Singapore Little India Hawker Food Tasting Tour: A Guide to a Delicious Culinary Adventure

Before you set foot on the beautiful and diverse island nation of Singapore, you may have heard tales of its exotic cuisine. But have you heard of the gastronomical delights that await you in the areas known as Little India? Nestled within this bustling and vibrant district is not only rich culture that stretches back centuries but also mouth-watering street foods and dishes that will tantalize and delight your taste buds. In this guide, we explore the best of what Little India has to offer and recommend a tradition of Malaysia’s favorite hawker food tasting tour in Singapore.

What Is Little India?

Little India is an ethnic quarter of Singapore located in the northeast, within the general area known as Geylang. The area has been recognized for its Indian, Chinese, and Malaysian influences since British colonial times and carries a unique atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists alike.

A Brief History of Hawker Food

“Hawker food” can be traced back to the 19th century in Singapore. At that time, immigrants who entered the country began hawking their native dishes as a way to make money and provide for themselves, paving the way for Singapore’s iconic street food scene.

Hawker stands are a typical type of street food vendor, offering a few different dishes at each stall. It is believed that these stands flourished in Singapore due to the mild climate, which enabled vendors to operate outdoors all year-round. As a result, the country has developed a rich street food culture that encompasses a range of cuisines from around the world.

Today, many of Singapore’s hawker stands are owned and managed by multiple generations of the same family, each adding their own spin on traditional dishes. This makes Singapore’s hawker food scene one of its most unique features.

Atmosphere & Culture

Exploring Little India by foot is an experience like no other. Once you step off the main roads and narrow side alleys, you will find yourself within the heart of the district surrounded by magnificent temples and monuments that commemorate India’s past and present. You will also find yourself immersed in wave after wave of pungent incense and mesmerizing chanting that makes you feel as if you have stepped out of contemporary Singapore and into centuries-old India.

The district is also home to dozens of outdoor markets, full of fresh spices, flowers, fabrics, and other items that brighten up the streets with their vivid colors and strong scents. Traditional music performances are not uncommon in the area as well, which is why there is so much life in Little India even in the wee hours of the night.

But for many visitors, what brings them to Little India is its delicious street food. From northern curries to south Indian vegetarian fare, you will find it all here – cooked in traditional claypots, cooked over burning coals or steaming stoves, and served with traditional accompaniments such as roti or puri. Singapore’s hawker food scene may be different from its Indian origins, but it is still delicious enough to bring both tourists and locals alike back time and time again.

Traditional Hawker Food Tasting Tour in Singapore

If you are heading to Singapore anytime soon and want to experience the best food Little India has to offer – we recommend signing up for a traditional hawker food tasting tour in Singapore. While self-exploring the area on foot is a great way to gain an insight into the country’s culture, a guided tour should give you an indepth understanding on how our unique hawker food scene has evolved over time.

On a traditional hawker food tasting tour in Singapore, you will typically start off with a visit to one of the local coffee shops where you can sample balanced coffee-based drinks like kopi and teh tarik, which are famous among locals. You will then visit various stalls around the area, sampling distinctive dishes like putu piring, a famed savory Indian flatbread made with rice flour, or kachang puteh, a mix of fried peanuts, babana chips and dried onions known as “Singapore’s favorite snack.”

But it won’t only be local specialties; you will also get to explore multiple hidden culinary gems that have been forgotten in history such as nyonya rojak – a spicy fruit and vegetable salad tossed in sweet sauces – or mutton briyani – an aromatic rice dish created with local spices. Your guide will also reveal secrets behind elevated local dishes such as roti prata – a type of pan-fried flatbread native to Singapore – and explain the unique stories behind some of the more popular stalls that have been serving food for decades. The best part? All of these treats will be provided for free throughout your tour!

Where to Book Delicious Hawker Food Tasting Tour in Singapore?

Fancy tasting some of Singapore’s most beloved dishes? We recommend booking your authentic hawker food tour with GetYourGuide. GetYourGuide offers a selection of interactive cooking classes with both virtual and real life experiences, reliable cash-free payment systems, an enjoyable atmosphere and lots of culinary secrets thrown into the mix too!

We think it is an excellent way to explore Singapore while being safe during these uncertain times. On GetYourGuide you can also book other immersive experiences including night cruises, kayaking trips or cultural activities – all at your fingertips! So why not give it a try? Let’s spark your passion for Singaporean cuisine by experiencing it first-hand – we promise you won’t regret it!

And there you have it! Our guide to Singapore’s famous Little India hawker food tasting tour – everything you need to know about exploring this cultural melting pot and tasting Malaysia’s best street foods. So why wait? Getready to embark on this one-of-a-kind culinary journey! Click here to book your tour today!