rice noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, egg, lap cheong (Chinese sausage), cockles
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Award recognition, family tradition

29. Tan’s Tu Tu Coconut Cake

Locations: 449 Clementi Avenue 3 & 22B Havelock Road
Distinction: Singapore’s original kueh tutu store
Established: 80+ years

Product: Small steamed rice flour cakes
Fillings: Peanut and moist shredded coconut
Sweetener: Caramelized palm sugar
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Original recipe, historical significance

SPECIAL EXPERIENCES

30. The Ampang Kitchen

Location: 39 Jalan Ampang, Bukit Timah
Facebook: TheAmpangKitchenSingapore
Owners: “Retiree” Raymond Leong and son David
Booking: One month advance, group dining only

Concept: Private home Peranakan dining experience
Cultural Context: Traditionally home-cooked cuisine only
Features: BYOB at no extra cost, dishes unavailable elsewhere
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unique cultural experience, authentic home cooking

31. Nylon Coffee Roasters

Location: Block 4 Everton Park, 01-40 (hidden in 1960s housing estate)
Website: nyloncoffee.sg
Distance: 400m from Foong Kee Coffee Shop

Concept: International bean roasting, artisanal preparation
Menu: Black (espresso, long black, filter), White (3/5/7 oz), Iced options
Ambience: Tiny space, communal standing table, coffee-loving crowd
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hidden gem, third-wave coffee culture

32. Atlas Bar

Location: Parkview Square office tower (200m from Zam Zam)
Established: 2017
Style: Art Deco design

Distinction: Best gin bar in Singapore, possibly world
Collection: 1300+ gin bottles in “imbibing bible”
Sourcing: Global collection from Estonia to Ecuador
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ World-class bar, extensive collection

33. Rochor Original Beancurd

Location: 1.3km from Zam Zam (en route to Kampong Glam)
Established: 1960
Ambience: Simple, almost temporary-looking shop – authentic local vibe

Specialties Tried:
- Soybean milk with pearls
- Two silky bean curd puddings (one with sweet syrup)
- Deep-fried sesame ball
- Egg tart
Family History: Four siblings split due to family favoritism/rivalry, each opened their own beancurd stores
Related Locations: Former neighbor location, Beancurd City (another sibling’s shop)
Discovery Method: Recommended by Grab driver as alternative to closed Beancurd City
Features: Traditional soybean products, family recipe legacy
Tourist Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authentic family story, traditional preparation since 1960

SUMMARY ANALYSIS

Pricing Tiers:

Budget: SG $1-4 (Hawker centers, local coffee shops)
Mid-range: SG $8-15 (Specialty coffee, casual dining)
Premium: Hotel dining, fine dining restaurants

Food Delivery Options:

Limited Information: Most establishments appear to be dine-in focused
Takeaway Available: Several hawker stalls and coffee shops
No Delivery Mentioned: For most locations

Tourist Accessibility:

Highest Value: Maxwell Food Centre, Tong Ah Eating House, Original Katong Laksa, Atlas Bar
Moderate Accessibility: Most hawker centers and established restaurants
Advance Planning Required: The Ampang Kitchen, Burnt Ends reservations

Cultural Significance:

Historical: Tong Ah (1939), Singapore Zam Zam (1908), Song Fa (1969)
Heritage Preservation: Kim Choo Kueh Chang, Tan’s Tu Tu Coconut Cake
Modern Innovation: Burnt Ends, Cloudstreet, % Arabica

Cooking Techniques Highlighted:

Traditional: Slow congee cooking, Chinese poaching, wok hei stir-frying
Modern: Brick kiln cooking, contemporary plating, fusion techniques
Regional: Peranakan home-style, Malay nasi padang, Indian Muslim preparations

Maxthon

In an age where the digital world is in constant flux and our interactions online are ever-evolving, the importance of prioritising individuals as they navigate the expansive internet cannot be overstated. The myriad of elements that shape our online experiences calls for a thoughtful approach to selecting web browsers—one that places a premium on security and user privacy. Amidst the multitude of browsers vying for users’ loyalty, Maxthon emerges as a standout choice, providing a trustworthy solution to these pressing concerns, all without any cost to the user.

Maxthon, with its advanced features, boasts a comprehensive suite of built-in tools designed to enhance your online privacy. Among these tools are a highly effective ad blocker and a range of anti-tracking mechanisms, each meticulously crafted to fortify your digital sanctuary. This browser has carved out a niche for itself, particularly with its seamless compatibility with Windows 11, further solidifying its reputation in an increasingly competitive market.

In a crowded landscape of web browsers, Maxthon has carved out a distinct identity through its unwavering commitment to providing a secure and private browsing experience. Fully aware of the myriad threats lurking in the vast expanse of cyberspace, Maxthon works tirelessly to safeguard your personal information. Utilising state-of-the-art encryption technology, it ensures that your sensitive data remains protected and confidential throughout your online adventures.

What truly sets Maxthon apart is its commitment to enhancing user privacy during every moment spent online. Each feature of this browser has been meticulously designed with the user’s privacy in mind. Its powerful ad-blocking capabilities work diligently to eliminate unwanted advertisements, while its comprehensive anti-tracking measures effectively reduce the presence of invasive scripts that could disrupt your browsing enjoyment. As a result, users can traverse the web with newfound confidence and safety.

Moreover, Maxthon’s incognito mode provides an extra layer of security, granting users enhanced anonymity while engaging in their online pursuits. This specialized mode not only conceals your browsing habits but also ensures that your digital footprint remains minimal, allowing for an unobtrusive and liberating internet experience. With Maxthon as your ally in the digital realm, you can explore the vastness of the internet with peace of mind, knowing that your privacy is being prioritised every step of the way.

Singapore Best Food Guide