SINGAPORE: A TRUE FOODIE’S PARADISE

Singapore is a true foodie’s paradise. The mix of Chinese, Indian, Malayu, Western and Arabic influences has resulted in an international food scene. You can virtually eat anywhere in Singapore, and there are endless choices to choose from, from street hawkers to 5-star hotels. Wherever you go, you’re bound to see a place that tempts you to go inside and grab a bite to eat.

Singapore’s signature is street food, but it is not push carts or sidewalk stalls. Rather, it is a cluster of food joints in hawker centres and food centres. Must-try dishes include chicken rice, bak kut teh, Malay food, Muslim food, satay, noodles, and laksa. You can also try steamboat and ice kachang while you’re there. The beauty of it is that you can order food from different joints and eat it all together at your table.  

But if you’re in the mood for authentic Chinese food, Chinatown in Singapore is famous for its food. It is home to the cheapest Michelin star restaurant Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodles, as well as many other noodle and dim sum places, including royal palace cuisine and seafood restaurants.

Speaking of seafood, while you’re in Singapore, don’t miss its famous chilli crab and black pepper crab, which is available in Chinatown and most food centres. For an authentic experience, go to a restaurant on the East Coast where many well-established seafood restaurants are located.

Singapore is also home to great Indian food, available at Little India. You can also try Arabic and Malay food in Bugis and Kampong Glam, or go to cool cafés in Clarke Quay.  

Wrap up your experience in Singapore with luxurious restaurants with breathtaking views from Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay, which have become the signature views of Singapore. These famous restaurants with celebrity chefs and world-renowned Singaporean chefs must be reserved months in advance.  

EAST MEETS WEST IN MACAU

Macau was administered by Portugal for over a hundred years, and Portuguese influences are still evident in its language, culture, way of life, and food. However, since most of its people are Chinese, there’s a nice mix of East and West, namely Chinese and Portuguese, resulting in what is known as Macanese. With many large hotels and casinos, Macau is home to celebrity chefs and top restaurants.

Street food in Macau can be found in small alleys near the Senado Square and around Saint Paul’s Ruins, which are the centre of tourist destinations in Macau. It is also available on Taipa Food Street on Taipa Island, which is famous for crispy pork and pork floss. Street food here includes simple noodles and buns, as well as extravagant crab porridge with large crabs and yellow crab roe, or egg noodles generously dressed with shrimp roe. They may be a little pricey but the taste is worth it. 

If you want to try something a little Portuguese, you can try a seafood dish called a ‘Plateau Fruit de Mer’, Bacalao salted cod, and Minchee/Minchi beef and potato hash. You might also want to consider Portuguese-style pork burger.

For Chinese food, there are typical Chinese dishes like stir-fried noodles and crispy noodles with gravy, but there are also must-try signatures like braised abalone with pork belly served in clay pot. 

Complete your trip to Macau with desserts. Try Portuguese egg tarts — there are a few famous shops to choose from. Don’t miss the ice cream at Lai Kei Ice Cream and milk pudding at Leitaria I Son, which is delicious on its own and even more so with red beans.