This one’s for the foodies—make an east-bound pilgrimage to these neighbourhoods with food on the agenda. Whether you’re craving hawker fare, diverse flavours or a Halal feast, you’re bound to sate your cravings in eastern Singapore.

Be sure to download the Muslim Visitor Guide to Singapore for itineraries, essential information and a wealth of tips that’ll make travelling in the Lion City a breeze. 

An interior view of the café, The Coastal Settlement at Changi

Geylang
Close up shot of nasi padang – a plate of rice with a variety of side dishes

1st stop: Geylang Serai Market, where you can chow down on authentic Malay nosh. Order up servings of delicious Halal fare—nasi padang (rice with dishes of meat and vegetables) from Hajjah Mona, or putu piring (steamed rice cakes filled with melted palm sugar and grated coconut) from Haig Road Putu Piring, situated just a minute’s walk from the market.

If you’re craving a hearty late-night supper, head to Sin Huat Eating House (their doors stay open till 1am) for their signature crab bee hoon (thin rice vermicelli noodles), otah (spicy grilled fish paste), frog legs and more local treats. For something lighter, make your way to Yong He, a 24-hour tau huay (soybean pudding) joint.


Katong
Shot of diners feasting on Eurasian cuisine at Quentin’s Eurasian Restaurant

Katong has grown into a haven for foodies, with an eclectic mix of traditional, long-standing eateries and modern, up-and-coming restaurants.

For the most diverse range of food choices, take a stroll down East Coast Road, where you can pop into Mongkok Kitchen for a spot of dimsum (bite-sized portions of food served in steamer baskets), indulge in the curry puffs from Soon Soon Huat Curry Puff or slurp down the famous prawn noodles from Beach Road Prawn Noodle House.

Devil’s curry (spicy curry flavoured with candlenuts and vinegar), beef smore (beef consommé stew), sugee cake (a soft cake made with semolina flour, butter and almonds)—these are just some of the staples of Eurasian cuisine. Get your fix of these delectable dishes and more at Quentin’s Eurasian Restaurant, where Eurasian chef Quentin Pereira serves up traditional and modern dishes that showcase Eurasian culture.


East Coast Park
Close up shot of a plate of fried carrot cake

What’s a foodie trip around Singapore without a visit to a hawker centre? Check that off your list when you head to East Coast Lagoon Food Village, a hawker centre that’s home to cuisines of all Singaporean cultures.

With so many stalls serving up delicious grub, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Some local favourites include Haron Satay 55—where you can get satay (grilled meat skewers) with a side of homemade ketupat (rice cakes) and peanut sauce— fried carrot cake from Lagoon Famous Carrot Cake and bak kut teh (peppery pork soup) at Han Jia Bak Kut Teh & Pork Leg.


Siglap
Close up shot of a bowl of yong tau fu

Continue your foray into local food tasting with a trip to Ampang Niang Tou Fu, a no-frills eatery that’s all about serving quality yong tau fu (Hakka Chinese cuisine consisting primarily of tofu or vegetables filled with ground meat or fish paste)—choose your combination of fishballs, tofu, vegetables and meats paired with soup or sweet sauce. Be sure to visit Fu Lin Yong Tau Foo further down the road for a fried variation of this classic Singaporean staple.

Siglap’s also the go-to neighbourhood for hip coffee places with chill, quiet vibes. Get cosy at Dutch Colony Coffee Co., the perfect place to tuck into waffles or bagels for Sunday brunch, or spend a warm afternoon nursing a cup of coffee indoors.


Bedok
A scene of the stalls at Bedok Marketplace, a food centre with a range of ‘hawkerpreneur’ grub on offer

A favourite of the East-siders, Bedok 85 Food Centre is known for its myriad of food offerings, and most for its stellar bak chor mee (minced meat noodles) stalls, namely Xing Ji Rou Cuo Mian and Seng Hiang Bak Chor Mee. If you’re craving something spicy, tuck into a serving of sambal stingray (stingray barbecued in spicy chilli paste) from Chomp Chomp BBQ.

Another foodie-favourite option is The Bedok Marketplace, a bustling and hip food centre that also has a diverse range of great ‘hawkerpreneur’ grub on offer—think spicy grilled fish from Mala Kung Fu hotpot, or foie gras and wagyu beef from The Burning Oak. In the vicinity, there’s also Tang Tea House, a Halal dimsum restaurant.


Changi

Want coffee with that extra pop of personality? Head to Chock Full of Beans, where your latte comes with 3D Latte Art—take your pick of adorable bears, puppies, or even Hello Kitty made out of latte foam.

If ambience is what you’re looking for, then The Coastal Settlement is the place to be. Here, you’ll get quaint, vintage charm, almost like you’re tucked away in, yes, an olden coastal settlement. The restaurant also serves up a wide range of cuisines, such as spicy tom yum (spicy Thai soup) spaghetti and wagyu and mushroom pizza, at prices that won’t break the bank.

Located right next door to Changi Airport, lifestyle nexus Jewel Changi Airport offers a scintillating range of restaurants, including the world-famous burger joint Shake Shack and Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung—the latter is famous for its juicy xiao long bao (soup dumplings).

D Latte art of a bear at Chock Full of Beans, a café at Changi
A hearty range of Western delights and local favourites at The Coastal Settlement, a café at Changi