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My Foodie-Approved List of the Best Satay Spots in Singapore
As a Singaporean, if you ask me what our *unofficial* national dish is, I’d probably say chicken rice. But if we’re talking about something that hits the trifecta of spicy, sweet, and smoky goodness? It’s got to be satay.
Satay is the ultimate must-try for anyone visiting Singapore. They’re grilled, juicy skewers (usually chicken) paired with a rich, nutty peanut sauce so good it’ll have you looking for seconds.
You won’t have to look far to find it. Hawker centres, local eateries, and night markets have their own satay champions. So, if you’re craving some, here’s my foodie-approved list of the best satay spots in Singapore!
Chomp Chomp Satay
Media from adibeevince
Address: #01-34, Kensington Park Rd, Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Pricing: $
There are dozens of hawker centres in the city, but one of the best for satay is undoubtedly Chomp Chomp Food Centre. Surprisingly, not a lot of my foreign friends have heard of this place, so I didn’t hesitate to take them there when they last visited.
The satay has the right blend of sweet and salty, with a generous serving of peanut sauce. Prices here are also relatively cheaper (at only 80¢ a piece), so if you want to binge satay, here’s a good place to do it!
Tips:
- The stall is so popular that people are willing to wait by occupied tables just to get a seat. Don’t be alarmed if there are people just standing idly while you dine here. It’s a way too common thing in the centre, and I had to keep reminding my foreign friends that they were just waiting for their turn!
- For a little extra char on your satay, I recommend asking the hawker uncles to grill your orders a little longer. The wait is worth it, especially because your meat will be softer, and chewier, and the charred surface makes it taste better.
Shi Xiang Satay
Media from tabaojiak
Address: Smith St, 335号 #02-79, Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre
Contact Details: +65 8522 3186
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Pricing: $
Shi Xiang Satay in Chinatown is hands down one of my favourite satay spots in Singapore! The skewers are unbelievably juicy and tender, with just the right amount of char to give them that addictive smoky kick.
What really makes this stall special is its traditional marinade—an aromatic mix of Indian spices that has been passed down through generations. The peanut sauce here is also a little tamer in flavour compared to other stalls, so they’re child-friendly.
Tips:
- For a more peaceful spot, head to the green section at the far end of the building. Luckily, the stall is located in this quieter part of the food centre, making it easier to find a seat without the usual hawker centre hustle.
- The best time to go is on a weekday in the early afternoon when it’s even more relaxed and less crowded.
- The satay here is best paired with pandan rice. Get a lot of them if you have the extra budget because they’re just that good! I love slathering the rice with the peanut sauce.
Cumi Bali
Address: 50 Tras St
Contact Details: +65 6220 6619
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 pm to 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Pricing: $$
While Singaporean satay is the bomb for me, I can’t deny that traditional Indonesian satay also takes the cake for being one of the best in the city, especially the ones at Cumi Bali. This restaurant offers Indonesian cuisine, which I absolutely love.
Their menu offerings are delicious, ranging from Balinese squid and fried fish, but the real showstopper is their chicken satay. They’re larger than the usual hawker satay and sell for just $18 for two, so you really get bang for the buck.
Tips:
- If you want to spice up your dish more, you can ask for fresh sambal. Just note that they do charge you for a serving, so come prepared for that.
- At least, they give you a big serving per sambal order, so you get more than what you pay for (especially if you love spicy food). If you can’t stomach it, it’s better to leave the sambal for now.
- To really make the most out of your dining experience here, make sure to order the turmeric rice instead of the plain one. The flavours really complement the satay and the sauce.
Ah Pui Satay
Media from misstamchiak
Address: Blk 75 Lor. 5 Toa Payoh, #01-13, Toa Payoh Food Centre
Contact Details: +65 8393 1669
Operating Hours:
Tuesday to Friday, 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Pricing: $$
Ah Pui Satay may be pricey (starting at about $1 per stick), but their pork satay sticks come in large sizes. It’s uncanny to find a hawker stall selling satay at such a price, but the taste, flavour, size, and sauce all make up for the cost.
Their satay has been featured in several magazines like Tatler and even got a nod of approval from celebrity chef Sam Chin. The proportions of meat to fat are balanced, so if you’re looking to fill your tummy with just a few sticks, this is a stall to look out for.
Tips:
- It’s best to drop by the stall early in the day. They get sold out quickly and usually close down when they can’t offer any more satay to hungry customers.
- To ensure that you get some, come in early (around their opening hours in the afternoon). You can also stay tuned to their Facebook page for closure announcements.
- They specialise in pork satay, so they can’t cater to hungry customers looking for halal-friendly satay. It’s best to consider another stall on this list if you can’t eat pork.
Satay By The Bay
Media from sataybythebayofficial
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, #01-19 Gardens by the Bay
Contact Details: +65 6538 9956
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
Pricing: $$
If there’s one satay spot that’s got both locals and tourists flocking any day of the week, it’s Satay by the Bay. No surprises there. It’s easily one of the city’s hottest satay joints.
This open-air food court serves all sorts of grilled meat, ranging from the classic chicken to seafood options like prawns and fish. No matter what kind of satay you’re looking for, I’m pretty sure there is a hawker stall and friendly uncles serving it up.
Tips:
- Don’t forget to save a seat or table by chope-ing. This is the Singaporean way of reserving a table. All you have to do is leave a tissue packet or umbrella on the table then make your way to the stall you’re after.
- Don’t worry, so long as there’s an item on your table, no one will take it (unless they’re first-time tourists who don’t know this local hack).
- The food centre’s satay stalls are open relatively earlier than other places in the city, so you have better chances of getting tables and fewer crowds if you come in the morning.
- If you are dropping by in the afternoon, come right before dinner time (5:00 pm) to avoid bigger crowds.
Haron Satay
Media from haronsatay55
Address: 1220 ECP, #01-55 East Coast Lagoon Food Village
Contact Details: +65 6441 0495
Operating Hours:
Wednesday, 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Thursday, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday, 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Sunday, 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Pricing: $$
East Coast Park will have you working up an appetite with all the activities on offer, so why not refuel with some legendary satay from Haron Satay? This local favourite keeps everyone in the park satisfied with its perfect skewers and crispy wings.
The beef and chicken satay are always a win because they are tender, smoky, and grilled just right. And if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, try the mutton satay, which you won’t always find in other hawker centres.
Tips:
- If you don’t want to make the trip to East Coast Park, you can order a satay for delivery! They offer all their bestselling menu offerings online, including some sides and their rice cakes.
- If you order items with a total bill of $300 or more, the delivery fee is on them. So, get ordering!
- To avoid any hassle with payments, bring cash along with you when you drop by. They don’t accept any sort of electronic or digital payments, so stock up on some cash.
Chai Ho Satay
Media from ieatishootipost
Address: 448 Clementi Ave 3, #01-10, Clementi Market and Food Centre
Operating Hours:
Wednesday to Sunday, 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Pricing: $
I give mad props to anyone who would go all the way to Clementi just to get satay from Chai Ho Satay. Honestly, the juicy skewers and delicious peanut sauce make the trip all the more worth it, so if you’ve got time to spare, you must visit this spot.
It’s also one of the more affordable places to get quality satay in the city. If you’re here, don’t just stop at satay! Pair it with a side of rice cakes for the full experience, and wash it down with a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice from the nearby drink stall.
Tips:
- People queue for nearly an hour just to get an order from this stall, so if you want to avoid the wait, I highly recommend dropping by before opening or during mid-afternoon (around 3:00 pm). There will be people dining here around those times, but at least the queue won’t be as long!
- Don’t be shy and ask for extra peanut sauce to go with your order. The sauce is literally what makes people keep queuing for hours on end, so while you’re already at the counter, go ask for more. Trust me, it’s *chef’s kiss*!
