Chinese Restaurants in Singapore

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.