We’re exploring Singaporean food…again! Yes, we’re returning to Singapore and will check out new spots!
My gratitude extends to Renz Alcantara, my associate writer, who gamely catched foodie assignments in my absence. I hope she enjoys the dinner at Boun Giorno in Rockwell Land and the upcoming San Miguel party. Wait for her awesome articles on that!
Back to Singaporean food, here’s a teaser:
- Wild Rocket
- Marina Bay Sands’ Ku De Ta (has nothing to do with any mutiny)
- Rasapura Masters
- Baits Restaurant
- Lantern (at Fullerton Bay Hotel)
- Jumbo Seafood Restaurant (at East Coast Seafood Centre)
Add to that the Singapore Food Trail. It’s one of Singapore’s newest major foodie spot right beside the Singapore Flyer which was previously just an empty parking lot. 🙂
Hainanese Chicken Rice @ Singapore Food Month
And with these, I declare April a Singapore Food Month @ NomNomClub.com. 🙂 Watch out for the posts soon!
First, I’m currently not in Singapore; but I would like to consider yesterday’s lunch as a symbolic one in appreciation of this year’s Singapore Food Festival (SFF). 🙂
Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board invited a group of bloggers including food blog NomNomClub.com for a feast of Singaporean signature dishes at the Heritage Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
In order, we had Singapore Slaw, Nyonya Meatball Soup (Bawan Kepeting), Singpore Laksa and Mee Goreng, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Sago Gula Melaka with Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert.
Singapore Slaw
The Singapore Slaw served as the meal appetizer and was constituted by layers of green cabbage, julienned jicama, and strips of onion, carrot and cucumber, among others. The dressing gave hints of sesame oil and vinegar topped by sesame seeds.
It was crunchy and rich in texture with a sauce made just right well-fitting for a starter.
Nyonya Meatball Soup / Bawan Kepeting / Bawan Kepiting
The Nyonya Meatball Soup, also referred to as Bawan Kepeting/Kepiting, was a simple traditional meatball soup mixed with shredded bamboo shoots.
Allow me defer my spicy adventure with the Singpore Laksa and Mee Goreng in a next week’s post. 🙂
And of course, the star of Singaporean Chinese Food – the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Your trip to Singapore is never complete without having at least one serving of Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Singapore Original: Hainanese Chicken Rice
The chicken meat was tender and good as expected although I found the rice quite different from the ones I usually have in Singapore. While variants in rice preparation can include “oily rice,” or with coconut milk, or with pandan leaves, the one we had was like the local ‘sinangag‘ (re-cooked rice). It was ok though. 🙂
It was accompanied by three side sauces of which I can’t remember the second (I’m thinking if it’s chili but it’s not!). The other two were soy sauce and pounded ginger.
Sago Gula Melaka with Vanilla Ice Cream
To cap our Singaporean lunch, we had the Sago Gula Melaka with vanilla ice cream for dessert. “Gula Melaka” means ‘palm sugar’. This dessert is basically sweetened small tapioca with ice cream on top.
And since I love almost anything with ice cream (although I hoped for an Ice Kachang), needless to say, this one’s good as well. 🙂
Singapore Food Festival 2010
So if you’re on your way to Singapore or is planning to be there anytime soon, prepare for a mouth-watering experience of culinary cultures as you get immersed in a myriad of Singapore Chinese dishes in this year’s Singapore Food Festival 2010.
Tracing its roots as far back as 1994, the Singapore Food Festiva focuses on local food culture and heritage which is a diverse mix of oriental, Indian, and Middle Eastern dishes to the gastronomic delight of participants, foreigners, and visitors alike.
The annual event is not only about ‘nomnoming‘ (eating), there are also culinary workshops, themed celebrations, and competitions.
Schedule Highlights of Singapore Food Festival for your guidance:
- July 16-24 – Clarke Quay Food Street (Clarke Quay Rear Bridge)
- July 25 – Singapore Chinese Dialect Heritage Feast (Clarke Quay Rear Bridge)
- July 16-25 – Singapore Chinese Dialect Tingkat Cruise (Merlion Park)
- July 16-25 – Singapore Chinese Dialect Street Snacks (Central River Promenade, Merlion Park, Clifford Square)
- plus Makansutra SFF Culinary Master Classes
Singapore Food Festival
Missing Something?
I know, I know, you might be wondering where Bak Kut Teh, Chili Crab, and Satay are…maybe we’ll have a Singapore Food Festival 2010 ‘closing‘ lunch a few weeks from now, who knows? (*wink). 🙂