My most recent adventure found me in the midst of a culinary paradise – Singapore, which is considered by many to be the food capital of Asia. Its cuisine encompasses elements of Arab, Chinese, Indian, Korean, Malaysian and Japanese. Although a number of culinary experts claim that there is no such thing as Singaporean food, the fusion of immigrant cuisines, a fusion of Western and Asian cooking, has evolved into creating some of the tastiest dishes in the world.
During my brief stay, my main problem was not finding fine food but deciding on what to eat. So much culinary delights, so little time!
With the SARS scare still looming in the back of every traveler’s mind, my decision to go on this trip was more than justified. The Singapore government is to be commended for its efficiency and for imposing the strictest standards in ensuring that the country is 100 percent SARS-free.
Changi Airport is the world’s first airport to use infrared thermal scanners, which check all arriving and departing passengers, as well as airport staff. It is similar to walking through a metal detector; it hardly caused any disruption. I actually felt cool wearing an "I’m Cool!" sticker they give you once they clear you of any symptoms of SARS. With that one out of the way, I was ready to embark on a serious shopping spree.
And shop till I drop, I did, and not for the usual things. Everytime I go out of the country, I commit myself to shopping for the latest food concepts, restaurant trends, and hottest gourmet finds, just about anything new related to things you can chew, ingest and digest. And you can count Singapore to be on the forefront of just about anything hip and hot, be it in music, fashion or lifestyle.
It was a pleasure to find novel ways of presenting food. I was thrilled to come across crepes you can hold in your hand, because they were rolled like an ice cream cone. These delicious crepes-to-go come in bizarre yet addictive combinations, from banana-choco-cheese to smoked beef and cheese and tuna pizza. There’re crepes aplenty to choose from at a very low cost.
The sweet tooth in me also led me to Bread Talk, located along Orchard Road beside Marriott Hotel. What caught my eye was one uniquely presented bread variety that was custard filled. Of course, I gave it a two-thumbs up as soon as it entered my mouth. Scrumptious!
Spices pepper up most Singaporean dishes. Since I love spicy food and have grown a herb garden of my own, I just had to visit the Spice Garden, where I was assailed with the fragrances of the nutmeg tree, the dried bark of the cinnamon tree and other exotic herbs. I followed this with a visit to the Peranakan Showroom where one gets a glimpse of Singapore’s intricate handicrafts, a legacy handed down by Peranakan Chinese immigrants. It showcases red and gold lacquered furniture, such as cabinets, four-poster beds, treasure chests, colorful enameled porcelain and distinctive jewelry.
There’s a Chinatown lurking in just about every corner of the planet, and Singapore is no exception. You can expect the Chinese to hawk goods of every sort. An exciting discovery was a stall which sold bakery and cooking supplies. Lo and behold, in this gem of a store, I found must-have kitchen supplies and rare food finds which I normally shop for when in Europe or in the States, and at a bargain at that. It sells innovative cooking utensils that are practical, as well as a square-shaped ice cream scoop. This really made my day!
If Singapore is charming at day, just wait till darkness falls when the whole city really comes alive. I’ve had the pleasure of dining al fresco at the famous Clarke Quay courtesy of our host Henry Chia, a good friend and a classmate of my husband at the Asian Institute of Management, who also happens to be the general manager of Diners Club International in Singapore. Who else would be the best person to ask where best to dine in Singapore but him?
Dining by the famous Clarke Quay is indescribable. The whole place is just full of energy. A variety of nightly attractions, like local concerts and events, pumps up the scene, plus a colorful nighttime flea market where a colorful assortment of wares is on sale. There are dozens upon dozens of shops and eateries, catering to every whim and fancy.
That night we dined at Ban Seng Restaurant, located at 20 Upper Circular Rd., at the Riverwalk. The whole experience was incredible, to say the least.
My last day in Singapore found me at Arab Street, where I found another treasure trove of goodies. I was totally smitten with this beautiful European basket I spotted wherein I could store my breads or even use for food styling. I swore that I would not leave Singapore without it. Yet, I left the place frustrated and empty-handed because the Muslim vendor would not sell it to me at any cost, since it was not on sale yet. That was practically one of the lows of this trip. But I’ll come back for it one day. I’m absolutely obsessed with it.
If you are visiting Singapore with the kids, maybe you should try the Singapore duck tour. Although I never tried it myself, it seemed interesting to me.
A first in Asia, the duck is actually a half-truck, half boat, amphibious Vietnam war craft which will take you on an exciting splashing adventure (or should I say adven-tour?) around the city and harbor. It’s built for war, roars like a truck, swims like a boat, and it’s a popular attraction in Singapore.
Of course for the mall rat in you, just visit Suntec City Mall at Marina Bay. It is a shopper’s paradise and gourmet haven, as well. Your jaws will drop at the awesome sight of the famous Fountain of Wealth, which is the world’s largest fountain.
I recently read that we live one month longer for each new food that we try. Wow! That means I will probably live for a century, maybe more. That’s literally food for thought, isn’t it?
And so, till the next culinary adventure. This is Heny Sison saying enjoy life through good food!