Page 17 - Our Hawker Stories

Before I drifted off to sleep at night, I remembered what a
truly wonderful day I had today. My family and I decided
to have dinner at the One Punggol Hawker Centre. As
we drove there, I thought about all the tantalising and
flavourful food we could eat. After we parked our car
in the car park, we made our way to the hawker centre.
The hawker centre was buzzing with activity, a hum of
culinary delights. The aroma of the food drew us into the
hawker centre like a magnet.
To save time and satisfy our growing hunger, we decided
that Father and I would buy our food while Mother and
my little brother would find a table for us. Father and
I looked around the stalls. A few of them caught my
attention. One was selling fragrant Hainanese chicken “This noodle soup reminds me of my grandmother’s
rice with roasted and steamed chicken, served with cooking. It is absolutely delicious!” I sighed with
fluffy rice and tangy chilli sauce. Another had a Chinese satisfaction after finishing my food. Mother, who was still
middle-aged-looking uncle frying pieces of crispy fried eagerly eating, nodded her head in agreement, and my
carrot cake on a wide, hot pan as it turned golden brother’s face was beaming with delight. Father joined
brown. Nearby, an Indian uncle was skillfully flipping in enthusiastically, saying, “Yes, this is definitely one of
roti prata, stretching and spinning the dough in the air the best noodles I have ever tasted! This dish tastes so
before slapping it down onto the hot pan. From sweet good, I am craving more!”
to spicy, light to rich, there were endless food choices. Once we finished our meal, we treated ourselves to
Finally, Father and I walked past a bustling fish noodle some cold, refreshing sugarcane and coconut juice, just
stall that was clearly popular. The crowd spoke for itself. what we needed after a hearty dinner. After enjoying
A long queue snaked out from the noodle stall, passing our drinks, we cleaned up after ourselves and returned
people happily enjoying their food. People in the line the trays with empty bowls to the return shelves. Then,
were eagerly waiting, their eyes fixed on the steaming we made our way home, feeling happy and full.
bowls being served. I tugged at Father’s sleeve, asking,
“ Father, the fried fish noodles soup from that stall looks I really enjoy eating at the hawker centre. Even though
good. Can we buy our food from there?” Father nodded it can be crowded and noisy, and the queues are really
his head, smiling, and we both headed towards the long at times, the vibrant atmosphere and scrumptious
noodles stall to join the queue. food make it all worthwhile. I love the delicious food
that shows off Singapore’s unique food culture. Eating
A while later, Father and I were carefully navigating our at the hawker was a time of joy and a meaningful time
way through the bustling crowd, back to the table where spent together with my family.
Mother and my little brother had “choped”, carrying
bowls of steaming hot clear soup with springy noodles I look forward to visiting the hawker centre with my
and crispy pieces of fried fish. As we set the food down family again.
on the table, I couldn’t help but let my mouth water.
The aroma of appetising food made my stomach growl “Even with the crowd and noise, the hawker
louder with hunger. Mother’s eyes widened, her lips
slightly parted as she inhaled the fragrant steam rising centre is where food, fun, and family come
from the hot soup, and my little brother squealed in together — and every bite feels like home.”
excitement. My parents, brother and I immediately
tucked into our food. As I chewed, the flavourful taste of Zoey Zhang Le Qi
the noodles and vegetables filled my mouth. I drank the P3 Emerald
soup, and it tasted absolutely rich and divine. I looked up
at my parents to see their reactions. By looking at their Punggol Cove Primary School
animated gestures and expressions, I knew they loved
it too.
Our Hawker Stories 13