Singapore has an international reputation for being a foodie’s paradise. It’s easy to find great food almost anywhere on the island—even at the airport. Whether you’re a tourist trying to squeeze one last Singaporean meal in before your flight or a resident visiting the airport on your day off, there’s bound to be something you’ll enjoy. Changi Airport abounds with dining options for every dietary preference and price point, and there’s even a food court in every terminal that serves a diverse variety of Singaporean dishes.
We’ve compiled some of the best local dining experiences in Changi Airport here. Who knows, you might find your new favourite restaurant at the airport!
1. Sampanman
Love seafood? You’ll love Sampanman. Drawing from Singapore’s maritime heritage, this halal-certified eatery is known for its hearty seafood feasts served on sampan-shaped platters (“sampan” is boat in Bahasa Melayu). The largest feast, the XXL Fisherman Sampan, serves five to six people, making it perfect for an indulgent family meal.
Sampanman’s offerings are reminiscent of American seafood boils with a uniquely Singaporean twist. Diners can opt for local sauces like Salted Egg and Black Pepper Crab. The platters themselves include premium items like Sri Lankan crab, Boston lobster, mussels, and scallops. Fluffy fried mantou buns, like what you’d expect with a classic chilli crab meal, accompany each meal so you can mop up every last morsel of sauce.
Another must-try menu item is their Truffle Buttermilk Crab Bee Hoon Soup. It’s probably one of Singapore’s most luxurious meals as this traditional crab bee hoon dish comes with a whole mud crab and plenty of bee hoon (rice noodles) to soak up the rich milky broth. Sampanman’s version ups the indulgence factor with the inclusion of fragrant truffles. If you don’t have the appetite for an entire Sri Lankan crab, Sampanman has lighter individually sized noodle dishes like Seabass Bee Hoon and Blue Mussels Bee Hoon—all cooked with the same signature milky broth.
Location: Jewel Changi Airport #B1-223
Opening hours: Opens 10:00am to 10:00pm daily
2. Jumbo Seafood
For traditional seafood offerings, look no further than JUMBO Seafood. Ever since it was established in 1987, Jumbo Seafood has been a favourite with tourists and locals for the world-famous Singapore chilli crab.
Jumbo Chili Crab gets its Award-Winning title from its signature sauce, made with spices native to Southeast Asian cuisine (think candlenuts, lemongrass, and turmeric), Chinese fermented bean paste, tomatoes, and the eponymous chillies. Sure, the crabs themselves are fat and succulent, but this blend of culinary influences from across the region is what really encapsulates the diversity of Singaporean food.
Apart from seafood, Jumbo also serves meat dishes like their Mocha Pork Ribs. These ribs are marinated in a secret spice blend and topped with a robust coffee sauce. Tastes just as great, but you’ll really be missing out if you skip their seafood bonanza.
Looking to try as much of the menu as possible? Jumbo’s Set Menus are a great way to sample their signature dishes like Red Tilapia Deep Fried with Oyster Sauce and Supreme Seafood Fried Rice with X.O. Sauce.
Location: Jewel Changi Airport #03-202/202/204
Opening hours: Opens 10:00am to 10:00pm daily
3. Curry Times
Savour the good old days with Curry Times, the restaurant arm of heritage brand Old Chang Kee. The restaurant’s wooden chairs and tiled floors are reminiscent of mid-20th century kopitiams. Old Chang Kee pioneered the trademark Singapore curry puff back in the 1950s when its founder, Chang Swang Boo, sold them fresh outside the old Rex cinema.
Its flaky buttery pastry exterior and rich curried mixture have cemented the curry puff’s position as one of Singapore’s most beloved snacks. Prepared with the same expertise that gave us the curry puff, Curry Times’ Signature Curry Chicken is a bowl full of succulent chicken pieces and a silky spicy broth. The other curry dishes on the menu, Curry Beef with Pineapple and Tomato and Curry Batang Fish Fillet Rice, are equally satisfying.
If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, pick up one of Old Chang Kee’s famous curry puffs or its Signature Buns stuffed with Singaporean classics like Hae Bee Hiam (spicy dried shrimp), Sardines, and sweet Coconut. Curry Times is Halal-certified.
Location: Changi Airport Terminal 3 #B2-51
Opening hours: Opens 8:00am to 10:00pm daily
4. Keong Saik Bakery
Keong Saik Bakery uses Western baking techniques to create viennoiseries, breads, and cakes with homegrown Singaporean flavours.
Their OG Sor Hei bun is a tribute to the majies (domestic workers who first came from China in the early 1900s) of Keong Saik Road between the 1930s and 1970s. Its distinctive black and white samfu uniform and plaited hair bun inspired the shape of Keong Saik Bakery’s unique Danish pastry. The Ondeh Ondeh Sor Hei borrows flavours from the traditional Malay kuih (cakes)—pandan, grated coconut, and gula melaka (brown palm sugar). Pick your favourite, or pick them all!
Keong Saik Bakery’s takes on Singaporean snacks also include the Muah Chee Croissant Cube (black sesame and peanut with glutinous rice cake), the Otak Danish (otak is spiced fish paste), and the Attap Chee Rose Cheesecake (attap chee is palm seed).
While all those flavours are amazing, the Jewel outlet has exclusive menu items! Think: Cereal Prawn Croissant Eclair (inspired by the crunchy Singapore Chinese restaurant favourite) and Palm Beach (a pandan cheesecake topped with a coconut mousse). They’re definitely worth a special trip to Changi.
Location: Jewel Changi Airport, #01-K214
Opening hours: Opens daily from 8:00am to 10:00pm
5. The Hainan Story
Perhaps the most iconic of all Singaporean dishes is the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Steamed or roasted chicken (both are delicious, we don’t judge) is eaten with fragrant rice cooked in chicken fat, pandan, and aromatics. The Hainan Story’s Chicken Rice is as authentic as it gets.
Hainanese contributions to Singaporean cuisine, however, go far beyond just chicken rice. Early migrants took up jobs for British colonial officers as chefs and developed a fusion cuisine popularly known as Western Food. It’s not really Western the way you’d expect it to be though, but more like steak cuts of meat served with a localised mushroom gravy sauce, giving the dish a uniquely Singaporean flavour. Order The Hainan Story’s Wee Nam Kee Fried Chicken Rice with Uncle Robert Hainanese Pork Chop or Chicken Cutlet for the best of both worlds.
Singapore also has the Hainanese community to thank for its traditional breakfast of kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, and kopi (local-style “nanyang” coffee). You can even add butter to your coffee at The Hainan Story, known locally as kopi gu you, a predecessor of the Bulletproof Coffee health food trend. The hawkers did it first, we’d say they did it better too!
Location: Jewel Changi Airport B2-201/202
Opening Hours: Opens 8:00am to 10:00pm daily
6. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh
Bak Kut Teh literally translates to “meat bone tea” and is a comforting pork rib soup. Unlike neighbouring Malaysia’s Bak Kut Teh which is chock full of herbs, Singapore’s version is light and peppery. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh has perfected this Teochew-style version over its 50 years in business. Beginning as a humble roadside pushcart, Song Fa is now an international brand and a multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee. You can try both and decide whether the Singaporean or Malaysian rendition is better.
While you’re tucking into a piping hot bowl of soup, try some of this famous establishment’s Homemade Ngoh Hiang (deep-fried pork rolls wrapped in beancurd skin). They’ve also got an array of braised dishes, like Braised Pig’s Trotter and Braised Chicken Feet with Beancurd Skin, which perfectly complement the Bak Kut Teh.
Song Fa has partnered with Chinatown heritage merchant Pek Sin Choon for its tea selection. A pot of Tie Guan Yin or Osthmanthus Oolong will round out an already fragrant meal.
Location: Jewel Changi Airport, #B2-278
Opening Hours: Opens daily from 10:30am to 10:00pm
7. Noyah La Maison
Influenced by both Malay and Chinese traditions, Peranakan cuisine is a unique fusion of Singapore’s multicultural culinary landscape. Noyah La Maison takes the art of fusion food one step further by combining Peranakan flavours with Western gastronomy.
Its Tempeh Cream Pasta combines baked tempeh (fermented soy beans), mushrooms, and onion cream for a nourishing meatless option. Fans of spicy food should order the Mala Seafood Mee Pok, a pasta dish served with flat egg noodles and tossed in Sichuan peppercorn and chilli butter.
No visit to a Peranakan eatery is complete without trying buahkeluak (candlenut). Its deep earthiness gives depth to dishes like Ayam Buah Keluak, chicken served with savoury gravy. Noyah La Maison uses the nut in a sweeter preparation for their Buah Keluak Flourless Cake. That’s not Noyah La Maison’s only Peranakan-inspired dessert. This restaurant also makes unique treats like Bandung Sago Tart (rose syrup), Salted Calamansi Cheesecake, and Cendol Tart (pandan, coconut, gula melaka). Noyah La Maison is Halal-certified.
Location: Changi Airport Terminal 3, #B2-40/40A
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday - 8:00am to 10:00pm, Friday to Saturday - 8:00am to 11:00pm
Dining at Changi Airport is proof that the airport itself is a destination, and not just a transport hub. From heritage recipes to innovative fusion food, savour the diversity of Singapore’s cuisines at Changi Airport! If you’re curious about the work that goes into curating Changi Airport’s dining option, you can read more here. And if you’re hunting for halal options, here are our top picks.
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