Singaporeans are a lucky bunch when it comes to breakfast choices. Before brunch was all the rage, we mostly had our breakfasts at our trusty kopitiams and hawker centres – and we still do.
Here are 10 reasons why Singaporean breakfasts are the best in the world.
What it is: Kaya, a coconut jam flavoured by pandan leaf and sugar, spread between two pieces of toast.
Why we love it: The generous slathering of kaya, slightly charred toasts and the occasional wedge of butter in it… I present you the quintessential Singaporean breakfast item. It can be found in almost every kopitiam on our sunny island. In case you haven’t heard, Hugh Jackman dropped by Yakun when he was in Singapore for the premiere of the X-Men: Days of Future Past to try this. Need we say more?
Recommend Places for Kaya Toast:
What it is: Eggs which are half-boiled, so that the yolk is still wobbly and the egg white has a curd-like consistency.
Why we love it: They are best paired with kaya toasts for a more complete breakfast. Some Singaporeans have theirs with a lot of soya sauce, others with just a dash of pepper. Some break the yolk and swirl it together, while others slurp the whole egg whole. For a seemingly simple breakfast item, we sure have many ways of eating it.
Recommend Places for Soft Boiled Eggs:
Source: @ann_foodies
What it is: Fried flour-based pancakes cooked over a flat grill.
Why we love it: This dish may have originated in India but it is also steeped in our local food culture. The best thing about roti prata is that it can be a sweet or savoury breakfast, depending on whether you choose to eat it with sugar or curry. More innovative options include choosing from fillings such as cheese and mushrooms in your prata.
Recommend Places for Roti Prata:
What it is: Rice cake fried with white radish. It is usually cooked with eggs and sometimes with soya sauce, depending on how “black” you want it to be.
Why we love it: This Teochew radish cake dish, which is also known as “Chai Tow Kway” among Singaporeans, should not be confused with its sweet Western counterpart. The crisp exterior and the fluffy rice cakes make for a very heaty but satisfying dish.
Recommend Places for Carrot Cake:
What it is: Fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves and topped with peanuts, fried egg, ikan bilis and cucumbers.
Why we love it: This, to me, is the Malay version of the Chinese Economical Beehoon. The mama shop at my old flat used to sell this for $1.20 per packet and the 9-year-old me thought it was the most value-for-money meal ever. Perhaps it still is.
Recommend Places for Nasi Lemak:
What it is: Steamed rice cakes served with preserved radish or chye poh.
Why we love it: This piping hot dish is usually served on brown waxed papers and eaten with satay sticks. A freshly made dish of chwee kueh definitely be my choice of breakfast on a rainy day.
Recommend Places for Chwee Kueh:
What it is: Buns with various fillings.
Why we love it: Hot buns on metal trays inside a steaming box – brings back memories, doesn’t it? There are the sweet options like the Lian Rong Pau (filled with Lotus Seed Paste), Dou Sha Pau (filled with Sweet Bean Paste), and also the savoury and meaty options like Char Siew Pau (filled with barbecue flavoured pork). One pau usually costs no more than a dollar. The best on-the-go breakfast option, in my opinion.
Recommend Places for Pau:
Source: The Sourceress
What it is: Chocolate and malt powder which can be mixed in hot or cold water or milk to produce a drink.
Why we love it: Most Singaporean students have fond memories of Milo truck during school events. Singaporeans’ perennial favourite beverage is also known as “Tak Kiu” (football in Hokkien) among the older generations, because of the pictures of soccer on the Milo tins. The taste of Milo has been said to be inimitable.
Where to find Milo: Any kopitiam in Singapore.
What it is: Hot and unsweetened coffee.
Why we love it: Kopi-o kosong (hot and unsweetened black coffee) and its variations are perhaps the most popular drinks in the kopitiam. Before artisanal coffees from hipster cafés were the in thing, this was the caffeine fix. Master the kopitiam lingo and you are good to order your perfect brew. This guide from Burpple will definitely help you.
Where to find Kopi: Any kopitiam in Singapore.
Source: Supermerlion
What it is: Hot and unsweetened tea.
Why we love it: Teh (hot tea) is also another popular drink in the kopitiams, with Teh-si probably being the most popular variation. You can find Teh-tarik (literally translated as “pulled tea”) at some coffee shops too, where the mixture is poured from a cup to another from a height to ensure the even mixing of the teh and condensed milk, hence the froth on top.
Where to find Teh: Any kopitiam in Singapore.
Given our incredibly diverse food culture, this list of breakfasts you can have in Singapore is non-exhaustive. Nevertheless, we think these 10 items provide a great overview of classic kopitiam breakfasts in Singapore.
Let us know if there are other classic Singaporean breakfast items that should be on this list!
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