Flavors of Singapore: A Foodié’s Guide
Come with me as I share about the fun foodié journey Jeff and I shared on our honeymoon in Singapore! We eloped in August of 2024 and left to Thailand and Singapore just a couple months later in October. Not going to lie, ever since watching Crazy Rich Asians, going to Singapore has always been a dream of mine! Plus, this was Jeff’s first time ever going to Asia!
In this post, I’ll share some highlights from our time in Singapore, including a few fun activities to dive into local culture, a memorable restaurant serving Peranakan cuisine, and immersive cooking classes that allowed us to experience Singapore’s flavors firsthand.
Whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of Singapore’s vibrant culinary scene, I hope our journey inspires you to explore this city’s incredible food and experiences!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why Singapore?
- Cooking Classes:
- Activities:
Why Singapore?
After visiting, I can definitely say Singapore is a place everyone should experience at least once. The city is a perfect blend of cultures, with a food scene that’s just as vibrant as everyone says. From the hawker stalls to the high-end restaurants, the range of flavors is incredible — I feel like we barely scratched the surface! Each neighborhood has its own character, like the colorful streets of Little India, the historic charm of Chinatown, and the cool art and shops in Kampong Glam.
What I loved most is that everything is so close and accessible; you can explore so much even in just a few days. Jeff and I began the trip by calling “Grab” which is basically the Uber of Asia. Then, our local friend let us know about the efficient train system, so we began utilizing that (which was much cheaper and just as fast!).
Singapore’s green spaces and architecture are stunning. Gardens by the Bay is unlike any other place I’ve seen, and Marina Bay Sands adds that iconic futuristic feel. It’s really the ideal spot for anyone who loves great food, a bit of adventure, and wants to soak up the unique blend of cultures!
Cooking Class: Food Playground
First, I’m going to share about the cooking classes we went to in Singapore. Both were incredible, and I recommend doing both if you can! They both have significant value-adds depending on what you’re looking for, so I’ll touch on those.
The first cooking class we went to was at Food Playground. This one was in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown! With a small, lively group of about eight people from all over the world, we dove into some classic Singaporean dishes.
Our instructors were home cooks who grew up in Singapore, so learning from them felt like getting a peek into authentic, homemade flavors.
We made char kway teow, a stir-fried noodle dish that was smoky, savory, and just a bit sweet with a hint of char — totally addictive.
Next up were spring rolls, but instead of regular wrappers, we used delicate crepes, which added a soft, slightly sweet layer to the fresh fillings inside.
For dessert, we created coconut and palm sugar sago, which was creamy, with rich caramel notes from the palm sugar that paired perfectly with the chewy tapioca pearls.
Below are photos of the char kway teow and spring rolls.
Also, the instructors of Food Playground found out it was our honeymoon and printed out the photo of us during the class and got it framed (all during the class), and gifted it to us at the very end. It was the sweetest gesture that Jeff and I will never forget!
Cooking Class: Palate Sensations
The Palate Sensations cooking class was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The cooking space itself was beautiful and spacious, with plenty of room. It felt like a blend of professional and homey, which made learning in that environment both comfortable and inspiring.
We started off with a visit to a local market, where our instructor, Lynette, guided us through the sights, sounds, and ingredients of a typical Singaporean market. It was an amazing introduction to Singaporean cuisine, as she taught us about the key spices, fresh produce, and unique ingredients that go into traditional dishes. The market tour added so much depth to the class because it gave us a feel for how locals shop and the flavors that define Singaporean food.
The photo is of us with Lynette, who is also the founder and owner of Palate Sensations! We were lucky enough to get her as our instructor for the class that day. She was kind, thoughtful, and even bought us a couple fun treats to give us a taste of Singapore during our stroll through the market!
Marketplace Visit
Market Vendor Selling Pastries
Back in the kitchen, we made three iconic dishes:
- Laksa
- Sambal Sotong
- Ondeh Ondeh
The Ondeh Ondeh were chewy rice cakes filled with sweet palm sugar, bursting with flavor in every bite. The Laksa, a rich, coconut-based noodle soup, was comforting and fragrant, with a balance of spicy and creamy flavors. From what we saw in Singapore, Laksa seems to be one of the most iconic Singaporean dishes.
Finally, we prepared Sambal Sotong, a dish of squid coated in a bold, spicy sambal sauce that was full of depth and heat. It was my first time ever handling squid to cook, which was exciting!
Each dish taught us different techniques and flavors, and by the end, we had created a full meal that captured Singapore’s incredible cuisine. I recommend this class for anyone, but especially the more seasoned cooks, as Palate Sensations has a reputation for training world-renowned chefs!
Mandai Wildlife Reserve
If you are an animal lover, I highly recommend checking out Mandai Wildlife Reserve!
It was such a memorable experience! Jeff and I arrived right when it opened (which was also right after our flight – we drove there straight from the airport) so we could enjoy the Breakfast in the Wild activity.
The Breakfast in the Wild tradition has a fascinating backstory. Years ago, keeping exotic animals as pets was common in Singapore, but when the government banned it, an orangutan named Ah Meng was rescued from the illegal pet trade. Her friendly personality made her a favorite among staff and visitors.
In the 1980s, Ah Meng became the face of the “Breakfast with Ah Meng” program, where guests could enjoy breakfast with her, learning about orangutans and wildlife conservation. This experience inspired the broader Breakfast in the Wild activity, which allows guests the chance to enjoy breakfast while observing and learning about various animals up close. During the activity, caretakers emphasize the importance of protecting orangutans and preserving wildlife.
Below are photos of some of the dishes we ate! It was probably some of my favorite food we ate throughout the whole trip.
Feeding the animals at Mandai Wildlife Reserve was such an amazing experience! We got to feed rhinos, giraffes, and elephants, and each encounter was special in its own way.
The elephants, true gentle giants, were so intelligent and careful, and it was clear how well they’re cared for. The rhinos were surprisingly gentle too — since they don’t have front teeth, we could safely place food right in their mouths without worry! And of course, the graceful giraffes gently plucked food from our hands with their long tongues.
Each interaction brought us closer to these incredible animals, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Singapore Changi Airport
For the last day of our honeymoon, Jeff and I stayed at a hotel right in Changi Airport, giving us an easy and relaxed way to wrap up our trip before heading home. The convenience was unbeatable — instead of worrying about traffic or timing, we could simply walk to our terminal, making the transition from vacation to travel smooth and stress-free. It also gave us the chance to fully explore Changi’s incredible amenities without rushing.
Changi Airport is unlike any other airport I’ve ever been to; it feels like a destination itself, with so many things to see and do. We wandered through the Jewel, with its famous Rain Vortex waterfall (pictured), lush indoor gardens, and incredible shops.
There’s even a butterfly garden, a rooftop pool, and so many dining options that it feels like you’re exploring a small city. Spending our last day there allowed us to enjoy every moment and leave Singapore on a high note, feeling like our adventure continued right up until our flight home.
Changi Airport has an endless array of food options, making it almost overwhelming to decide where to eat. There are choices for every craving, from local Singaporean hawker favorites to international cuisines like Italian, American, and Korean.
Jeff and I were torn between so many tempting spots, but we eventually settled on Japanese food at a place called Monster Curry. With all the travel and exploring, Japanese comfort food sounded perfect.
Once our dish arrived, the restaurant’s name made total sense. Each plate came piled high with curry, katsu, rice, and toppings — it was a feast in itself, with portions big enough to live up to the “monster” label. The portions were massive, and we couldn’t even finish all the food! Still, it was the perfect final meal to wrap up our honeymoon, filled with flavor and a bit of fun as we tried to conquer our “monster” plates.
Crazy Rich Asians Filming Locations
Seeing Crazy Rich Asians was what first sparked my interest in visiting Singapore. The movie did such an incredible job showing off the city’s highlights — from vibrant hawker stands with steaming, flavorful dishes to the lush, green spaces tucked between modern buildings. The way Singapore’s rich culture and blend of old and new were woven into the scenes made it feel so enticing and welcoming, and I knew I wanted to experience it firsthand.
During our trip, we managed to visit a few of the movie Crazy Rich Asian’s iconic spots, like Gardens by the Bay and the beautiful church where the couple had their wedding. Gardens by the Bay was just as breathtaking as it looked on screen, with towering Supertrees and lush surroundings that felt almost otherworldly. Visiting these spots added an extra layer of magic to our trip!
Jeff and I loved our time in Singapore and could not recommend it more! The culture is rich, the food is wonderful, and we are so grateful we got to go.
About Kyrié
Hi there!
I’m Kyrié (pronounced kee-ree-ay) the Foodié! I’ve lived in Japan for several years of my life, so most of my recipes are Japanese foods I grew up eating, or other Asian flavors that I love.
Me and my husband Jeff love gardening and are passionate about helping others grow their garden, too!
Feel free to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my adventures!
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