You’re Not A True Singaporean If You Have Not Tried Any Of These 10 Local Dishes

singaporean food

Are you a foodie? If you answered yes, can you tell me what are the dishes that are quintessentially Singaporean?

Singapore has so many races and cultures in our tiny island, that Singaporean cuisine doesn’t exclusively belong to one particular culture.

However, here are some dishes that come to mind whenever Singaporeans think of local food.

1. Cai Fan (Mixed Rice)

Mixed Rice, colloquially known as Cai Fan by locals, is a simple, cheap, and filling meal for most Singaporeans.

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Cai Fan stalls are decked out with trays upon trays of various dishes, from the humble steamed egg, to stir fried cabbage or long beans, and even poached fish fillets.

Customers would choose their carb of choice and select their accompanying dishes and that’s a meal on it’s own.

It’s a very simple and affordable option for a meal.

2. Roti Prata

Roti Prata is a fried flatbread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

It can be eaten plain or stuffed with fillings like cheese and sliced button mushrooms or hot dogs. It is usually served with a side of curry, usually fish or chicken, and in rare cases, mutton.

It’s a local favourite breakfast and supper dish, and the best part, it’s usually cheap!

3. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Ah, Hainanese Chicken Rice, the most iconic dish in Singapore. It’s even been mentioned in cooking anime, Shokugeki No Soma (Food Wars).

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There are a few version of chicken rice served in Singapore, with roasted chicken or the standard hainanese white chicken rice.

Besides the fragrant chicken, hainanese chicken rice is also known for its flavoured rice. Instead of being cooked in water like white rice, the chicken rice is cooked in chicken broth and fat, resulting in flavoured rice that complements the chicken perfectly.

4. Sliced Fish Soup

Sliced Fish Soup is a comfort dish for most. While there’s a variant that uses fried fish pieces instead, sliced fish is still preferred because it allows the freshness of the fish to come through.

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Sometimes, evaporated milk is added to the fish soup for an extra layer of flavour.

Most sliced fish soups are made with snakehead fish, though there are some that use more expensive fishes like pomfret, batang and grouper.

Read our list of best fish soup places in Singapore!

5. Yong Tau Foo

People love customising their food, and Singaporeans are no different. After all, we like the idea that we’re in charge.

Which explains why Yong Tau Foo is a popular dish here. You pick a minimum of 6 ingredients that’s then quickly boiled and served in anchovy broth and soy beans.

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Personally, I like Nasi Lemak as it is – rice cooked in coconut milk, a chicken wing, omelette, ikan bilis and peanuts, and the sambal chilli. Some might even have ikan kuning instead of a chicken wing.

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Either way, Nasi Lemak is a filling and simple dish that can be eaten at any time of the day.

7. Bak Kut Teh

Now this might be a bit polarising, but I prefer the white, peppery broth of Bak Kut Teh, rather than the dark herbal version.

Bak Kut Teh, which translates to “Meat Bone Tea”, is made with pork ribs cooked in a broth with various spices.

The dark, herbal version is more popular among Malaysians, while the white, peppery version is more common here.

It is usually eaten as a breakfast meal, with dough fritters (you tiao) or rice, and a variety of sides such as braised pig trotters, preserved vegetables, and braised beancurd skin.

Which type of Bak Kut Teh do you prefer?

For our Muslim friends, there’s actually Halal Bak Kut Teh.

8. Chilli Crab

Chilli Crab is also a popular dish among Singaporeans – mud crabs are cooked in a thick, sweet and spicy sauce that’s made with tomato and chilli.

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The dish also includes beansprouts, fish cakes, and clams. Some hawkers even include vegetables in the dish for a healthier option.

I don’t know about you, but I like mine without clams.

10. Durians

Durians. These pungent, thorny spheres are also known as the “King of Fruits”.

And they’re also Singapore’s national fruit! We even have a building in Singapore that’s designed to look like durians.

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There are many types of durians, each with a slight difference in their taste.

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You either love or hate durians, and I personally am not a fan of it. Someone just pass me a banana. That, I can deal with.

Tickets To NDP 2018

With the nation’s birthday coming up, what better way to rejoice the fact that you’re Singaporean by indulging in Singaporean food?

That’s not all, from 2 to 29 July 2018, if you’re dining at Food Republic, join in their Instagram Snap-and-Win contest and you might even win yourself a pair of tickets to the National Day Parade 2018!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkxE3xYnSos/

Don’t forget to check out the terms and conditions here!

There will be a total of 15 winners picked across multiple batches.

Don’t worry, if you didn’t win in the first batch, your name will be forwarded to the subsequent batches, so you will always stand a chance to win until all 15 winners have been selected.

Meanwhile, which dish do you think represents Singapore the most?

Also read This New Korean-Western Cafe At Tampines Serves Dishes Like Kimchi Mac & Cheese For $9

(Header Image Source: Gastronommy and Ang Sarap)

What’s In This Year’s NDP Goodie Bag? You’ll Be Surprised!

What’s in my bag? NDP 2016 Goodie Bag version

In this article, we’re bringing you the NDP 2016 Goodie Bag version of ‘What’s in my bag?’! From food to National Day Merchandise, and even to.. a trash bag? We will cover all bases to give you the ultimate breakdown of what’s in your 2016 National Day Goodie Bag!

The bag itself

First, let’s start with the actual bag. It comes in our two national colours, red and white, and is made of a translucent plastic. Together with its unique structured frame, this year’s goodie bag seems like a nod towards the future. Talk about futuristic vibes! Moreover, it can be carried 2 ways: as a bag pack or a shoulder bag. The bag also comes with a rain cover. Perfect for Singapore’s temperamental climate! Impressive!

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NDP merchandise, with a High-Tech twist!

Moving on to the National Day themed items. National flag, Singapore scarf, patriotic tattoos- check! The goodie bag committee has also thoughtfully included a foldable fan just in case you feel warm during the show. Besides the regulars, this year’s merchandise stars the LED wristband everyone’s been talking about!

The LED wristband flickers brightly in a kaleidoscopic array of colours. It is programmed to match the pumping music and movement of the performers due to its wireless connection. As a result, this high-tech twist allows the audience to be involved in the parade on a whole new level. Audiences simply have to wear it!

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This year’s NDP 2016 Goodie Bag features… a Comic Book?

Next, we move on to the printed materials. NDP 2016 Goodie Bag includes the ever-popular discount voucher booklet in addition to the programme booklet. You can stay informed of the parade’s highlights and find the lyrics to this year’s melodious theme song, “Tomorrow’s Here Today”!

Furthermore, there will be a comic book featuring the parade’s hero, Badang. The artful comic illustrates Badang’s journey and the origin of the Singapore Stone. It makes learning about Singapore’s history, fun especially for the little ones. A must-read, we say!

[caption id="attachment_11251" align="alignnone" width="4288"]Image Credit: Rebecca Ong Image Credit: Rebecca Ong[/caption]

There’s an… NDP trash bag too??

A trash bag seems like the strangest addition to the NDP 2016 Goodie Bag this year. Correction: an NDP themed trash bag! You can play your part in keeping the indoor stadium clean by putting all trash into this sizeable trash bag.

Also, a packet of tissue and wet wipes are included, so you can clean up any mess. Don’t forget the adorable card holder with its friendly reminder about striving for a sustainable Singapore!

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Makan time!

Finally, let’s have a look at the snacks in the goodie bag! It includes crowd pleasers like double-chocolate Hello Panda, the classic Keng Guan tidbits and Tai Sun peanuts. It won’t be an NDP goodie bag without a bottle of NeWater, just in case you get thirsty. Also, there is a packet of Nin Hom Herbal Candy to soothe tired throats. With these in your goodie bag, no sore throat is going to stop you from bellowing out cheers and songs!

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To end this article, we’d like to wish Singapore an advance Happy 51st Birthday. Majulah Singapura!

Also, read A Peek At NDP 2016 – Fireworks Both Indoors AND Outdoors!

A Peek At NDP 2016 – Fireworks Both Indoors AND Outdoors!

If we could describe NDP 2016 (National Day Parade 2016) in one word, it would be ‘spectacular’.

With a catchy theme, ‘Building Our Singapore Of Tomorrow‘, and set against the refreshing backdrop of Singapore Indoor Stadium, here are the reasons NDP 2016 will be the best one yet!

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NDP 2016 – The First NDP at Indoor Stadium

Singapore will celebrate her birthday in the newly-renovated Singapore Indoor Stadium for the first time. That’s right! Fret not about the hot sun and enjoy the show indoors while staying cool! In addition, the venue boasts a huge seating capacity of up to 12,000. You can also look forward to conveniently located restrooms.

[caption id="attachment_11130" align="alignnone" width="4288"]Image Credits: Chua Zhan Teng Image Credits: Chua Zhan Teng[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11133" align="alignnone" width="4288"]Image Credits: Benjamin Ong Image Credits: Benjamin Ong[/caption]

Jaw-dropping Light Shows

Next up, the dazzling light shows are undoubtedly the most impressive part of NDP 2016 itself. Be awed by the ingenious use of light effects throughout the parade. Keep a lookout for Act 3 and 4 when the stadium lights go off.

In fact, every spectator can be part of the performance simply by wearing the LED wristbands distributed in goodie bags! The LED wristbands pulsate with colours. It even syncs with the parade’s live music, light shows and body movements. Just imagine the stadium as the night sky, and your wristbands form part of the galaxy of twinkling stars!

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Our Prime Minister has remarked that “Singapore is like a unicorn. One of a kind, a special animal, no other in the world. It works well, (and) has unique solutions.” Indeed, NDP 2016 even stars a sparkling unicorn dancing gracefully above the audience.

Watch in awe as dancers and aerialists clad in kaleidoscopic LED costumes execute a perfectly synchronised performance. Our favourite segment was Act 5, where Singapore’s future cityscape took shape right before our eyes, made possible by 3D projections!

[caption id="attachment_11140" align="alignnone" width="4288"]Image Credits: Benjamin Ong Image Credits: Benjamin Ong[/caption]

Drawing Inspiration from the Past

NDP 2016 features the lesser-known story of Badang. In the act ‘Bandang and The Singapore Stone‘, impressive boulders are hurled across the stage together with artistic depictions of a tribe war.

Notably, Badang represents the strength and resilience of our nation in the face of hardships. The story is set in ancient times. Incorporating the Singapore Stone into a thrilling adventure, the story tells of true bravery in times of adversity.

In a truly engaging way, Singaporeans can learn more about this national treasure!

[caption id="attachment_11131" align="alignnone" width="4288"]Image Credits: Benjamin Ong Image Credits: Benjamin Ong[/caption]

We’re All in This Together

Do you know that this year’s parade features a performance put together by the special needs community? In the act “What A Wonderful World”, a beautiful mass display formation is inspired by creative paintings drawn by the special needs community.

You’ll even see members of the disabled society joining in the iridescent show on stage! Also, the audience will have a chance to sign together to songs like “Count On Me Singapore” and everyone’s favourite “Home”. This is to raise awareness for the deaf community.

We found it especially heartwarming to see the entire audience singing together with the performers on stage at NDP 2016. The effortless blend of engagement and emphasis on Singapore as an inclusive society will certainly impress audiences of all ages!

[caption id="attachment_11132" align="alignnone" width="4288"]Image Credits: Rebecca Ong Image Credits: Rebecca Ong[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11135" align="alignnone" width="4288"]Image Credits: Benjamin Ong Image Credits: Benjamin Ong[/caption]

To Top It All Off: Fireworks

Finally, as Singaporeans, one of our favourite parts of the national parade has to be the dazzling fireworks to end the night. Though the indoor stadium maintains a partially-closed roof during the spectacle, audience members can still catch a glimpse of the ‘night-time flowers’ comfortably from their seats.

In addition, NDP 2016 features indoor fireworks as well. We say yes to the best of both worlds: indoor AND outdoor fireworks!

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NDP 2016 – The Final Verdict

NDP 2016  is similar, yet extremely different from all the previous parades we’ve ever witnessed. That is, different in the best way possible. We feel that the parade does an excellent job of fostering Singaporean pride and creatively showcasing the bright future of our ever-developing country.

Therefore, you’ll be in for a treat at NDP 2016 for sure, and don’t forget to bring those cameras to capture the spectacular parade!

Also, read Comfort Food Always Wins! 7 Local Desserts That Steal Our Hearts