Singaporean Mandarin Database

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.

Foresty area
薄饼
báo bǐng
popiah
菜燕
cài yàn
agar agar
茶乌
chá wū
teh-o
潮州饭粿
cháo zhōu fàn guǒ
png kueh
钓鱼
diào yú
Chinese tea
豆卜
dòu bǔ
tau pok
豆花水
dòu huā shuǐ
soya bean milk
豆爽
dòu shuǎng
tau suan
嘟嘟糕
dū dū gāo
kueh tutu
福建炒虾面
fú jiàn chǎo xiā miàn
Hokkien Prawn Mee (colloquially known as hok kien mee)
咖喱卜
gā lí bo
curry puff
高丽菜
gāo lì cài
cabbage
粿条
guǒ tiáo
kway teow
红豆冰
hóng dòu bīng
ice kachang
红龟粿
hóng guī guǒ
ang ku kueh
红毛丹
hóng máo dān
rambutan
胡姬
hú jī
orchid
黄梨
huáng lí
pineapple
鸡蛋糕
jī dàn gāo
steamed cake (colloquially known as kueh neng ko)