A Quick Guide to Singapore’s Rich Culture, Food, and Lively Neighborhoods
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
“Celebrate with us during our country-wide Racial Harmony Day” boasted one of the first posters I noticed on the streets of Singapore. I only had about 3 days here and as I would soon learn, Singapore has a diverse population compared to many of the other neighboring East Asian countries.
Of course, many Han Chinese people settle in Singapore and I noticed many tributes to this piece of heritage. However, Singapore also has settlers from India, Turkey, Malaysia, and several Islamic countries. All of these diverse cultures add to this tiny country’s charm.
Eating My Way Through Singapore
Singapore has a plethora of famous hawker stalls, a version of indoor food markets, and the incredible food they serve there. I started off at the famous Lau Pa Sat at 4 pm, an odd time, on my first day which helped me avoid the crowds.
Then, I feasted on some of the cheapest Michelin Guide food in the world. I’ve had laksa noodle soup a few times before, but the version from Lao Fu Zi had an even more spicy and fishy flavor. All of the tastes blend with elegance and the broth tasted exceptional. I also enjoyed trying my first ever char kway teow, a famous Singaporean noodle dish from the same stall. Char kway teow had more sweetness to it than I expected, but I liked it anyway.
I also tried my first kopi (a type of iced coffee) and kaya toast, a popular Singaporean breakfast. At first, I couldn’t understand how this coffee and toast could feel different compared to any other breakfast. However, I changed my tune immediately after trying it. Both were sweet with lots of flavor, making for a fantastic breakfast. The restaurant I tried felt warm in the summer heat with its traditional metal room and busy coworkers providing speedy service.
Of course, I could not leave Singapore without eating Hainanese style chicken. I tried a crispy version from Hainan Story and fell in love. The restaurant also had interesting, well-written menus detailing the history of Hainanese culture in Singapore and how the people worked tirelessly to preserve their culture there.
Arab Street and Little India
I stayed in Little India, a spot near Arab Street or the Kampong Gelam neighborhood, and it provided the perfect area to spend time in on my first day. Kampong Gelam has a whole section of it dedicated to Turkey. I sampled Turkish delight and an unforgettable coconut ice cream smoothie from one of the shops. What a tasty summer snack on a hot day!
I also perused through the many pottery shops lining the street and couldn’t help buying a couple of the beautiful traditional Turkish lamps. They made great gifts for friends and family back home.
Kampong Gelam also has traditional Hindu and Islamic places of worship, each painted with bright colors. My favorites included the vibrant Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple with its many statues in pyramid formation up to the roof and the gorgeous teal Masjid Malabar Mosque. Each temple had lots of personality and felt welcoming to all.
Gardens by the Bay
Any trip to Singapore would not feel complete without a visit to the famous Gardens by the Bay. I went to see the free evening light show my first night and loved it. The trees feel futuristic, and the lights danced to the beat of each song played.
The version I saw centered around 70s disco nostalgia and I couldn’t help but sing along to every song. I could have gotten up and danced easily, but I felt more captivated lying down and watching the trees from the garden floor.
Changi Airport-Was it Worth the Hype?
Many travel sites list Changi Airport as one of Singapore’s top destinations, and it feels like it when one arrives. It has lots to do, including several gardens, stores, and restaurants. However, most websites and magazines do not let tourists know the main attractions in the Airport, including the waterfall, are located in a mall next door called the Changi Jewel.
That said, for people with time to leave the airport and spend some time at the mall next-door, the Jewel has many cool sights to see. However, I would not recommend staying there for an overnight layover. I did so on the way to Indonesia for a few hours (not by choice, the airline re-routed me), and it was a long night!
