Top 10 High-Cholesterol Indian Hawker Foods in Singapore

Singapore’s hawker centres are famous for dishing out flavour-packed Indian food at affordable prices – from sizzling curries to buttery flatbreads. But if you’re watching your cholesterol levels, it’s important to know that not all Indian dishes are created equal. Some of the tastiest meals are also the richest in saturated fats, oils, and organ meats – all of which can cause your cholesterol to spike if consumed frequently.

This guide uncovers the top 10 Indian hawker foods in Singapore that are high in cholesterol – so you can make informed choices next time you’re ordering.

1. Mutton Curry

Estimated Cholesterol: 100–120mg per serving
Why it’s high: Mutton (especially with bone marrow and fat) is naturally high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Mutton curry is bold and addictive – but the slow-cooked fatty cuts used in hawker stalls, along with generous ghee or oil, make it a cholesterol bomb. The gravy often contains residual animal fats, making it worse than it looks.

Health Tip: Opt for leaner cuts or go for chicken instead if cholesterol is a concern.

2. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Estimated Cholesterol: 90–110mg per serving
Why it’s high: Contains heavy cream, butter, and often chicken skin.

Butter chicken is a crowd favourite due to its creamy tomato gravy and rich taste. But the generous use of dairy fats combined with chicken that’s sometimes cooked with skin makes this dish high in both saturated fat and cholesterol.

Health Tip: Ask if they can prepare it with less butter or cream – some hawker stalls are accommodating.

3. Chicken Liver Masala

Estimated Cholesterol: 300–400mg per serving
Why it’s high: Organ meats like liver are extremely high in cholesterol.

Chicken liver is considered a delicacy by many but is arguably the worst offender on this list. A single serving can blow past your recommended daily cholesterol intake of 300mg.

Health Tip: Limit to once a month, or avoid altogether if you have high LDL (bad) cholesterol.

4. Mutton Keema (Minced Mutton)

Estimated Cholesterol: 120–150mg per serving
Why it’s high: Often made with fatty mince and cooked in oil or ghee.

Keema is a minced meat dish – usually made with fatty mutton. Some hawkers also throw in liver or kidney to bulk up the flavour, raising cholesterol content even further.

Health Tip: Ask if the keema is made with lean meat or skip it for vegetarian options like aloo gobi or chana masala.

5. Fish Head Curry

Estimated Cholesterol: 90–130mg per serving
Why it’s high: Fish head (especially from oily fish) contains high cholesterol, plus the curry is rich in coconut milk.

This dish is deceptively healthy-looking because it’s based on fish, but the head and brain tissue are cholesterol-heavy. Add coconut milk and oil, and the numbers spike.

Health Tip: Ask for less coconut milk or share it among a few people.

6. Rogan Josh

Estimated Cholesterol: 110–140mg per serving
Why it’s high: Made with fatty lamb or mutton and ghee.

Rogan Josh is a Kashmiri-style curry often found at premium hawker stalls. The use of clarified butter (ghee) and fatty cuts of red meat makes it indulgent and cholesterol-rich.

Health Tip: Avoid the top layer of oil when serving or blot excess oil with tissue.

7. Tandoori Chicken (With Skin)

Estimated Cholesterol: 90–110mg per serving
Why it’s high: If cooked with skin, cholesterol content goes up significantly.

Tandoori chicken is often touted as a healthier option due to its grilling method. But when served with skin, and if marinated in full-fat yoghurt or brushed with ghee during grilling, cholesterol adds up quickly.

Health Tip: Request skinless chicken if possible. Most hawkers will oblige.

8. Chicken Briyani

Estimated Cholesterol: 80–100mg per serving
Why it’s high: Combination of spiced chicken, fried onions, and buttery rice.

Briyani is a festival on a plate – rich, fragrant, and satisfying. However, it’s often cooked with chicken that still has skin, and the rice is layered with ghee, fried onions, and even hard-boiled eggs, which further raise cholesterol.

Health Tip: Eat the rice with dhal and cucumber salad to balance it out.

9. Egg Masala Curry

Estimated Cholesterol: 180–220mg per serving (2 eggs)
Why it’s high: Eggs, especially the yolks, are high in cholesterol.

Egg curry is a vegetarian meat alternative that still brings the richness of protein. But keep in mind that one large egg yolk has 186mg of cholesterol.

Health Tip: Consider using only one egg, or removing one yolk if you’re watching your intake.

10. Paratha with Curry (Chicken or Mutton)

Estimated Cholesterol: 70–100mg per set
Why it’s high: The paratha is pan-fried in oil or ghee, and curry sides are cholesterol-rich.

While paratha seems innocent compared to deep-fried foods, it’s loaded with fat due to the shallow-frying method. When paired with oily chicken or mutton curry, the cholesterol content of the meal skyrockets.

Health Tip: Choose chapati instead of paratha – it’s roasted and not fried, with much less fat.

💡 How Much Cholesterol Should You Have?

According to HealthHub Singapore and international dietary guidelines:

• Healthy adults should limit dietary cholesterol intake to <300mg per day.

• People with heart disease or high LDL cholesterol should aim for <200mg per day.

Many of the dishes above can easily hit or exceed these limits in a single meal.

✅ Healthier Alternatives at Indian Hawker Stalls

If you’re watching your cholesterol, consider these swaps:

Also, try to load up on vegetables, choose grilled over fried meats, and request less oil or ghee where possible.

Final Thoughts

Singapore’s Indian hawker dishes are undeniably flavourful – but many of them are loaded with cholesterol due to rich ingredients like ghee, organ meats, and fatty cuts. This doesn’t mean you have to avoid them completely. The key lies in moderation, awareness, and smart swaps.

Whether you’re managing high cholesterol or simply eating more mindfully, knowing which dishes pack the biggest cholesterol punch can help you enjoy hawker favourites without compromising your health.