Page 125 - Our Hawker Stories

The Goreng Pisang That Feels Like Home

Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre holds a cherished
spot in my grandmother’s heart. Overflowing with warm
memories, this humble food hub is more than just a
place to eat—it is a treasure trove of laughter, love, and
togetherness.

Before visiting her mother, my grandmother would often
bring her three daughters here for lunch. She loved the
convenience of its location beside the bus interchange,
and the affordability and deliciousness of the food made
it a regular family stop. She would buy her daughters
their favourite dishes — fishball noodles, chicken rice,
and carrot cake — followed by local desserts and a
special treat: crispy fried bananas known as goreng
pisang.

She often reminisces about how hawker centres have
changed over the years. In the past, hygiene standards of our culinary traditions. Yet, this culture faces an
were poor, and food options were limited. Today, uncertain future. Fewer young people are stepping into
hawker centres are much cleaner and offer a wide array the trade, deterred by long hours and modest earnings.
of food choices. This transformation reflects the growth As veteran hawkers retire, we risk losing not just their
of hawker culture, which has always been at the heart craft, but a part of who we are.
of Singapore — a vibrant blend of food, community, and
heritage. Preserving hawker culture is about more than just
safeguarding recipes. It is about honouring the past,
More than just food courts, hawker centres are enriching the present, and ensuring a flavourful future
communal spaces where people of all backgrounds for generations to come.
gather to share meals and create memories. Each dish
served tells a story of Singapore’s multicultural identity, For my grandmother, the hawker centre was a cherished
passed down through generations of chinese, malay, meeting place. Before heading to her mother’s house,
indian, and other influences. In every bite, we celebrate she would bring her children there to enjoy a hearty
our diversity and shared heritage. meal, filling both their bellies and their hearts. Among
the many delights, one snack stood out — Goreng
At the heart of these food havens are the hawkers Pisang, a golden, crispy banana fritter from a stall that
themselves — passionate individuals who preserve age- has been serving customers since the 1970s.
old recipes with skill and heart. They are the guardians

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