Page 98 - Our Hawker Stories

My new classmate, Ke Han, has never experienced the
quirky habits of Singaporeans at a hawker centre before;
he just flew in from China. Join me on this culinary
journey!

After school, Ke Han and I headed to Fernvale Hawker
Centre and Market. Whenever my friends and I enjoy
mouthwatering meals, our hearts and stomachs feel
full. Despite the oily floors and the booming voices of
hawkers shouting out orders, the food is to die for.

“Chance, can we find something to eat now? I’m
famished!” Ke Han exclaimed.

I swiftly nodded and asked him what he was craving.
I reassured him that all the food available was just as Once I went up to Ke Han, the hawker instantly knew my
delectable as I had promised. It was like they were using order and shouted, “one chicken rice for the handsome
culinary magic to make the food. We Singaporeans are Ah Boy!”
spoilt for choice and have it better than others, but we
continue to complain, and I am clueless as to why! “Two, actually. This is my new friend Ke Han.” I responded
with a sheepish smile.
My go-to order is usually chicken rice because, as a
wise man once said,”chicken rice is life!” There is not a In a flash, he prepared for us our fit-for-king, scrumptious
hawker stall in Singapore that does not sell chicken rice. dishes. The second we took a bite, we were in heaven.
In my humble opinion, I prefer the roasted chicken to
the steamed chicken rice. The crisp chicken skin pairs so I fervently believe hawkers are torchbearers of tradition.
nicely with the succulent chicken meat.

When Ke Han ordered his chicken rice, he tried his best “Hawker centres are where new friendships
to speak English, but when he did, the hawker looked form and traditions are passed on — one
at him quizzically, trying to decipher his words. I almost
died trying to hold back my laughter as Ke Han pondered plate at a time.”
why the hawker looked at him that way. After all, he was
a foreigner that has not learnt the speech of a true-blue
Singaporean. Ker Xun Rong Chance
P6.2
North Spring Primary School

94 Our Hawker Stories