Essential Cookbooks For Expat Kitchens

Want to cook like a local? Turn to these trusted Singapore cookbooks, which make great gifts for friends and family back home.

- Sushmita Mohapatra + Savitha Venugopal

1 The Red Dot Melting Pot Cookbook by International Cooking Club Singapore

True to its name, this collection brings together all the different flavours found in the cultural melting pot that is Singapore. The ICCS has more than 500 participants, both locals and expats, and this book has recipes from about 75 countries! Here’s why it is helpful for expats: The recipes come with tips on where in SG you can find more unfamiliar ingredients.

2 The Raffles Hotel Cookbook by Chefs of Raffles Hotel

After an extensive renovation, Raffles Singapore will be back in all its restored glory sometime this year. All the more reason to indulge your taste buds with some of its classic recipes. You’ll find dishes that will remind you of Singapore of yore. Try your hand at Bombay Egg Kurma, Laksa (rice noodles in curry sauce) or Cantonese Braised Abalone.

3 Mum’s Not Cooking: Favourite Singaporean Recipes for the Near Clueless or Plain Lazy by Denise Fletcher

These recipes are simple and have a very friendly tone. It’s ideal as a gift for those outside Singapore, as it comes with food substitutes for when you can’t find local ingredients. You’ll be putting together a roti john (fried bread topped with egg) or curry puffs in no time!

4 Singapore Hawker Classics Unveiled: Decoding 25 Favourite Dishes by Temasek Polytechnic