The well known Lau Pa Sat is perhaps the most famous hawker centre in Singapore. Located in the very heart of the city’s Central Business District Lau Pa Sat is a popular attraction for foreign visitors as well as local residents. The centre is housed in the most expansive Victorian cast-iron filigree building still existing in Southeast Asia. Previously a wet market called Telok Ayer Market with a history stretching back 150 years to the era of the founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles, the centre now takes pride in providing the finest hawker fare.

Singaporeans have always loved street food but over the years the hawker food tradition has evolved in leaps and bounds. Whereas once the wandering vendors pushed their carts around the city or sold their fare from temporary stalls, today there are numerous hygienic permanent centres for hawkers, both air-conditioned and open air with a pleasant ambience.

The numerous different ethnic groups from diverse origins who have left their mark on Singapore’s culture are well represented in the cuisine of Singapore. At Lau Pa Sat visitors may sample dishes of Chinese, Malay and Indian origin, all of them modified to suit the local taste buds. Typical local dishes include chilli crab, laksa (fragrant rice noodles with coconut milk, herbs and spicy gravy) and ba kut teh, tasty pork ribs stewed with garlic and spices.  Western specialties like chips and chicken cutlets are also available. Visitors should also make it a point to sample the delicious local tea or coffee, brought to a froth not by an electric appliance but by being tossed expertly between two mugs.