Singapore’s Most Underrated Dishes to Cook at Home
When people think of Singaporean food, the same iconic dishes usually steal the spotlight. Hainanese chicken rice. Chili crab. Laksa. Char kway teow. They’re legendary for a reason, but Singapore’s food culture runs much deeper than these well-known favorites. Beneath the fame of hawker superstars lies a treasure trove of underrated dishes that locals quietly love and home cooks often overlook. These dishes don’t always make it onto tourist food lists, yet they carry just as much history, comfort, and flavor. Better still, many of them are surprisingly doable in a home kitchen. Singapore’s cuisine is shaped by Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan influences, creating bold flavors that balance spice, sweetness, acidity, and umami. Cooking these lesser-known dishes at home isn’t just about feeding yourself, it’s about understanding the culture, memories, and everyday meals that define life in Singapore. Inspired by the way modern chefs like Chef Scott Biffin celebrate regional flavo...