Just skimming through these recipes reminds me of the last time I was in this gorgeous city-state, the happiest place on earth (screw Walt Disney). It tugs on my collar with both hands (not to mention my wallet), pulling me back to my old biz-ops base at The Westin, a mere stumble from The Raffles. Upstairs, all those fragrant foods’ smells would dissipate 58 stories below my suite, where I could finally get that night’s fish-head curry off my hands and out from under my fingernails and maybe walk into a nice bar and procure myself a friendly foot massage from someone who was just a nice person, not a body parts hawker. I love Singapore. When people ask where to go on vacation, I send them to Singapore. People ask me where to honeymoon. Sentosa Island. I seriously should work for the Ministry of Tourism. I even put William Safire in his place once, in a public forum, the nasty grouch. He never had a good word to say about Singapore. Probably never even seen the place.
Hey Warren! Yes, tourism board should employ you. Were you in Singapore more than 10 years ago? The Westin’s changed hands and Singapore’s even more expensive!?! But the food is still pretty awesome. I hope you got to see the other parts of real Singapore other than the central city. Noisy markets and hawker centres are our soul, contrary to what the tourism board would have you believe. When are you coming back?
I visited your little paradise three times between 1991 & 1996, during which time I was an international shipping exec and senior intl correspondent for an industry journal.
I watched the OJ Simpson slow white Bronco chase at a friend’s office in Singapore. I got to attend the only rock concert in my life where NO ONE got high – a Phil Collins concert. (I’ve since learned no one EVER gets high at rock concerts in Singapore.) This is kinda fun to write 20 years later from Washington, where I’m a medical marijuana patient, and it’s 2:30 in the morning. 😀 Seriously, even my cat just laughed.
I once shook your PM’s hand at a Father’s Day event that was open to everyone! It was touching. I’d worked for Clinton in 1992 and the difference in layers of security were amazing, and that’s when it really hit me. You’ve got your limitations, and if you can live with them, you’re otherwise pretty much free as a bird.
Unless you crap on a street sign.
I got to see a lot of authentic stuff that I’ve heard no longer exists now; huge open-air tent with over 50 big round tables, a dozen huge fish tanks, and two hungry local cats for each table, who would be your new best friend for a shrimp or two, and would even chatter with you.
I got to see the little marina area where all the insanely expensive restaurants are. Also visited a couple of residential neighborhoods and was less impressed with public housing, I guess you’d call it, than I’d expected; but mindful of the size, population density, and public services, it beat the hell out of Brooklyn.
I loved the specifically ethnic areas! Those were my favorite parts of town. Where else am I going to find good banana leaf fish head curry and get yelled at by the waiter? Where else to get chicken rice, where chicken tastes like chicken should? And where else to get good lamb kebabs? The hawker stalls were great for fried baby octopus and other great stuff I haven’t eaten in 20 years.
Do you know how badly my phone wanted to change hawker stalls to hooker stalls? I hate Samsung.
The blog I listed is my – ahem- on vacation Asia travels blog. I need to go muse-hunting (that’s a very borderline relatable Sarah Palin joke).
I’m glad I heard about your blog on one of Singapore’s local media outlets. I live in Melbourne and am always looking for ways to recreate the dishes of my childhood and homeland, Singapore. Love your take on them and will be trying some out soon.
Monsoon Table 
Just skimming through these recipes reminds me of the last time I was in this gorgeous city-state, the happiest place on earth (screw Walt Disney). It tugs on my collar with both hands (not to mention my wallet), pulling me back to my old biz-ops base at The Westin, a mere stumble from The Raffles. Upstairs, all those fragrant foods’ smells would dissipate 58 stories below my suite, where I could finally get that night’s fish-head curry off my hands and out from under my fingernails and maybe walk into a nice bar and procure myself a friendly foot massage from someone who was just a nice person, not a body parts hawker. I love Singapore. When people ask where to go on vacation, I send them to Singapore. People ask me where to honeymoon. Sentosa Island. I seriously should work for the Ministry of Tourism. I even put William Safire in his place once, in a public forum, the nasty grouch. He never had a good word to say about Singapore. Probably never even seen the place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Warren! Yes, tourism board should employ you. Were you in Singapore more than 10 years ago? The Westin’s changed hands and Singapore’s even more expensive!?! But the food is still pretty awesome. I hope you got to see the other parts of real Singapore other than the central city. Noisy markets and hawker centres are our soul, contrary to what the tourism board would have you believe. When are you coming back?
LikeLike
I visited your little paradise three times between 1991 & 1996, during which time I was an international shipping exec and senior intl correspondent for an industry journal.
I watched the OJ Simpson slow white Bronco chase at a friend’s office in Singapore. I got to attend the only rock concert in my life where NO ONE got high – a Phil Collins concert. (I’ve since learned no one EVER gets high at rock concerts in Singapore.) This is kinda fun to write 20 years later from Washington, where I’m a medical marijuana patient, and it’s 2:30 in the morning. 😀 Seriously, even my cat just laughed.
I once shook your PM’s hand at a Father’s Day event that was open to everyone! It was touching. I’d worked for Clinton in 1992 and the difference in layers of security were amazing, and that’s when it really hit me. You’ve got your limitations, and if you can live with them, you’re otherwise pretty much free as a bird.
Unless you crap on a street sign.
I got to see a lot of authentic stuff that I’ve heard no longer exists now; huge open-air tent with over 50 big round tables, a dozen huge fish tanks, and two hungry local cats for each table, who would be your new best friend for a shrimp or two, and would even chatter with you.
I got to see the little marina area where all the insanely expensive restaurants are. Also visited a couple of residential neighborhoods and was less impressed with public housing, I guess you’d call it, than I’d expected; but mindful of the size, population density, and public services, it beat the hell out of Brooklyn.
I loved the specifically ethnic areas! Those were my favorite parts of town. Where else am I going to find good banana leaf fish head curry and get yelled at by the waiter? Where else to get chicken rice, where chicken tastes like chicken should? And where else to get good lamb kebabs? The hawker stalls were great for fried baby octopus and other great stuff I haven’t eaten in 20 years.
Do you know how badly my phone wanted to change hawker stalls to hooker stalls? I hate Samsung.
The blog I listed is my – ahem- on vacation Asia travels blog. I need to go muse-hunting (that’s a very borderline relatable Sarah Palin joke).
LikeLike
So glad WordPress.com News featured your blog. I’ll be stopping by regularly for inspiration and have subscribed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 so glad you’re stopping by. cheers!
LikeLike
Thank you Cathryn! So glad you stopped by and looking forward to having you here 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, you certainly deserve the honor, Vasun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Warren! cheers!
LikeLike
I’m glad I heard about your blog on one of Singapore’s local media outlets. I live in Melbourne and am always looking for ways to recreate the dishes of my childhood and homeland, Singapore. Love your take on them and will be trying some out soon.
LikeLike
Lovely to hear from you! I can understand your longing for flavours that remind you of your childhood and homeland.
LikeLike