Besides BBT and coconut shakes, spice is one of the things that Singaporeans are obsessed with. If the numbing sichuan peppercorn in your mala or sambal belacan in your nasi padang makes you come alive – chances are, everything tastes bland without a douse of chilli. For those who can’t live without spice, we’ve sussed out the best chilli sauce options in Singapore that’ll get your taste buds burning.
From mild to devilish or citrusy to sweet, there’s an extensive array of chilli sauce types that you can experiment with. Here are some of the most popular types of chilli sauce in Singapore that you can try.
Type of chilli sauce | Main ingredients | Best paired with |
Sambal chilli sauce | Red or green chilli, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, shrimp paste or tomatoes | Nasi lemak, nasi padang |
Chinese-style chilli sauce | Chilli flakes, chilli oil | Dried noodles, fried rice |
Garlic chilli sauce | Chilli peppers, garlic, sugar, vinegar | Fried finger food such as nuggets and fries |
Chilli crab sauce | Red chilli, ginger, garlic, ketchup, fermented soy beans | Mantou, crab |
Hot sauce | Chilli peppers, vinegar, salt | Tacos, burritos, pizza, pasta |
Upvoted as one of the best chilli sauce in Singapore by Redditers, the ABC Extra Hot Chilli Sauce (available on Shopee Supermarket) is the absolute bomb. It is also named as ‘Sambal Extra Pedas’ and will give you that satisfying burn that spice lovers look for. The ABC hot chilli sauce by Heinz is made with a blend of tomatoes, vinegar, and sugar and has the consistency of ketchup. We recommend dipping it with fried food or adding it to fried rice and noodle dishes to enhance its flavour.
Try your hand at whipping up your favourite zi char dishes such as sambal kang kong and sambal stingray with the Kwong Cheong Thye Sambal Belacan Chilli Paste (available on Shopee Supermarket)! Instead of a dip or a side condiment, this sambal chilli is one of the best sauce in Singapore that is made for cooking instead. It contains dried shrimps and shallots, which adds a salivation-inducing fragrance to any dish.
For those who are still building up their spice tolerance, the Huy Fong Sambal Oelek (available on Seafood Market Place by Song Fish Official Store) is a great option to add flavour to your meals without driving your taste buds nuts. It is rich in flavour and is great for both cooking and as a condiment for dishes like nasi lemak. Squeeze a lime and mix it with this sambal chilli sauce for an extra pop of flavour!
Always shunned sambal on account of how it tends to be more sweet than spicy? This bestselling sambal chilli sauce will definitely change your mind. Developed by Malaysian entrepreneur and food influencer Khairul Aming, Sambal Nyet Berapi Extra Spicy Sambal (available on asean.os) is one of the best sambal chilli you can get in Singapore. Aside from heat, the Sambal Nyet chilli earns praise for its taste. Simply add a spoonful to your rice and you’ve got a meal to rival your favourite nasi lemak makcik’s!
Asian households would be familiar with the Laoganma Chilli Sauce (available on Yue Hwa Official Store) – one of the best chilli sauces in Singapore that blends chilli oil and chilli flakes with fermented soy beans, garlic, and onions. Its nutty fragrance and crisp texture makes it a great addition to dried noodles and fried rice. You can also pair it with dumplings to give it a boost of flavour!
Meet Mee’s Chilli Pan Mee (available on Meet Mee Official) have won our hearts not just for its convenience but how aromatic it is. If you can’t get enough of its flavour, consider getting yourself a jar of their Homemade Dry Chilli (available on Meet Mee Official) to add to your own recipes. Each batch is painstakingly made over 10 hours to ensure the best balance between fragrance and char. Ingredients include dried shrimp and anchovies, which gives it that burst of aroma. Do note that this best chilli sauce in Singapore has a shelf life of six months as it is prepared without preservatives.
Legend has it that the SinSin Garlic Chilli Sauce (available on Shopee Supermarket) was the OG Macdonald’s garlic chilli sauce – their packet chilli used to have its branding on it before it got phased out! That’s why the sweet and tangy SinSin garlic chilli is one of the best chilli sauce options in Singapore that’s almost unrivalled. Pair with your favourite air fryer recipes for a taste of your favourite fast food chain at home!
Maggi is a household brand that’s loved for their curry instant noodles, and the Maggi Garlic Chilli (available on Shopee Supermarket) doesn’t disappoint either. The Maggi garlic chilli sauce is made without MSG, preservatives, and less salt, which is why it is labelled as a healthier choice. It works best as a dip for fried finger food like nuggets and spring rolls.
Preparing chilli crab for your family? You’ll definitely need a solid chilli crab sauce as it makes or breaks the dish. If you don’t want to make it from scratch, get the Singlong Chilli Crab Sauce (available on Shopee Supermarket) – one of the best options in Singapore that’s gotten the stamp of approval from those who have tried it. It’s zesty, sweet, and tangy, which is what you need in chilli crab. You can also try it with other seafood like mussels, or as a dip for fried mantou.
Thai Sing is a condiment producer in Singapore specialising in sauces and pastes used to make popular local dishes. Whether you’re making laksa, rendang, or chicken rice, there’s a Thai Sing sauce for you! If you’re whipping up some chilli crab for the family, be sure to cart out the Thai Sing Chilli Crab Sauce (available on Thai Sing Store Official Store). Each jar comes with just the right amount of chilli for two medium-sized crabs. Cooking for a larger party? This Thai Sing chilli crab sauce is also available in 1kg!
Lingham’s Chilli Sauce (available on Shopee Supermarket) has made its name known amongst spice connoisseurs with its century-old recipe that hasn’t changed since 1908. This includes all-natural ingredients like red chilli peppers, sugar, vinegar, and salt. No artificial ingredients like colouring or even bulking agents are used. That’s why the Lingham Chilli Sauce is one of the best hot sauces in Singapore that has won itself multiple awards for its fiery flavour that offers the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. It is recommended to add it to hamburgers, pastas, and even sunny side ups! Psst, for those who order da la (extra spicy) for mala, go for the Lingham’s Extra Hot Chilli Sauce (available on Shopee Supermarket) instead!
If you’ve conquered the Korean spicy noodles challenge without a sweat, mild chilli sauces probably won’t make the cut for you. Instead, go straight for the Samyang Fire Spicy Chicken Buldak Sauce (available on Kobee Market, Korean Premium Shop) – the bottled version of the sauce in the Samyang Korean spicy noodles that’ll give you the kick you need. Apart from noodles, you can try adding this best hot sauce in Singapore to literally anything. Some popular suggestions include tteokbokki, pork belly, and seafood.
From sambal to garlic chilli, stock up your fridge with the best chilli sauce options in Singapore so you’ll never have to go a meal without spice. Additionally, check out these flaming hot rendang recipes in Singapore and the best spicy instant noodles to fuel your chilli addition. Snag them conveniently online at Shopee Supermarket for the best deals!
This article was updated on 1 August 2022. Additional research done by Rachel Tan.
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