So I 'recently' just came back from a trip to Singapore and I felt somewhat inspired to do a quick little post for all the places/food my sis and I make to sure to go/eat when I make that yearly visit back. Also, this feels pretty timely since one of 'founding fathers' Mr Lee Kuan Yew recently passed away. So this post is partly in honour of him.

Note: everyone has different tastes and interests. This is just what we like to do when we're back! And also, some images with a date in the corner are from a trip we took back in 2010 (we were on a food rampage!!).

PLACES TO GO

Image from Ambot-ah

For cheap touristy knick-knacks:
CHINATOWN!!
So when you come out of the train station you will see a whole street full of shops on either side. There are just so many touristy souvenir things like merlion statues (lion and fish symbol thing of Singapore), decorated coasters, bags, magnets, jewellery and many other miscellaneous things around. And they're all usually 3 for $10 or 2 for $5. Something affordable like that. Personally we like to spend pretty much half a day here (noon to late afternoon) as we'll go from shop to shop just buying stuff to our heart's delight. And because there are so many shops with very similar items, don't fret if you can't find something you like in one store. 3 other stores will probably have it too in 5 more designs.




Most touristy organisations would probably want you to go to Sentosa, which is a reclaimed (i.e. man-made) island at the southern most tip of Singapore. If you're from Australia, you definitely better off just skipping this, cause Sentosa's beaches are reaaaaaally average. I'm not too sure about the beaches in other countries but I also wouldn't really recommend going, unless it's for the Siloso Beach Party thing at New Year's which is really renowned apparently. Obviously I've never been to it. But yeah, apart for some really boring beaches, there's nothing much to do there without paying $$$. So skip it! (Well there is a huge statue of the merlion, which is great for pictures and stuff, but there is a much nicer though considerably smaller version at Marina Bay).



Image from e2 Singapore

For touristy pictures/famous landmarks: This brings me to my next recommended spot! Marina Bay! It's pretty much right in the heart of Singapore where you can see the Singapore river, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) hotel with its famous infinity pool, the mini version of the merlion I was talking about earlier, and the durian-inspired theater we call The Esplanade! The area has great historical significance as well, since Singapore river used to be the lifeline of Singapore in the 1900s. It was incredibly dirty though, filled with waste and gross stuff in general. Then Lee Kuan Yew came along and started a huge cleaning up project and put nice sand at the bottom so it no longer stinks and people can go on touristy duck rides or something on the nice river. Would totally recommend if you wanna chill a little (there's high-end shopping in MBS if you'd prefer) and to just check out the cool juxtaposition of the modern Singapore skyline and its simple seatown roots.



Image from YourSingapore
Near Marina Bay, there is also this cool bustling night food market of sorts, officially called Lau Pa Sat (old market) which has probably all the food I talk about below. The interesting about this place is the outdoor sitting area where a section of the road is blocked of and seats are placed out in the open (city) air. It's definitely worth a visit at night, since that's when it gets so busy and the atmosphere is so exciting. Oh, and the satay stalls (kebab stalls) there produce a lot of smoke so be prepared to take a shower after that.

FOOD TO TRY:

Hainanese chicken rice
This is a total must-try. It's a very 'safe' but amazing dish, i.e. it's doesn't have weird flavours in it or weird ingredients. It's literally chicken and rice with vegetables and/or soup. You can get this dish anywhere, but preferably in a hawker centre though, they're cheaper and more authentic (read: fragrant and oilier).



Image from Thaifood.com
Durian (if you can stomach it)
Now this notorious fruit is one of those weird tasting ones you either love or hate. Good ones actually have a rich, bitter, and alcoholic taste to them. They are only in season at certain times of the year and are sold in the neighbourhood areas (i.e. suburbs). They only smell really bad, I promise.



Fishball noodles
Another oldie but a goodie. It's incredibly simple and my all-time favourite. This simple clear kuay teow soup with the best fishballs ever (totes unlike the ones in Australia) is like home away from home for me. Pair it with some cut red chilli and I'll be satisfied. Oh yeah.

Singapore noodles
I know Singapore doesn't sell this, but whoever's out there in a Western country will probably have seen some version of this around. DO NOT BUY THEM. They do not exist. No one in Singapore has ever made or heard of Singapore noodles. Now you know.

Other dishes to try

TOP: prawn noodles / ice kachang (ice dessert with food colouring) / sugarcane juice
MIDDLE: laksa (spicy seafood and coconut noodle soup) / roti prata + meat curry (indian 'pancake') / snow ice (from dessertstory--this isn't quintessentially Singaporean though).
BOTTOM: Water chestnut & sour plum drink / Or Lua (Fried Omelette with Oysters) / Mee Pok (Oily noodles with minced pork and chilli)

If you do begin to crave the food of your own country, that's ok, Singapore also has many hipster cafes, great burger joints (not Maccas) and presentable restaurants to choose from. I AM GETTING SO HUNGRY FROM THIS.
p.s. we don't have much good local vegetarian food. Most are meat/seafood-based.

GENERAL TIPS:

Take public transport. It's can get incredibly crowded but is so convenient and comfortable otherwise. It really is one of the best ways to get around, apart from walking, since you really get a feel for the smallness (or shall we say, convenience) of the island.

It can be pretty intimidating ordering food in Singapore, particularly in hawker centres and food courts not near the CBD (we call it 'town', as in downtown) during lunch/dinner time. You should be prepared for a little bit of jostling, loud voices and substandard customer service. It can be pretty awkward, but just think of all the food you will try!!

People in Singapore do speak English. For many, it is their first language. This may not be immediately apparent, since we speak a version that is colloquially known as Singlish, and may be hard to understand in some cases.

Humidity is your enemy. Please don't wear jeans and sweaters. It's an affront to my eyes. Think year-long summer. Think sweat. Except it does rain like once a week or something, so perhaps be prepared for that.

This is so not sponsored btw (like who would want to sponsor me?!), I just feel totally blessed to have grown up in such a safe, multicultural nation, with all its yummy cuisine and well-designed town planning. Of course, there are are downsides to this country as well, such as its welfare system, freedom of speech issues and rushed city culture, to name a few. No single country is perfect. But I am proud to have once called Singapore home. #RIPLKY

Labels: article, experiences, food, guide, singapore, travel

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