If Singapore’s architecture is its skeleton, its food is undoubtedly its soul. From eight years of calling the 'Little Red Dot' home, we’ve gathered a lifetime of culinary rituals—from $5 peppery Bak Kut Teh to decadent four-hour champagne marathons on the 57th floor. This is our 'Expat’s Plate': a deep dive into the hawker centers, wet markets, and Michelin gems that define the heartbeat of Singapore.

After living in Singapore as expats from 2008 to 2016, we continue to return to the Lion City. This is our insider’s guide to the neighborhoods, places to visit, and evolution of a city that remains our favorite starting point for Southeast Asia.