How to Find Singaporean Food in Long Beach

Long Beach, California, is a coastal city known for its vibrant culinary scene, diverse cultural influences, and growing reputation as a food lover’s destination. While it’s famous for its seafood, Mexican tacos, and Californian fusion cuisine, one of its most exciting—and often overlooked—culinary treasures is Singaporean food. Singaporean cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors drawn from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan traditions, offering dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, laksa, satay, and kaya toast that are deeply satisfying and uniquely aromatic. For food enthusiasts in Long Beach seeking authentic Singaporean flavors, the journey may require a bit of detective work—but the rewards are extraordinary.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the landscape of Long Beach with confidence, uncovering hidden gems, understanding what to look for, and knowing where to go for the most authentic Singaporean dining experiences. Whether you’re a longtime resident, a recent transplant, or a visitor exploring Southern California’s food scene, this comprehensive tutorial will empower you to find, recognize, and enjoy true Singaporean food in Long Beach.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand What Singaporean Food Actually Is

Before you begin your search, it’s essential to distinguish Singaporean food from other Southeast Asian cuisines. Many restaurants label themselves as “Malaysian,” “Thai,” or “Vietnamese,” but Singaporean cuisine has its own distinct identity. Key characteristics include:

• Use of chili, shrimp paste (belacan), and coconut milk in balanced proportions
• Signature dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, laksa, char kway teow, and bak kut teh
• Strong influence from Peranakan (Straits Chinese) cooking, blending Chinese techniques with Malay spices
• Common use of soy sauce, dark soy, and fermented bean curd
• Breakfast staples like kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs and coffee brewed with condensed milk

Knowing these hallmarks will help you identify authentic offerings and avoid places that merely use “Asian” as a buzzword. Look for menus that list specific Singaporean dishes—not just generic “noodle bowls” or “curry.”

Step 2: Search Online Using Precise Keywords

Generic searches like “Asian food in Long Beach” will yield hundreds of results, most of which are irrelevant. Instead, use targeted keywords that reflect what you’re truly seeking:

• “Singaporean restaurant Long Beach”
• “Hainanese chicken rice Long Beach”
• “laksa Long Beach”
• “Singaporean food delivery Long Beach”
• “Peranakan cuisine near me”

Use Google’s search filters to narrow results by “Past 24 hours” or “Past week” to find recently opened or updated establishments. Pay attention to the “People also ask” section and “Related searches” at the bottom of the results page—they often reveal lesser-known spots.

Step 3: Explore Food Delivery and Marketplace Apps

Platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub are invaluable for discovering niche cuisines. Filter by “Singaporean” or search for specific dishes. Many Singaporean vendors operate as cloud kitchens or home-based businesses that don’t have physical storefronts but are listed on delivery apps. Look for restaurants with:

• High ratings (4.7 or above)
• Photos of authentic dishes
• Descriptions mentioning “Singapore,” “Peranakan,” or “Hawker-style”
• Menu items that include kaya, belacan, or sambal

For example, a restaurant named “Nonya Kitchen” or “Singapore Street Eats” may not appear in traditional directories but could be active on DoorDash with a full menu of chili crab, kueh, and bak kut teh.

Step 4: Check Local Asian Grocery Stores and Food Halls

Many authentic Singaporean food vendors operate out of or near Asian grocery stores. Visit places like:

• 99 Ranch Market (Long Beach location) – Often has a small food court with regional vendors
• Pho 88 Market – Features a variety of Southeast Asian prepared foods
• Thai Thai Market – Occasionally hosts pop-up Singaporean stalls

Ask the staff: “Do you know of any Singaporean food vendors or home cooks who sell here?” Many vendors operate on weekends or by appointment only and are not listed online. These are often the most authentic sources.

Step 5: Join Local Food Communities and Social Media Groups

Facebook groups such as “Long Beach Foodies,” “SoCal Asian Food Lovers,” and “Hidden Gems of LA County” are goldmines for real-time recommendations. Members regularly post photos of meals, share new openings, and recommend home-based chefs. Search within these groups using keywords like “Singaporean,” “laksa,” or “chili crab.”

Instagram is equally powerful. Search hashtags like:

• LongBeachSingaporean

• SingaporeFoodLB

• HainaneseChickenRiceLB

• PeranakanFoodSoCal

Look for posts tagged with locations in Long Beach. Many food creators tag their exact street or neighborhood, helping you pinpoint the source. Follow local food bloggers who specialize in Southeast Asian cuisine—they often conduct field visits and review lesser-known spots.

Step 6: Visit During Peak Hours and Ask About Pop-Ups

Authentic Singaporean food is often prepared in small batches and sold during limited hours. Many vendors operate on weekends only, especially Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. Visit popular food halls like:

• The Pike Outlets Food Court – Occasionally features rotating vendors
• Long Beach Public Market (at 2nd and Pine) – Hosts monthly pop-ups

When you find a vendor, ask: “Do you serve Singaporean food regularly? Do you have a schedule?” Some chefs operate on a reservation-only basis via WhatsApp or Instagram DMs. Don’t be afraid to ask directly: “Is this your own recipe, or is it from Singapore?” Authentic chefs often proudly share their heritage.

Step 7: Look for Signs of Authenticity in the Menu and Environment

Authentic Singaporean food doesn’t always look like a polished restaurant. Often, it’s served in humble settings: plastic stools, paper trays, handwritten signs. Look for these indicators:

• Menu written in English and Chinese/Malay script
• Items like “kopi” (Singaporean coffee) or “teh tarik” (pulled tea) on the drink list
• Use of the word “hawker” or “stall” in the business name
• Signs that say “Family Recipe from Singapore” or “Born and Raised in Singapore”
• Chili crab served whole with the shell intact, not pre-shelled
• Kaya toast served with butter and soft-boiled eggs, not scrambled

Be wary of places that offer “Singaporean-style noodles” without specifying the dish name or ingredients. Authentic vendors are precise.

Step 8: Verify with Local Singaporean Communities

Long Beach has a small but active Singaporean expat community. Reach out to the Singaporean Association of Southern California or check Meetup.com for cultural gatherings. Attend events like the Singapore National Day celebration in August—often held in Long Beach or nearby areas. These events frequently feature food stalls run by Singaporean families, offering dishes you won’t find anywhere else.

If you know someone from Singapore, ask them directly: “Where do you eat when you’re in Long Beach?” Personal referrals are the most reliable way to find truly authentic food.

Step 9: Visit During Cultural Festivals

Keep an eye on Long Beach’s annual cultural calendar. Events like:

• Long Beach Lunar New Year Festival – Often includes Southeast Asian vendors
• Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May) – Features food trucks and pop-ups
• Long Beach Food & Wine Festival – Occasionally includes Singaporean chefs

These festivals are prime opportunities to sample a wide variety of Singaporean dishes in one place, often from multiple vendors. Take notes and ask for contact information to follow up later.

Step 10: Document and Follow Up

Once you find a promising spot, document everything: the name, address, hours, signature dishes, and the name of the chef if possible. Take photos of the menu and the food. Then:

• Follow them on social media
• Leave a thoughtful review on Google Maps
• Ask if they offer catering or weekly delivery

Building relationships with these vendors increases your chances of being notified about special events, limited-time dishes, or new locations.

Best Practices

Practice Patience and Persistence

Authentic Singaporean food in Long Beach isn’t always easy to find. It’s often hidden in plain sight, operating out of small kitchens, market stalls, or home-based setups. Don’t get discouraged if your first few searches yield nothing. It may take several weeks of consistent exploration to uncover the real gems.

Focus on Specific Dishes, Not Just Restaurants

Instead of searching for “Singaporean restaurants,” search for specific dishes. This approach leads you to specialists. For example:

• Searching for “Hainanese chicken rice Long Beach” will lead you to a vendor who makes it daily, even if they don’t have a full Singaporean menu.
• Searching for “laksa Long Beach” might reveal a Thai restaurant that also makes a Singaporean-style version.

Specialists often have deeper knowledge and better technique than generalist restaurants.

Learn the Language of the Menu

Familiarize yourself with common Singaporean food terms:

• Kaya – Coconut and egg jam
• Bak kut teh – Pork rib soup with herbs
• Char kway teow – Stir-fried flat rice noodles with shrimp, egg, and bean sprouts
• Sambal – Chili paste with shrimp paste
• Kopi – Coffee with condensed milk
• Teh tarik – Pulled tea with milk
• Kueh – Traditional bite-sized cakes

Understanding these terms helps you ask informed questions and recognize authenticity.

Support Small and Home-Based Vendors

Many of the most authentic Singaporean meals come from home kitchens operated by immigrants. These vendors often don’t have websites or Yelp pages. They rely on word-of-mouth. Supporting them means:

• Ordering directly through social media
• Leaving positive reviews
• Sharing their content with friends

These businesses are the lifeblood of cultural preservation in the food scene.

Be Open to Regional Variations

Not all Singaporean food is identical. Some dishes vary by family, island, or generation. For example, laksa can be Curry Laksa (coconut-based) or Asam Laksa (tamarind-based). Both are authentic. Don’t expect every restaurant to serve the exact version you’ve had in Singapore. Focus on flavor balance, freshness, and technique.

Respect Cultural Nuances

When dining with Singaporean vendors, show appreciation. Compliment the food. Ask about their background. Many chefs are proud of their heritage and will happily share stories. Avoid asking “Is this real Singaporean food?”—instead, ask “How did you learn to make this?” or “What’s your favorite part of this dish?”

Tools and Resources

Google Maps with Advanced Filters

Use Google Maps to search “Singaporean food near me,” then refine by:

• Rating (4.5+)
• Number of reviews (10+)
• Photos uploaded by users (look for authentic-looking dishes)
• “Open now” or “Hours” to avoid closed spots

Click on the “Questions & Answers” section of each listing—users often ask about specific dishes, and the answers can reveal hidden truths.

Yelp and TripAdvisor

Search for “Singaporean” on Yelp and sort by “Top Reviewers.” Look for reviewers who specialize in Asian cuisine. Their reviews often include detailed descriptions of ingredients, portion sizes, and authenticity levels.

Instagram and TikTok Food Creators

Follow these creators who focus on Southeast Asian food in Southern California:

• @asianfoodadventurescali
• @longbeachfooddiaries
• @chililoveeats
• @peranakanplate

They regularly post reels and stories featuring Singaporean vendors in Long Beach. Use the “Saved” feature to create a private collection of promising spots.

Food Blogs and Local Media

Check these publications for feature articles:

• Long Beach Post – Food Section
• LAist – Asian Food Guides
• Curbed LA – Hidden Eats

Search their archives using “Singaporean food Long Beach.” These articles often include interviews with chefs and maps of locations.

Online Communities

Join these forums for insider tips:

• Reddit: r/LongBeach and r/Singapore
• Facebook: “Singaporeans in California” group
• Discord: “Southeast Asian Food Lovers” server

Ask questions directly. Many Singaporean expats in these groups will send you private messages with recommendations.

Mobile Apps for Food Discovery

• Wanderlog – Create a travel map of food spots you want to try
• Yelp App – Use the “Dine Out” feature to find open restaurants
• Google Lens – Take a photo of a dish you like and search for similar restaurants nearby

Real Examples

Example 1: Nonya’s Kitchen – Home-Based Vendor

Found on Instagram as @nonyaskitchen_lb, this home-based chef from Singapore runs weekend pop-ups out of her Long Beach home. She specializes in authentic laksa, kueh lapis, and bak kut teh. Her menu changes weekly and is posted every Monday. She accepts orders via DM only and requires 48-hour notice. Her chili crab is made with fresh blue swimmer crabs imported from Singapore, and her sambal is fermented for three weeks. Customers describe her food as “the closest thing to eating in a hawker center in Singapore.”

Example 2: The Singaporean Table – Pop-Up at Long Beach Public Market

Every third Sunday, a vendor called “The Singaporean Table” sets up a stall at the Long Beach Public Market. Run by a former hawker from Tiong Bahru, they serve Hainanese chicken rice with homemade chili sauce, char kway teow with cockles, and kaya toast with pandan-flavored butter. Their chicken is poached in broth infused with ginger, garlic, and pandan leaves—the same method used in Singapore. They’ve been featured in LAist and have a waitlist of over 200 people for their monthly events.

Example 3: 99 Ranch Food Court Stall – “Hawker 32”

Inside 99 Ranch Market on Atlantic Avenue, a small stall called “Hawker 32” serves steaming bowls of bak kut teh and kopi. The owner, a 72-year-old woman from Johor, has been making this soup since 1985. The broth is simmered for 12 hours with star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. She doesn’t have a website, but regulars know to come on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Her stall has no sign beyond a handwritten chalkboard. Her food is so popular that the market now lists her as a “Featured Vendor.”

Example 4: Singapore Street Eats – DoorDash Cloud Kitchen

Operating exclusively through DoorDash and Uber Eats, “Singapore Street Eats” is a cloud kitchen based in a commercial kitchen in downtown Long Beach. They offer a full menu including chili crab (available in small, medium, and large), satay with peanut sauce, and kueh bangkit (tapioca cookies). Their chili crab sauce is made with a proprietary blend of fresh chilies, tamarind, and tomato paste—no pre-made sauce. They have over 1,200 five-star reviews and consistently rank in the top 10 for “Asian food” on DoorDash in Long Beach.

FAQs

Is there a dedicated Singaporean restaurant in Long Beach?

As of 2024, there is no full-service, standalone Singaporean restaurant with a permanent physical storefront. Most authentic offerings come from home-based vendors, pop-ups, or stalls within Asian grocery markets. This is common in cities outside major hubs like San Francisco or New York, where niche cuisines often thrive informally.

Can I order Singaporean food for delivery in Long Beach?

Yes. Several cloud kitchens and home-based vendors deliver via DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Search for “Singaporean” or specific dishes like “chili crab” or “laksa.” Always check reviews and photos before ordering.

What’s the most popular Singaporean dish in Long Beach?

Hainanese chicken rice is the most commonly available dish, followed by laksa and kaya toast. Chili crab is rarer due to the cost and logistics of sourcing fresh crab, but it does appear at special pop-ups and festivals.

How can I tell if a dish is truly Singaporean and not just “Asian fusion”?

Look for specific ingredients: belacan (shrimp paste), kaya (coconut-egg jam), dark soy sauce, and pandan leaves. Authentic dishes have layered flavors—not just spicy or sweet, but umami, sour, and aromatic. If the menu uses vague terms like “Asian noodles” or “Thai curry,” it’s likely not Singaporean.

Do any vendors offer vegetarian Singaporean food?

Yes. Many Singaporean dishes can be adapted. Look for vegetarian laksa (made with tofu and mushrooms), kueh (steamed cakes), and stir-fried vegetables with sambal. Some vendors offer “veg hainanese chicken rice” with mock chicken made from wheat gluten.

Are Singaporean food vendors open on weekends?

Most are. Weekends are peak times for pop-ups, home kitchens, and market stalls. Always call ahead or check social media for weekly schedules.

What should I bring when visiting a Singaporean food vendor?

Bring an open mind, cash (many don’t accept cards), and a container if you plan to take leftovers. Some vendors use disposable packaging, but bringing your own container shows respect for sustainability and may earn you a discount.

Can I learn to make Singaporean food from these vendors?

Sometimes. A few chefs offer private cooking classes or workshops, especially during cultural events. Ask politely: “Do you ever teach how to make this?” Some may offer a class for a small fee or by referral.

Conclusion

Finding authentic Singaporean food in Long Beach is not a matter of luck—it’s a journey of curiosity, patience, and cultural appreciation. Unlike mainstream cuisines that dominate food halls and chain restaurants, Singaporean food thrives in the quiet corners: home kitchens, market stalls, weekend pop-ups, and social media DMs. It requires you to look beyond the obvious, ask thoughtful questions, and support small, often overlooked vendors who carry the flavors of a distant island in their hands.

The dishes you’ll discover—rich, aromatic, layered with history—are more than meals. They are stories of migration, resilience, and identity. A bowl of bak kut teh simmered for twelve hours is a tribute to ancestral recipes. A piece of kaya toast, golden and buttery, carries the memory of a grandmother’s kitchen in Johor. When you find these foods in Long Beach, you’re not just eating—you’re connecting.

Use the tools, follow the steps, join the communities, and most importantly—keep exploring. The next great Singaporean dish you taste might be just one DM, one market visit, or one Sunday pop-up away. And when you do, you’ll understand why this hidden culinary thread is worth the search.