Travel to Singapore - A Guide to Local Singapore Food and Drink

Singapore is commonly known as a shopping haven, a safe and secure traveling destination, a beach and city holiday rolled into one and a meeting point of many cultures and religions. Singapore is also the melting pot of food and drink from all over the world.

You can satisfy your gastronomic desire for sumptuous cuisines at any time of the day and anywhere in the island. Singapore's unique blend of food and drink is considered so special that you can even join the Uniquely Singapore Shop and Eat Tour, and feast in the local cuisine as you explore the city's ethnic districts and residential neighborhoods.

Here is a list of 7 must-try food and drink when you visit Singapore:

1. Singapore Sling

A cocktail originally invented for the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel in the early 20th century. The original recipe uses gin, cherry brandy and Benedictine, the concoctions though differ in other parts of the country and the world. The drink is shaken and strained into a glass before adding in club soda. You can find the drink in most bars in Singapore and on board flights of Singapore Airlines.

2. Chicken Rice

A local favorite, this dish has been touted as a national dish by several food critics. You can choose a serving of roasted, steamed or barbequed chicken with rice cooked in chicken stock and garlic. Add a dash of chili sauce and dark soy sauce, a plate of chicken rice is both a tasty and filling meal.

3. Laksa

While there are many versions of this dish in Malaysia, a Singapore version has its roots in the Peranakan community. Rice noodles are cooked in coconut spicy gravy and sprinkled with prawns, bean curd and chicken. A very rich and indulgent dish that will leave you craving for more.

4. Fried Carrot Cake

Certainly a comfort food for many Singaporeans, fried carrot cake is a mix of diced radish and egg tossed in soy sauce. A common hawker food, this dish is oily and spicy but promises a truly satisfying gastronomic experience.

5. Indian Rojak

Rojak is loosely used to mean a mix of several ingredients. There are Indian, Indonesian and Chinese rojaks in Singapore. The Indian rojak usually refers to a Muslim-Indian dish comprising of different vegetables, bean curds, fried dough mixtures and seafood served with a spicy and sweet peanut sauce.

6. Satay

If you are familiar with kebabs on skewers in Mediterranean dishes, Satay is the local version of meat on skewers. You can get chicken, beef and lamb Satays served with peanut sauce. Hotels usually add Satays as a side dish to its fried rice or fried noodles.

7. Ice kacang

An all-time favorite, Ice Kacang is a delightful dessert to end a meal. With a base of jelly, red beans, corn and Attap seeds, ice is grated on top of them and topped with various colored sugar syrup and condensed milk. A purely indulgent treat to satisfy your sweet tooth and a great way to quench your thirst in sunny Singapore.