hawker 101

hawker centers are the best places to eat in singapore! that's where one can find unimaginably tasty dishes for very reasonable rates!

Singapore is truly a food-loving nation. People here don't mind lining up for up to half an hour for a delicious plate of char kway teow or hainanese chicken rice. Whatever it is, these are a few pointers I would give to any tourist attempting a singapore hawker venture.

1. Do your research. Old Airport Road's is supposedly the best. I'm ashamed to say that after living in singapore for 17 years, I've yet to step foot there. Recently, I went to Maxwell Food centre and found it very attractive...the best i've been to (so far). I'll make it a point to go there again and visit the singapore city gallery and red dot museum nearby.

2. Once you've decided on which hawker centre to go to, you're ready to go! One might ask, shouldn't i research to find out which stalls are the good ones? No, there's no need for that, my friend. Coz the good ones will be very clearly indicated by the long line-ups. The longer the better. So my tip is, just go straight for the longest ones, and it's almost certain that you will be rewarded for your patience (esp coz the long waiting time is bound to have some psychological effects on one's stomach).

3. Go in groups. Delegate the work. One in charge of looking for seats, and the rest should be tasked to the longest lines. This will ensure maximum results (chance to sample a variety of scrumptious food) in minimum time.

4. Understand the singapore food culture. Most hawker centres close rather early...esp the good stalls. The best time to go would be 11ish, before the lunch crowd comes in. If one has no choice but to go at peak hours, please take note that the tissue packets placed on seats or on the tables are taken (due to limited lunch hours and extended line-ups for the best food, singapore folks use it to reserve places)

5. My favourite must-try (repeatedly!) dishes are char kway teow, hainanese chicken rice, satay, mee siam, nasi lemak, goreng pisang, beef rendang, thosai, roti prata, naan, tandoori chicken, teh tarik (ginger!), soursop juice, ice kachang, chendol, sugarcane juice, kway chap, fish bee hoon, braised duck noodle, laksa, fried hokkien mee, fried carrot cake, fried oyster omelette, bak chor mee, yong tau foo, rojak, bak kut teh, otak, kaya toast etc....!

So with those few but useful tips, I wish you the best in your singapore food endeavours!