Page 77 - Our Hawker Stories

Have you ever been to a hawker centre?

Hawker centres are melting pots of tastes and aromas.
People from all walks of life come to savour their meals
here. Hawkers offer a full spectrum of cuisines: rojak,
ice kachang, fried rice, prata, and many other delights. I
ensure customers get their share of Singaporean dishes
to feast on with family and friends.

I am Mr Ismail. I sell a delectable array of dishes at my
stall, Al-Falah, in Kopitiam Rivervale Plaza. The life of a
hawker has many ups and downs. Being a hawker gives
me immense satisfaction in providing delicious and
affordable food for the community. However, finding
helpers and successors is back-breaking and challenging,
as the younger generation is generally not attracted to Sometimes, I worry about the future of hawkers. The
work in hawker centres. younger generation is becoming less and less inclined to
become hawkers. Most of them are attracted to other
For me, the day starts as early as 3 or 4 am in the morning. higher-paying jobs that require less manual labour. If
I always ensure that my food is cooked on the spot and such a vibrant culture and identity disappear, Singapore
served fresh from the stall when my customers order. will sustain a considerable loss. Whatever happens
I cut fresh fruits and vegetables to get ready for the tomorrow, I hope Singapore’s hawker culture does not
breakfast crowd. To me, Singapore is like a plate of rojak fade into oblivion.
– many different cultures mixing to create a delightful
environment and a delicious dish that is palatable to I turned around to look at my stall before stepping out
many. At 7 am, lines start snaking from the stalls, as of the place.
hawkers try to win the most customers with eye-catching
signs and mouth-watering food displays. Everything is a Tomorrow will be another day.
blur. I pour tangy refreshments into cups, spoon curry
rice onto plates, and mix up flavourful salads as swiftly
as possible. For me, every second wasted is a customer “Like a plate of rojak, our hawker culture
lost. The hands of the clock spin clockwise in the blink of blends every flavour of Singapore — and it’s
an eye, and the sky darkens. It is 10 pm – time to close
the stall. up to us to keep this delicious legacy alive.”

As I pack up the leftovers, I wave goodnight to the hawkers Krisha Pillai
as they leave one by one. Most of them are old and frail. P5.1
North Spring Primary School

Our Hawker Stories 73