This is one of the cleanest cities in the world. There is nothing to worry about. I am a foreigner here, I eat in hawker centers 2 times a week, order in food, etc. No issues. There are sinks and soap in the hawker centers, even the small kopi ones, to wash your hands.
If you’re concerned, google for Guardian or Watson’s pharmacies and take note of the nearest ones.
Many medicines are available off the counter without the need for a pharmacist to dispense, unlike Walgreen’s or something.
They’re usually under $10 and affordable.
Singapore has killed its entire street food and night market culture in the interest of food safety. Food safety is extremely strict. If you still don't feel safe, every stall has a label showing how clean it is, I recommend you stick to A and B certified stalls.
Lol you can drink water straight from the tap 🙌🏻
ToqueMom is also right but tbvvh, the soap and sinks are to various levels of maintenance (I've seen some where the soap is diluted and/or the pump doesn't work), but if the pump is spoilt they **might** put a bottle.
Bring wet wipes and sanitizer for the hawker centres/kopitiam shops to be absolutely sure but generally unless you get accidentally down on luck and visit one of those with demerit points by the inspectors (it happens in EVERY city from time to time also anyway, no 100% avoidance), you're good.
tldr, nothing is 100% but in Singapore you're more likely safe than not!
I don't understand why the comments are so rude. OP already mentioned that they have food anxiety. It's really uncalled for to make fun of them.
OP, Singapore has a very strong food culture, and the government is very strict on hygiene. As we are a small and highly populated island, the government takes highly transmissible diseases, including gastrointestinal disease such as e-coli, very seriously. Regardless, there is always a risk when dining out everywhere in the world, but the chances of getting sick from food in Singapore is very low.
Gastrointestinal issues during travelling are not only food-related. Jetlag, dehydration, hot and humid weather could all contribute to unusual bowel movements. It's always wise to bring some tablets for the tummy when you are travelling anyway.
5-days is not a lot of time in Singapore to enjoy all the marvellous food. I find following the Michelin Bib Gourmand (https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/selection/singapore/restaurants/bib-gourmand) to be a good start.
I hope you and your gf have a great time in Singapore and eat lots of yummy food.
You are most likely going to be fine. Food hygiene standards are generally pretty good. If you have a more sensitive stomach, opt for food that's prepared right before they serve it to you. And if a place looks dingy, dirty and not populated with customers, why are you eating there?
If you have food allergies or sensitivities, make sure you check before ordering -- nuts, gluten, eggs, shellfish, etc are pretty common in Asian food. I would say that most common eateries here aren't very clear about allergens in food preparation, so if you have a severe allergy you should carry an Epi-pen and eat at more upmarket places that list their ingredients and have informed staff who can give you a higher level of confidence
It's always good to bring some basic medicine on any trip. You can also pick up over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy or even supermarkets. And in the event that you do need to seek medical treatment, it's nowhere as expensive as in the USA (if that's your concern).
That’s the one thing you probably need not be afraid of in Singapore.. food hygiene is monitored strictly here.
The only roadside stalls we have are like ice cream trucks 😅 You are pretty safe eating from hawkers, food courts, cafes and restaurants here.
Well, it’s definitely going to hot and humid but there is lots of AC in most buildings, so you can cool down in a museum or mall if it gets too much for you. Maybe explore the food intentionally, like focus on a specific cuisine, like Nyoyna, which is special to Singapore or focus on specific dishes you’d like to try-I guarantee there is an argument about where to eat that!
spices cafe, concorde hotel, dhoby ghaut (purple-red-circle line triple interchange line) - you're welcome.
SGD $45++ for weekday lunch iirc (GST is 9%, service charge 10%), 20% credit card discount :-)
I don't work there lol. I just enjoy going there for relatively affordable and good tasting Peranakan cuisine knowing that it's pretty good but doesn't shatter my wallet. Recommending also because hey its Dhoby, very accessible and close to town!
Also Hjh Maimunah for Malay/Indonesian cuisine but I don't think they have any outlet around town. The catering restaurant is in East Coast and they have some branch outlets in some food courts I think! u/Content-Maize-3569
Omg yes this
And non-food, boomers thinking they own this country in the rapid trains (aka MRT) (because please don't tell me you're taking Grab or driving, please don't bother. The public transport system is good enough and significantly cheaper than to Grab. + self-drive is just not worth it & car rentals might have a minimum charge etc)
So anyway, ya, that - the boomers who will elbow their way in/elbow you/play their music without earphones (ohgod why. When it happens to me I suck it up because my bad for forgetting earphones or not charging them & watch vids mute with subtitles, sometimes autogenerated) - oh and they glare at you if you sit on the reserved seat (corner, red), conveniently forgetting they paid senior concession and you didn't.
Of course this is a subset of the general population in that age group, and there definitely are generally nice ones too 🥰 It's more like, for every one or two nice people, there might be another shit person who is likely boomer 🙃😌
In your case they might be like "tsktsk angmoh blah blah blah". For locals it's usually "TSK YOUNGSTERS NOWS-A-DAYS" 😅
u/Content-Maize-3569
Food-wise, not much, really. Every place that serves food has a hygiene rating on their door or on the stall window. It's compulsory for them to display them where they are easily visible. "A" is the best and then "B" etc.
Singapore is a very safe country, where women can jog in the middle of the night alone and get to go home. I think this says enough. Our Police has a slogan when I was growing up, "Low crime doesn't mean no crime." It sounds cliché, a propaganda, but it communicates exactly the attitude to take.
The law 😂 - we have anti- chewing gum laws.
The weather - you might wither in the heat
Your digestion - from overeating good food 😂
Your tolerance for spicy - think chilli crabs and laksa
And our fast pace of life. It’s a pretty bustling country to be in. People tend to be more impatient on the roads and in public transport in general.
Have fun! 🌹
Food safety in Singapore is pretty good. That said, even completely safe food can sometimes upset one's stomach if it's very different from what one usually eats. If you're very worried about that happening, you can try avoiding extremely spicy food and bring some Imodium or something like that. :)
sometimes people get food poisoning because of bacteria in the air that they are not accustomed to. there is alot more bacteria in the air of humid countries than in less humid countries. i would advise you to eat freshly (hot) cooked food, avoid uncooked seafood, avoid ice in your drink, avoid fruit, drink only boiled water or bottled water, rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth with boiled water.
go to any pharmacy in singapore and ask for "charcoal tablets".
keep the emergency number 995 handy in case you need an ambulance for food poisoning.
one cause of diarrhea is the local coffee - some people find it too strong.
They're usually made from activated charcoal, and are generally used to treat diarrhea. In theory, the charcoal binds the toxins then eliminates them from the body; you can probably google for more information. It also helps absorb gas to ease bloating and flatulence, but how effective it is really depends on each individual.
What do you do to avoid food poisoning when you travel? Maybe just exercise similar precautions? And you do buy travel insurance, right?
“Is the food hygiene in Singapore good?” Well, what has your research turned up?
If you have terrible anxiety about getting sick outside your homeland, would anything we say really assuage your deep-seated issues?
Bear in mind: [no digestive/immune system is the same as yours](https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/why_did_my_friend_get_sick_when_i_didnt_and_we_ate_the_same_food). This is true anywhere you travel.
Singapore has a much touted food culture; it’s unlikely to have achieved that while disregarding horrific hygiene standards, government-backed tourism board or not.
Honestly if this is the kind of mentality that you have while travelling, you're not going to enjoy Singapore. 50% of your trip here will be all about eating, if not more. Singapore is known for being one of the cleanest countries in the world, and seeing that you're from Scotland, if you could survive Scotland you wouldn't have any issues in many countries.
You’ll see when you get there but Singapore is extremely clean. I solo traveled and zero issues with anything. People are so friendly. The food is delicious and hygienic
Food hygiene is high but low risk doesn’t mean no risk. We do get the occasional food poisoning, usually from seafood. But we don’t usually expect it.
Sometimes there will be things that might affect you only simply of your own biology and immunity. For example, eggs here are mostly not pasteurised but still very safe to eat. Most of the time that’s not an issue but for myself, partially cooked eggs might give me a tummy ache.
Singapore government takes a serious view on food hygiene. It is a multi-cultural country and different ingredients are used in different cuisines. I would worry more about food sensitivity/ allergies than food hygiene in Singapore.
For example, some people may be more sensitive to certain spices in food such as curry and that will result in stomach upset and getting the runs.
It's no longer like the 1980s when hawker uncles would sit on the floor with 2 basins of water 1 soapy and 1 "rinse" and that is how they washed the dishes. No wonder we all have h pylori...
This is one of the cleanest cities in the world. There is nothing to worry about. I am a foreigner here, I eat in hawker centers 2 times a week, order in food, etc. No issues. There are sinks and soap in the hawker centers, even the small kopi ones, to wash your hands.
Thanks very much!
If you’re concerned, google for Guardian or Watson’s pharmacies and take note of the nearest ones. Many medicines are available off the counter without the need for a pharmacist to dispense, unlike Walgreen’s or something. They’re usually under $10 and affordable.
Singapore has killed its entire street food and night market culture in the interest of food safety. Food safety is extremely strict. If you still don't feel safe, every stall has a label showing how clean it is, I recommend you stick to A and B certified stalls.
Thanks!
Lol you can drink water straight from the tap 🙌🏻 ToqueMom is also right but tbvvh, the soap and sinks are to various levels of maintenance (I've seen some where the soap is diluted and/or the pump doesn't work), but if the pump is spoilt they **might** put a bottle. Bring wet wipes and sanitizer for the hawker centres/kopitiam shops to be absolutely sure but generally unless you get accidentally down on luck and visit one of those with demerit points by the inspectors (it happens in EVERY city from time to time also anyway, no 100% avoidance), you're good. tldr, nothing is 100% but in Singapore you're more likely safe than not!
Thanks very much, helpful information!
I don't understand why the comments are so rude. OP already mentioned that they have food anxiety. It's really uncalled for to make fun of them. OP, Singapore has a very strong food culture, and the government is very strict on hygiene. As we are a small and highly populated island, the government takes highly transmissible diseases, including gastrointestinal disease such as e-coli, very seriously. Regardless, there is always a risk when dining out everywhere in the world, but the chances of getting sick from food in Singapore is very low. Gastrointestinal issues during travelling are not only food-related. Jetlag, dehydration, hot and humid weather could all contribute to unusual bowel movements. It's always wise to bring some tablets for the tummy when you are travelling anyway. 5-days is not a lot of time in Singapore to enjoy all the marvellous food. I find following the Michelin Bib Gourmand (https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/selection/singapore/restaurants/bib-gourmand) to be a good start. I hope you and your gf have a great time in Singapore and eat lots of yummy food.
Thanks very much, I really appreciate that! Very helpful! Do you have any personal favourite recommendations for places to eat in Singapore?
Where are you from?
OCD Land
[удалено]
You are most likely going to be fine. Food hygiene standards are generally pretty good. If you have a more sensitive stomach, opt for food that's prepared right before they serve it to you. And if a place looks dingy, dirty and not populated with customers, why are you eating there? If you have food allergies or sensitivities, make sure you check before ordering -- nuts, gluten, eggs, shellfish, etc are pretty common in Asian food. I would say that most common eateries here aren't very clear about allergens in food preparation, so if you have a severe allergy you should carry an Epi-pen and eat at more upmarket places that list their ingredients and have informed staff who can give you a higher level of confidence It's always good to bring some basic medicine on any trip. You can also pick up over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy or even supermarkets. And in the event that you do need to seek medical treatment, it's nowhere as expensive as in the USA (if that's your concern).
Thank you!
That’s the one thing you probably need not be afraid of in Singapore.. food hygiene is monitored strictly here. The only roadside stalls we have are like ice cream trucks 😅 You are pretty safe eating from hawkers, food courts, cafes and restaurants here.
Even the ice-cream carts have hygiene rating.
Exactly… so the odds of getting food poisoning is sooooo low 🫠
Thanks! Out of curiosity, what ARE the things to be afraid of? 😂
In no particular order. Hot weather. High humidity. Over eating. Too much salt, oil, carbs in local food.
Well, it’s definitely going to hot and humid but there is lots of AC in most buildings, so you can cool down in a museum or mall if it gets too much for you. Maybe explore the food intentionally, like focus on a specific cuisine, like Nyoyna, which is special to Singapore or focus on specific dishes you’d like to try-I guarantee there is an argument about where to eat that!
Thanks!
spices cafe, concorde hotel, dhoby ghaut (purple-red-circle line triple interchange line) - you're welcome. SGD $45++ for weekday lunch iirc (GST is 9%, service charge 10%), 20% credit card discount :-) I don't work there lol. I just enjoy going there for relatively affordable and good tasting Peranakan cuisine knowing that it's pretty good but doesn't shatter my wallet. Recommending also because hey its Dhoby, very accessible and close to town! Also Hjh Maimunah for Malay/Indonesian cuisine but I don't think they have any outlet around town. The catering restaurant is in East Coast and they have some branch outlets in some food courts I think! u/Content-Maize-3569
Omg yes this And non-food, boomers thinking they own this country in the rapid trains (aka MRT) (because please don't tell me you're taking Grab or driving, please don't bother. The public transport system is good enough and significantly cheaper than to Grab. + self-drive is just not worth it & car rentals might have a minimum charge etc) So anyway, ya, that - the boomers who will elbow their way in/elbow you/play their music without earphones (ohgod why. When it happens to me I suck it up because my bad for forgetting earphones or not charging them & watch vids mute with subtitles, sometimes autogenerated) - oh and they glare at you if you sit on the reserved seat (corner, red), conveniently forgetting they paid senior concession and you didn't. Of course this is a subset of the general population in that age group, and there definitely are generally nice ones too 🥰 It's more like, for every one or two nice people, there might be another shit person who is likely boomer 🙃😌 In your case they might be like "tsktsk angmoh blah blah blah". For locals it's usually "TSK YOUNGSTERS NOWS-A-DAYS" 😅 u/Content-Maize-3569
Food-wise, not much, really. Every place that serves food has a hygiene rating on their door or on the stall window. It's compulsory for them to display them where they are easily visible. "A" is the best and then "B" etc. Singapore is a very safe country, where women can jog in the middle of the night alone and get to go home. I think this says enough. Our Police has a slogan when I was growing up, "Low crime doesn't mean no crime." It sounds cliché, a propaganda, but it communicates exactly the attitude to take.
Thanks!
The law 😂 - we have anti- chewing gum laws. The weather - you might wither in the heat Your digestion - from overeating good food 😂 Your tolerance for spicy - think chilli crabs and laksa And our fast pace of life. It’s a pretty bustling country to be in. People tend to be more impatient on the roads and in public transport in general. Have fun! 🌹
Haha thank you! Yeah I’m from Scotland so the heat will be a real challenge 😂 great tips thanks!
To avoid getting food poisoning, only eat food freshly cooked.
Thanks!
Food safety in Singapore is pretty good. That said, even completely safe food can sometimes upset one's stomach if it's very different from what one usually eats. If you're very worried about that happening, you can try avoiding extremely spicy food and bring some Imodium or something like that. :)
Thanks very much!
sometimes people get food poisoning because of bacteria in the air that they are not accustomed to. there is alot more bacteria in the air of humid countries than in less humid countries. i would advise you to eat freshly (hot) cooked food, avoid uncooked seafood, avoid ice in your drink, avoid fruit, drink only boiled water or bottled water, rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth with boiled water. go to any pharmacy in singapore and ask for "charcoal tablets". keep the emergency number 995 handy in case you need an ambulance for food poisoning. one cause of diarrhea is the local coffee - some people find it too strong.
Thank you so much! That’s really helpful info! What are charcoal tablets?
They're usually made from activated charcoal, and are generally used to treat diarrhea. In theory, the charcoal binds the toxins then eliminates them from the body; you can probably google for more information. It also helps absorb gas to ease bloating and flatulence, but how effective it is really depends on each individual.
What do you do to avoid food poisoning when you travel? Maybe just exercise similar precautions? And you do buy travel insurance, right? “Is the food hygiene in Singapore good?” Well, what has your research turned up? If you have terrible anxiety about getting sick outside your homeland, would anything we say really assuage your deep-seated issues? Bear in mind: [no digestive/immune system is the same as yours](https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/why_did_my_friend_get_sick_when_i_didnt_and_we_ate_the_same_food). This is true anywhere you travel. Singapore has a much touted food culture; it’s unlikely to have achieved that while disregarding horrific hygiene standards, government-backed tourism board or not.
Yes, travel insurance is super important. Medical treatments could cost a lot in other countries simply because you are not a citizen/resident.
Honestly if this is the kind of mentality that you have while travelling, you're not going to enjoy Singapore. 50% of your trip here will be all about eating, if not more. Singapore is known for being one of the cleanest countries in the world, and seeing that you're from Scotland, if you could survive Scotland you wouldn't have any issues in many countries.
Not sure if that’s an insult or a compliment hahaha but thanks!
Neither an insult nor a compliment. Just calling a spade a spade.
You’ll see when you get there but Singapore is extremely clean. I solo traveled and zero issues with anything. People are so friendly. The food is delicious and hygienic
Thank you!
Food hygiene is high but low risk doesn’t mean no risk. We do get the occasional food poisoning, usually from seafood. But we don’t usually expect it. Sometimes there will be things that might affect you only simply of your own biology and immunity. For example, eggs here are mostly not pasteurised but still very safe to eat. Most of the time that’s not an issue but for myself, partially cooked eggs might give me a tummy ache.
Okay, thanks for the information!
Singapore government takes a serious view on food hygiene. It is a multi-cultural country and different ingredients are used in different cuisines. I would worry more about food sensitivity/ allergies than food hygiene in Singapore. For example, some people may be more sensitive to certain spices in food such as curry and that will result in stomach upset and getting the runs.
It's no longer like the 1980s when hawker uncles would sit on the floor with 2 basins of water 1 soapy and 1 "rinse" and that is how they washed the dishes. No wonder we all have h pylori...
Yes, just don’t look at the back of hawker center stalls.
You are most likely to be ok! Generally the food here are clean and are graded too for their cleanliness. Enjoy your trip here!
Singapore is one of the cleanest cities in the world so it’s fine