Page 30 - Our Hawker Stories

During my recent visit and stay in Singapore, the most
unforgettable place I visited was the hawker centre.
These open-air food centres are a cornerstone of
Singapore culture, offering fantastic food and a wide array
of delicious dishes from different ethnic backgrounds.
The moment I stepped into the bustling hawker centre,
I was greeted by the aroma of spices, sizzling woks, and
freshly cooked meals. The hawker centre was buzzing
with friendly chatter and the rhythmic sound of chefs
preparing food at lightning speed.

When I was searching for my seat, I saw a lot of people
using tissue packets to reserve the table and seat. When
this happens, it means that somebody has already taken
the seat! After exploring the rows of food stalls, I decided
to try one of Singapore’s most famous dishes – chicken This experience showed me that some of the best meals
rice. The stall had a long queue, which was a good sign. do not come from expensive restaurants, but from
I could see the chef expertly chopping the roasted humble places filled with passion and tradition. I left
chicken. I was amazed that the chef could remember all the hawker centre full and deeply satisfied. I am already
the orders from many customers without writing them planning what to eat on my next visit!
down.

Finally, it was my turn. “Can I have one chicken rice,
please?” He replied to me with a smile, “Yes, sir!” The “Some of the best meals don’t come from
way he said it made my day. The chef started chopping fancy restaurants — they come from hawker
the chicken, arranging it on the plate nicely, beside some centres, where every dish is made with
cucumber slices, and a small bowl of hot soup. The dish passion and pride.”
looked simple, but it was a masterpiece. The chicken was
tender and juicy, and the rice, which had been cooked in
chicken broth with ginger, was incredibly fragrant and Noreepaet Khathathep (Cayden Zhen)
flavourful on its own. The meal came with two dipping P5.4
sauces - a garlic chilli sauce that added a spicy kick and North Spring Primary School
dark soy sauce that brought a deep umami taste to the
flavour.

26 Our Hawker Stories