You really cant avoid Singaporean food wherever you go
Most Singaporeans would vehemently agree that food is king, maybe even – if you’re bold – proclaim that Singapore food is simply the best in the world, so what better sense of pride than for others to enjoy it too? Here are some local restaurants and chains that have soared to popularity overseas, giving others a taste of the gastronomic experience we have here on our little red dot.
Ya Kun Kaya Toast in Jakarta
Ya Kun Kaya Toast remains a household name for traditional Singaporean breakfast with outlets all over the island. According to Singapore infopedia, it started off as a humble coffee stall at Telok Ayer Basin before the World War II, and was then formally registered in 1944 under Loi Ah Koon. In 2003, Ya Kun unveiled its first overseas outlet in Indonesia. The chain has come a long way; now those in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Japan, The Philippines and Cambodia can all enjoy our favourite kaya roti.
Ya Kun’s overseas outlets can be found here.
Bak Kut Teh in Akasaka
One Japanese guy can probably compete with our love for bak kut teh, the peppery pork rib soup which originated from the local Teochew cuisine. Takahashi Akihiro loved it so much when he first tasted it in Singapore three years ago that he worked hard to recreate it. With the help of Japanese food researcher Hideyo Ishii, they finally managed to produce a fairly similar copy of it. He shared Facebook photos of his shop’s grand opening in Akasaka district on 9th April 2017, simply named ‘Singapore Bak Kut Teh’. The menu stays true to what we have here, with youtiao (fried dough fritters), veggies and rice. It’s quite impressive that he has dedicated so much effort to it.
Address: 5 Chome-4-14 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
Lao Ban beancurd in Ho Chi Minh
In 2007, Lao Ban began as a small stall at Old Airport Road Food Centre. Just five years later, it’s special recipe of ultra smooth beancurd has propelled it to 21 outlets in Singapore. According to The Straits Times, a company, named Tai Sei Hei, took Lao Ban overseas to Vietnam in November 2015, forming a cafe called Xiao Ban. The cafe at Ho Chi Minh’s SC VivoCity sells soya-inspired drinks, gelato and waffles on top of beancurd. The popularity of our beloved soya beancurd soared, expanding to three outlets in Ho Chi Minh alone, one in Phnom Penh, and one in Taipei.
The locations of Xiao Ban overseas can be found here.
Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice in Manila
Originally a father-and-son business established in 1987, Wee Nam Kee now has four outlets locally. Its first overseas outlet was opened at Makati District in Manila, Philippines in 2010. It opened its second outlet in Jakarta, Indonesia, two in South Korea and one in Japan in 2015. International Enterprise Singapore reports that while the Singapore joints only sell chicken rice, the overseas outlets feature dishes like salted egg yolk prawns and laksa. You know it’s legit when the Filipino outlet reportedly has full transfer of knowledge, they are taught to prepare everything – from rice to chilli sauce – from scratch, no pre-packed stuff.
Chomp Chomp in New York City
While it has the same name as the food centre in Serangoon Gardens, Chomp Chomp has no affiliation to it, and was opened by Malaysian chef Simpson Wong. Tagged ‘Singaporean hawker food’, he brings our local flavours to the other side of the world in New York City. The restaurant features classic hawker fare like Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow and BBQ stingray, as well as fusion creations like chilli crab fries. Opened in 2015, it has gotten tons of rave reviews from both ang mohs and Asians from the far end of the globe getting a taste of our cuisine – “Yup, you HAVE been missing out.”
Address: 7 Cornelia Street, New York, NY 10014
Bee Cheng Hiang in Tokyo
If you are visiting a friend overseas, chances are you don’t need to pack bak kwa as a souvenir for them anymore. Homegrown brand Bee Cheng Hiang has expanded to 11 overseas markets, with its latest venture into the heart of Ginza shopping district in Japan in September 2016. With 17 outlets across three cities in South Korea alone and more in Thailand, Vietnam, China, etc, the addictive barbequed pork is now introduced to all around the world.
Locations for all Bee Cheng Hiang outlets can be found here.
Killiney Kopitiam in Melbourne
The humble shop selling kopitiam breakfast started along the busy streets of Killiney Road in 1919. Now, the Singapore-based chain brought its kopi, kaya, and comfort local fare to Melbourne, making it its first forage out of Asia. It serves items like nasi lemak, fried bee hoon, and mee goreng on top of the signature kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs. There are now three locations in Australia; Homesick Singaporeans can get some comfort food, while Australian residents are introduced to what Singapore breakfast is all about. It also has outlets in Hong Kong, Brunei, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and China.
See Killiney’s locations around the world here.
Mr Bean in Manila
Mr Bean has become a familiar sight in Singapore, with the aroma of its soya bean drink and pancakes wafting out of multiple MRT stations. Its first Philippines branch opened in April 2012 in Alabang Town Center, Metro Manila, and is now a favourite among locals there. It also has an outlet in Shibuya, Japan, with its co-founder reportedly having plans to expand to Seoul, Shanghai and even the United States.
See all Mr Bean’s overseas outlets here.
Bonus: Crystal Jade in San Francisco
It’s not purely local food, but Singapore-based Crystal Jade Jian Nan is known for its posh interior and Chinese cuisine, and its latest location is no exception. San Francisco is its first location in the United States, in addition to Seoul, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. According to SF Eater, $14 million was spent to glam up the 20,000 square-foot space which opened in November 2014. The USA outlet focuses on Cantonese and Teochew cuisine, and also has a takeaway section ‘Singapore To-Go’, with specials like chicken rice. They also do claim to be the only restaurant in San Francisco selling chilli crab.
Address: Four Embarcadero Center, Lobby Level, San Francisco CA 941111
