The 48-Hour Singapore Food Guide For Tourists—By A Local

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The ultimate Singapore food itinerary for first-time tourists

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This was the exact question I was asked during my interview to join Eatbook. After listening to my lengthy response, my interviewer paused and asked why my eyes had lit up the instant he posed it. I’ll never be hosting a food tour, so I’m doing the next best thing—jotting down a curated food itinerary for an imaginary first-time visitor to Singapore.

Part of experiencing a new country is trying some of its most famous food spots. After all, there’s value in discovering firsthand whether these well-known establishments truly live up to the hype. While this list reflects my personal opinions and experiences rather than any definitive list, the quality of the food will always take precedence over reputation for me. So, strap in for a delicious ride! 

The Ultimate Singapore Food Guide: 75 Truly Local Dishes You Must Try

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Day 1 Breakfast: Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata

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After a long flight, my tourist friend is bound to be hungry, so our first order of business has to be Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata. Their prata is so popular that they often sell out by 10 or 11am, so you’ll need to get there early.

Located within Tin Yeang Restaurant along Joo Chiat Road, this humble stall sets an incredibly high bar for one’s first roti prata experience. A favourite among locals and tourists alike, the place draws many early in the morning for what is widely regarded as one of the best prata spots in the country.

What sets their prata apart from the abundance of stalls in Singapore is the near-perfect balance between a crisp exterior and a fluffy interior. Each piece is packed with delicate, flaky layers and carries a subtle smokiness with every bite. Prices start from just $1.50 for the Plain Prata, while the Egg Prata ($2) and Cheese Prata ($2.50) are equally popular choices. The Coin Prata ($5.50) also deserves a special shoutout with its buttery flavours and added sweetness. 

Their curry is also a cut above the rest, boasting a thick, flavourful consistency with a punch of spice, along with a huge chunk of potato. The only minor drawback is that the portions here are on the smaller side, but given the quality of the two components, few places can rival what they offer. 

Read our Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata review. 

Address: 300 Joo Chiat Road, Tin Yeang Restaurant, Singapore 427551
Opening hours: Thur-Tue 6:30am to 1:30pm
Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata is not halal-certified. 

We Tried Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata To See If It Lives Up To The Hype

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Day 1 Lunch: Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice

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It’s good that the prata wasn’t overly filling, as we are going to need the stomach space for what comes next. Staying within Katong, we are going to what is widely regarded as Singapore’s national dish—chicken rice—at Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice, housed in Katong Shopping Centre, the country’s first air-conditioned mall. 

Detractors are often quick to jump on the bandwagon and criticise any well-regarded food establishment, and this is one of those spots. One of the most common gripes is the $8 price point, but considering the larger-than-average portion of chicken, a huge bowl of proper soup, achar, and rice, it more than justifies the price. They easily triumph over other tourist hotspots such as Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and Boon Tong Kee. 

Get ready to sink your teeth into thick, succulent pieces of chicken that are soft and silky smooth, creating the perfect combination of textures. Opt for the breast if you prefer a meatier bite, or go for the thigh for maximum juiciness. The chicken is soaked in their savoury soy sauce, enriched with chicken broth, and finished with a subtle sweetness that elevates it even further. 

Though their turmeric-based rice falls short with it being noticeably more subdued in chicken flavour compared to conventional chicken rice, it does offer a unique twist with its earthy undertones. Pair it with a side of refreshing achar and a generous bowl of soup, and you have one of the most satisfying chicken rice meals in town.

Read our Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice review. 

Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-85/87, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am to 7pm
Tel: 9826 5197
Katong Mei Wei Boneless Chicken Rice is not halal-certified.

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Day 2 Dinner: Jin Xi Lai (Mui Siong) Minced Meat Noodle

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There is a genuine shout for bak chor mee to be Singapore’s unofficial national dish. Featuring egg noodles tossed in a savoury sauce and loaded with a variety of toppings, it truly represents what Singapore’s food culture stands for—a fusion of different flavours and textures that come together harmoniously in a single bowl. 

While you can certainly find this dish in every hawker centre or coffee shop, one place stands out for me: Jin Xi Lai (Mui Siong) Minced Meat Noodle, located conveniently beside Jalan Besar MRT. 

The first thing that catches your eye is the thick-cut liver slices in the soup. While liver is not in every bowl of bak chor mee, the version here may just convince you that it should be. Resembling a perfectly cooked medium-rare steak with its rosy pink hue, each generously sized slice is velveted to perfection, yielding a tender, juicy, and almost creamy texture. 

Not to be overshadowed by the liver, the noodles were perfectly al dente with a satisfyingly springy bite. Each strand was evenly coated in a well-balanced mix of chilli sauce and vinegar, delivering just the right amount of tang and spice. The addition of crispy pork lard, fragrant shallots, and thick slices of fishcake rounds out a nuanced bowl of noodles. 

Read our Jin Xi Lai review. 

Address: 638 Veerasamy Road, Yi He Eating House, Singapore 200638
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 7:30am to 7:30pm
Tel: 9114 3731
Jin Xi Lai is not halal-certified.

Is Jin Xi Lai (Mui Siong) The Best Bak Chor Mee In SG?

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Day 2 Breakfast: Neighbourhood waffles

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While many people today gravitate towards extra-crispy cafe waffles topped with scoops of ice cream—the better option, and arguably the more Singaporean one, remains the iconic old-school waffles sold at neighbourhood bakeries.

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Besides their signature green hue from pandan-infused batter, these waffles stand out for their chewy interior and light, slightly spongy texture, which differs from the airy crispness of their cafe counterparts. Folded in half like a sandwich and generously slathered with a filling of your choice, you can never go wrong with classics such as chocolate, peanut butter, and kaya. They typically cost just $2 to $3.50 each, making them an affordable and nostalgic treat. 

My picks for a solid waffle are any of Bakery Cuisine’s 20 outlets around the country, or Q Bread near Boon Keng MRT for my personal favourite. 

Bakery Cuisine
Website | Full list of outlets
Bakery Cuisine is not halal-certified. 

Q Bread
Address:102 Towner Road, #01-244, The Towner, Singapore 322102
Opening hours: Daily 6am to 11pm
Tel: 8673 5675
Q Bread is not halal-certified. 

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Day 2 Brunch: Sungei Road Laksa 

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If you are after a dish that instantly rouses the senses, laksa is the one to go for. Featuring rice noodles swimming in a rich, fragrant broth and topped with a variety of ingredients, the dish generally comes in two main styles: the “lemak” Nyonya laksa, and the tangier “assam” laksa. While both have their merits, it’s hard to look past the former with its iconic blend of creamy coconut milk and spice.

One of the most famous laksa stalls here is Sungei Road Laksa, which began as a pushcart operation in 1956 along the old Sungei Road flea market. Today, it operates from an HDB coffee shop in Jalan Berseh and remains immensely popular, evident from the queue barriers present and its tendency to sell out early. Part of its enduring appeal lies in how the broth is prepared over a charcoal stove, which imparts an added smoky aroma to the dish. 

Priced at just $4, the laksa here may come in a relatively small portion, but it more than delivers on flavour with a rich and lemak broth infused with fragrant rempah and hints of wok hei. The highlight is undoubtedly the generous cockles, with several large, plump pieces adding plenty of briny umami, along with thick slices of fishcake. 

Would one bowl fill you up? Probably not, but it’s enough to satisfy a craving between meals, especially if you’re looking to save room for more delicacies later on. 

Address: 27 Jalan Berseh, #01-100, Singapore 200027
Opening hours: Thur-Tue 9:30am to 4pm
Sungei Road Laksa is not halal certified. 

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Day 2 Lunch: Berampah Bros

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We’re venturing a little further out for our next stop, heading to Beauty World Food Centre to check out Berampah Bros, a unique take on the popular Malay dish ayam goreng berempah— a beloved dish known for its spiced fried chicken and rice. While some purists might take issue with us featuring this stall over a more traditional rendition, there’s no denying the personality behind this creative spin-off, which was the brainchild of MasterChef Singapore Season 2 finalist, Derek Cheong. 

Go for their Ayam Berempah ($7.50), which comes with a piece of deep-fried chicken thigh generously topped with “typhoon shelter” crumbs—a fragrant mix of fried garlic, breadcrumbs, and a touch of chilli. The meal is also served with achar and the stall’s house-made sambal belacan. 

The coconut rice here is almost like a cross between nasi lemak and chicken rice. Using Thai jasmine rice, the grains are infused with coconut milk and chicken fat before being cooked with a range of aromatics. This results in it being soft, fluffy, and deeply fragrant, providing a flavourful foundation for the dish. 

But the true star of the show was undoubtedly the fried chicken. Encased in a crisp, craggy coating, the chicken remained juicy and tender within, while the well-seasoned skin packed plenty of flavour. Marinated in a fragrant blend of spices, with notes of cumin and garlic standing out, it delivered plenty of savoury depth in every bite. The sambal belacan was on the sweeter side, while the achar provided a welcome tanginess that cut through the richness of the dish.  

Read our Berampah Bros review. 

Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-51, Singapore 588177
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9pm
Tel: 9058 9674
Berampah Bros is not halal certified. 

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Day 2 Dinner: The Neighbourwok 

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Image credit: Richard Tan via Google Maps

I have to end with one of my favourite local dishes at my favourite spot—The Neighbourwok. I used to travel from central Singapore to Bukit Batok just for a plate of their hokkien mee, so you could only imagine my joy when they opened an outlet in my neighbourhood.

For the uninitiated, hokkien mee comprises a mix of thick yellow noodles and thin rice vermicelli, stir-fried in a seafood stock. It is also tossed with prawns, sotong, sliced pork belly, and egg, before paired with chilli and lime. 

Image credit: Riz Far via Google Maps 

For me, the key to a good hokkien mee lies in striking the right balance between rich seafood flavours and wok hei. The dish should be anchored by the depth of its seafood stock, with the wok hei complementing rather than overpowering it. The Neighbourwok gets that balance spot on, with a rich, full-bodied flavour that shines through its wetter-style rendition. 

Beyond that, the generous scattering of high-quality toppings lends the dish both vibrancy and a pleasing medley of textures, while the sharp, punchy chilli adds a welcome kick to every bite.If there was one dish to close out the trail, this was it. 

Address: Owen Rd, Block 44, 88 Brew Kopi, Singapore 210044
Opening hours: Thur-Tues 10:30am to 2:30pm, 4 to 8:30pm
The Neighbourwok is not halal-certified. 

12 Best Hokkien Mee In Singapore Ranked—Nam Sing, Xiao Di, Geylang Lorong 29 And More

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Where to eat in Singapore, according to a local

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Give me this food itinerary as a local, and I will be over the moon. There are, of course, countless other places that could have made the cut, but this itinerary was carefully put together to showcase as many of Singapore’s most iconic dishes and food experiences as possible. After all, there’s only so much you can eat in 48 hours! So, the next time your tourist friend visits Singapore, be sure to copy and paste this article link straight to them! 

For more food guides, read our list of the best zi char spots in town and our guide to the best restaurants you can visit. 

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Photos taken by Nathania Tay, Marcus Neo, Tan Tao Zhi, Chew Yi En, and Nivian Chiang.