What Do Singaporeans Eat For Breakfast?

Breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day, and Singaporeans are no strangers to starting their mornings off with a hearty meal.

From traditional local fare to international dishes, there is no shortage of options for those looking for a good breakfast in Singapore.

Some popular local breakfast items in Singapore include kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, and soy milk.

For something a little more substantial, many Singaporeans opt for nasi lemak, which is coconut rice served with a variety of side dishes like fried chicken, eggs, and peanuts.

In this article, I will discuss what do Singaporeans eat for breakfast in a nutshell, so read on!

What Do Singaporeans Eat For Breakfast?

A traditional Singaporean breakfast is built around kaya, a custard made of coconut milk, eggs, and sugar that is scented with pandan leaf, which gives the jam a scent of recently cut grass. Kaya is a Malay word that signifies “wealthy.”

You may get fried rice, noodles, or rice cakes in practically any lunch establishment in the Lion City if you’re in the mood for some of each.

But to have the best breakfast in Singapore, you must try kaya spread, a decadently smooth coconut spread made popular by traditional Kopitiams all around Singapore.

White pepper and soy sauce are used to season the eggs, which are served broken into a shallow plate. Coffee is heavily sweetened and produced from beans that have been sautéed in margarine and sugar.

You can choose an iced Milo, a chocolate malt beverage, for more hydration. The entire meal is a standard in Kopitiams (Kopi is Malay for “coffee,” and Tiam is “shop” in Hokkien).

Order it as “kaya toast.”

Traditional Singaporean Breakfast 

1. Kaya Toast 

Kaya Toast

Kaya toast is a traditional Singaporean breakfast that many people love. Made from bread that has been toasted with eggs, kaya (a type of jam), and melted butter, it is often served with jam or honey.

Often considered the national food of Singapore, kaya toast is a delicious and nutritious breakfast option everyone should try at least once! 

2. Lor Mee 

Lor Mee

Lor Mee is the dish to order if you’re in the mood for a Singaporean breakfast!

Hokkien noodles from Zhangzhou are served with a thick, starchy sauce like Lor Mee. Hokkiens enjoy variations of the dish in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The local variation is known as Lomi or Pancit Lomi in the Philippines.

A hawker food with Hokkien roots is Lor Mee. The Lor, or gravy, is a Singaporean delicacy worth seeking out while you’re there. It is cooked for hours with spices, pork stock, egg whites, and cornstarch to give it its sticky consistency.

3. Chwee Kueh 

Chwee Kueh

If you’re looking for a delicious and unique breakfast option, Chwee Kueh is worth trying. This traditional Singaporean dish consists of rice cakes steamed to perfection and filled with different sweet and savory toppings.

You can enjoy it at hawker centers or coffee shops as part of a breakfast set or on its own. Either way, it’s an experience not to be missed!

4. Roti Prata 

Roti Prata

Roti prata always hits the spot since it is soft inside and crispy on the outside. It is typically eaten with fish or mutton stew and is a South Indian flatbread produced by frying stretched dough flavor with ghee (Indian clarified butter).

In Hindi, roti means “bread,” while Prata or Paratha means “flat.”

However, over the causeway in Malaysia, the flatbread is known as roti canai, which some claim is a tribute to its beginnings in Chennai, India. Some believe the meal came from original pancake dishes from Punjab in India.

Whatever its origin, roti prata is a filling breakfast for any time of day. Local eateries now offer a range of contemporary adaptations, such as cheese, chocolate, ice cream, and even durians, converting it from the main course to a dessert. The traditional varieties are still served plain or with eggs as a filling.

If you like a filling breakfast, you must try this dish!

5. Singaporean-Style Soft-cooked Eggs 

Singaporean Style Soft cooked Eggs

What’s so nice about soft-cooked eggs? The eggy richness engulfs your taste buds as it slides down your throat and leaves you wanting more. Then two eggs are gone before you realize it.

To clean up all the residual gooey treats that are still on the bowl’s sides, grab some toast.

These half-boiled or “soft-boiled” eggs are distinct from those in the West. In Singapore, eggs are runny and wobbling, and you crack them open like you would a raw egg. In contrast, in the West, the white is nearly fully cooked, and the yolk is runny.

Soft-cooked eggs are the most popular breakfast in Singapore, and they come in many different flavors. However, the classic soft-cooked egg is usually served with rice, toast, and a side dish.

Whether you’re looking for something light on your stomach or something more filling, there’s surely an egg style that will fit your taste buds perfectly! 

6. Carrot Cake, aka Chai Tow Kway 

Chai Tow Kway

In Singapore, chai tow kway is well-liked breakfast food. It is made with a batter consisting of rice flour steamed, chilled, and then fried.

Black chai tow kway can be made by seasoning the kway with sweet black soy sauce, or white chai tow kway can be made without it. Chai tow kway is best consumed hot, whether black or white.

When it’s hot, steamed kway is incredibly tender. Before it can be cooked, it must cool and harden. After being fried, chai tow kway should be tender, but not mushy.

Steamed kway that had been dull is transformed into delicious fried kway with an alluring aroma by frying over high heat with eggs and heavy flavor.

Of course, if you’re in Singapore and want to have a great breakfast, then you should order it in hawker centers! They taste great!

7. Mee Goreng 

Mee Goreng

Noodles are referred to as mee, while stir-frying is called Goreng in Malay and Indonesian.

The varied ingredients and spices in Mee Goreng (sometimes spelled mi Goreng) set it apart from Malaysian Char Kuey Teow and Chinese noodles like Chow Mien. The most popular option is fresh yellow noodles, followed by dried instant noodles.

Mee Goreng is a breakfast staple in Singapore that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. A type of noodles that are stir-fried with eggs and vegetables, there are many variations to choose from.

You can even enjoy Mee Goreng for lunch or dinner if you’re craving something savory! 

8. Fish Ball Mee Pok Noodle 

Fish Ball Mee Pok Noodle

Regarding breakfast, there is no dish more popular in Singapore than Fish Ball Mee Pok Noodles. This bowl of noodles, fish balls, and gravy is simple yet delicious and can be enjoyed as part of a meal or as a snack.

The various variations on the dish include adding egg, cockles (a type of clam), or shrimp to the mix, giving it extra flavor and nutrients.

In addition to being very tasty, Fish Ball Mee Pok Noodle makes for an excellent starter when dining out with friends or family.

Popular Singaporean Breakfast 

9. Congee, aka Rice Porridge 

Congee

If you’re a congee (rice porridge) fan, then you’ll love these talking points! Congee is probably the most popular Singaporean breakfast, with many variations to choose from.

Go for a light version if you want to start the day with energy, or opt for a heavier version if you’re feeling sluggish. You can also enjoy congee as part of a brunch-style breakfast or have it as your sole meal of the day.

They have a lot of variations of congee, such as fish congee, pork congee, and chicken congee. You can’t go wrong with any of these options!

Plus, they have vegan options, too, so congee is perfect for vegetarians and vegans too! No matter your dietary preference, there’s sure to be a flavor that suits your taste bud! 

10. Nasi Lemak 

Nasi Lemak

If you’re in Singapore, you need to try nasi lemak! This popular breakfast dish is rice cooked with a fragrant coconut milk sauce and is usually served with chicken or fish.

There are many variations of nasi lemak to suit your taste, so try out different versions until you find the one that’s perfect for you. You can even prepare it at home if you have the ingredients. Enjoy this delicious meal! 

11. Youtiao 

You Tiao

There’s no need to miss out on breakfast, as Youtiao will ensure you’re not! Youtiao is a long, deep-fried strip of wheat flour dough popular in other East and Southeast Asian cuisines.

It was first consumed in China and is known as Yu Char Kway in Southern China. Youtiao is often mildly salted and made to be torn in half lengthwise.

It can also be found in bakeries, hawker centers, and supermarkets across Singapore. In addition, you Tiao is a type of Chinese doughnut popular in the country. 

12. Dim Sum 

Dim Sum

Dim sum is a popular breakfast in Singapore because of its diverse choices. You can find anything from pork dim sum to chicken and vegetable dim sum, making it perfect for everyone’s taste buds!

There are many types of dim sums, such as steamed buns, dumplings, congee, and more. It’s always best to try different varieties to find your favorite! 

13. Mee Rebus 

Mee Rebus

Mee rebus is a maritime Southeast Asian noodle soup dish known as “mie rebus” or “mi rebus” in Indonesian.

Literally meaning “cooked noodles,” it is well-liked in nations in the Maritime Southeast Asian region, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Mee rebus is a breakfast favorite in Singapore that enjoys widespread popularity for its unique flavor profile. It can be enjoyed at hawker centers, coffee shops, and even restaurants.

Some variations of mee rebus include mee Goreng (fried noodles with gravy), mee siam (thin rice noodles in a savory soy sauce-based gravy), and mee pok (rice vermicelli with pork).

It is an excellent way to start the day as it provides energy and plenty of goodness inside you. 

14. Fried Bee Hoon 

Fried Bee Hoon

If you’re in the mood for a hearty and filling breakfast, look no further than Fried Bee Hoon! This classic Singaporean dish can be enjoyed at any time of day and is rice noodles made from rice flour and egg that are deep-fried.

You can find fried bee hoon all over Singapore – even in hawker centers. So whether you’re in the mood for breakfast or lunch, a Fried Bee Hoon is nearby to satisfy your cravings.

15. Kopi 

Kopi

Kopi is a popular Singaporean breakfast coffee enjoyed with toast or eggs. It’s usually served with condensed milk, sugar, and butter to give it a characteristic taste and color. Kopi is fast, easy, and affordable, so it’s the perfect coffee for breakfast.

16. Tau Huay 

Tau Huay

Tau Huay is a light and delicious breakfast dish popular in Singapore. Made with very tender tofu, it tastes sweet and is perfect for those looking for something healthy yet tasty to start their day. You can find Tau Huay at hawker centers all around the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the typical breakfast in Singapore? 

The foundation of a traditional Singaporean breakfast is kaya, a custard made of eggs, sugar, and coconut milk scented with pandan leaf, which gives the jam a scent of recently cut grass. Kaya is the Malay word for “wealthy.”

2. What is the most eaten food in Singapore? 

Singapore is renowned for its seafood, in particular. Two traditional meals that rule the scene and are highly recommended to tourists are chili crab and black pepper crab. Another favorite is stingray sambal. The most popular dish in the meat category is Hainanese chicken rice.

3. What do Singaporeans like eating? 

You can find some of the best food in Singapore at these hawker centers, such as satay, laksa, chicken rice, chili crab, and more. Hawker centers are a one-stop shop for experiencing a wide range of cuisines and foods that never seem to run out, thanks to the multicultural fusion of flavors and cuisines.

4. What is Singaporean’s main dish? 

Kaya toast, chili crab, fish head curry, laksa, roti prata, and Hainanese chicken rice, which is regarded as one of Singapore’s national foods, are a few well-known hawkers or Kopitiam meals.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive guide to what Singaporeans eat for breakfast! From savory breakfast dishes to sweet breakfast treats, I’ve covered everything you need to know to start your day the right way.

I’m a passionate food blogger on a journey to become a go-to person who can help others prepare delicious foods. I share recipes, food substitutes, and other cooking tips. Read more about my journey...

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