Singapore is a hodgepodge of culture and cuisine. Aside from the delectable selection of hawkers and local food, the Lion City is also famous for Michelin-starred restaurants that offer international cuisine from all over the world. Whether you want to sample Middle Eastern spices or Cajun-spiced shrimps, there is simply nothing you cannot find while roaming the streets of Singapore. From food stalls to hole-in-the-wall restaurants to fine dine-in experiences, you will never lack what to do once you set foot in this modern metropolis.
True enough, when you plan a trip to the Lion City, one of the first things you want to find out is the best places to eat in Singapore. While you can feast your tastebuds in laksa and Hainanese chicken rice, aren’t you curious about the country’s top chefs’ iteration of popular foreign food? So ready yourself from Egyptian cuisine to Japanese to Latin America, you have plenty of choices when it comes to international cuisine in the Lion City.
Japanese
You can choose from chain restaurants to hole-in-the-wall sushi places when it comes to Japanese cuisine. These are selling like hot pancakes now. Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants are also popular in the city’s famous shopping districts. There are more than a hundred ramen shops in Singapore, so it’s safe to say that you’ll never have a hard time looking for Japanese food when you travel there.
Italian
There’s something comforting about an authentic Italian pasta dish, right? At the end of the day, everyone just needs a comforting bowl of arrabiata, vongole, alfredo, carbonara, and meatballs. You don’t have to worry about looking for authentic Italian dishes when traveling to Singapore. You can find these in most food places—from food courts to shopping malls. It’s amazing how ingrained pasta is in people’s lives that even when they are in an Asian megacity, they still manage to crave a nice pasta dish.
American
American dishes are not as popular in Singapore as other cuisines like Japanese and Italian. But in the last decade, American diners have started to sprout so Singaporeans and tourists there can now enjoy a decent plate of chicken and waffles plus all-American burgers. Or, how about a pulled-pork sandwich? If you ever felt like you needed a bowl of mac and cheese, you can troop to any of these American restaurants and give your tastebuds a feast.
Spanish
Singaporeans seem to be comfortable with Spanish cuisine, too. Lately, there have been a lot of Spanish restaurants mushrooming in the city-state. A decade ago, the trend started in the country. Young workers enjoy a plate of tapas and Spanish wine after office hours. Today, you can find different restaurants offering a variety of Spanish cuisine from all over the region. Everyone knows paella is the best thing that came out of Spain, so if you’re ever in Singapore, you can try out its iteration of this dish. Who knows? Maybe a fusion of Spanish and Singaporean cuisine will feel right to you.
Korean
The popularity of Korean culture—from entertainment to food—has grown not only in Asia but in many parts of the world, too. Hallyu wave shows no sign of stopping in Singapore. Korean establishments are lining up every food strip in Singapore. You can enjoy a bowl of bibimbap or feast in Korean barbecue. Of course, there’s always a bottle of soju to comfort you paired with a delectable plate of Korean fried chicken that has seen exponential growth in the past year.
Mexican
Another popular foreign cuisine in Singapore is Mexican. From tacos to burritos to barbecues, there’s no shortage of Tex-Mex food in the country. Why is this such a hit in Asia right now? It’s probably because Mexican food uses the same ingredients Asians love—rice, beans, cheese, salsa, avocado, and a plethora of spices. The mix of these different flavors will cleanse the palate and ready your tastebuds for more international cuisine.
Traveling to Singapore shouldn’t stop you from trying out foreign dishes. In fact, before you even land in Singapore, you should make a list of all the restaurants and places you want to visit. Your trip to the city should feel like a trip around the world as you can sample different cuisines, be immersed in a plethora of cultures, and sample dishes you never thought you would love. There’s something for everyone in Singapore if only you have the tenacity to walk its streets and the bravery to dip your spoon in dishes you’ve never even heard of.
