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11 Halal Dishes Locals Love To Eat In Singapore

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Qistina Bumidin •  Aug 08, 2022

It's no secret that Singapore's a food paradise, and Singaporeans truly take deep pride in it ?? Our food showcases the best of what our multicultural mix has to offer - from laksa, roti prata, putu piring and more! This National Day, we're celebrating all the iconic dishes we love and giving you some of the best halal places to dig in! ?

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1. Chicken Rice

If you're craving yummy Chinese food (the way we tend to!), then what better dish to start with than the iconic favourite: Hainanese Chicken Rice! Whether steamed, roasted or poached, the glorious part of it all lies in the deep fragrance and flavour of the rice which is cooked in chicken broth, garlic, ginger and pandan leaves. We've rounded some of the best halal chicken rice in town, which you can check it out right here!

2. Laksa

Thick rice noodles in a rich, spicy broth with hefty portions of prawns and cockles - if you think we've just described food heaven to you, that's true, it's another local favourite: laksa ? There are many halal eateries in Singapore serving up this delicacy such as Qiji, Encik Tan and more!

3. Rojak

This might be the best representation of the different cultures in Singapore! There are many different versions of this messy fruit and vegetable salad mix, but no matter your preference, it's simply delicious! If you prefer the bold red rojak packed with a sweet-spicy sauce, check out Habib's Rojak at Ayer Rajah Food Centre. At the same food centre, you can check out Power Rojak Bandung, which offers a unique take on the traditional fruit-laden rojak. Their rojak at this family-run store includes cuttlefish, kangkong, bee hoon and more in a rich sweet chilli sauce! ?

4. Roti Prata

Nothing really tugs at our heartstrings more than the humble roti prata. There's just something about cracking into that fresh piece of crispy prata at any time of the day and its sweet bread-like aroma that evokes sentimentality that not many other dishes can ?. There are a lot of halal eateries serving up this flaky goodness, each of which offers a unique style (ice cream prata, anyone?) and if you're not sure where to start, we've got you covered with 13 places to kick things off!

5. Kaya toast

Having kaya toast and kopi at a local coffee shop is the classic Singaporean breakfast. Picture this - you start your morning with 2 slices of toast with a generous spread of butter and kaya (homemade coconut jam), soft-boiled eggs and a cup of hot kopi (or teh). It doesn’t get any better than this! ?Some places you can check out for your kaya toast fix include Kaffe & Toast, Heavenly Wang, Ma Mum To Go. While famous chain Ya Kun Kaya Toast isn't halal-certified, their kaya jams are. 

6. Chilli crab

Can't spell iconic without chilli crab! Spicy, tangy and perfect for sharing in groups, you’ll be able to find so many different types of chilli crab recipes at local seafood restaurants. Eat how the locals do - extract the fresh, firm meat from within the shells, savour its deliciousness, and dip steaming mantous (fried buns) in the thick, spicy, bright red gravy ? Ready to dig in? We're giving you 9 of the best halal eateries in town to savour this Singaporean delicacy ?

7. Satay

The way to a Singaporean’s heart is through food, and one classic dish we all drool over is this juicy, tender, barbecued skewered meat called satay. ? We got you 25 places to hog out on satay sticks with your loved ones, for your supper or dinner plans, or even whenever the occasion calls for it! ?

8. Putu Piring

Here's a dish Singaporeans can flex: our putu piring has been featured in the Netflix series Street Food! The most popular place you must try this affordable yet heavenly snack is at  Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring. For the uninitiated, putu piring are steamed rice cakes filled with generous melted gula melaka (palm sugar) and topped with freshly grated coconut. At merely $2.50 for 5 pieces, it's comforting at its best ?

9. Murtabak

A popular Indian dish in Singapore, it's made from a filling of onions, meat, and egg, all wrapped in a delicious pastry similar to roti prata (but usually a little thicker). Many Singaporeans love having this dish regardless of the time of day or type of event! Ask any Singaporean and you can bet that the name 'Zam Zam' is almost synonymous with the best murtabak around. Or perhaps these other 8 eateries might be your personal favourite instead! ?

10. Chendol

A cold, delicious assemblage of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar (Gula Melaka), this dessert we’re about to feature is one of Singapore’s favourite desserts! Put together with the best of Singapore’s tropical flavours like red bean paste, glass jelly or even a delightful dose of durian paste, and you’ll be in heaven, especially in this sweltering heat these days ? We got you covered with a list of the best halal Chendol spots around Singapore for you to enjoy in sunny Singapore!

11. Hokkien Mee

Another dish that's always got Singaporeans scrambling for more is the mouthwatering Hokkien mee. We're lucky that there are a couple of halal eateries in Singapore which offer this dish (considering how it's originally made with pork lard), however, a popular spot to get halal and authentic Hokkien mee is at Bedok Corner Hokkien Fried Squid & Prawn Mee. The queues are long, and patrons praised its rich flavour in every bite. We can keep going on about good it is, but it's best you taste it for yourself ?

12. Briyani

If you're craving a local dish that's filling and hearty, there's nothing that can beat a plate of spicy, smoky briyani ? We're already drooling thinking of fluffy spiced rice topped with generous servings of mutton, chicken, or beef - and drizzled over with dahl gravy or paired with sweet-and-sour achar at the side ?We know you probably have your go-to briyani spot, but if you need even more recommendations (because we can't get enough of this ?), we got you covered with 8 more places!

Wave the flag high this National Day and celebrate the best of what Singapore offers- our glorious food scene! ?