SINGAPORE
Michelin-starred
Hawker Chan, Chinatown Complex Food Centre
S POTLIGHT HAWKER CENTRES
The lifeblood of Singapore’s culinary landscape, hawker centres are markets crammed with stalls selling an array of affordable dishes, attracting a steady stream of hungry customers throughout the day. Expect to find retirees gossiping over steaming mugs of coffee in the morning, office workers refueling with roast duck rice or bak chor mee (minced meat noodles) at lunchtime, and families tucking into a spread of cai png (rice with various meat and vegetable dishes) in the evening. Hawker culture is such an integral feature of Singaporean life, in fact, that it was added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2020. Maxwell Food Centre, in the Central Business District, is a perennial favourite among locals and
visitors alike. Brave the queues at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice for a stellar rendition of Singapore’s unofficial national dish (Anthony Bourdain was a big fan), or go for a belly-warming bowl of Cantonese-style fish soup from Jin Hua. A short walk away is Chinatown Complex Food Centre,
where you’ll find the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the world. At Hawker Chan, you can try chef Chan Hon Meng’s soy sauce chicken rice or noodles for a mere £2. Alternatively, head to the newly refurbished East
Coast Lagoon Food Village, in the east of Singapore. Order some smoky satay from Haron Satay, and stingray slathered in sambal (chilli paste) from Stingray Forever BBQ Seafood, before taking a stroll along the beach.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE Singapore Airlines flies from Heathrow and Manchester, while British Airways flies from Heathrow.
singaporeair.com
ba.com
WHERE TO STAY Doubles at Raffles Singapore start at S$989 (£529), room only.
raffles.com/ singapore
PERANAKAN FAVOURITES
National Kitchen by Violet Oon The doyenne of Peranakan food (a mix of Chinese, Malay, Javanese and other influences), Violet Oon serves classics like ayam buah keluak (chicken stew with mangrove tree nuts) in this space, at the National Gallery Singapore.
violetoon.com
Candlenut This Michelin-starred restaurant offers traditional Peranakan dishes made with premium produce. The beef rendang is made with Wagyu, while the kueh pie tee (filled, crispy pastry shells) is stuffed with Boston lobster.
comodempsey.sg/ restaurant/candlenut
Daisy’s Dream Kitchen For a more laid-back setting, this homely spot serves hearty, home-cooked favourites such as chap chye (mixed vegetable stew) and ngoh hiang (meat rolls wrapped in beancurd skin) at wallet-friendly prices.
daisysdreamkitchen.oddle.me
HOW TO DO IT Travelbag offers an 11-day tour of Singapore and Bali from £1,449, including flights and accommodation.
travelbag.co.uk
MORE INFO
visitsingapore.com
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NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.CO.UK/FOOD-TRAVEL
IMAGE: ALAMY
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