The Singapore decathlon

Singapore takes pride in being a multicultural society with Chinese, Malay and Tamil communities forming its base.

This is a list of places where you can try out the range of its local fare. Most of these are not too difficult for the tourist to find.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast: Toast with kaya jam, runny eggs and black coffee are a Singaporean breakfast specialty. You can go to one of the many Ya Kun Kaya toast outlets to try them out.

The Tiang Bahru Market food court is a good place to taste Malay breakfast specials such as otak-otak, nasi lemak, lontong and mee rebus. There are a number of small family-run hawker counters from where you can order your meal.

Tian Tian: One Singaporean must-eat tourist experience is the Anthony Bourdain-blessed chicken rice at the Tian Tian stall in the Maxwell Hawker Centre.

Sungei Road laksa at Kelantan Street: The fragrant laksa at the Sungei Road stall, makes for the perfect lunch break.

Jumbo Seafood: If you are looking for the famous chilli crab in Singapore, you will possibly be sent to one of the many Jumbo outlets. The black pepper crab is a local favourite and often favoured over the more-touristy chilli crab.

Muthu’s: This is the place for the local Tamil fare of Singapore. The most uniquely Singaporean Tamil dish here is the fish head curry.

Founder’s Bak Kut Teh: The Singaporean Chinese are big fans of the pork rib-based clear soup called bak kut teh, a dish which is supposed to give you strength. Founder’s is open late into the night and is located at Rangoon Road near Little India.

Dim Sum at Swee Choon: Dim sum places in Singapore stay open pretty late as the Chinese who eat dinner early come here for a late supper. Local cabbies will point you to Swee Choon if you ask them for the best dim sum place.

Chinatown Hawker Street: This newly-created market is a good place to come to if you want to try out the local street food without travelling across the city.

Durian at Geylang Street: The true food adventurer cannot leave Singapore without trying the noxious smelling but rather creamy durian.