10 Instances Singaporeans Restored Our Faith In Humanity

“Kind” and “gracious” are not adjectives commonly associated with Singaporeans. We are often stereotyped as selfish and inconsiderate, and sites like STOMP, to our dismay, constantly perpetrate the ugly side of us.

While that may have been true in the past, Singaporeans have dispelled that notion in recent years as more and more acts of kindness are beginning to surface. Here are 10 commendable deeds by our local heroes that will warm the cockles of your heart.

1. Image credit:  five-day trip to Korea. Singapore Civil Defence Force also presented

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   Image credit: You don’t necessarily have to give a part of yourself to make a difference – sometimes the smallest act of kindness is enough. A thoughtful student warmed the hearts of commuters on a cold rainy day when he opened his umbrella to shelter passengers at the bus stop from the rain, just so they could board the bus without getting wet.

   6. Image credit: Willing Hearts distributes free food to the underprivileged – all 365 days of the year. Spearheaded by good Samaritans, 3000 meals are cooked and delivered to those in need everyday. “When I was poor, I was helped without any questions asked,” founder Tony Tay had said, “So now, I give.”

      With over 50 volunteers in the kitchen preparing food every morning, this is truly a step towards active citizenry as our own people are taking it upon themselves to help the less fortunate in our community.

      7. Image credit: A Republic Polytechnic student filled 20 red packets with the money he received over Chinese New Year. With S$5 in each packet, he handed them out to workers at a construction site to show his appreciation for their hard work. This young man’s empathetic behaviour is a leading example for our younger generation.

         8. Image credit: The owners of Strangers’ Reunion and sister branch Curious Palette raised over S$40,000 to fund head chef Sebastian Tan’s medical bills when he was diagnosed with lung cancer last December. Staff volunteered to work for free and the owners, baristas and managers pulled 7-day work weeks. Crowds thronged both cafés and also contributed monetary donations to help Mr Tan during the fund-raising period.

            Thanks to the generosity of Singaporeans and the compassionate nature of his bosses, Mr Tan was able to undergo treatment with less worry about the hefty medical bills.

            9. Image credit: When a customer demanded a dishwasher suffering from a skin condition to be fired, Ms Sharon Guan Xue-er defended her employee without hesitation. She retorted that she would rather lose the customer than 53-year old Jimmy Wee.

               Mr Wee was rejected by eight employers before Ms Guan finally hired him. “Don’t cast aside the unfortunate,” she had said. Since the incident went viral, many customers also made the effort to visit Mr Wee to offer him support and kind words of encouragement.

               10. Image credit: While most people would have been repelled at the stench, and distance themselves, it is heartening to know that Madam Noriza Mansor voluntarily cleaned up an elderly stranger who had soiled himself in public. She even bought him a new pair of shorts. Madam Noriza was subsequently named Singaporean of the Year by the Straits Times, but remains unfazed by her act of kindness. It is humbling to know that she took the uncommon initiative to offer help given the circumstances.

                   These uplifting stories about our own people suggest that Singapore is making promising progress towards becoming a more gracious and thoughtful society. It really doesn’t take much for us to extend a hand of kindness and offer help to those in need. We hope that these ordinary Singaporeans have inspired you, just as they have inspired us!

                   (Header image: Also read: Cycle X Makan – 5 Best Food And Night Cycling Paths In SG

9 Of SG’s Best Local Street Snack, How Many Have You Tried?

After trawling through Coachella pictures from Buzzfeed and Instagram, the one thing that caught my eye was the food. Oh good lord, the pictures made my stomach rumble even after I just had my lunch! It looked so sinful yet so enticing at the same time. My mind instantly drifted to the street food that I could savour in Singapore.

Fret not when it comes to food in SG! You’ll always be able to find some unique and equally tempting street snacks on our sunny island from the night bazaar, a.k.a pasar malam. Read on to find out what food is available, and where you can find the nearest pasar malam to you.

1. Tutu Kueh

This ‘hobo’ right here, me, only learnt about tutu kuehs two years ago and boy when I tried it did I wonder what I was missing out all these years!

Depending on which flavour you choose, the soft and springy dough skin bursts open when you bite it, revealing the sweet filling inside. My absolute favourite version would be coconut but it comes in a few other varieties like chocolate or peanuts.

Tutu Kueh
Cost: 5 pieces for $2.50
Where to buy: Pasar Malams, most heartland malls, and Food Republic food court

2. Putu Piring

This is akin to the Malay cousin of Tutu Kueh. The difference? Gula Melaka filling, softer rice cakes, larger in size, and topped with freshly grated coconut. Warm, gooey, and not too sweet, these putu pirings are a definite treat.

However, there are only a few places that still sell this traditional Malay snack. One of which is Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, that has been well-loved and much raved about. Pay them a visit one of these days to give it a try!

Putu Piring
Cost: 5 pieces for $2.50
Where to buy: Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, 970 Geylang Road, #01-12; Pasar Malams

3. Ondeh Ondeh

These adorable little chewy green balls are typically made out of glutinous rice flour, dyed naturally using pandan leaves’ juice and comes with a white coat of desiccated coconut.

You can usually find these either kosong (plain) or with some gula melaka filling hidden inside. Some stores even sell a yam variety where sweet potato is used to substitute half the usual required amount of glutinous rice flour.

Ondeh Ondeh
Cost: 3 for $1
Where to buy: Xing Xing Tapioca Kueh/ Ondeh Ondeh
Address: #01-31, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069 184
Contact: 9863 2833
Operating hours: Mon to Sat: 8am to 2pm, Closed on Sundays

4. Steamed Tapioca Cake

My love for the fried version of the tapioca cake (featured below) was terrible for my waistline hence I stuck to its healthier steamed buddy when I was on a roll to cut down on my unhealthy eating habits.

Equally as delicious, just without the guilt, the steamed tapioca cake is typically moist and QQ (chewy). You can get this addictive chewy snack from the same place as above! Kill two birds with a stone and try out both their Ondeh Ondeh and Steamed Tapioca Cake.

Steamed Tapioca Cake
Cost: 1 box for $2.50
Where to buy: Xing Xing Tapioca Kueh/ Ondeh Ondeh
Address: #01-31, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069 184
Contact: 9863 2833
Operating hours: Mon to Sat: 8am to 2pm, Closed on Sundays

5. Fried Tapioca Cake

Found at most pasar malams, these green cakes were one of my favourite childhood snacks and I would bug my mom to buy three slices for me (three for $1 back then) whenever we pass by any pasar malams.

These greasy green cakes are crispy on the outside yet moist and chewy on the inside and since it is made out of tapioca (duh) it is naturally sweet but not overly so.

Fried Tapioca Cake
Cost: 5 pieces for $2
Place: Pasar Malams

6. 3-in-1 Nian Gao

Sandwiched between a slice of yam and sweet potato, it is no wonder this nian gao treat is known as 3-in-1.

This fried ‘sandwich’ tops the chart with a slice easily adding 300 calories (and possibly more) in your calorie count according to a doctor from Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

However, this sticky and chewy goodness will make my half-an-hour daily run worth it.

3-in-1 Nian Gao
Cost: Around $1.50 per slice
Where to buy: Kim Soon
Address: #01-18 Kovan Hawker Centre, Block 209, Hougang Street 21
Operating hours: Mon to Fri: 5am to 2pm; Weekends and public holidays: 5am to 4pm

7. Mee Jian Kueh

This fluffy pancake is cheap (roughly around $0.60 to $1.00 a slice) and comes in an array of fillings to choose from. I would recommend peanut or coconut fillings, but the best part would be the crunchy sides.

Mee Jian Kueh
Cost: $0.60 for one slice
Where to buy: Tanglin Halt Original Peanut Pancake
Address: Stall 16, Tanglin Halt Market, 48 Tanglin Road, 142 048
Operating hours: 5am to 11am, closed on Mon and Fri
Contact: 9712 3653

8. Tau Huey

The bean curd or tau huey as it is known locally, is a popular breakfast or all-day snack since it is relatively healthy. It comes in either the hot or cold option which is perfect for Singapore’s hot-rainy-humid weather.

Soft and silky, my favourite tau huey shop’s beancurd was so smooth that the best way to consume it was by drinking. Extremely unladylike I know, but this still is my preferred way to have my tau huey fix.

Tau Huey
Cost: $1.80 per bowl
Where to buy: QQ Soya Bean
Address: #01-165 Old Changi Airport Road Hawker Centre
Contact: 8339 3459
Operating hours: 11am to 9pm daily

My favourite stall would be Dou Xiang, located at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Block 453, #01-92. It operates from 7am to 9am daily for $1.50 a bowl. However, it is closed temporarily till 1 July 2016 as the market is undergoing and overhaul.

9. Popiah

Also read: 13 Eateries Open All Day All Night For Your Late Night Meal!

Hipster Hawkers: 5 Stalls That Are Redefining Hawker Culture

It seems like the growing wave of hipster hawkers might just be the solution to Singapore’s dying local hawker culture. Undeterred by the long operating hours and uncomfortable heat, a bunch of young hawker-preneurs are reinvigorating the local hawker culture. They bring with them a youthful drive and modern sensibilities, resulting in a curious mix of bold new flavours served in a rustic and unassuming environment.

So the next time you find yourself at one of these kopitiams, be prepared to be greeted with more than just your usual hawker fare.

1. The Truly Test Kitchen

Image source: rachrx

Driven by a desire to serve authentic and quality dishes, a group of graduates – Joel Chia, Deniece Tan and Joshua Chia – opened their very own eatery on the seventh floor of an industrial building. Spanning a total of five different stalls, Truly Test Kitchen serves up a diverse range of cuisines from traditional handmade yam cake to the American classic chicken and waffles.

“I want to make my food so good, people will come up seven floors for it,” said Chia in an interview with Makansutra. 

And the trio have succeeded in doing that. Everything they serve is prepared painstakingly from scratch every morning.

Not to be missed is their Hainanese curry rice served with an assortment of homely side dishes. The curry sauce is the perfect blanket over their plain rice and crispy pork cutlet. It might be shy on spiciness but the fragrance from the spices used makes it a truly delicious dish.

The Truly Test Kitchen
Address: 153 Kampong Ampat, #07-05
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 7am – 2pm
Price: From $3

2. Fishball Story

Image source: Fishball Story

Opening a noodle stall right in the heart of a school campus, it is rather evident that the owner of Fishball Story, Douglas Ng, 25, is dedicated to keeping the hawker culture alive. Located in the National University of Singapore, Ng started selling fishball noodles since he was 22.

Dedicated to providing a traditional and authentic dish that is true to its roots, the fishballs that the stall serve are blended and made by hand. Right down to the sambal used, this $3 per bowl of fishball noodles is as genuine as it can get.  

Ng said in an interview with Toggle: “We use 100% fish meat. To me, authentic fishballs taste like this. I just want to serve what I feel is authentic and traditional.”

Fishball Story
Address: 2 College Avenue West, #02-01
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 8:30am – 8pm
Price: From $3

3. Hambaobao

Image source: Hambaobao

Aptly named, this humble stall in Beauty World Center serves up hamburgers with an Asian twist. They might have a modest menu, but the flavours are certainly something to brag about.

Some of their must-try include the Crispy Pork Belly burger ($5) and the Ayam Buah Keluak ($5), which is their take on the quintessential Peranakan dish with buns sandwiching a buah keluak infused chicken patty and topped with chap chye and homemade chilli.

The young owners, Ryan Wee, 26 and Claire Ng, 23, attributed the reason for opening a food court style eatery to lesser overhead costs. They can thus focus on providing unique east-meets-west flavours at affordable prices. So skip the usual fast-food chain and try Hambaobao the next time you have a burger craving.

Hambaobao
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-49
Opening hours: Wed- Sun: 12pm – 8pm
Price: From $4.50

4. Ballistic Meatballs

Image source: Ballistic Meatballs

You’ll be surprised at the variation of meatballs served at Ballistic Meatballs, a stall located in The Bedok Marketplace. With an extensive menu that serves up everything related to meatballs and more, it feels almost like a cafe packed into a humble stall.

The owner, 30 year old Ryan Chuang, is certainly giving the meatballs from IKEA a run for their money. 

Their crispy Signature Ballistic Meatballs ($5.90) come with a cheesy center with a side of highly addictive furikake mayonnaise. This sesame-battered creation literally blends a world of flavours together in one meatball.

Also addictive is their Crispy Crab Balls ($10.50) that feels like a deconstructed chilli crab and their Plain Jane meatballs that’s used to go with everything from pasta, sliders, sandwiches to even wraps.

Ballistic Meatballs
Address: 348 Bedok Road, #02-02/03
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 11:30am – 10pm
Price: From $4

5. Lad & Dad

Image source: Lad & Dad

While it might be hard to find restaurants that serve up traditional British stews with fluffy yorkshire pudding, it certainly is easy to find a hawker stall that serves just that. Helmed by a father and son duo, Lad & Dad, brings you new kind of comfort food in a kopitiam setting.

Located in Serangoon Gardens, Keith Koh, 26, dishes out warm and hearty stews choked full with tender meat and root vegetables after picking up his culinary skills from London. His father, Desmond Koh, 57, helps out with the preparation and operation of the stall. As a side dish, the yorkshire pudding serves as the perfect canvas to soak up all the luscious broth, or have it as a sweet dessert served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Lad & Dad
Address: 49A Serangoon Garden Way, #32
Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 8pm
Price: From $3

It certainly is heartening to see the younger generation innovating and keeping our local hawker culture alive. Do give them a try the next time you plan to head out with your friends.

(Header image: Hambaobao, words by editor)

Also read: A.R.C. – The Café All Hipsters Dream About

5 Free Events & Shows All Lovers Of Japanese Culture Must Attend!

If you love Japanese culture, from the traditional to the mainstream to the sub-genres, then don’t miss out on 6828 8377

Cloth Koinobori

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDnZB_AL6lT/?tagged=koinobori

Do you know that in Japan, the carp is a symbol of courage, strength and success? According to one Japanese legend, the carp, which swims upwards, is thought to become a dragon as it beats the oncoming current. In the past, and now kept as a tradition, the families of the Samurai warriors would fly koinobori — carp streamers — as a way of honouring their children who are on the battlefield.

In this workshop, you will learn to make koinobori — carp streamers — and design it with stamps and paint. This event will take place on the 21st of May 2016 at 4 PM, and will last for an hour and 30 minutes. No advance registration is needed.

Cloth Koinobori
Date: 21 May 2016
Time: 4pm
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address: Theatre Meeting Point at Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Tel: +65 6828 8377

Kumihimo Bracelet Braiding

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFWwWRlxAh8/?tagged=kumihimo

Looking for something new to adorn your wrist? What about a hand-made kumihimo bracelet? Kumihimo, a traditional Japanese technique of braiding, was previously used by Samurai warriors to lace their armour, and today, people use it for many other functional and decorative purposes! For example, you can use it to create belts and friendship bands, if you are interested.

This workshop will take place on the 22nd of May 2016 at 3 PM and 5.30 PM. Each session will last for an hour and 30 minutes. No advance registration is needed.

Kumihimo Bracelet Braiding
Date: 22 May 2016
Time: 3pm and 5.30pm
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address: Theatre Meeting Point at Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Tel: +65 6828 8377

Kuruma Ningyo Puppet Theatre

https://www.instagram.com/p/9eTrf2np6T/?tagged=kurumaningyo

If you have never seen Japanese puppet theatre, despite previous trips to the Land of the Rising Sun, what are you waiting for? Created more than 150 years ago, at the end of the Edo era, Kuruma Ningyo is a style of puppetry that is considered a National Intangible Folk Custom Cultural Asset of Japan. Plus, before each show, the performers put on a sanbaso, a dance meant to bring luck, success and good bounty to its audience!

The show will take place on the 17th of May 2016 at 5.15 PM, 7.15 PM, and 8.15 PM. Each show will last for 30 minutes. No advance registration is needed.

Kuruma Ningyo Puppet Theatre
Date: 17 May 2016
Time: 5.15pm, 7.15pm, 8.15pm
Duration: 30 minutes
Address: Concourse area at Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Tel: +65 6828 8377

Kimono Lessons

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFRf8IgooOv/?tagged=kimono

If all you know about the kimono is that it’s worn by ladies… then you’ve got a lot to learn! Different styles of kimono are worn during different occasions and seasons. For example, the kimono worn by a woman during a tea ceremony is quite different from the one donned on to perform a traditional dance. Not only will you learn about the appropriateness of various kimono at different events, you will also learn how to wear them properly at this event.

This workshop will take place on the 22nd of May 2016 at 4 PM, and will last for an hour. No advance registration is needed.

Kimono Lessons
Date: 22 May 2016
Time: 4pm
Duration: 1 hour
Address: Concourse area at Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Tel: +65 6828 8377

With these free events happening at the Esplanade, it is so much easier (and more affordable) to fall in love with Japanese culture. Head on down to learn about Japanese culture and traditions this week. Also, don’t forget to check out the Japanese funfair that will be happening soon!

Also read: Keong Saik Carnival: The Event All Hipsters Shouldn’t Miss