Fah Thai Magazine Sep-Oct 2018

ARTISANAL EATS
Above
Old-school method of
packing tea by hand
at Pek Sin Choon Tea
Shop in Chinatown.
A variety of
hand-made steam
dumplings at Jalan
Kukoh Food Centre.
Below
Mr. Peh Ching Her,
a fourth generation
owner of Pek Sin
Choon Tea Shop in
Chinatown.
stalls. “They are a breath of fresh
air in our ecological food system.
While many of them are trying
to perpetuate the old-school
eats of Singapore, many of them
(the food entrepreneurs) develop
something entirely new, that
somehow maintain crucial links to
the past.”
Our four days in Singapore
confirmed the fact that the city
is exorbitantly pricey. Museums
here do not offer a ‘free day’ of
the week, and admission can cost
up to S$26 per adult. Taking a
taxi can produce a real sweat,
especially if you are hurrying into
the city centre while their smart
road-congestion managing system
or ERP (Electronic Road Pricing)
ticking up the metre for the final
cost. But when it comes to food,
we are pretty impressed. There are
a lot of great and delicious foods at
amazing values. And we are talking
about real artisanal and hearty fare
that is available to everyone.
The curry puff as a snack well
represents Singapore with a mixture
of Malay and Chinese characteristics.
Spices came from its trading
background, when its fragrant
migration dominated its maritime
ports. At Wang Wang Crispy Curry
Puff stall at the Old Airport Hawker
Center - perhaps the oldest part
of Singapore - the puff pastry gets
rolled by hand, stuffed with fillings
and then speedily crimped before
being deep-fried. The crispy, flaky
and very yummy treat will cost you
just about S$1.20.
But if you are up for more,
like chunkier pieces of chicken
and potatoes, or creamy custard
and luscious durian puffs, head
to the air-conditioned Soon Soon
Huat on East Coast Road in Katong
area. A daughter now continues
her grandmother’s recipes with
a modern flair. A coffee or tea set
with a signature handmade puff
will cost you just S$2.60.
The obsession with handmade
edibles continues with many things
Above
Deep fried sesame balls at one of the
hawker centres in Singapore.
Below
Singapore old-school tarts in local
varieties and shapes.
Above
Curry puffs are like smaller pies filled
with the goodness of a curry or other
filling variation.
Below
Assorted old-school baked goodies at the
Chinatown Tai Chong Kok Confectionery
(Hue Kee) in Alexandra Village.
There are a lot of great and
delicious foods at amazing
values. And we are talking
about real artisanal and
hearty fare that is available
to everyone.
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