Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Papadum

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Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Papadum

Papadum
Papadum



Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2026 (across 26 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.


Also Known As:
Papadum, Papadam, Pappatam, Poppadom, Papad


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $0.50 - $5








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Description:
The Papadum is a Singaporean Indian dish, an ultra-thin cracker made with legume flour and spices. Also known as Papadam, Pappatam, Poppadom, or Papad, the Papadum dish is usually priced around SGD $0.50 to $5 per serving. It's usually served as a standalone snack or as an accompaniment to a meal, often with dips such as chutneys.

The legume flour used to make Papadum varies, though each rendition only contains 1 type of legume flour. The most commonly used is urad dal / black gram bean flour, followed by chickpea flour. Other types of legume flour used include rice flour, sago flour, tapioca flour, millet flour, or potato flour. The flour is made into a dough with water, and seasoned with salt, white pepper or black pepper, and powdered cumin. Optionally, several other ingredients may be added, including baking soda, hing / asafoetida, garlic, red chili powder, or sesame seeds.

The dough for the Papadum is then kneaded and shaped into paper-thin circles, and left to air-dry for at least 2 hours, sometimes up to 48 hours. It's then deep-fried or baked, and served. The Papadum will have a crisp crunchy texture that shatters gently, and carries earthy grainy savoury salty spice flavour.

As they gradually go soft when exposed to air, Papadum should be eaten quickly when served fresh. Dips often accompany, including tomato chutney, sev, mango chutney, lime pickles, red onion chutney, raita, tamarind chutney, coriander chutney, or mint yoghurt.


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1. Bar Bar Black Sheep
@ 879 Bukit Timah Road
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 3pm – 12am, Fri - Sun 12pm – 12am

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $4.50) @ Bar Bar Black Sheep.

This casual gastrobar struggled to find its footing over the last few years, and it appears things have stabilized.

Their rendition is light and crisp crunchy in texture, with gentle earthy savoury flavour.





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2. Chutney Mary
@ Changi Airport Terminal 2, 60 Airport Boulevard #03-26
Opening Hours: Daily 5am – 10:30pm

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $1) @ Chutney Mary.

Established as a cheerful and casual eatery in May 2004, this popular Indian fast-food restaurant chain is operated by the Harilela Hospitality Group.

Their rendition is puffy and crisp crunchy in texture, with gentle earthy savoury salty flavour. Served with a tomato chutney and coriander chutney.





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3. Daawat Tandoori
@ 207 Upper Thomson Road
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 3pm, 4:30pm – 11pm

Taken in 2011


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $1) @ Daawat Tandoori.

Established in March 2005 by Shiv Bhardwaj, this long-serving neighbourhood-gem remains well-regarded for its delicious dishes.

Their rendition is puffy and crisp crunchy in texture, with mild earthy savoury salty flavour. Best eaten when served hot and fresh.





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4. Tandoor North Indian Restaurant
@ East Village, 430 Upper Changi Road #01-65
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $1.60) @ Tandoor North Indian Restaurant.

Since May 2019, this quiet stall has been serving consistently delicious North Indian cuisine and communal meals at reasonable prices.

Their rendition adopts a unique conical shape, with a shatteringly crisp crunchy texture, and bold earthy savoury salty spice grainy flavour. Served with a mint yoghurt on the side for dipping.





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5. Karu's Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant
@ 808 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 10:30am – 10pm, Closed Mon

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $4.50) @ Karu's Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant.

Since 1993, this stalwart casual eatery has been delighting diners with their homely South Indian dishes, potent curries with fiery kick, and wallet-friendly prices. Little wonder they still attract long queues during daily meal times.

Their rendition is flat and light with a crisp crunchy texture, carrying mild grainy earthy savoury flavour. Served complimentary as part of a set meal.





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6. Kebabchi Charcoal BBQ
@ Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-146
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 10pm

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $3.50) @ Kebabchi Charcoal BBQ.

Established in December 2018 by Bilal Ur Rehman, the business has since transitioned from its original hawker roots into a casual restaurant.

Their rendition has a unique elliptical oval shape with a crisp crunchy texture, carrying punchy earthy spice grainy salty savoury flavour. Addictive, couldn't stop reaching for more.





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7. Kurry Korner
@ ESR BizPark At Changi, 8 Changi Business Park Avenue 1 #01-37
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 3:30pm (Lunch), 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Dinner)

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $2.80) @ Kurry Korner.

Established in June 2013, this casual eatery is well regarded for their authentic North Indian curries, cooked with fresh spices and boasting complex flavours.

Their rendition is puffy and light with a crisp crunchy texture, carrying pleasant earthy spice grainy savoury flavour. Optional seasoning of garam masala for added salty spice flavour kick.





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8. Madura's Restaurant
@ Paya Lebar Square, 60 Paya Lebar Road #01-08
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 10pm

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $1) @ Madura's Restaurant.

Established in July 2007 by Safia Rojia and family, this casual eatery is celebrated for its homemade family recipes from Southern and Northern India.

Their rendition is small and curvy, with a crisp crunchy texture and enticing savoury salty earthy spice flavour. Automatically served as a side accompaniment to most set meals.





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9. Sakunthala's Restaurant
@ 66 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10:30pm

Taken in 2011


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $2.80) @ Sakunthala's Restaurant.

Delighting diners with their homely, authentic South Indian dishes since August 1999. This restaurant was named in honour of the family matriarch, and is known for pioneering halal-certified Indian-Chinese fusion cuisine in Singapore.

Their rendition is light with small bubbles dotting the surface, a crisp crunchy texture, and savoury salty earthy spice flavour.





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10. The Banana Leaf Apolo
@ 56 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 10:30pm

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Papadum (SGD $4.50) @ The Banana Leaf Apolo.

This long-serving brand was established in October 1974 by Chellappan Sankaranathan, who named the casual restaurant after the Apollo 11 moon landing, with the hope that the restaurant would 'take-off' like a rocket.

Their rendition evolved from flat to curvy, but still has a satisfyingly crisp crunchy texture, with grainy earthy savoury salty spice flavour.





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- Myra's Beach Club – Permanently Closed
@ 5 Changi Village Road

Taken in 2012






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- The Masala Hut – Permanently Closed
@ 37 Chander Road

Taken in 2012






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