A Guide to Local Singapore Breakfasts

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and in Singapore, it’s also one of the most delicious!

Whether you’re a fan of sweet or savoury, light bites or hearty meals, Singapore’s local food scene has something to satisfy every morning craving.

From crispy kaya toast paired with soft-boiled eggs to steaming bowls of mee siam or comforting congee, Singapore’s breakfast culture is a mouthwatering reflection of its rich multicultural heritage.

In this guide, we’ll take you on a foodie journey through some of the best local breakfast dishes to try during your visit. Get ready to start your day the Singaporean way!

The much-loved kaya is a Singaporean jam made from eggs, sugar, coconut milk and flavoured with pandan. Usually served on charcoal-toasted bread with lashings of butter, this sticky sweet delight should ideally be enjoyed with soft-boiled eggs.

Smother the eggs with pepper and dark soy sauce, dip in your toast, and wash it all down with a cup of thick black kopi-o.

Available from modern coffee shop chains around town (like Toast Box), but for a more authentic experience, head to Killiney Kopitiam, famous for dishing up its French toast version since the 1950s.   

Where to find Kaya Toast in Singapore:

• Killiney Kopitiam, 67 Killiney Road (plus various outlets)
• Ya Kun Kaya Toast (various outlets)
• Toast Box (various outlets)

This pancake-like Indian flatbread is skilfully made by kneading, oiling, folding, flattening and then frying freshly made dough on an iron skillet.

The result is a crispy and flaky, yet satisfyingly chewy bread with a slightly greasy finish, just perfect for dipping into an accompanying curry sauce.

Traditionally served plain, or mixed with egg, although the more adventurous can opt for fillings such as mushroom, cheese – or even durian or pineapple.

Available in food courts and restaurants island-wide, but Casuarina Curry has a solid reputation amongst local foodies and serves up several different versions. 

Where to find Roti Prata in Singapore:

• Casuarina Curry, 136 Casuarina Road 
• Mr and Mrs Moghan’s Crispy Roti Prata, 300 East Coast Road
• AR Rahman Cafe & Royal Prata, Tekka Centre in Little India
• Mr Prata (various locations)

These soft white cup cakes are made from mixing rice flour and water, then steaming. Topped with a salty, crunchy chai poh (preserved radish) which has been fried with garlic and soy sauce, they are then matched with a hit of fiery chilli.

For many Singaporeans, the words ‘Chwee Kueh’ and ‘Tiong Bahru’ are synonymous, and so this is the place to head to sample these Teochew delicacies.

Jian Bo Shui Kueh has been feeding aficionados since the 1950s and continues to set the standards to which the rest aspire. 

Where to find Chwee Kueh in Singapore:

• Jian Bo Shui Kueh, #02-05 Tiong Bahru Food Court
• Bedok Chwee Kueh, #01-19, Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre
• Aunty Chwee Kueh, 37 Tampines Street 11

Thosai, Dosai, Dosa? Whatever you choose to call it, this stuffed pancake made from lentil and rice flour is a southern Indian delicacy that has been happily adopted by Singaporeans.

A favourite version is the Masala Thosai, packed with a satisfying filling of potatoes, fried onions and spices.

Tear into the crisp yet moist pancake, then dip into the accompanying sambar (spiced vegetable stew) and coconut chutney. Best enjoyed with a cup of teh halia (ginger tea).

Little India is the obvious place to head for your thosai breakfast, with Komala Vila’s being a popular choice. 

Where to find Thosai in Singapore:

• Komala Vila’s, 76-78 Serangoon Road
• Ananda Bhavan, 95 Syed Alwi Road
• MTR Singapore, 438 Serangoon Road

Literally translated from Malay as “rice in cream”, this national dish of Malaysia sees rice cooked in coconut milk, then dished up with fried fish, anchovies, egg, cucumber and the all-important sambal.

The Chinese influence in Singapore means that fried chicken wings and the occasional chicken sausage have also found there way onto local plates.

Selera Rasa is rumoured to be the Sultan of Brunei’s stall of choice, and has a faithful following among the local population too.

The use of basmati rice and its wonderfully crisp chicken wings are what keep them coming back for more. 

Where to find Nasi Lemak in Singapore:

• Selera Rasa, Stall 2 Adam Road Food Court
• The Coconut Club, 269 Beach Road
• Dickson Nasi Lemak, Icon Village, 12 Gopeng Street

This one-dish breakfast comprises rice vermicelli steeped in a tangy, sweet/sour and slightly spicy gravy that gets its distinct flavour from tamarind, tau cheo (preserved fermented soya beans) and dried shrimp.

It comes topped with calamansi and slices of fried beancurd, boiled egg and chives.

The tanginess of the gravy depends on the stall, but the Grandma Mee Siam version seems to strike the balance of sweet and sour – you’ll find it in the Tekka Centre in Little India. 

Where to find Mee Siam in Singapore:

• Grandma Mee Siam, #01-311 Tekka Centre in Little India
• The Royals Cafe, 19 Upper East Coast Road

Originally served to the masses in times of famine, this is now ubiquitous across Asia. Also known as congee, rice porridge is just that – a thin porridge made from boiling rice in plenty of water to achieve its sticky, gloopy texture.

Often topped with you tiao (fried dough sticks), or mixed through with pork, chicken, fish, frog or century egg. For an extra treat, many stalls also dish up side orders of yu sheng (raw fish).

Walk into any food centre to try it, or head to the ever-popular Zhen Zhen at Maxwell Food Centre. 

Where to find Porridge / Congee in Singapore:

• Zhen Zhen Porridge, Stall 54 Maxwell Food Court
• Weng Kiang Kee, #02-082, Chinatown Food Complex