Why Is Eating Singapore's National Past Time??
Apr 04 '01
The Bottom Line Singaporean food is unique to the island. Foods are adapted to fit the many different cultures. There are so many choices!
Though I am of Indian descent, my mom was born and raised in Singapore. All her family is still there, and I go back every 2-3 years to visit my grandparents and my many cousins, aunts, and uncles. Singapore is known as the food capital of Asia, since it blends many different cuisines into one. When I go to Singapore, we eat out every single meal. We have to -- eating is known as Singapore's national past time.
Food in Singapore is relatively inexpensive, as compared to buying groceries and preparing the food at home. This is why people always eat out. Restaurants, food centers, and hawker centers are open into the early hours, making them the perfect stop after a night out.
Restaurants in Singapore are either fancy hotel restaurants, or fast food places. Either way, their prime target is tourists. The food is usually higher priced. Most locals go to restaurants for special occasions only.
Food Centers are more popular. These are food courts in shopping centers, offering several vendors with various types of food: Chinese, Indian, Malay, and even Western. Prices here are ok.
Hawker Centers are the most popular eateries. These are large open-air centers with dozens of stalls. Tables are set up in the middle. You order your food at the stall of your choice, and tell them where you are sitting. They bring the food to you. Hawker centers allow you to eat various cuisines at one meal. Prices are cheap, making these the choice for locals. The best food (in my opinion), is always found at hawker centers. Newton's Circus is the most well-known hawker Center.
Singaporean food is unique. There are several dishes that Singapore is known for:
Chilli Crab: The national dish. Fresh crabs are cooked in a spicy chilli sauce. The sauce is eaten with rice, and the crab is eaten with your hands. (most Singaporeans eat with their hands).
Satay: this is basically 'meat on a stick'. Thin slices of marinated chicken, beef or lamb is threaded onto a skewer and grilled. The cooked satay is served with a peanut dipping sauce, cucumber, and steamed rice cakes.
Fish Head Curry: a speciality of the mamak, or muslim-Indian food vendors. fish heads are cooked in a spicy gravy, served with plain rice. If you love spicy foods, you must try this dish.
Mee Goreng: Fried noodles. These are a staple in Singapore. Mee goreng usually is made by the mamak. The noodles are cooked with onions, garlic, potato, peas, egg, and lots of chili. No meat.
Nasi goreng: Singaporean style fried rice. Rice is fried with meat, green onions, egg, and a little soy sauce. Sometimes sesame oil and/or fish sauce are added. This is a lighter rice than the chinese style fried rice.
Roti Canai: a pan fried bread, served with dal, or lentils for scooping. This is considered a snack. Roti canai is also known as roti prata in Malaysia. One of my favorites!
These are just some of the dishes that Singapore is known for. Of course, there are many Chinese, Thais, Malays, Indians, Bengalis, and other nationalities living in Singapore, and their regional dishes are also prominant. But these foods are what makes Singapore such a melting pot -- everyone can and does enjoy these dishes!
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