Singaporean cuisine

If you like some of the Asian cuisines, you will be delighted in Singapore. In fact, the dishes are a combination of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western cuisine, with true gourmet flavours.

The most famous dishes are:

• Chilli crab - whole crab served with noodles in a mildly spicy chilli sauce,
• kaya - a jam combining egg and coconut served mainly for breakfast on toast with sweet coffee (kopi),
• laksa - white noodles in a creamy coconut and curry sauce served with prawns.

You must try the ice cream with typically Asian flavours of durian and red beans. If you want to impress the locals, order the ice cream in 'roti' bread.

How to eat like a local

For a taste of authentic Singaporean cuisine, head to one of the hawker-centre eateries (hawker-centres) that await on every corner. The look doesn't tempt too much, but the hygiene is of a very high standard. You'll know them by the typical plastic chairs and tables.

Meals are cheap and range between S$3 and S$6.

You eat with a fork and spoon. The fork is used to scoop the food onto the spoon, which is held in the right hand.

Usual prices in restaurants

The cheapest prices are offered by the aforementioned eateries with portions priced at S$3-6.

Expect to pay S$20-30 per meal at the classier and better restaurants. Fast food or food-court restaurants are usually S$3 more expensive than street eateries.