Food in Singapore

5/25/2006

OK. Singapore sucks as a tourist destination. Sorry Dale, I should've told you this before you left. There's pretty much nothing to see that's natural - most of the tourist sites are man-made and relatively nondescript - present in virtually every large city (maybe that's the marvel?).

But that said, the food is something else entirely. I got bored of the food in Japan after a week. In Singapore though, the fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indian food make for something really special. My sister and I were pondering why the food was so special in Singapore. Maybe it's just the fact that we grew up eating it - so it's "comfort food"... Anyway - I made a list of the food I had when I was back. A good list to try if you're in Singapore. I did get most of it at the Penang Buffet at the Copthorne King's Hotel

• Chee Kueh
• Laksa
• Roti Prata
• Soup Kambing
  
• Popiah
• Otah
• Satay
  
• Prawn Noodles (Beach Road)
  
• Hokkien Mee
• Chow Kway Teow
• Chicken Rice
• Nonya Kueh
• (little desserts)

I also had Durian while I was home. Supposedly the "King of Fruit", although his highness does have a rather pungent aroma that puts off many visitors. It's a shame really, because once you get past the smell, the fruit is delicious - the consistency of creamy custard. I remember we used to buy these and eat them right at the roadside stalls, so as not to stink up the family car. For some reason, we would drink salty water from the shell - I think because durian was a "heaty" fruit and the salty water had some "cooling" effects. This time back though, we were able to get these from the local supermarket - vacuum sealed. It just wasnt' the same.