Singapore organised its street food into hawker centres in the 1970s for hygiene reasons, and in doing so preserved it. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Singapore organised its street food into hawker centres in the 1970s for hygiene reasons, and in doing so preserved it. The result is several hundred food courts where individual stalls have cooked one dish for forty years, some with Michelin recognition, most charging under six dollars. Chinese, Malay, and Indian traditions sit side by side, along with Peranakan cooking that came from intermarriage between Chinese traders and local Malays. The city is small, the transport is excellent, and the whole culture is built around eating out because home kitchens are small and hawker food is cheaper than cooking.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
Chinatown Complex
The largest hawker centre in the country, with over 200 stalls. Cantonese roast meats, congee, and queues that tell you which stall to join.
Tiong Bahru
Art deco housing estate turned café district, with an excellent market hawker centre upstairs. Locals in the morning, visitors by afternoon.
Katong & Joo Chiat
The Peranakan heartland east of the centre. Shophouses, laksa stalls that argue about who is original, and Nyonya kueh shops.
Little India
Tekka Centre and the streets around Serangoon Road. Banana leaf meals, roti prata around the clock, and the busiest market on Sundays.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Hainanese chicken rice
· Poached chicken with rice cooked in the stock, with chilli and ginger sauces. Judged on the rice rather than the chicken. - 02
Chilli crab
· Mud crab in a thick tomato and chilli gravy, with fried buns to mop it. Messy, communal, and the one dish worth a restaurant rather than a stall. - 03
Laksa
· Rice noodles in spiced coconut broth with prawns and cockles. The Katong version cuts the noodles short so it is eaten with a spoon. - 04
Char kway teow
· Flat noodles fried over fierce heat with lard, cockles, and Chinese sausage. Best from a stall that has cooked nothing else for decades. - 05
Bak kut teh
· Pork rib soup, peppery in the Teochew style here rather than herbal. Breakfast food, with dough sticks and tea. - 06
Kaya toast
· Coconut jam and cold butter on toasted bread, with soft-boiled eggs and dark coffee. The standard local breakfast.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Hawker centres run from breakfast to late, though individual stalls keep their own hours and many close one weekday. Tissue packets on a table mean the seat is taken. Payment is cash or QR at most stalls. Tipping is not practised anywhere. Air conditioning is aggressive indoors and the outdoor humidity is constant, so plan around it.
All 20 food tours
Updated 2026-09-11The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
Singapore Best Private Food Tour With An official Local Guide
Embark on a tantalizing food tour in the vibrant city of Singapore neighbourhoods, you'll be captivated by the tantalizing aromas and flavors that permeate the air. Led by our knowledgeable local guides, this immersive
3h - 02
Katong Walking Food Tour
Katong is a foodie's paradise tugged away in the Eastern side of Singapore. It is well known for serving Peranakan (or Nonya) cuisine, a unique blend of Chinese ingredients with spices and cooking techniques of the Ma
3.5h - 03
Tastes of Chinatown
Chinatown is an ethnic neighbourhood that was once home to the early Chinese migrants. The area also displays remarkable religious diversity, where Hindu temples and mosques sit right next to Chinese temples. The rich he
3h - 04
The Katong Private Food Tour
Enjoy Singapore with a private food tour in Katong ! Your local food expert will show you around the city most vibrant food places and you will get to know the local artisans. Katong is a foodie's paradise tugged away
3h - 05
The Hawker Private Food Tour
Enjoy Singapore with a private Hawker food tour ! Your local food expert will show you around the city most vibrant food places and you will get to know the local artisans. On this evening food tour you will be visitin
3h - 06
2-4 days in Singapore Guided Tour Pass
Uncover the Lion City’s secrets under the expert guidance of passionate locals with the Singapore Guided Tour Pass! Choose your adventure from curated thematic tours spanning Singapore’s vibrant history, lush green space
96h - 07
Drinks of Singapore
What are drinks that are unique to Singapore? You've tried Tiger Beer, but what about bandung, teh halia, Milo Dinosaur, sugarcane juice. Join us on a not too serious tour discovering Singapore through its local beverage
3h - 08
Market-2-Makan!
You'll discover our traditions and learn historical tips about our unique cuisine. You'll get a hands-on training from a professional local chef. So don't wait! Experience Singapore's varied and innovative culinary scene
3.5h - 09
Jog & Talk 'Authentic Singapore' - going hyperlocal
There's nothing more invigorating than going for an early morning run; except of course being led by a curious local who happens to also be a tourist guide^^
2h - 10
Singapore Essential Private Walking Tour
Experience Singapore in a way that most tourists never will on our customized walking tour with a passionate local guide. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this diverse city-state as you take a slower approach t
5h - 11
Singapore Speedboat Cruise & Marina Dine Combo
Experience the perfect blend of thrill and relaxation! Start with a speedboat guided cruise through Singapore’s Southern Islands, discovering hidden gems and scenic coastlines while enjoying fun insights from our license
2h - 12
Singapore Street Food Tour
Netflix’s latest food documentary “Street Food” debuted on 26 April. Wok’n’Stroll is so excited from the Netflix "Street Food" new series that we decide to bring you the tour that realise the Singapore episode on this ar
3h - 13
Vegetarian Culinary Adventure in Singapore
Singapore is a gastronomic paradise offering some of the world’s best Chinese, Malay, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Western cuisine. Join us on our Vegetarian Culinary Adventure as we take you to the best vegan and vegeta
3h - 14
Singapore's Chinatown "Off The Beaten Track" Foodie Tour
Join this ‘off the beaten track’ morning food tour that will take you to explore a wet market and hawker centre. Inclusive of desserts celebrations and local breakfast + lunch dishes.
3h - 15
The Real Singapore Heartland Walking Food Tour
If you’ve already visited the attractions and eaten all of Singapore’s iconic food dishes, what’s next? It’s time to discover the REAL heartbeat of Singapore and visit one of the most authentic residential neighbourhoods
3h - 16
PRIVATE: Batam day tour with Ferry, 2-hour Massage and Lunch from Singapore
Travel back in time on this private day tour ideal for travelers with limited time in Singapore, but still want to have a taste of a small Indonesian town near Singapore. Upon arrival at Batam, you will be greeted by you
24h - 17
SMALL GROUP: Batam day tour with Ferry, 1-hour Massage, and Lunch from Singapore
Travel back in time on this small group full day tour to Indonesia, ideal for travelers with limited time in Singapore, but still want to have a taste of a developing Indonesian town. Start the day by boarding a 1-hour
24h - 18
Asian Cooking Experience in Singapore
Instead of a commercial kitchen or a cooking studio, come and experience Asian cooking in an authentic home setting where you have intimate cooking session and get to know more about a typical Singaporean lifestyle. Cozy
3h - 19
From Merlion to Michelin Singapore Food Journey
Experience Singapore in a unique way with a private city highlights tour paired with a Michelin-recognized hawker meal. From iconic landmarks to authentic local flavors, this curated experience offers comfort, flexibilit
3.5h - 20
Private Singapore Food Tour of Chinatown & Little India
This private food tours will allow you to test some local traditional food in hawker markets around Chinatown and little India. Our professional tour guide bring you different stall to find out some best dishes that you
3.5h