Page 15 - Our Hawker Stories

My Favourite Hawker Centre

Tampines Hub Hawker Centre is one of my favourite
places to eat in the East of Singapore. It is located a short
walk from the Tampines Interchange. It is always buzzing
with activities, especially at lunch and dinner times.
What I love most about this hawker centre is the wide
variety of delicious yet affordable local food all centred
in one place.

From classic local dishes like Hokkien mee, chicken rice
and mee goreng to recent trending dishes like mala pots,
Japanese curry rice and even black sesame pancakes.
There is always something for everyone!

One of my favourite go-to stalls is the Nasi Lemak stall,
where the fragrant green rice is cooked with coconut milk
and pandan leaves and paired with crispy fried chicken
wings, fried egg, a slice of cucumber, and peanuts.
chatting over their meals. It is also a clean and hygienic
There is a folklore behind the Nasi Lemak rice. Nasi environment with lots of seating and super big ceiling
Lemak stayed in a village with her daughter, Seri. One fans, making the hawker centre airy. This makes the
day, Seri accidentally spilt some coconut milk in a boiling centre an excellent spot for people from all walks of life
pot of rice, and her mother asked Seri what the fragrant to eat here, both in the rain and in the sunshine.
smell was. “Nasi le, mak!” (rice, mother!) And that is
how the rice got its name - Nasi Lemak. Tampines Hub Hawker Centre is not just a place to eat
food but a place to bring together well-loved local food
Last Sunday, I went to Tampines Hub Hawker Centre under one roof, where families, friends and neighbours
with my family. When we reached the hawker centre, I gather. It is a reflection of Singapore’s multicultural
could already smell the delicious food aroma in the air. food scene and community spirit. Every visit reminds
I have ordered my all-time favourite Nasi Lemak rice set me why our local hawker centre is so special and worth
coupled with bubble tea from the drink stall! My mother preserving as part of Singaporean culture.
bought laksa, which is her favourite spicy noodles in
coconut milk soup. She even ordered an additional “Tampines Hub Hawker Centre isn’t just for food
serving of cockles in her laksa! My young brother
ordered western food - mac and cheese with nuggets. — it’s where stories, flavours, and families come
We also shared some satay, which are meat sticks grilled together under one roof.”
over fire. The accompanying peanut sauce was sweet
and spicy - just the way I like it! Seow Kai Tong
P4 Steadfastness
The ambience at the hawker centre is lively with Chongzheng Primary School
sounds of sizzling woks, clinking of cutlery and people

Our Hawker Stories 11