A Local Food Tour of Singapore. local food culture

The 10 Phrases You need to Order Like a Local in Asia

Eat Like a Local in Singapore

Singapore Prawn Noodles

Singapore Prawn Noodles

Singapore Prawn Noodles (often called Prawn Noodles or Hae Mee) is a popular noodle dish available in both soup and dry versions. The soup version features a rich yet clear broth made by simmering prawn heads, shells and pork bones for many hours, creating a naturally sweet and deeply savoury stock. It is commonly served with yellow egg noodles, rice vermicelli (bee hoon), or a combination of both, and topped with fresh prawns, sliced pork, fish cake and fried shallots. The dry version uses the same noodles and toppings but is tossed in a savoury chilli-based sauce, with a separate bowl of the signature prawn broth served alongside. Commonly enjoyed for breakfast or lunch, both versions showcase the distinctive prawn stock, while the dry version offers a richer, more robust flavour and the soup version highlights the clean sweetness of the seafood broth.

Singapore Fish Soup

Fish Soup

Singapore fish soup is a light, savory hawker-style soup made from a clear broth of fish stock (often with fish bones or heads), garlic, and ginger, served with sliced white fish such as red snapper or grouper, rice vermicelli (bee hoon) or rice, and vegetables like cabbage, tomatoes, and coriander. It is commonly eaten for lunch or as a light dinner, and it works well because the delicate poached fish and fresh broth give a clean, comforting taste while the tomatoes and herbs add a gentle acidity and aroma that balance the flavors.

Satay

Singapore Satay

Singapore satay is a popular night-time snack of skewered, charcoal-grilled meat, most commonly chicken, beef, or mutton, marinated in spices and served with a thick, slightly sweet peanut sauce, along with cucumber, onions, and sometimes rice cakes. It is usually eaten after work in the evening, often at hawker centers or outdoor food streets like Lau Pa Sat, and it works well because the smoky, savory meat contrasts nicely with the rich, nutty sauce while the fresh cucumber and onions add a light, refreshing balance.

Singapore Hokkien Mee

Singapore Hokkien Mee

Singapore Hokkien mee is a popular noodle dish made with yellow noodles and rice vermicelli stir-fried in a savory prawn and pork broth, typically served with prawns, squid, egg, bean sprouts, a chili paste, and lime on the side. It is commonly eaten for lunch, dinner, or a late-night meal, and it works well because the noodles absorb the rich seafood broth while the chili and lime add a fresh, tangy contrast that balances the flavors.