Once a humble fuel for laborers in need of a hearty, high-energy meal, char kway teow has evolved into one of Singapore’s most iconic hawker dishes. Its name translates to “stir-fried rice cake strips,” highlighting the flat rice noodles that are wok-fried with eggs, Chinese sausage, cockles, and bean sprouts, all coated in fragrant dark soy sauce.

How to eat the best char kway teow in Singapore
For the real deal, head to a hawker centre such as Hill Street Fried Kway Teow at Chinatown Complex or Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee at Hong Lim Food Centre. Cooked to order over roaring flames, each plate delivers that prized wok hei—the smoky essence that defines a great char kway teow.