Where to Eat in Singapore – Part I

Singapore is a food haven as most travellers already know…

Even a week in Singapore isn’t enough to have tasted all its culinary delights, so lets start with Part I of this food adventure!

Chinese Mix Rice

Found mostly in hawker centres or food courts in malls, Mix Rice or otherwise known as Economy Rice is a splendid way to get value for money when it comes to eating out in Singapore. A traveller can easily find these hawkers along side most office blocks or shop houses.

A spread of at least 20-25 dishes can be found from sweet and sour pork to braised tofu. You can opt for the $3.50 one meat and one vegetable combo or the $4.50 one meat and two vegetable combo. Some of the best Chinese Mix Rice can be found here:

• The Arcade located at #02-20 The Arcade, 11 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049317. The ground floor houses many eateries out of which at least seven serve Chinese Mix Rice.
• Junction 8 Shopping Mall at 9 Bishan Place Singapore 579837. On level 4 you will find Food Junction that caters to a variety of cuisines – Indonesia, Western, Chinese, Vietnamese and more.
• Corner Hawker Centre next to Dr Jay’s Medical Centre at #115 Killiney Road Singapore 239553. Here you can find Chicken Rice, Indian-Muslim Food like Roti Canai, Kaya-Butter Toast, Mix Rice and more.
• Newton Food Centre located at 500 Clemenceau Avenue Singapore 229495. This is a cosy eating outlet which wooden triangular roofing with an wide array of food to choose from.
• 24 Hour Food Court at 333 Balestier Road, Singapore 329765. Any one with a craving for Bah Kut Teh at the wee hours of the night can rest assured that they can find it here!

The Famous Bone-Marrow Curry

Visit Masala Hut located at 37 Chander Road, Singapore for the best spicy Lamb Bone Marrow Curry! Eating this dish is half the fun as you try to get the marrow out by either tapping it on your plate… or the traditional way of sucking it out. You can’t help but eat with your hands. This dish is so good that it can even be eaten on its own or accompanied by a spread of vegetables, rice and curries on a banana leaf.

Two plates of Bone Marrow, one plate of dry fried lamb and two banana leaf meals could cost an approximate $20. The Bone-Marrow curry is only available on Sunday.

Delightful Banana Leave Spread at Apolo

You will be surprised to see how crowded this restaurant can get! Their service is good and their food even better. Choices range from Fish Cutlets and Sheesh Kebabs to Masala Chicken and Jumbo Spicy Prawns… to name a few. Located at 54 Race Course Road, Singapore 218564, this lovely restaurant offers the tastiest accompanying curries… either the fish or chicken curry is best savoured with plain white rice.

Established since 1974, the Apolo Banana Leaf Restaurant is also famous for the Fish Head Curry and Chilli Prawns (picture above). Lunch is from 12 noon to 4.30pm and Dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

Vegetarian Bites

Those who are vegetarian can try a spread of delicious bites at Ananda Bhavan located at 221 Selegie Road, Singapore 188340. Some of the interesting dishes are the Vadai (picture above) made from gram flour and condiments, Thosai (picture below) made from a combination of rice flour and Bengal gram dhal usually served with chutneys and a lentil curry and the Fluffy Poori made from wheat flour served with a spicy potato curry.

The restaurant at Selegie Road is mainly for quick bites. For a more comfortable dining experience visit them at 665 Buffalo Road or at the Changi Airport in Terminal 2.

**All prices are quoted in Singapore Dollar.