Savor Singapore's Top 10 Must-try Iconic Food with Eco-Friendly Food Packaging Solutions
A Food Journey Through Singapore: Must-try Iconic Dishes and Eco-Friendly Takeaway Options
Singapore's food scene is a vibrant fusion shaped by its multicultural heritage. It offers a diverse array of flavors that cater to all palates. The city-state is a paradise for food lovers, ranging from bustling hawker centers to Michelin-starred restaurants. Whether you are a local rediscovering traditional favorites or a visitor seeking a culinary adventure. Singapore has a rich food heritage and infinite cuisines, including some of the world's most scrumptious dishes. Here's a curated guide to some of Singapore's most iconic foods, the best places to enjoy them, and eco-friendly takeaway options for savoring these delights on the go.
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Often considered Singapore's unofficial national dish, Hainanese Chicken Rice reflects the resourcefulness of immigrants from Hainan Island, who adapted their culinary traditions to local ingredients. This iconic dish features tender poached chicken served atop aromatic rice. It is complemented by a flavorful chili sauce made from red chili, garlic, and tangy ginger. The rice, an essential element of the dish, is cooked with chicken stock and pandan leaves, contributing to its distinctive fragrance and flavorful taste. Though seemingly simple, the dish requires exceptional skill to perfectly balance its flavors and textures.
Where to try:
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre
- Sing Swee Kee Chicken Rice at Seah St
Takeaway Packaging Tip: Use CT Foodware's kraft paper bowl to keep the rice and chicken fresh and intact while reducing environmental impact. Pair them with eco-friendly cutlery for a sustainable meal experience.
Chilli Crab
This dish was created in the 1950s by a Singaporean chef experimenting with tomato and chilli sauces to elevate simple crab dishes into a world-renowned delicacy. A must-try for seafood lovers, chilli crab consists of succulent mud crabs stir-fried in a sweet and savory tomato-chilli sauce. Despite its name, the dish is moderately spicy and best enjoyed with fried mantou (buns) to soak up the delectable gravy. This dish is a quintessential part of Singapore's culinary identity.
Where to try:
- Jumbo Seafood at East Coast Seafood Centre
- No Signboard Seafood at Geylang
Takeaway Packaging Tip: CT Foodware's Square Kraft Bowl—1400ml is perfect for holding the chilli crab sauce and ensuring spill-free transport. Pair it with sturdy, eco-friendly paper bags for easy carrying.
Laksa
Laksa's origins are rooted in the Peranakan community, which blends Chinese and Malay culinary influences. It's often a dish that brings families together during festive occasions. Thick rice noodles are served in a rich, spicy coconut-based curry broth that delights the senses. The dish is topped with various ingredients, including fish cake, tofu puffs, and cockles, and a spoonful of sambal chili paste is served on the side for added flavor. This creamy and spicy broth is a hallmark of comfort food in Singapore.
Where to try:
- Guang Fa Laksa at Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre
- Sungei Road Laksa at Jalan Berseh
Takeaway Packaging Tip: Pack this hearty dish in leak-proof Kraft paper paper bowls, which are designed for hot broth and sustainability. Include their compostable lids to keep the broth warm during transport.
Char Kway Teow
A popular street food, char kway teow is a stir-fried dish of flat rice noodles, black soy sauce, bean sprouts, Chinese sausage, and cockles. It is traditionally fried over a charcoal fire to attain a smoky flavor, known as "wok hei." Char kway teow is a perfect representation of Singapore's bold flavors.
Where to try:
- Hill Street Fried Kway Teow at Chinatown Complex
- Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee at Hong Lim Food Centre
Takeaway Packaging Tip: Use CT Foodware's eco-friendly paper lunch boxes for a mess-free takeaway experience. They are perfect for maintaining the texture of the noodles.
Hokkien Prawn Mee
This dish features a mix of yellow and white noodles stir-fried with prawns, squid, and egg, then simmered in a rich prawn broth. It's typically served with sambal chili and a squeeze of lime for added zest. This dish exemplifies the umami-packed flavors of Singaporean cuisine.
Where to try:
- Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee at Old Airport Road Food Centre
- Geylang Lor 29 Fried Hokkien Mee at East Coast Road
Takeaway Packaging Tip: CT Foodware's biodegradable kraft paper bowl keeps the dish warm and flavorful. Add a splash of lime juice just before serving for an authentic touch to enhance the taste.
Satay
These succulent, perfectly grilled meat skewers are not just a dish but a social experience, often enjoyed with friends and family under the open sky at bustling night markets. Satay is skewered meat served on bamboo sticks and charcoal-grilled to perfection. It can be chicken, beef, mutton, or pork. The dish is served with a unique peanut dipping sauce, ketupat (rice cakes), and sliced fresh cucumber and onion. It is often enjoyed at gatherings.
Where to try:
- Lau Pa Sat Festival Market in the evenings, where satay stalls line the street
- Changi Village Hawker Centre in Changi Village Rd
Takeaway Packaging Tip: Kraft paper food trays and paper bags are great for packing Satay and sides.
Kaya Toast with Soft-Boiled Eggs
A traditional breakfast favorite, kaya toast features slices of toasted bread spread with kaya (a sweet coconut and egg jam) and butter. It is served with soft-boiled eggs drizzled with black soy sauce and white pepper. This dish is a nostalgic staple for many Singaporeans.
Where to try:
- Ya Kun Kaya Toast with outlets island-wide
- Fun Toast with multiple outlets in Singapore
Takeaway Packaging Tip: CT Foodware's eco-friendly takeaway food boxes are perfect for securely packing kaya toast and soup tubs/cups for eggs. Adding a hot coffee or tea to this breakfast in a disposable paper cup completes the perfect morning ritual.
Nasi Lemak
Originating from Malay cuisine, nasi lemak is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk, accompanied by fried anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg, cucumber slices, and sambal chili. The good sambal (chili paste) and the aromatic rice are arguably the mark of a good Nasi Lemak. Variations may include fried chicken or otah (grilled fish cake). It's a hearty, balanced meal.
Where to try:
- Sixth Avenue Nasi Lemak at 12 Sixth Ave
- Ponggol Nasi Lemak at Jalan Besar
Takeaway Packaging Tip: Use CT Foodware's rectangular kraft bowls or takeaway food boxes to keep each dish element fresh and delicious. Their airtight lids and kraft paper are ideal for preserving aromatic rice.
Bak Kut Teh
Bak Kut Teh, translating to "meat bone tea," is a comforting and aromatic dish deeply rooted in Singapore and Malaysia's culinary heritage. This dish features tender pork ribs simmered in a flavorful soup, slow-cooked with garlic, white pepper, and various Chinese herbs and spices. This dish is the perfect blend of tender meat in rich, savory, and slightly peppery soup, offering a warm and satisfying taste that lingers on the palate. Despite its name, Bak Kut Teh contains no tea; the "teh" refers to the pairing of the dish with a hot cup of Chinese tea, believed to aid digestion.
Two main versions of Bak Kut Teh dominate the scene: the peppery Teochew version, popular in Singapore, and the herbal Hokkien variant, more common in Malaysia. Typically served with white rice, youtiao (fried dough sticks), and a side of preserved vegetables, it is a hearty meal ideal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether enjoyed at a bustling hawker center or a specialty restaurant, Bak Kut Teh is a must-try dish that embodies taste and tradition.
Where to try:
- Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh at Rangoon Road
- Outram Park Ya Hua Rou Gu Cha at PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex
Takeaway Packaging Tip: Paper soup containers and kraft bowls are ideal for keeping the soup warm and leak-proof. Pair with the biodegradable spoon for an eco-friendly option.
Roti Prata
Roti prata is a flatbread that is pan-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It is usually served with curry. Different variations include fillings with egg, onion, cheese, or even chocolate for a dessert-like option. This food can be enjoyed anytime, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Where to try:
- Mr. and Mrs. Mohgan's Super Crispy Roti Prata at Joo Chiat
- Springleaf Prata Place with multiple outlets
Takeaway Packaging Tip: CT Foodware's biodegradable takeaway boxes and greaseproof paper wraps to ensure the prata stays fresh and crisp.
Singapore's food and beverage scene is a vibrant testament to its multicultural heritage, offering food enthusiasts an opportunity to unforgettable gastronomic adventures. Every dish tells a story, reflecting the harmonious blend of flavors shaped by diverse cultural influences. With CT Foodware's eco-friendly food packaging solutions, you can now enjoy Singapore's iconic dishes in a sustainable and convenient manner, whether dining in or on the go. Our sustainable food packaging and takeaway containers provide cost-effective and convenient options for F&B businesses while allowing consumers to savor the best of Singapore food in an environmentally friendly way.
Moving Singapore's F&B Towards Sustainability
Takeaway (Da Bao) culture is deeply rooted in Singaporean life, especially with the fast-paced urban lifestyle. Eco-friendly packaging aligns with Singapore's commitment to sustainability, reducing waste while preserving the flavors of beloved dishes. CT Foodware provides one-stop eco-friendly food packaging solutions. Our eco-friendly disposable food packaging products, including paper bowls, food containers, bento boxes, and paper cups, are all crafted from premium paper and responsibly sourced materials. These sustainable disposable food packaging are ideal for both dining-in and takeaway services, offering a high-quality and environmentally friendly choice for various F&B needs while promoting Singapore's food culture.
CT Foodware - your trusted partner for eco-friendly food packaging solutions
