Singapore is commonly associated with a large variety of good food. With many restaurants, food kiosks, bars and cafes peppered around the airport, Changi Airport is a smorgasbord of international and local cuisine. But beyond the global chains and fancy venues are the most ubiquitous yet fascinating eateries - the food courts. These places offer authentic local fare of different genres at affordable prices — all under one roof. Whether you’re an arriving traveller looking to start your gastronomical journey right after touching down, on transit through Changi Airport, or a hawker-fare foodie looking to enjoy a last Singaporean meal before flying off – follow us as we uncover the best of Changi Airport’s food courts.

Get a taste of Singaporean hawker fare within the transit areas

Singapore Food Street at Changi Airport Terminal 3

Start your food hunt at Terminal 3’s Singapore Food Street, a 60s-themed food court serving all manner of local delights from the different cultures and dialects of Singapore.

You’ll find go-to classics here like char kway tiao (flat rice noodles stir-fried in sweet soy sauce) to vegetarian dishes like thosai (a thin crepe served with chutney) at Kaveri Indian. There are also other local favourites like the Hainanese chicken rice, bak kut teh and bak chor mee (minced pork noodles). For those of you with a sweet tooth, get a sweet pick-me-up with desserts like ice kacang (shaved ice covered in syrup and fruit).

 

Location: Terminal 3, Departure Transit Hall Central, Level 3
Opening hours: Varies depending on the stall

International Food Hall at Changi Airport Terminal 4

With travellers from all over the world, there needs to be an option for everyone. Terminal 4’s International Food Hall packs nine mini-restaurants serving cuisine from Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong (there’s a Burger King, for those who prefer fast food).

We recommend diving into a warm and fragrant bowl of Pho at Vietnamese chain restaurant Pho Street. Those curious about Malaysian cuisine can sample the best of Ipoh at Ipoh Lou Yao. Its signature set meal of hor fun noodles and kampung (village or free-range) chicken and bean sprouts is a popular comfort dish for many. Or go for a satisfying pork katsu rice bowl and Japanese curry at Maruhachi. 
 

Location: Terminal 4, Departure Transit Hall, Level 2M
Opening hours: Varies depending on the restaurant

Good food publicly accessible by locals and tourists alike

Kopitiam at Changi Airport Terminal 3

High ceilings and natural light are aplenty at Terminal 3, with lush greenery woven into its architecture. Head down to Basement 2 however, and you’ll find another wonder, the Kopitiam food court (a portmanteau of ‘coffee’, kopi in Malay and ‘shop’, tiam in the Hokkien dialect).

This food court tends to be buzzing with patrons, so if you’re fazed by the many options, a trick that always works anywhere is to go where the queues are. Tuck into savoury Teochew fishcakes and a piping hot bowl of fishball noodles by Bounce Teochew Fishball Noodles or pick your own assortment of stuffed fish paste items at the Yong Tau Foo Econ Bee Hoon stall, both which are Halal certified. If you’re new to South Indian cuisine, the Local Snacks stall sells a rare treat that’s tough to find in food courts these days, appam for just S$3.50! This thin, rice batter and coconut milk pancake has a spongy centre and is commonly eaten with grated coconut and orange sugar. Those with a sweet tooth will also enjoy toppings like banana and chocolate with chopped nuts.

For dietary requirements, do look for the Halal Certification displayed at the front of each stall. 

 

Location: Terminal 3, Basement 2, Public Area
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours daily

Kopitiam at Changi Airport Terminal 4

Opened in 2017, Terminal 4 fits every description of a modern, cutting-edge terminal, from its fully automated check-in, to the hypnotic charm of the PetalClouds kinetic sculpture floating above the Central Galleria.

The eatery here, Kopitiam, treats diners to a panoramic view of the airport runway while they savour local hawker fare. While this food court keeps to Terminal 4’s clean and airy aesthetic, it hasn’t forgotten its Singaporean roots. Its walls are lined with recreations of famous landmarks with a heritage black-and-white tiled flooring throughout. 

The Nasi Padang at Nasi Padang Jawi is worth checking out. A plate of steamed white rice topped with various home-cooked style dishes of your choice will surely satisfy your hungry belly. After that, wash it down with an ice-cold chendol (a sweet iced dessert with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup, topped with green rice flour jelly and other toppings) from Old Amoy Chendol. There's also a stall selling Sarawak delicacies like the Sarawak Laska and Kolo Mee at Gourmet Sarawak, if you prefer noodles. 

Bringing the kids along? Check out the Kid’s Dining Area that’s been decked out to resemble the iconic Dragon Playgrounds that have dotted Singapore’s heartlands for many years. 

For dietary requirements, do look for the Halal Certification displayed at the front of each stall.

 

Location: Terminal 4, Departure Hall, Level 2, Public Area
Opening hours: 6:00am – 11:00pm‬ daily‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Bonus! ‘Secret’ staff food courts to check out

Orchis Food Court at Changi Airport Terminal 1

For most, the Terminal 1 staff canteen is under-the-radar. Getting there requires a little navigation but no surprises on what’s down here though — a smattering of Asian and Singaporean delights!

Sink your teeth into a saba bento set (grilled mackerel with rice and side dishes) or slurp up a hearty bowl of mee rebus (egg noodles in a rich, curry-like gravy) from Nur’s Family Nasi Ayam. If you’re in a group, the Mala Hotpot (read: spicy and numbing Szechuan spices) stall offers palate-numbingly good bowls laced with chili oil and Szechuan peppercorns in portions that’re large enough to share. You’ll also get to choose from a variety of ingredients to be paired with the mala sauce. If all the spice is too much to take, order a cup of good 'ol soy bean milk from the drink stall. 

For dietary requirements, do look for the Halal Certification displayed at the front of each stall.

 

Location:  Terminal 1, Basement 1, Public Area

How to get there: Head to Check-In Row 13 on Level 2 and keep an eye out for a signboard pointing you towards the Staff Canteen. Follow it and head down to Basement 1 from either lift 8, 9 or 26.

Opening hours: 6:00am – 9:00pm‬ daily‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

Now, while we love our fancy dining and fast food franchises as much as anyone, our food courts are near and dear to our hearts. Filled with mouth-watering comfort food, Changi Airport’s food courts serve as both a warm welcome or hearty send-off for locals and a parting gift for any tourist.

 

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