Page 129 - Our Hawker Stories

Celebrating Our Singapore’s Hawker Culture

Hawker centres are more than just places to eat — they
are vibrant hubs of culture, community, and culinary
excellence that form an essential part of Singapore’s
national identity. Through this project, I embarked on an
enlightening journey to explore the significance and spirit
of our hawker culture, gaining a deeper appreciation for
what makes these bustling centres so special.

Singapore’s hawker centres stand as cultural, social, and
economic pillars of our nation. They preserve our rich
culinary heritage by offering a wide array of affordable
and delicious local dishes that reflect our multicultural
roots. Whether it’s chinese, malay, indian, or eurasian
cuisine, hawker centres showcase a harmonious blend
of flavours and traditions that have been passed down Our hawker centres are living testaments to Singapore’s
through generations. multiculturalism. Dishes like hainanese chicken rice,
malay nasi lemak, indian roti prata, and peranakan laksa
Beyond food, these spaces foster social interaction and represent centuries of culinary tradition. Over time, these
community bonding. Families, friends, and strangers have been enriched by modern fusion creations, adding
from all walks of life gather under one roof to enjoy their to the diversity while maintaining their cultural roots.
favourite meals, creating a shared dining experience like In recognition of their importance, Singapore’s hawker
no other. They also support livelihoods, giving hawkers culture was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List
the opportunity to sustain traditional recipes while of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020
adapting to modern tastes and expectations. — a proud moment for our nation.

To gain more perspectives, I spoke to some of my I also had the chance to meet several hawkers and learn
family and friends. My father shared that he enjoys their stories. Mr Raffi, a second-generation hawker with
visiting hawker centres to support local hawkers, and he another stall at Newton Food Centre, is determined to
appreciates that everyone in the family can choose their preserve his family’s traditional recipes and cooking
favourite dishes. My sister highlighted the wide variety style. Mr Morrigan, who sells prata, created a unique
of food available, especially her love for hainanese fried prata recipe that has become popular with his
chicken rice. My friend Milan mentioned how much customers. Auntie Jenny follows a recipe handed down
he enjoys the hustle and bustle of hawker centres and by her boss, and Mr Teo continues his hawker journey
how friendly the vendors are. He loves the variety too to make an honest living until he retires. Uncle Jack and
— from mixed rice and roti prata to healthier options — Uncle Tim, who serve my favourite chicken rice, shared
there’s truly something for everyone. that they use a secret ingredient — though they refused
to reveal what it is!

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