Where To Find Singaporean Food In Melbourne?

Some may claim that Melbourne lacks adequate representation of high-quality Singaporean cuisine, despite the city's close proximity to Singapore. Singapore, however, has adopted the customs of many different cultures, including Chinese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern, and European, due to the high concentration of these peoples there. The cuisine of Singapore has changed just as dramatically as the country's geography as a result of globalisation.

We recently returned from a trip there and found ourselves longing for the fragrant tamarind, bright yellow turmeric, and savoury ghee-cooked foods we ate daily at the steamy outdoor food courts, as well as the silky chicken rice, soft roti, and sweet tea.

We decided to go on a search for it in our own country. We've compiled a list of dishes that come closest to satisfying our Singaporean hawker-food craving in Melbourne.

Singaporean Food In Melbourne

It's here in Melbourne's central business district that you'll get the finest hawker food from Singapore. So, to reminisce, try cooking up your old favourite cuisine. Because eating is something everyone does, small talk over food is a common way for individuals to get to know one another.

Read this article for suggestions on where to eat in Melbourne for authentic Singaporean hawker centre fare that will transport you back in time. Best Singaporean food in Melbourne, including Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese specialities, are all included here.

Old Raffles Place's Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow, a popular cuisine among Singaporeans, is a type of noodle dish consisting of flat rice noodles, prawns or shrimp, egg, chives, bean shoots, soy sauce, and chilli, all stir-fried over high heat. The Old Raffles serves a dish in the typical Singaporean way, complete with pork fat frying and Crunchy pig lard croutons (and peanuts).

The Penang sauce used here isn't quite as dark, thick, and steamy as the one you'd find in Malaysia, but it's still pretty darn authentic. How, then, can a cuisine that consists of "stir-fried rice cake stripes" become so well-liked? We can only speculate, but it seems that Char Kway Teow is still a popular dish in Singapore.

The irresistible aroma of dark soy sauce in this traditional Penang hawker meal ensures that you won't be able to go very long without giving in to its temptation. 

Location: Collingwood, 68-70 Johnston Street

Authentic Family Recipes

Perth diners looking for authentic Malaysian, Indian, and Singaporean cuisine can find it at Authentic Family Recipes, located in East Victoria Park off of Albany Highway.

On sunny days, patrons can sit outside under market umbrellas and enjoy the restaurant's friendly atmosphere. Indoors, white lattice seats and stacked stone walls create a relaxed atmosphere perfect for catching up with loved ones over a cup of coffee.

Try the lamb murtabak with daal, sambal, and salad or the chicken roti prata with fresh coriander and onions as an appetiser before diving into the main course of fish and chicken curries, sweet and sour veggies, and fragrant basmati rice that make up a typical Malaysian set.

Indulge in delicacies like fish fillets cooked in sweet chilli sambal and served with rice and sweet and sour Malay pickles; they go great with a mango lassi.

Location: East Victoria Park, 935 Albany Highway, 6101 WA

Mr Loys Puff Serves Chicken Rice And Curry Puffs.

As you may imagine, Mr. Loy is a huge fan of curry puffs. His storefront in South Melbourne is a tiny takeout shop with a few bar stools and a bain-marie style setup. The rempah spice paste and flaky dough inside the curry puffs are both delicious and aromatic.

These examples are meant to serve as a jumping off point, though. Mr. Loys Hainanese Chicken Rice, another hawker-food favourite, is quintessential Singaporean.

Chicken poached with lots of ginger in chicken stock, lemongrass, garlic, and onion, and the dish is accompanied by rice cooked in chicken stock, cucumber slices, and sweet coriander chilli and soy dipping sauces.

Location: South Melbourne's 452 City Road

Roti At Roti Road

Making roti is an art form. The greasy dough is stretched, flipped, and twirled at fast speeds, then thinned to within an inch of its life (without producing holes) before being folded delicately and fried on a hot plate at high heat.

If you haven't already, you should check out Roti Road in Footscray, where you can see roti rollers pumping out tin plates of roti topped with spicy sambal, dahl, and curry sauce with a flick of their wrists. After that, immediately mop it up while it's still hot, crisp on the exterior and soft and doughy in the middle.

Get some laksa, please. Roti's crispy exterior belies a delicate interior that leaves a lasting impression on first-time eaters. Roti Road celebrates the greatest traditional Malaysian dishes blended with Chinese tastes. This restaurant in 189-193 Barkly Street in Footscray provides nothing but the finest traditional Malaysian cuisine. If you take a trip down this Roti Street, you'll be transported back in time.

Location: Footscray, 189-193 Barkly Street

Little Singapore Restaurant

Traditional appetisers such as Curry Puffs and Spring Rolls can be had for $7.80 each before moving on to main courses such as Bak Kut Teh and Roast Duck with Rice for $14.50 and $15.50, respectively.

You can get your bubble tea fix because they have an entire menu section devoted to it! This is more like Taiwan Dahu Strawberry Black Tea ($3.50) and Sweet Talk than Koi or Gong Cha. Milk tea with Indian cinnamon ($3.80) are just two of the unique flavours that will capture your curiosity.

Location: Westfield Chermside, Shop 2614, Gympie Road, Chermside

The Old Raffles Place

The delicacies at The Old Raffles Place, such as the Kranji Crispy Lemon Chicken ($18), and the Tampines Black Pepper Beef with Snow Peas ($22) are all named after neighbourhoods in Singapore.

Try the restaurant's eponymous dish, the Old Raffles Family Platter ($28) with calamari, prawns, spring rolls, and lobak.

Location: Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia, 68-70 Johnston St

The Malaya

The Malaya is a wonderful choice if you are willing to splurge a little. You'll feel like you're eating at a five-star restaurant in Singapore, complete with a breathtaking view.

The restaurant's Signature Banquet Menu ($69 per head, minimum of 2 persons) is a bargain if you're feeding a large group. Despite this, meals such as the Kapitan Chicken, San Choy Bow Spanner Crab, Otak Otak, Coconut Beef Rendang, and more are well worth the cost.

Location: King Street Wharf, 39 Lime Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Jimmy’s Recipe

Jimmy's Recipe is one of the few places in Australia where you can obtain Halal food at a reasonable price. The Hainanese Chicken Rice ($8.80) and Murtabak ($6.80) here are about half the price of what you'd pay at other places, so you can satisfy your appetites for local cuisine without breaking the bank.

Choose from Beef ($7.80), Chicken ($7.80), Vegetable ($6.60), or Seafood ($8.80) Laksa.

Location: Sydney, Australia, 1 Macquarie Place, 2000

Peranakan Place

Restaurant Peranakan Place, tucked away on Parramatta Road in Auburn, draws culinary inspiration from the traditional flavours of Nonya cuisine and the street food favourites of Malaysia and Singapore. Sculptures, elaborate artwork covering the walls, and shelves of ornate tableware provide an exotic vibe to the restaurant's earthy environment, which is decorated in shades of chocolate brown and deep red purple.

The cuisine of Peranakan Place is inspired by the centuries-long blend of Malay and Chinese cooking that dates back to the 15th century. Babi Pongteh, made with pork belly and trotters carefully simmered with chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and fragrant spices, is sure to pleasantly surprise your taste senses.

Intricately furnished and arranged in traditional Peranakan style, dining at Peranakan Place is an immersive experience. You'll feel right at home here, thanks to the typical Baba-Nyonya fare like Babi Pongteh ($18.90), and Ayam Buah Keluak ($31.90) as well as Pulut Hitam ($6.90) for a sweet and creamy dessert.

Location: Auburn, NSW, 139 Parramatta Road

Neptune Palace

Neptune Palace, a restaurant deserving of its many accolades, serves authentic Chinese cuisine with a wide range of alternatives for every diner, including meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Before you dive into entrees like Kari Lamb for $29,80, XO Chilli Prawn for $34, and Sayur Goreng Belachan for $21.80, start your meal off with some Epok Epok for $10 for two pieces and Spring Rolls for $8 for two pieces. Indulge in a drink or two at this establishment's bar.

Location: Level 1, Pitt and Alfred Streets, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Mi Goreng At Mamak

Mamak, which originated in Sydney, is technically a Malaysian restaurant, but it also serves some of the favourite fusion meals from Singapore. Long lines form outside as the aroma of exotic spices and powerful flavours wafts down Lonsdale Street, just as they do at the greatest hawker stalls.

Watch as the roti is rolled out and stretched thin from the front window into the open kitchen. Although originally from Indonesia, Singapore has adopted fried noodles known as mi Goreng as one of its defining dishes. Mamak's version, which is made with spring onions, shallots, prawns, and egg, is straightforward and fresh. Add a side of roti and water spinach (kangkung belacan) to your order and bring your own beer.

Location: Melbourne, 366 Lonsdale Street

Kreta Ayer

Taking its name from a street in Singapore's Chinatown, Kreta Ayer offers a wide variety of reasonably priced local specialities. There's a wide variety to pick from, with some houses specialising in spicy options like Kreta Ayer Spicy Squid ($14.80) and Kreta Ayer Spicy Winglet ($11.80).

Location: New South Wales, Australia, Kingsford, 466 Anzac Parade

Panda In The Kitchen

You may get a taste of home at Panda in the Kitchen with its assortment of Singaporean Chinese meals, available for reasonable prices. The Sizzling Kung Pao Chicken ($14.80) and the Braised Pork ($15.80) are two of the most popular lunch items here.

Don't forget to also pick up a $5 bottle of their fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice to complete your Pasar Malam experience.

Location: Southport Central 2, 5 Lawson St. Southport, QLD 4215, Australia, Gold Coast, Queensland

Harry's Chilli Crab Restaurant In Singapore

Australians share our passion for chilli crab. At Harry's Singapore Chilli Crab, they may enjoy a taste of it too. Chilli Crab is reasonably priced here at $197.50, considering the large size of the crabs on offer. Seafood meals are unquestionably some of the bests, but there are many other options as well.

Tiger Beer may be purchased for $8 a bottle, or if you prefer cocktails, you can sample the Singapore Sling, which was created in Singapore and is considered a national treasure by those aged 65 and up.

Location: Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia, 188 Elizabeth St

Nasi Lemak

The aroma of rice cooked in coconut milk is one that few people can forget. The hardest decision will be deciding what to eat first from the abundance of Ikan Bilis, almonds, fried fish, cucumber, and egg. Nasi Lemak House 115 Grattan St, Carlton serves this delicious meal, which is traditionally wrapped in a pandan leaf, for lunch and dinner.

Location: 115 Grattan St., Carlton, Nasi Lemak House

At Killiney Kopitiam, They Serve Eggs On Kaya Toast With Sock-Filtered Coffee.

Kaya toast with eggs and coffee, the only sweet item on our menu, is perfect for a late breakfast or dessert at this Malay coffee bar in the city. Kaya toast is a sweet, coconut-milk jam flavoured with pandan leaves and offered between bread, similar to the rather English practise of dip toasted soldiers into your soft-boiled yolks.

Next, you'll soak the toast in two poached eggs that have been seasoned with salt, pepper, and a rich soy sauce. Strong black coffee (kopi is Malay for "coffee") filtered through a sock-like fabric and sweetened with condensed milk is served with it at Killiney Kopitiam. The business is closed until 11 a.m. but hopes to start serving breakfast soon.

Location: 114 Lygon Street, Carlton 11/108 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Temasek Restaurant

Temasek Restaurant's name very much guarantees that the food served there is genuine Singaporean. Assam Seafood ($27.80) and Sambal Belacan KangKong ($17.80) are just two examples of the kinds of foods you can have at this restaurant, which offers the same fare as any Singaporean hawker centre.

Sago pudding ($5) and grass jelly drink ($5) are two of their most unique treats; both are hard to come by elsewhere. You can still enjoy nasi goreng and hor fun here even if you have to adhere to a vegetarian diet, because they provide meatless alternatives.

Location: 71 George Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia

Chicken Rice

The chicken in Hainanese chicken rice is poached in a flavorful stock made with ginger, onion, and garlic, and is another customer favourite from the hawker stands. Afterwards, it was served over a bed of hot, steamed rice with pieces of cucumber, coriander, chilli, and soy sauce. Tucked away at 452 City Road, South Melbourne is Mr Loys Puff, home of some of the greatest and most authentic chicken rice this side of the hemisphere.

Location: 452 City Road, South Melbourne, Mr Loys Puff

Malay Chinese Takeaway

Many Sydneysiders have confirmed that Malay Chinese Takeaway serves the city's finest laksa. Skinless Chicken Laksa ($9.70), Beef Laksa ($8.70), Seafood Laksa ($11.50), Vegetable Laksa ($8.70), and many more are available for your dining pleasure.

Assam Laksa is also available on occasion. When you do manage to get your hands on some, you may want to order an extra bowl for... you guessed it... takeout.

Location: 50-58 Hunter St, Shop 1, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Alex Lee Kitchen @ Spice Alley

When the chef of an overseas Singaporean restaurant is a native son of the Lion City, you know you've found the real deal. Chef Alex Lee of Alex Lee Kitchen in Singapore has earned international acclaim. Katong Laksa ($13) and Chatterbox Chicken ($15) are two of his most popular dishes; the latter is his version of the popular chicken rice at Mandarin Orchard.

The restaurant is located in Kensington Street's Spice Alley, which is populated entirely by establishments serving hawker-style Asian cuisine. It's the next best thing to eating while you're at Simpang Bedok and Kampong Glam away from home, with its facade designed to look like a normal Asian street.

Location: Australia, Chippendale, NSW 2008, 18-20 Kensington Street

Spencer Village Food Court

Spencer Village Food Court takes great pleasure in being an international food court, and in particular in its selection of Southeast Asian cuisine from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and more. For some authentic local fare, try the Yong Tau Fu ($6) and Dim Sum Dumpling ($5) at the Fook Kee booth, or the Roti Canai ($5) atSuzie's House of Roti and Parathas.

The tables and chairs, stores, and even the floor tiles all give off a retro Kopitiam feel, which is why the name includes "food court" in it.

Location: Thornlie, WA 6108, Australia, 200 Spencer Road

Alice’s Makan

Since there is some crossover between Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine, Alice's Makan is included even though it serves predominantly Malaysian-inspired food. Char Kway Teow ($13) and Mee Goreng ($11.50) are served, and, get this, you get to customise your meal by selecting the meat, noodles, and sauce you choose.

The Kuih Lapis ($5) and Kuih Dadar ($5), both prepared in-house, are among the most highly praised items among returning customers.

Location: Australia's Sydney, NSW 2000, at 580 George St. at Bathurst St.

Conclusion

Melbourne's food culture needs real Singaporean cuisine despite its proximity to Singapore. So we made a list of Melbourne meals that taste like Singaporean hawker food to satisfy our cravings. These Melbourne Singaporean restaurants serve the greatest Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese food. Mr Loy, a tiny takeout store with a bain-marie and a few barstools. Curry puffs' greatest parts are its rempah spice blend and flaky dough.

Roti's delicate inside surprises first-timers. The Old Raffles Place names its dishes after Singapore districts. Jimmy's Recipe offers Australia's few cheap Halal choices. Peranakan Place draws from Malaysian and Singaporean Nonya cuisine. Baba-Babi Nyonya's Pongteh, Ayam Buah Keluak, and other dishes will make you feel at home.

Panda in the Kitchen serves regional favourites. Nasi Lemak House, 115 Grattan St, Carlton, serves this delicious pandan-wrapped meal. Killiney Kopitiam serves Assam Seafood and Sambal Belacan KangKong. Malay Chinese Takeout serves the greatest laksa. Singapore's Alex Lee Kitchen's chef, Alex Lee, is a world-class cook.

The Spencer Village Food Court serves Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and other Southeast Asian dishes. Char Kway Teow costs $13, and Mee Goreng $11.50.

Content Summary

• Some may claim that Melbourne needs adequate representation of high-quality Singaporean cuisine, despite the city's proximity to Singapore.
• Singapore, however, has adopted the customs of many different cultures, including Chinese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern, and European, due to the high concentration of these people there.
• The cuisine of Singapore has changed just as dramatically as the country's geography due to globalisation.
• We've compiled a list of dishes closest to satisfying our Singaporean hawker-food craving in Melbourne.
• Best Singaporean food in Melbourne, including Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese specialities, are all included here.
• As you may imagine, Mr Loy is a huge fan of curry puffs.
• Mr Loys Hainanese Chicken Rice, another hawker-food favourite, is quintessential Singaporean.
• The delicacies at The Old Raffles Place, such as the Kranji Crispy Lemon Chicken ($18) and the Tampines Black Pepper Beef with Snow Peas ($22), are named after neighbourhoods in Singapore.
• You'll feel like you're eating at a five-star restaurant in Singapore with a breathtaking view.
• Jimmy's Recipe is one of the few places in Australia where you can obtain Halal food at a reasonable price.
• Restaurant Peranakan Place, tucked away on Parramatta Road in Auburn, draws culinary inspiration from the traditional flavours of Nonya cuisine and the street food favourites of Malaysia and Singapore.
• Intricately furnished and arranged in traditional Peranakan style, dining at Peranakan Place is an immersive experience.
• Neptune Palace, a restaurant deserving of its many accolades, serves authentic Chinese cuisine with a wide range of alternatives for every diner, including meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes.
• Mamak, which originated in Sydney, is technically a Malaysian restaurant, but it also serves some of the favourite fusion meals from Singapore.
• Taking its name from a street in Singapore's Chinatown, Kreta Ayer offers various reasonably priced local specialities.
• You may get a taste of home at Panda in the Kitchen with its assortment of Singaporean-Chinese meals, available for reasonable prices.
• Seafood meals are unquestionably some of the bests, but there are many other options.
• Nasi Lemak House, 115 Grattan St, Carlton, serves this delicious meal traditionally wrapped in a pandan leaf for lunch and dinner.
• Kaya toast with eggs and coffee, the only sweet item on our menu, is perfect for a late breakfast or dessert at this Malay coffee bar in the city.
• Temasek Restaurant's name guarantees that the food served there is genuine Singaporean.
•  Assam Seafood ($27.80) and Sambal Belacan KangKong ($17.80) are just two examples of the kinds of foods you can have at this restaurant, which offers the same fare as any Singaporean hawker centre.
• You can still enjoy nasi goreng and hor fun here even if you adhere to a vegetarian diet because they provide meatless alternatives.
• Many Sydneysiders have confirmed that Malay Chinese Takeaway serves the city's finest laksa.
• Chef Alex Lee of Alex Lee Kitchen in Singapore has earned international acclaim.
• Spencer Village Food Court takes great pleasure in being an international food court, particularly in its selection of Southeast Asian cuisine from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and more.