If you’re a fan of Chinese food, you’ll be in seventh heaven with a plethora of Chinese restaurants in Singapore to whet your appetite. With 76% of the population in Singapore being of Chinese descent, Chinese cuisine is not only a heavyweight in the local dining scene; its influences are also evident in the local cuisine. Eat your way around China and dig into authentic Singaporean Chinese dishes all in one tiny city-state that barely registers as a speck on the world map. Make no mistake: Singapore’s Chinese restaurants have a lot to offer curious gourmands, and with Quandoo, you can easily find and reserve a table at the best ones in seconds.
Often mistakenly thought of as a monolithic block, Chinese cuisine actually carries distinct characteristics that vary across different regions, and knowing them is part of appreciating them. Given the local penchant for tongue-tingling sensations in what is being served on a plate, it’s no wonder that Chinese restaurants in Singapore specialising in Sichuan and Hunan fare count among the nation’s most popular, alongside Cantonese cuisine from the south that’s easily accessible and well-loved by one and all. Jiangsu and Zhejiang restaurants feature highly too – these wealthy provinces along China’s eastern coast are known for their refined and aromatic dishes with an emphasis on seafood – another big love of Singaporeans.
Look closely however, and you will find Chinese restaurants in Singapore that focus on food from other regions as well, including that of Anhui in the east (heavy use of wild herbs; dishes usually braised and stewed), Shandong in the north (light, fresh and rich; lots of soups), and last but not least, Fujian in the southeast (light, tender, umami; also soupy and brothy) – familiar to the local palate which comes as a result of early mass immigration from the province. Overwhelmed yet? Don’t be. Try out these cuisines one at a time at Chinese restaurants all over Singapore and find out which ones you like best. But before you do that, why not jump onto our website or app to make a booking for a stress-free dining experience?
Having waxed lyrical about the diversity of the cuisine, where can one find Singapore’s top Chinese restaurants? Chinatown, Bugis and Geylang are generally home to the most authentic lot, with many eateries run by recent Chinese immigrants, such as Feng Bo Zhuang on Temple Street, which features common Chinese dishes so that you can sample a little bit of everything throughout the regions. Love something spicy? Yi Qi Pin Lao Si Chuan - Middle Road is your best bet for heavily spiced dishes typical of Sichuan and Chengdu, topped off with great service. Finally, the Chinese restaurant scene in Singapore (or anywhere, for that matter) is not complete without a handful of steamboat spots, and boy, are we spoiled here with the variety. Fountain Hot Pot is one excellent pick, although Chuan Yang Ji offers a unique and flavourful mutton soup broth if you’re itching for something different. We’ve merely scratched the surface in terms of Chinese restaurants in Singapore – no matter what your taste, budget or preference, there’s a lot more in store for you to discover!
As most Singaporeans of Chinese descent can trace their lineage back to the Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainanese-speaking parts of southern China, their influences – together with that of Malay and Indian cooking – can also be found in Singaporean Chinese cuisine. Restaurants across the island of this genre have been whipping up dishes including Hainanese chicken rice, sliced fish soup, bak kut teh, and kaya toast much to the delight of foodies near and far.
When it comes to a Singaporean Chinese feast, you can’t go wrong with Loy Kee Chicken Rice, with outlets in Balestier and Woodland that serve up piping hot plates of the national dish; although those with a penchant for seafood with a wide array of home-cooked dishes to choose from might prefer Singaporean Chinese tze char restaurants such as Mountain Coffee Geylang Restaurant or 805 Seafood Kitchen Hougang. Finally, Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen ups the ante among Singaporean Chinese restaurants with its tapas-style small plates of signature yong tau foo paired with a snazzy cocktail menu. With so much worth tucking into, who will you kick off your culinary adventure with? To get started, simply browse menus on our portal, then reserve ahead at your Singaporean Chinese restaurant of your choice and have a table waiting for you by the time you arrive. It’s that easy!
