Wine & Food Pairing: Turning Singapore’s Hawker Favourites into Gourmet Moments
Who says your favourite hawker dishes can’t go gourmet?
From wok-fried noodles to chilli crab, these local flavours shine even brighter with the right glass in hand. With the perfect pairing, every spice, crunch, and burst of umami becomes a little more memorable.
Here’s how to match five iconic Singapore dishes with wines that complement them beautifully.
🥢 Hainanese Chicken Rice × Riff Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie
Tender poached chicken, fragrant rice, and a dash of ginger sauce — this comfort classic calls for something light and refreshing. The Riff Pinot Grigio from Veneto offers crisp citrus, gentle pear, and a clean finish that lifts the dish without overpowering it.
🦀 Chilli Crab × Joseph Cattin Gewürztraminer 2021
Sweet, spicy, and finger-licking good, chilli crab is pure indulgence. Gewürztraminer is a luxurious match — its floral perfume and gentle sweetness tame the heat while highlighting the crab’s natural sweetness, making every bite unforgettable.
🔥 Hokkien Mee × Babich Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022
The rich seafood broth, smoky wok hei, and tangle of noodles in Hokkien Mee deserve a wine that refreshes the palate. The Babich Marlborough Pinot Gris offers bright acidity and subtle tropical fruit, cutting through the richness and enhancing the umami.
🥘 Roti Prata with Curry × Joseph Cattin Gewürztraminer 2021
Flaky, buttery prata meets fragrant curry — a match already made in heaven. Add a glass of Gewürztraminer, with its lychee, rose, and spice notes, and the pairing turns into pure magic. The wine’s gentle sweetness mellows the heat and balances the richness.
🍜 Mee Goreng × Pasqua Passione Sentimento Romeo & Juliet Rosso 2021
Bold, spicy, savoury, and just a little sweet — Mee Goreng is a flavour explosion. The Pasqua Passione Sentimento Rosso delivers juicy red fruit and a hint of sweetness to balance the spice, while its smooth texture complements the dish’s rich, saucy noodles.
Why Wine Works with Hawker Food
- Balances Spice: Off-dry or slightly sweet wines can soften chilli heat without dulling flavour.
- Lifts Richness: Crisp acidity cuts through oily or creamy textures.
- Adds a New Dimension: The right pairing creates flavour layers you didn’t know were possible.
Food in Singapore is already a feast for the senses. But with the right wine pairing, your everyday hawker favourites can feel like a gourmet dining experience — no white tablecloth required.
