Singaporeans take their food very seriously. If you don't believe me, walk down to a local hawker center (there's one almost everywhere), and taste for yourself. You'll see tourists mingling with working stiffs, stuffing their faces with Chinese, Indian, Malay, and "Western" food. The dishes are as cheap as they are delicious – you can get a hearty, authentically Asian meal for less than $3. For the no-BS Singaporean hawker center experience, do not dare miss these places when you're in town.
East Coast Seafood Center (East Coast Park)
Image © Ernesto Andrade (http://www.flickr.com/people/dongkwan/)
The food center closest to the guide's heart, as he lived in a condo a few minutes' walk away. Don't leave without trying the crawfish, chili crab, or black pepper crab.
Lau Pa Sat Food Center (Boon Tat Street, Shenton Way, Robinson Road)
Image © Ernesto Andrade (http://www.flickr.com/people/dongkwan/)
Built in the 1890s on reclaimed land, Lau Pa Sat has stayed put as Singapore's business district grew around it - it's now a popular favorite for taxi drivers and executives alike Lau Pa Sat is known for having the spongiest putu piring (rice cake) in town.
Adam Road Food Center (Junction of Dunearn Road and Adam Road)
Image © Ernesto Andrade (http://www.flickr.com/people/dongkwan/)
Mostly Malay or Indian food served here. This is the best place to try Nasi Goreng, Roti Prata, or Nasi Lemak for the first time. Locals swear by the Noo Cheng Prawn Noodles.
Zion Road Riverview Food Center (Zion Road, across Great World City)
Image © Stef Yau (http://www.flickr.com/people/daxiang/)
Busy Orchard Road office workers usually congregate here for lunch. Wide selection available, but don't leave without trying the bak kut teh with steamed fish.
