Singapore Airlines Culinary Destinations
Explore authentic food cultures
Adventures do not always have to include adrenaline pumping activities. Sometimes the best adventures are epicurean, like trying out new kinds of exotic dishes or discovering a trendy secret bar. We have listed down a few of our favourite food and wine destinations worth exploring. Scroll down to find out more.
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Explore our culinary destinations
Singapore
With a rich heritage of food dishes influenced by Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine, Singapore is a true foodie's paradise. From local street food to fancy celebrity restaurants, the options are numerous. Besides that, Singapore offers a wide array of trendy rooftop bars and secret hideouts, if that's more your cup of tea.
Kaya Toast
Start the day with a traditional Singaporean breakfast, kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of coffee. Toasted on a grill and lathered with sweet coconut kaya (a kind of jam) and a thick slice of butter, the traditional rectangular white bread is usually dipped in the soft-boiled egg.
Fried Carrot Cake
Although you might think of the western-style dessert, the Singapore fried carrot cake is quite the opposite. This dish is made with eggs, preserved radish and white radish flour cake, which makes it resemble a 'white carrot'. Some even describe it as the Singaporean omelet.
Chilli Crab
Perhaps the most famous dish in Singapore, chilli crab is cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce topped off with fresh herbs. This dish is often eaten along with fried buns which you can dip in the delicious sauce.
Laksa
Laksa is a so-called Peranakan dish due to the influences of both Chinese and Malay cuisine. This lucious thick noodle soup resembles a curry and is often cooked with shrimps, fish slices, cockles and beancurd. When you are in Singapore, do make sure to visit the Katong area for the best laksa in town.
Singapore Chicken Rice
While this rice dish originated from Hainan, China, it became one of Singapore's most celebrated dishes and can be found at any food court, hawker centre or stall. The fragrant rice is cooked in chicken stock, ginger and garlic.
Thailand
No matter where your travels lead you to in Thailand, you will discover that food plays a big role in the Thai culture with an abundance of delicious things to eat, accompanied by fragrant aromas, everywhere you look. For fresh food and ingredients, make sure to visit one of the many floating markets.
Tom Yum Goong
With a blend of lemongrass, chilli, lime leaves, fish sauce, galangal and shallots, this delicious soup can't be left out in the classical traditional Thai cuisine. While this soup is relatively clear, the fresh prawns, mussels and mushrooms give it some body. If you're not into spicy food, do make sure to ask for a mild version when ordering.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai can be easily translated in Thai stir fried noodles. While most of the Thai dishes are spicy, pad thai is more sweet and sour. Although you can find this dish at many restaurants, most locals prefer to get the ones from stalls as they regard this dish as street food.
Som Tam
Som Tam is a green papaya salad and combines five different flavours: sweet, sour, hot, salty, savory. This dish originated from the northeast part of Thailand but can be found anywhere in Thailand. Regional variations however do sometimes add peanuts, shrimp paste or salted crab into the mix.
Yam Nua
Also known as Thai beef salad, Yam Nua is one of the most distingushed salads in the world. With powerfull ingredients such as mint leaves, onion, coriander, lime, dried chilli and tender beef strips, this dish is a real fresh treat.
Kai Med Ma Muang
A simple but classic dish. This chicken dish with cashew nuts appeals to most people due to the mild flavors and contrasting textures.
Vietnam
In recent years, Vietnamese food have become more popular in the Western world, however it often is still quite underrated. Vietnamese cuisine is brilliant due to the simplicity of the dishes and the freshness of the ingredients used.
Pho
Probably the most famous Vietnamese dish, pho, is a fresh rice noodle soup which gets its exceptional taste from the fresh herbs and the broth that has been cooked for hours.
Goi Cuon
Goi cuon are fresh spring rolls. The translucent spring rolls are packed with salad greens, a slice of meat or seafood and fresh herbs. The secret of making good spring rolls is having a fresh and delicious sauce to dip them in. Goi cuon can be considered as a snack or side dish. In any case, these spring rolls are light and healthy.
Banh Mi
Probably influenced by the French, this baguette has been adapted to the Vietnamese taste. Banh mi is a snack in the form of a piece of baguette filled with meat, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, egg, fresh corriander and a sweet chilli sauce.
Banh Xeo
Another dish that might have been influenced by the French cuisine is banh xeo. These are big savory pancakes of which the name can be translated to sizzling cake because of the sound they make when they are being cooked. A good banh xeo has a crispy outside and has a delicious filling of pork, bean sprouts and fresh herbs.
Bun Cha
Originally from the Northern Vietnamese cuisine, bun cha is top choice for lunch. This dish consists of grilled meat prepared on a charcoal stove and is accompanied with rice noodles and fresh herbs. The bun cha is then dipped in a syrup-thick fish sauce.
Indonesia
Indonesian cuisine is very diverse and can vary from region to region. In some regions, dishes tend to be sweet while in other areas, spicy tastes have the overhand. But one thing's for sure, Indonesian food will trigger a true epicurean sensation. Do also make sure to try out their magnificent coffee when you visit this beautiful country.
Satay
Celebrated in most parts in Indonesa, satay is meat skewers made from lamb, beef or chicken and mostly served with lontong (rice cakes) and a rich peanut sauce. This dish can be found anywhere, from food stalls on the street to high-end restaurants.
Beef Rendang
Beef rendang is perhaps the most famous dish from the Padang cuisine. Padang is a city on the island of Sumatra and is well-known for the rich and spicy flavors in their dishes. Beef rendang is a spicy beef stew which resembles a curry without the broth. Cooking a good rendang requires a lot of patience and love as it takes hours to cook to get the tenderness out of the beef.
Siomay
Influenced by the Chinese cuisine, siomay is the Indonesian version of dim sum. The dish contains steamed dumplings, potato, cabbage and egg, served with a delicious peanut sauce. To enjoy the best siomay, visit Palembang.
Rawon
This beef stew originates from East Java and has a nutty flavour due to the use of the keluak nut. The hearty dish is best enjoyed with a bowl of rice.
Fried Rice
Indonesian fried rice has gained popularity in most parts of the world but the best place to taste this dish is ofcourse in Indonesia. This dish is so versatile because you can mix in anything you can think of; vegetables, eggs, chicken, beef, seafood, you name it. The ingredient that you can't miss out is the sweet thick soy sauce, kecap manis. This delicious dish is a true national pride.
Australia
While Australia is well known for being one of the largest wine producers in the world, not many know that the country also boasts a vibrant culinary culture focussing on both traditional and contemporary food creations using local ingredients. Needless to say, incorporating an epicurean experience is a must-do when going on a trip Down Under.
Barbecued Shrimps
It might be a bit of a cliche, but there is no other nation that does barbecues like they do Down Under. While you can put almost any type of meat on the 'barbie', barbecued shrimps are definately one of the top favourites.
Witchetty Grubs
If you are the adventurous type, consider trying the witchetty grub to experience the authentic Aussie Bush Tucker. These little larvae tastes a little like chicken and contains a lot of protein. Indigenous Australians have been eating these for thousands of years.
Lamington
Named after the creator, a Lamington is a sponge cake with jam filling, covered in chocolate or raspberry sauce and coated in coconut. This national cultural icon is a real treat if you have a sweet tooth.
Steaks
When you are in Australia, you might notice the wide choice of tasty steaks from various types of meat. Try something different than the beef steak and go for a crocodile, emu, kangaroo or lamb steak.
Pavlova
Both Australians and New Zealanders claim to have invented this dessert in honor of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova when she visited the region in the 1920s. This meringue-based cake has a crisp outside and a soft inside and is often decorated with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
Australian wine
Australian wine has earned a well-deserved reputation for its exceptional quality and distinct character. With its diverse climate and varied terroir, Australia offers a rich tapestry of wine regions that produce a wide range of varietals. Whether you prefer bold and powerful reds or elegant and expressive whites, Australia offers an extensive selection of wines to suit every palate.
New Zealand
Indulge in plenty of seafood such as greenlipped mussels, oysters, lobsters and a wide variety of fresh fish, accompanied with delicious local wine. If seafood is not for you, why not try one of New Zealand's finest lamb dishes instead? You are really in for a treat.
Green Lipped Mussels
New Zealand green lipped mussels are native to New Zealand and are therefore something that you need to try when you are visiting. The steaming hot pot of mussels is usually accompanied by a bowl of fries or a few slices of fresh bread to dip into the delicious sauce.
Maori Hangi
The hangi is a traditional dish which plays a big part in the Maori culture. The Maori hangi involves vegetables and meat which are slow-cooked in an underground oven. This way of cooking dates back many generations and is still used in various Maori communities.
Kina
New Zealanders love their seafood and Kina can be considered as one of their top delights from the ocean. Kina is actually the local name of a type of sea urchin. It has a spiky outer shell, but the edible inside is soft and fleshy.
Kumara
Kumara is a type of sweet potato which was brought to New Zealand by the early Maori settlers. Kumara is still one of the favourite vegetables in New Zealand and is incorporated in a lot of local dishes such as the Maori hangi.
Lamb
Last but certainly not least, lamb. In New Zealand any restaurant might offer a selection of lamb chops, lamb steaks, lamb racks, lamb burgers, you name it. While lamb can be found anywhere in the world, you won't find them any fresher than you will in New Zealand.
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