Eating your way through Singapore is a rite of passage for any worldly traveller. From hawker centres to highly regarded fine-dining, this kinetic hub of all things food, shopping and art is boundless.
The internet can never have enough Singapore food articles, given the plethora of what’s out there, what’s been immortalised, and what’s constantly changing. Here, we’ve taken the opportunity to ask Singaporean chef Wayne Liew (of restaurant Keng Eng Kee) to provide five of his favourite places to eat.
He’s in town for a special collaboration menu featured at Sydney’s Cirrus Dining, showcasing Singaporean flavours, but far from the typical staples. More info below.
So where should you go when in Singapore? Liew suggests…
1. Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck
“Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck is found in one of Singapore’s most popular hawker centres – Chinatown Food Centre. It is now operated by 2 nd generation hawkers who guard their family recipe closely, as it was passed down to them by their late father.
They are very innovative with their dishes and are able to attract the younger generation whilst maintaining the essence of their traditional dishes. They create braised duck bento sets which are incredibly popular with the younger crowd.”
335 Smith St, #02-156, Singapore
2. Candlenut
“Candlenut is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant and there’s plenty of reasons for this! The dishes they cook are based on preserved family recipes, passed down from one generation to another, and refined through modern cooking techniques. A must-try is their Wagyu Beef Rendang – a melt in your mouth dish.”
17A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676
3. Restaurant Labyrinth
“Restaurant Labyrinth is a one-Michelin-star restaurant that focuses on using local ingredients to recreate and refine Singapore cuisine. When you’ve ticked off all the hawker centres, visit Restaurant Labyrinth to experience first-hand how local cuisine can be taken to another level. Their menu changes regularly but a must-try is their signature Chilli Crab Ice Cream.”
8 Raffles Ave, 02-23, Singapore 039802
4. Keng Eng Kee
“Keng Eng Kee has been run by my family for three generations. Today, my brother Paul and I run it with our father. It’s a no-frills kind of alfresco style of dining with a mix of recipes passed down through the 2 nd and 3 rd generations, that resulted in more innovative dishes and a place where you can savour a 50-year culinary journey. The authentic Singapore food means it’s a go-to spot for locals.”
124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-136, Singapore
5. Hainanese Curry Rice at Beo Crescent Market
“Time stands still at this Hainanese Curry Rice stall, it has been operating for more
than 40 years! It’s an incredibly nostalgic dining environment but more importantly,
they use the same flavours and dishes since the day it opened. I think it’s the best
place in Singapore to enjoy Hainanese cuisine.”
40 Beo Cres, Singapore
Taste Obsession Singapore
Taste Obsession Singapore will run from 3rd March to 12th April at Cirrus Dining in Sydney. From 3rd to 5th March, guests can experience a special 9-course collaboration degustation menu Liew in collaboration with Brent Savage. From 6th March to 12th April Cirrus will continue to serve a Singapore-inspired menu by Savage. For more information head to visitsingapore.com.
