Jerald AngWith famous mouth-watering dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and chilli crab, there’s no doubt that Singapore is a gourmet paradise. That said, you can’t proclaim yourself as a true foodie without sampling some unique Singaporean food! Check out these top picks for must-try weird and/or underrated food in Singapore, recommended by your amateur food connoisseur.
Also read: 15 Best Hawker Food Dishes in Singapore and Where to Find Them
1. Fried shark lor mee
Image credit: Michelin Guide Official Website
Lor mee (or lomi) is a Hokkien noodle dish that hails from the city of Zhangzhou in China’s Fujian province. It is commonly found in many Southeast Asian countries, where it is served in a thick starchy gravy made from corn starch, spices, meat, seafood, and eggs. However, each country’s interpretation of the dish is different; the main distinction being the type of toppings added to the noodles.
In Singapore, certain stalls opt for “shark nuggets” instead of traditional fish bits to accompany the noodles. These bite-sized nuggets are obtained from non-endangered sharks and have a consistency likened to that of barramundis. Covered in a crispy layer of fried batter, the meat is kept moist whilst soaking in the gravy.
Definitely consider this unique Singaporean food if you’re curious about what shark meat tastes like! Head down to either Lor Mee 178 or Tiong Bahru Lor Mee for a bowl of this soupy goodness.
2. Nian gao waffles
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Taste the sweetness of nian gao (Chinese rice cake) as you sink your teeth into these piping hot waffles! Inspired by her grandpa’s fried nian gao recipe, the owner of The Better Scoop decided to add it as a twist to regular plain waffles. The taste gets even better when the hot waffle is paired with scoops of ice cream. With varieties ranging from chrysanthemum goji berries to honey chamomile butterfly pea flower, their Asian-inspired ice cream selection adds a unique twist to this classic fan-favourite dessert. Truly a Singaporean food that’s a sweet treat worth enjoying!
3. Pei Pa Koa milk tea
Image credit: Woobbee Official Facebook Page
You might’ve thought this was an April Fools joke at first — except that it isn’t! Created by local bubble tea chain Woobbee, the best-selling Herbalmint Milk Tea has been their signature drink since its opening in 2013. A harmonious blend of sweetness from the milk tea and minty flavour from the herbal syrup will also help relieve any irritating sore throat and cough. Who knows, you might just view bubble tea differently after tasting this unique concoction.
4. Satay bee hoon
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Satay bee hoon is named after the satay peanut sauce, which is said to bear similarities with the one used in this dish. After mixing an array of ingredients such as dried chillis, spices, lemongrass, and shrimp paste, the resulting paste is then simmered to create an aromatic sauce that accompanies a hearty portion of rice vermicelli. Other accompaniments are also added to the dish; the most common being water spinach, tau pok (fried beancurd puffs), prawns, and strips of cuttlefish.
Nobody can confirm where and how this dish was invented, but there’s one thing we can be sure of — it’s a rich and delicious taste that you can never forget! You can find these offered in many hawker centres across the island; the most famous stalls being Sin Chew Satay Bee Hoon and Shi Wei Da.
Also read: 10 Best Hawker Centres in Singapore That Locals & Travelling Foodies Swear By
5. Ayam buah keluak burger
Image credit: Hambaobao Official Facebook Page
Ayam buah keluak is a well-loved Peranakan dish that is found in many Southeast Asian countries. Created by combining chicken, tamarind gravy, and kuah beluak nuts, the burger is a result of two years of R&D by Hambaobao’s founders. Although the traditional dish is usually served with rice, this underrated food in Singapore was reimaged in a contemporary and rather Western form.
With such ingenuity, the burger catches one’s attention with its choice of ingredients. At the same time, it will leave first-timers yearning for more bites of this wonderful savoury treat.
Also read: 10 Amazing Places to Get the Best Burgers in Singapore
6. Eggs Benedict prata
Image credit: sj_foodslover
Singaporeans know it as prata (or paratha), while Malaysians know it as roti. But regardless of what it’s called, this weird food in Singapore hits the spot every time you order it. Many variations of this local fried dish exist. Some pair it with toppings ranging from common protein options to quirky ones like ice cream and butter.
Among these options, the quirkiest of them all would be the Eggs Benedict prata. The Prata Blaster is offered by Springleaf Prata Place, which sees plain prata matched with two slices of turkey ham and a perfectly poached egg. Drizzled with an Indian-spiced hollandaise sauce, it’s an interesting fusion of Western and Asian flavours that tickles your tastebuds.
Also read: 15 Hidden Cafes in Singapore That Are Worth the Road Trip
You can only call yourself a true gourmet after you’ve tried all these unique Singaporean food and drinks! To all the adventurous foodies, which one would you try first?
