Page 118 - Our Hawker Stories

I am a food enthusiast in Singapore, and I am here to
review Maxwell Hawker Centre’s Hainanese Chicken
Rice.

The moment I stepped into the hawker centre, the
delicious, fragrant smell of local cuisine wafted into my
nostrils. However, I was focused on the purpose of what
I was here for: chicken rice. As soon as I found a seat,
I dashed over to the chicken rice store and placed my
order. Before I got my food, I interviewed the elderly
stall owner about why he decided to work this job and
what it is like on a daily basis.

“Well, my family started this business a long time ago,
and I had a strong passion for cooking,” he responded,
“As soon as my father found out about this, he taught
me how to cook the chicken rice, and to keep the story
short, I ended up owning the stall.
So, is Maxwell Hawker Centre Chicken Rice worth
“How is it like daily?” I added. “It’s alright. However, the cost and time to drive 17 kilometres from my
sometimes, I met mean, impatient customers,” the stall house? It is not only cheap and affordable but also
owner quickly responded. “To deal with them, I just try “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” From this visit, I
my best to ignore their mean remarks and rude attitudes also realised the purpose of hawker centres. They are
and carry on with the orders.” As soon as he finished, essential for Singapore’s national identity and culture, as
I thanked him for his time and bid farewell before we can eat local cuisine for a highly affordable price.
returning to my seat.

Not long after I took a seat, the chicken rice arrived. I “One bite of that tender chicken rice reminded
put a spoonful of rice along with some chilli sauce, the me why hawker centres are so special —
scrumptious, flavourful taste filled my mouth. The meat they’re where passion, heritage, and delicious
was extremely tender, the chilli sauce was not too spicy
nor too bland, and the rice was equally coated with memories come together.”
chicken fat, giving a consistent taste across my taste
buds. Tan Hao Yu
P5.2
North Spring Primary School

114 Our Hawker Stories