Singapore's National Dish

Toast and half-boiled eggs with pepper and soy sauce

Oct 12, 2024

Here’s a light-hearted post for the weekend.

Singapore has many national dishes- like chilli crab, Hainanese-style chicken rice, laksa ( noodles in coconut gravy) and satay.

But I think the most popular and loved across all ages and all homes for breakfast is half-boiled eggs with toast. I make it at home and even see teenagers eating it in the shops outside. Comfort food.

Photo credits to https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ctJ9nduu87U

Delish Tube channel - How to Make Perfect Half Boiled Eggs | Singapore Recipes | Recipes Are Simple

This is so delicious and I will make it anywhere. The allure is the silky texture of the soft-boiled eggs with a dash of pepper and half a teaspoon of soy sauce. Dip your toast and other protein in it. And voila! A super delicious breakfast! with your favourite morning coffee/ tea/ juice.
You can also use freshly-boiled electric kettle water and pour it over the eggs. Cover it for a few minutes. That’s what I do.
Four minutes for small eggs in freshly boiled water. Adjust the time accordingly to your preference. Uncover it after a few minutes. Crack it and add the seasoning accordingly.

Singapore is always competing to be the first in everything but one of its favourite dishes is actually the humble half-boiled egg. It is truly ironic. Perhaps it’s because we developed so fast, we used to have squatters in the 1960s and homes didn’t even have a proper dining table. I wonder if that’s why people make do with easy dishes that do not take much time to prepare before they go out to work.

Most would argue that Singapore’s national dish is the more glamorous chilli crab or Hainanese Island- styled Chicken Rice but sometimes the humble things people cherish everyday like your home garden, the aroma of your favourite beverage or the crisp air when winter’s not freezing cold, remind you of life’s little things to appreciate.

I hope that this post puts you in a good mood. What is a dish that you love?

Another favourite of Singapore ( not mine)- The Kaya jam ( a sweet, creamy spread or custard made with coconut cream, eggs, sugar and pandan leaves) Kaya Jam origin