Singapore Zi Char Guide 2026: What It Is, Where to Go and What to Order What Is Zi Char? Zi char — literally 'cook and fry' in Hokkien — is one of the most beloved dining formats in Singapore and one of the least understood by visitors. It sits in a distinct category between hawker food and a sit-down restaurant: you eat at communal tables, usually in an open-air setting or under a zinc roof, and you order from a broad menu of Chinese-style wok-fried dishes designed to be sha