Page 108 - Our Hawker Stories

What makes a simple plate of kway teow more than
just a meal? In Singapore, the answer lies in hawker
culture—a tradition where food tells stories, connects
communities, and preserves heritage.

My family and I go to Kopitiam Square every Sunday to
have brunch. My favourite stall is the Sengkang Square
Oyster Omelette, where the hawkers are kind and
friendly. This makes it easier for someone shy like me to
order food alone. Their kway teow is one of my favourite
dishes and also one of their most popular.

What I love most about the kway teow is the bits of
chicken sausage and the burst of flavour with each
bite. One of the hawkers shared that when she lived in
Malaysia, kway teow was prepared differently, without
the sausage. She was surprised to see it included when
she came to Singapore.
“In every bite of smoky kway teow, I taste
When I asked about the recipe, the hawkers said it was
a secret recipe passed down through generations. They not just flavour, but love, history, and the
only revealed that it was made with lots of love and warmth of hawkers who keep our heritage
dedication. This touched me deeply. alive.”

Being a hawker is not easy. One of the young hawkers
said she has worked here for two years and enjoys Divyanka Shree Vidya Bai
serving her customers. Some elderly hawkers work to P6.3
stay active and social rather than staying home alone North Spring Primary School
watching television.

We must preserve hawker culture as it is a big part of
Singapore’s heritage. These smaller parts of Singapore
truly contribute a lot to its culture

104 Our Hawker Stories