5 Traditional Local Snacks for Kids
So we’ve given you an insider’s insight on the best local desserts to keep the little ones happy, and you in the loop. But there’s still a lot more to know about local food culture to be a true-blue Singapore-dweller. Read on for 5 traditional local snacks for kids that will get a smile in their bellies!
Fishballs
This one’s a no-brainer. You might have tried the burn-your-tongue curry incarnation in the streets of Hong Kong, but in our humble opinion, the fishballs in Singapore are springier with better texture – so try our skewered street snack that makes a perfect on-the-go treat for the kids.
Try: Old Chang Kee Fishball, see here for locations, or Tiong Bahru Fishball, #02-20 Tiong Bahru Market, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898. Open 7am-10pm daily.
Seaweed
This is one nostalgic snack for us at HoneyKids – the school canteen sold it at 10 cents a pack (that was more than a decade ago though), so you can be assured that it’s a healthy treat that still packs a tasty punch. In fact, seaweed has been widely acknowledged as a superfood – it’s low in fat and a great source of vitamins (A, C, E, K and B) and minerals like iodine, calcium and iron.
Try: Tao Kae Noi Grilled Seaweed Classic or Ego Dried Seasoned Seaweed
Dried Fish/Cuttlefish Strips
This might just be the most Oriental food of the lot – but this treat is too addictive not to be on our list (though it might smell a tad fishy at first taste). High in protein, dried fish strips are the ultimate childhood chew for Singaporean kids. If these are too bland, try cuttlefish strips instead. They’re more crispy than chewy, but still good.
Try: Dahfa Dried Fish Fillet and Ken Ken Cuttlefish (available at most supermarkets)
Curry Puff
Our version of the Portuguese empanada, this is one snack that transcends all racial boundaries in Singapore; because you can find it at Chinese, Malay and Indian stalls. A small pie consisting of curry and potatoes in a baked or deep-fried pastry shell, this is far from the healthiest munchies we have, but it’s so good it warrants a try. For the most part, the curry isn’t very spicy so the kids will enjoy it too.
Try: Old Chang Kee Curry’O, see here for locations, or 1A Crispy Puffs Crispy Curry Potato & Chicken with Egg Puff, see here for locations.
Kueh Lapis Sagu
Known to the Chinese as jiu ceng gao (9-layer cake), this colourful, layered treat is another nostalgic staple in our local snacks diet, even now. Feed it to the littlies the Singaporean-parent way – peel it layer by layer, challenge them to stretch these semi-elastic strips to their limits! This is one food you can definitely have fun with.
Try Bengawan Solo Lapis Sagu, see here for locations, or Ivins Nonya Specialties, #02-00 Heartland Mall, 205 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530205, p. 62887922. Open daily 11am-930pm.
Images: Old Chang Kee Curry Puff, Tao Kae Noi seaweed, dried fish fillet & kueh lapis sagu.