Singapore's food culture: 10 takeaways
Every country has its own food culture, yet Singapore really surprised me with the one it has been creating over the last years. Curious to know what it is all about? Here i tried to summarize it in 10 points!
1. Food Courts have become my best friend
Yes! When in Singapore, it is very likely you will stop grocery shopping. Food courts are just everywhere -from the university campus, to malls and streets. Eating out went from being something luxurious to something that could perfectly be done under a student budget!
2. Giving up on understanding what I am eating
Google will probably become your best friend while choosing what you want to have in a hawker center. If you are opting out for a hot pot (a Chinese specialty) you will have to just let yourself go and try something new without asking what it is! Communication can sometimes become harder in Singapore when it comes to speaking with workers at the food court, especially if you are not too used to the accent. Yet, this makes the best opportunity to try something new!
3. Queuing, queuing and queuing
If you have heard of the famous saying “Singaporeans love queuing”, I promise it is true. No matter how late you are, if you are looking for a quick coffee or a nice place for lunch, you will probably have to wait for a bit. In the first taxi ride I had upon arrival, the driver told me that in Singapore you can definitely tell which are the food places: it is just a matter of looking for the one with the longest queue.
4. Rice
Rice comes with everything and sometimes you will not even have to ask for it. It’s everyone’s standard base. Also, it will be the perfect opportunity to try many different kinds of rice and find out which one is your favorite.
5. Kopi
If you are not going to Starbucks or some other nice coffee place, forget about anything like Cappuccino, Americano or Espresso. You will have a higher chance of getting your coffee if you switch to the “singlish” word for it: “Koppee”. Additionally, you will also need to bear in mind to ask for it to be “Kopi O” if you do not want any condensed milk…
6. Chopsticks
You will most likely stop using forks and spoons and give chopsticks a try. Thanks to the sushi culture we have in Europe, you may much more used to them than you think, but it will get interesting when you start using them for all food, whether sushi or not!
7. Napkins
After looking for a napkin everywhere and not being able to find it, you will probably understand that napkins are just not a thing here. You will likely have to carry some with you just to clean your hands and mouth, or simply buy them at some of the stands in the different food courts.
8. Share!
I was positively surprised that the sharing culture is very present here as well. You will often see people sharing different plates and adding different sides to the rice base. Hot pots will also be shared most of the time, even in groups of friends. The large range of options can occasionally seem overwhelming, so sharing is a great alternative!
9. Culture blend
Singapore is culturally rich, and this is clearly displayed in the food courts. You will see a variety of different food types to choose from: Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean… but the typical rice with chicken or chilli crab will never miss!
10. Give it a try!
Last but not least, you will learn to try something new almost every day. There will always be a sauce, cooking style or product you have not tried, and therefore it will become a must to just go for it.
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