Food History of Bugis Street, Bugis and Kampong Glam, Singapore
Bugis Street, Bugis, and Kampong Glam are areas of Singapore that are steeped in history and rich with cultural diversity which is vividly reflected in their food. Historically, Bugis Street was well-known for its night markets and street hawkers selling a range of different foods, from local Malay and Indonesian fare to Chinese snacks. Bugis has evolved into a modern shopping hub but the food scene still features traditional tastes and fusion cuisine.
Kampong Glam, historically a Malay ethnic quarter with a significant Muslim population, includes Arab Street and Haji Lane, which are known for their Middle Eastern and Malay culinary offerings. As a result, the area is a hotspot for halal food lovers, with a vast array of dishes influenced by the spice routes of old. Over time, the food here has been shaped by the melding of various cultural influences, including Arab, Persian, and Asian, spawning a truly unique gastronomic landscape.
Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Bugis Street, Bugis, and Kampong Glam for Tourists
- Hainanese Chicken Rice (Non-Veg) - A Singaporean staple with poached chicken and fragrant rice, often served with chili sauce, ginger paste, and dark soy sauce.
- Laksa (Non-Veg) - A spicy noodle soup with a coconut milk base, it combines Chinese and Malay cuisine featuring shrimp or fishcake.
- Satay (Non-Veg) - Grilled skewered meat, usually chicken, served with a delectable peanut sauce, cucumber, and rice cakes.
- Roti Prata (Veg available) - An Indian-influenced flatbread that is flaky and crispy, typically served with fish or mutton curry.
- Chilli Crab (Non-Veg) - A popular seafood delicacy featuring succulent crabs in a sweet and spicy tomato-based sauce.
- Mee Goreng (Non-Veg) - Stir-fried noodles cooked with a variety of ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, and meat or seafood, infused with spicy and savory flavors.
- Nasi Padang (Veg and Non-Veg options) - A sumptuous Indonesian meal where one can choose from an array of pre-cooked dishes to accompany steamed rice.
- Char Kway Teow (Non-Veg) - A stir-fried flat rice noodle dish with eggs, prawns, and Chinese sausage, famed for its smoky charred flavor.
- Falafel (Veg) - Deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, served in pita bread, and often accompanied by salads and tahini sauce.
- Tau Huay (Veg) - A sweet soybean pudding, often served as a dessert, it is silky smooth and can be enjoyed either hot or cold.
Top Famous Restaurants in Bugis Street, Bugis, and Kampong Glam
- Zam Zam Restaurant
- 697-699 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198675
- Famous Food: Murtabak (Non-Veg)
- Al-Tasneem Restaurant
- 200 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198766
- Famous Food: Chicken Shawarma (Non-Veg)
- Hjh Maimunah Restaurant
- 11-17 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199078
- Famous Food: Nasi Padang (Veg and Non-Veg options)
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
- #01-10/11 Bugis Street, Singapore 188867
- Famous Food: Hainanese Chicken Rice (Non-Veg)
- The Dim Sum Place
- 791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198759
- Famous Food: Cantonese Dim Sum (Veg and Non-Veg options)
- Working Title - Burger Bar
- 48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745
- Famous Food: Handmade Burgers (Non-Veg)
- Mr. Bean
- 180 Kitchener Road, #01-01 City Square Mall, Singapore 208539
- Famous Food: Soy Milk and Soy Beancurd (Veg)
- A-Roy Thai
- 111 Somerset Road, #02-14 111 Somerset, Singapore 238164
- Famous Food: Pad Thai (Veg and Non-Veg options)
- Guan Dynasty
- 85 Beach Road, Singapore 189694
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- Bergs Gourmet Burgers
- 10 Haji Lane, Singapore 189203
- Famous Food: Gourmet Burgers (Non-Veg)