The Food Republic - Singaporean Cuisine in the Capital

Though Singaporean malls such as Joy City, Hualian and Raffle City are enjoying unrivaled success and popularity in the capital, the same cannot be said for Singaporean cuisine, the country’s other main export to China. Even amidst a elaborate and cutthroat dining landscape that leaves no cuisine unexplored, there appears to be a dearth of restaurants in Beijing dedicated to serving authentic Singaporean dishes. Nonetheless, those who are feeling homesick and craving Singaporean favorites, such as hawker-style laksa and Hainanese chicken rice, still manage to seek out and be satisfied with the available options here in town.

Lau Pa Sak
A Singapore eatery reminiscent of Singapore’s colonial-period coffee shops, Lau Pa Sak is the de facto restaurant for Singaporean natives craving hawker-style street dishes. Lau pa Sak wastes few resources on elaborate décor, but focuses on offering dishes with a taste experience closest to Singaporean da pai dang specialties. Regular customers, mostly embassy diplomats and Singaporean expats who frequent the crammed diner, go for its authentic, spicy laksa, and order a cup of the tarek (pulled milk tea) to accompany their meal.
Daily 11am-11pm Xindong Lu (opposite Canadian Embassy), Sanlitun, Chaoyang District (6417 0952) 朝阳区新东路加拿大使馆对面

Toastbox
Imported straight from the food stalls of Singapore’s Wisma Atria Mall, Toast Box and its famous bakery counterpart Bread Talk have expanded with numerous outlets in Singapore and in Beijing. Just as Bread Talk is remembered for its pork floss buns, Toast Box is famous for its fragrant cups of Nanyang Kopi coffee, grilled thick traditional Kaya toast, and soft-boiled eggs. Toastbox also offers main staple dishes such as laksa, curries, and rice noodles for lunch. With low prices unconceivable elsewhere, Toastbox is set to achieve as much success among Beijingers as it has in its hometown. Daily 10am-10pm, B1-01, Raffles City Mall, 1 Dongzhimennan Dajie, Dongcheng District (8409 8892) 东城区B1-01来福士商场, 东直门南大街1号

Prima Taste Kitchen
Well known in Singapore for its ready-to-make Hainanese Chicken rice and laksa pastes, Prima Taste Kitchen features exclusively Singaporean delectable delights. With fast and efficient service, the kitchen serves up flavorful Singaporean chicken curry and coconut-based laksa, and its curry puffs are also a must-try. The Singaporean kitchen in Beijing is partnered with Swensen’s, an American diner, so restaurantgoers can enjoy an interesting combination of both Singaporean and Western fares in one sitting. Daily 11am-11pm. Unit FF03, The Malls at Oriental Plaza, 1 Chang’an Jie, Dongcheng District, Wangfujing (8518 6146) 东城区东长安街1号东方新天地FF03

Malacca Legend
Singapore and Malaysia share not only a border but also many favorite local dishes. And though Malacca offers mainly Malaysian cuisine, the restaurant is in fact best known for their most Singaporean dish – the Hainanese chicken rice. This dish, unrivaled in its popularity at Malacca, is served in miniature rice balls, a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Malacca Legend also offers many Singaporean desserts, including pandan cake and crispy nyonya cookies, otherwise hard to find in the heart of Beijing. The Luoma lake locale may be a bit far for casual diners living in the city, but the restaurant enjoys loyal, regular customers in Shunyi, who can’t get enough of their food. Malacca Legend’s new Chaoyang branch is sure to bring authentic and affordable Malaysian cuisine closer to city dwellers’ fingertips as well. Daily 11am-10pm. 1) On the banks of Luoma Lake, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8049 8902) 2) 1/F Building B, Ocean International Center, 58 East 4th Ring Road, Chaoyang District (5908 0075) 1) 顺义区后沙峪镇罗马湖畔 2) 朝阳区朝阳区东四环路58号远洋国际中心B座1层

Chef Chan
Though Singaporean owner Fabian Ho describes his restaurant as an upscale fast food canteen, Chef Chan’s chic and modern décor, along with its promise to serve only MSG-free food, challenges and alters our preconceived idea of the fast food joint. Popular menu items include the Singaporean fish ball noodle soup, chicken rice, and sago puddings for dessert. Catering mainly to businessmen and those looking for a quick but satisfying meal, Chef Chan ensures that tasty Singaporean fare (6582 5306) Malaysian and Thai cuisine. And after two decades, not much has changed, except for its ever-expanding menu of Pan-Asian delights. Reasonably priced Singaporean finds in Asian Star include bah kut teh, or meat bone tea, and popiah, which are thin, savory crepes eaten with hoisin sauce. Daily 11 am-2.30pm, 5-10.30pm 26 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区东三环北路26号

Hawka
Playing on the term “hawker,” which is well known among Singapore’s masses of street food vendors, Hawka is the Marriott City Wall’s classy take on street food accompanied by a five-star hotel dining experience. Though its elegant and elaborate décor bears no resemblance to the commonplace, boisterous canteens of Singapore, Hawka serves Singaporean staples, milk teas and desserts amidst other Pan-Asian cuisine. The authenticity of Hawka’s dishes help it recreate the Singapore street food vending experience in a much more pleasant and classy environment. Nonetheless, one must remember that there is a difference between hawkers’ and Hawka’s prices. Wed-Sun 5.30pm-10pm. Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall, 7 Jianguomen Nandajie, Dongcheng District (5811 8888 ext 8266) 东城区建国门南大街7号北京万豪酒店

Traders Café
With a typical a la carte hotel menu and a sprawling buffet, what makes Traders different from other lavish hotel buffets is the quality of the Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine that it offers. The restaurant’s standouts include Hainanese chicken rice, laksa (coconut curried noodles), and nasi lemak (rice soaked in coconut cream). With over 20 years of experience of bringing South East Asian food to Beijing, Traders Café is not to be missed. Daily 6am-11pm. Traders Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 2277 ext 35) 北京国贸饭店朝阳区建国门外大街一号