Singapore Food
Locals take pride in the variety of their cuisine, saying that the only thing that unites regional food is its diversity. There are geographic considerations of course, such as the city's proximity to water and subsequent abundance of excellent seafood dishes, but on the whole there is an astonishing array of fare.
In Malayan, the word for eat is 'makan' and it is said that the Singaporeans makan 24 hours a day. "Singapore food reflects the very best of our multicultural island, where cuisines and flavours have influenced one another for decades. For me, local food is very much part of the word 'home'," Professor Tommy Koh, the ambassador-at-large for Singapore, has said.
To some extent, this can make it hard to work out what the 'Singapore culinary experience' is, in order to partake in it during your visit to the city. Rather than heading for specific dishes, it is best to absorb the restaurants in terms of their locations, in order to really see food Singapore style.
For example, one of the most unique things about the city is its collection of a dozen 'hawker centres'. These are a little like indoor markets; centres for street vendors that allow them to be "hygienic and functional" in the words of the tourist board, but also to provide the variety that only many small independent retailers can ? and on a budget. The vendors often take great pride in their product as well, which means that the queues to be served can often be quite long. It is, however, a must for experiencing how to makan in this East-meets-West city.
Glutton's Bay has managed to combine hawker food with a restaurant-style setting, resulting in a more romantic evening with views of the ocean.
Waterfront dining is another special experience in Singapore. With so much seafront to choose from, the locals have capitalised on it beautifully, creating restaurant centres that have become regular haunts for locals as well as visitors. Head for Boat Quay, which since its height as a busy port in the 1960s has been transformed into a trendy hang-out. While you sip at a street cafe or slurp at a seafood restaurant, you can people-watch those at the pubs and galleries and take in the view of the Singapore River too. Restaurant prices may be pricey though, so check the menus before you commit.
For a more colourful, but slightly touristy, waterfront dining experience head for Clarke Quay. A "riverside festival village", this place juggles 19th century architecture with themed pubs and wine bars. The speciality restaurants contained within this entertainment district range from Tapas to Cantonese, but seafood of course makes a weighty appearance.
Each July, Singapore holds a food festival to celebrate its massive success in creating such a surfeit of dining culture. The national passion of food is reflected by the enthusiasm for the festival, with workshops, heritage food trails and many events contributing to the triumphant atmosphere. Ten 'Must Try' dishes are recommended by the festival's organisers each year, to give a flavour of the range of taste experiences on offer.
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Eating & Drinking
