Log in
Travel

A corner of Singaporean cuisine in Hanoi

The newly-opened restaurant in Hanoi's Ha Dong District offers authentic Singaporean cuisine.

I can never forget one cold rainy afternoon when I was strolling around Singapore and suddenly came across a shop selling bak kut teh. My tired legs, hungry stomach, wet body and chapped lips from the cold all disappeared after the first sip of the traditional Singaporean soup.

Then, on a cold autumn day in Hanoi, I suddenly felt it again when I tried bak kut teh at Sing Chiak, a Singaporean restaurant in Hanoi.

It is a newly opened eatery on Nguyen Van Loc Street, Mo Lao Ward, Ha Dong District, where many Singaporean, Chinese, and Korean expats gather.

  Sing Chiak is a corner of Singaporean cuisine. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

Owner Pham Hang told me that Sing Chiak means "Let's go eat" and the restaurant's menu will not disappoint gourmets with authentic tastes and affordable prices.

First, I ordered bak kut teh or meat bone tea to warm up my stomach. It is a delicious dish that many crave on rainy days, just like I did in Singapore. It's made from meaty pork ribs and various herbs simmered for hours. The broth is rich with herbs while the meat is tender and falls off the bone easily.

The next dish I tried was chili crab, an icon of Singapore's culinary culture that everyone must try when visiting the land of the merlion.

  Crab chili, the iconic dish of Singaporean cuisine. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

At Sing Chiak, chili crab is prepared with a high standard of flavor. Fresh crab is cut into pieces, then stir-fried with chili sauce, eggs and tomatoes. Its appeal is the fresh crab meat and the legendary chili sauce of Singaporean cuisine.

Another dish is frog porridge. At Sing Chiak, frogs are cooked in a clay pot in a rich, flavorful sauce and served with plain porridge. 

Frogs are cooked in a rich, flavour-packed sauce in a claypot, and served alongside plain porridge. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

After a nutritious and meaty dish of chili crab, a bowl of frog porridge comes in handy. However, if you have room for one more dish, I recommend Hainan chicken rice.

The chicken is prepared according to the traditional Hainan method, which involves boiling the whole chicken and using the chicken stock to make the broth. 

Fresh cucumbers are boiled in chicken stock and lightly sprinkled with soy sauce and sesame oil when eaten with chicken rice, adding a rich, addictive flavor.

The dipping sauce that accompanies the rice is a mixture of black soy sauce combined with freshly ground ginger, red pepper and minced fresh garlic.

 Hainan chicken rice. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

After the meal, if you want to take home a specialty of Singaporean cuisine, there is Sing Puff, a famous Singaporean snack made of curry sauce, chicken, potatoes and eggs. All the ingredients are mixed together, covered with a doughy shell and then fried. The crispy crust inside is full of fillings that make it craveable and unforgettable.

Reactions:
Share:
Trending
Most Viewed
Related news
Five-star hotels in Hanoi offer discounts for big holiday this month

Five-star hotels in Hanoi offer discounts for big holiday this month

Locals and visitors to Hanoi can enjoy a luxurious holiday in the heart of the city at affordable prices by taking advantage of exclusive offers at highly-rated lodgings.

Vietnam tourism video series launched on 2025 P4G Summit

Vietnam tourism video series launched on 2025 P4G Summit

Vivid clips themed Vietnam tourism aim to highlight the country’s image as a safe, friendly, and attractive tourism destination.

Hanoi amongst popular travel destinations for Reunification Holiday

Hanoi amongst popular travel destinations for Reunification Holiday

Coastal resorts and culturally rich cities are Vietnamese tourists' leading the search trends for the holiday that will take place at the end of April.

Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2025 celebrates culture and creativity

Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2025 celebrates culture and creativity

The Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2025 invites locals and tourists alike to immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of culture, cuisine, and craftsmanship.

Hue to host Vietnam’s National Tourism Year 2025

Hue to host Vietnam’s National Tourism Year 2025

The iconic tourist destination in Vietnam has been chosen host the National Tourism Year 2025, with the spectacular Hue Festival 2025 as its main highlight. 

Vietnam’s tourist attraction among best places for apricot blossom

Vietnam’s tourist attraction among best places for apricot blossom

The beauty of Prunus cerasoides flowers, also known as Himalayan cherry blossoms, adorns the majestic landscape of the mountainous area in the northern part of Vietnam.

Exciting tourism offers for Hung Kings Commemoration Day

Exciting tourism offers for Hung Kings Commemoration Day

Visitors will have the chance to experience the sacred ancestral land of Phu Tho during the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, which will take place on the 10th day of the third lunar month, or April 7, 2025.

Hot mineral spring holidays recommended amid humid weather

Hot mineral spring holidays recommended amid humid weather

With the sweltering heat driving people to seek relief, hot spring resorts have gained popularity, offering the perfect escape for those looking to unwind and rejuvenate.