Vaccinated travel lanes might not be up everyone’s alley. But even though you might be spending the holiday season firmly in the +65, that doesn’t mean your taste buds have to be.
Returning from a holiday usually also means bringing back a haul of authentic overseas snacks to stock our kitchen or the office pantry with. If you’ve been craving these souvenirs, you can actually find them all without even boarding a plane.
Here are seven international snack shops in Singapore to satiate your appetite for everything from Taiwan sun cakes to Japan-exclusive cup noodles.
The land of sushi and udon is home to a smorgasbord of different snacks usually not found anywhere else in the world – instant noodles, potato chips of any flavour imaginable, and matcha everything.
Which is why mustering all your strength to close an overflowing luggage is inevitable before returning from Japan. Bid that hassle goodbye by shopping for authentic Japanese snacks at Iroha Mart instead.
You’ll be able to find rare KitKat flavours, such as Double Berry Cheesecake KitKat ($10.90) and even seasonal mini KitKats influenced by Japanese delights like Ichigo Daifuku, a.k.a. Strawberry Mochi, and Yuzu Matcha for $7.50 per packet.
Other limited-time highlights include a non-alcoholic Amazake ($12.50), Yuzu Ponzu Sauce ($11.90) and even gluten-free Tokyo Curry ($14.50) to stir up a hearty home-cooked meal.
Nissin Nori Uma Seafood is only available at Iroha Mart Plaza Singapura
Image credit: Gigazine
Cup noodle lovers should check out the exclusive upsized Nissin Nori Uma Seafood option. At 96G and $5.90, you’ll get more bite for your buck, with crab meat, chicken bits, squid and egg all rolled into one cup. There’s also a Spicy Tonkotsu (107G, $4.90) alternative for those with higher spice tolerance.
Iroha Mart Plaza Singapura
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #B2-17/18, Plaza Singapore, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Iroha Mart Chinatown Point
Address: 133 New Bridge Rd, #B1-11, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Image credit: Capitaland
My fondest memory of Taiwan was digging into a yam ice cream roll dessert at Jiufen, amongst the many other snacks I binged on during my trip. To revisit similar gastronomical memories, pay a visit to Bears at Plaza Singapura.
You won’t have to worry about their snacks being lao hong, since classic treats like Pineapple Cakes ($25 for a box of 10) and Handmade Egg Rolls ($12 for a box of 10) are made fresh at the outlet every day.
You can get authentic handmade egg rolls for $1.50 per stick as well
Image credit: Carousell
If you’re searching for more traditional Taiwanese items for older folks, they’ve also got unique opinions like Stir Fried Fish Floss ($9.50), Tuna Jerky ($7.50) and Bamboo-flavoured crackers ($5).
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #B2-21, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: 11AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 6275 7988
KFC Thailand x Lays limited edition potato chips
Image credit: @jxnr
Golden Mile Complex isn’t just a go-to spot for mookata and coaches to Malaysia. It’s also where you’ll find Thai Supermarket – a huge supermarket stocking goods imported straight from Thailand on the second floor.
Spot hidden treasures like Thailand-exclusive snack collabs, such as KFC Thailand x Lays Potato Chips and KFC Pizza Hut x Lays Potato Chips ($2.90/packet). These were only previously available in 7-11 outlets in Thailand, but thanks to Thai Supermarket, we get to try them too.
Image credit: @ng_allan
Those brave enough to stomach more exotic snacks can even grab a bag load of Crispy Silkworms and Crispy Crickets ($2.30/packet). They’re akin to those you’d find at street-side stalls in Bangkok, with optional flavours like Tom Yum and BBQ to lighten the ick factor.
Image credit: @cqveggiefinds
Snacks aside, you can also cop groceries like milk, green curry paste and rice porridge – vegan options are available too.
Address: 5001 Beach Rd, Golden Mile Complex, #02-64, Singapore 199588
Opening hours: 9.30AM-9.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 6293 2780
Image credit: Hungry Ghost
You can easily quell your K-cravings from Lee Mart at Suntec City. The Korean mart has everything from authentic kimbap to kimchi, with regular promotions where a bottle of the latter can go for just $12.
Those that love the appetisers served at Korean BBQs can also load up at the banchan station.
Look out for tubs of kimchi starting from $12
Image credit: Foursquare
Aside from fresh goods, they also have preserved snacks you’d usually only find at places like Lotte World in Korea. Besides aisles full of different ramyun and potato chip flavours, you can shop for tteokbokki snacks – there’s even a mala one for $7.70!
Suntec City
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #02-609/610 Suntec City Mall East Wing, Singapore 038983
Opening hours: 11.30AM-10PM, Daily
Image credit: TripAdvisor
Indian food is a guilty pleasure for many, but beyond masala chicken and thosai, the beauty of their culinary offerings also extends to their dessert snacks.
With prices starting from just $1, you can get a taste of colourful treats like coconut ladoo (coconut balls), mysore pak (a cookie-like sweet made from ghee) and chocolate burfi (similar to chocolate fudge) at Moghul Sweets, located at Little India Arcade. Those with an especially sweet tooth should try the gulab jamun – a fried milk ball akin to donuts.
Address: 48 Serangoon Road, Little India Arcade, #01-16, Singapore 217959
Opening hours: 9.30AM-9.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 6392 5797
Moghul Sweets website
Image credit: Bryan Yeong
It’s no secret that Lucky Plaza is the second home for many Filipinos in Singapore. Which is why you’ll be able to find a taste of the Philippines there as well. Kate’s Mart, in particular, on the fourth floor has plenty of authentic goodies to savour.
For one, they’ve got racks of unfamiliar snacks that will pique your interest. Ri-Chee ($1.20) is a milky, crunchy Filipino childhood snack that gives potato chips a sweet twist, while Fishda ($1.80) is a popular keropok from the #1 snack brand in the Philippines, Oishi.
Image credit: Bryan Yeong
You’ll also find pre-packed bags of Chicharrones, or more commonly known as fried pork rinds – a typical snack found in Filipino cuisine for $5. Dig deeper into the humble store and you’ll also spot treats like Lucky Me! Pancit Canton instant noodles ($3.60) and Goldilocks Polvoron (from $10.50) – baked cookies that are a crowd favourite in the Philippines.
Chicharrones, or fried pork skin, is a typical snack found in Filipino cuisine.
Image credit: Bryan Yeong
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #04-81, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 8499 9439
Image credit: Nestia
May Myanmar Minimart at Yishun might seem like a typical convenience store on the surface, but step inside to find a treasure trove of Myanmar treats.
Shwe Kyi is a traditional pudding cake famous in Myanmar
Image credit: Shwe Nayar
Get a box of Shwe Kyi, a traditional pudding cake, from Burmese homegrown brand Shwe Nayar. These desserts come in various flavours, such as banana, potato, milk and even durian.
Those feeling more experimental can dabao a bag of crispy crickets – a famous delicacy you’d find at roadside kiosks on the streets of Myanmar. These cost $6 for a bag of 20 creepy crawlies, or $13 for a bag of 50.
Image credit: May Myanmar Minimart – Yishun
Address: Block 156, Yishun Street 11, #01-110, Singapore 760156
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 6481 0115
Exposing my taste buds to new flavours around the world is definitely something I miss sorely about not getting to travel. But while we patiently wait for things to get better and borders to reopen, browsing and shopping for international snack shops in Singapore is the next best thing.
Image credit: NETS
Shopping is made more convenient when you tap to pay with NETS Contactless ATM Cards for fast and seamless payments. To make your snack shopping even sweeter, NETS has an ongoing promotion until 31st December 2020 where you can win $50 each month. Simply spend $30 with a NETS Contactless ATM Card in a single translation to qualify.
It’s easy to join in the festivities. Just look out for the NETS tap icon on your card, or sign up for a NETS Contactless ATM Card at participating banks.
Psst…all the international snack shops mentioned above accept NETS tap payments, so you can not only bring home a taste of your favourite Asian countries, but also stand a chance to be $50 richer and cap 2020 off on a good note.
2021 update: Promotion is no longer valid.
This post was brought to you by NETS.
Cover image adapted from: Bryan Yeong, @jxnr
Originally published on 1st December 2020. Last updated by Josiah Neo on 25th November 2021.
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