Cuisine of Singapore

The cuisine of Singapore indicates the ethnic diversity of its culture. The food is influenced by the native Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, Indian and Western traditions. Food is viewed as central to Singapore's national identity and a unifying cultural thread; Singaporean travel literature declares eating as a national pastime and food, a national obsession. Food is a frequent topic of conversation among Singaporeans and tourists. Food in itself has been promoted as an attraction alongside its shopping. The government organizes the Singapore Food Festival every July to celebrate Singapore's cuisine, which is coming up soon so expect more information and pictures in regards to the abundant Singapore cuisine!

The multiculturalism of local food, the ready availability of international cuisine and styles, and their wide range in prices fitting all budgets at all times of the day and year helps create a "food paradise". Singapore's geographical position connects it to major air and sea transport routes and thus allows it to import a variety of food ingredients from around the world!

In Singaporean restaurants and food centers chefs of various backgrounds and origins experiment with different styles and ingredients and create new fascinating dishes. This phenomenon makes the cuisine of Singapore a cultural attraction! Most prepared food bought outside is eaten at hawker centers or food courts rather than at actual restaurants. These hawker centers are abundant and cheap, encouraging a large consumer base.

The quality of food does not differ significantly between restaurants and hawker centers, only the serving conditions really. The food courts are outside-based, you can get food instantly and you consume your meal at the simple plastic table/chairs layout; they can be found in any location in Singapore. Restaurants, on the other hand, are located in more expensive areas of town; offer more attractive looking menus and more appealing air-conditioned interiors. And just to give you an idea of the difference in the cost of dining in those, the average meal in a restaurant is about $12-20 Singapore Dollars (SGD) whereas in the hawker centre it is usually $2-4 SGD…

(Footnote: today’s conversion rate is 1 SGD = 0.58 Euros)

I have tried some of the local dishes in restaurants and casual hawker centers and I must admit that the variety of styles is countless! From sweet to spicy, cold to warm, raw to cooked or fried, seasoned to plain… Even noodles or rice dishes have different taste; depending on which food court or restaurants they were served in. I like trying and sampling foods in here; I just hope the discovery and research part of it will not affect my weigh scale!

More info on: http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/dining/cuisines-of-singapore.html