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Food and Culture in SingaporeSingapore is well known as a International food Paradise. Due to its diversified residents that span the globe, thus it also bring culinary delicacies from wherever the countries may be. Singapore Local Flavors Singapore local food delicacies are often simple, cheap and appetizing. They are easily available and usually available for 24/7. Singapore is a city that never sleeps and throughout the day and night, yummy food can be easily bought fresh and piping hot. Some examples of local food are shown below, mouse over for information. They can be found in open-air hawker centres, small coffee shops, air-conditioned food courts, and shopping mall food areas.
Unique/exotic Small Restaurants Restaurants that hails from all over the globe have sprung up in Singapore. It is not unusual to find a African restaurant selling traditional African food, or to find a Mongolian Barbeque right down to Italian Pasta or Taiwanese Hot and Spicy steamboat buffet. If you are game enough, there are shops that sell delicacies such as herbal turtle soup, frogs’ legs with dry chilli served with porridge etc.
Internationally Acclaimed Restaurants with Award winning Chefs International chains of Reputable Hotels have always try to position themselves ahead of their competitors, therefore there are always on going campaigns for the introductions of World Famous Chefs that stationed at the various hotels to boost their visitors arrival. People always love to eat, therefore this is one of the avenues which they thrive in.
Singapore’s Cultures Being multi-racial and blessed with a high number of foreign immigrants, the cultural divide are as diverse as the spices of the world. But the key cultures of the Singaporeans are from the races of Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians.
The Chinese Population & Cultures There are many traditions in the Chinese Culture as it dates back to more than 5000 years ago, but modern Singaporeans Chinese are not practicing as much as before. Ceremonies for the few festivals such as Tomb Sweeping days, Hungry Ghosts’ Festival, Lantern Festival and Chinese New Year are still widely practiced.
Chinese New Year– plants and flowers are considered auspicious and often exchanged during Chinese New Year to express good wishes, creating a large Chinese Flower Market that adds to the celebration with a beautiful array of traditional and contemporary flora.
Whether it is a 'money' plant or cherry blossoms, these plants and flowers symbolizes the blossoming of the Chinese New Year. Most of the family will go to visit the flower market after the reunion New Year Eve dinner and the market will be crowded with buyers way past mid-night. In the market, there will be traditional Chinese cultural performances, painting and calligraphy services for the people.
Lantern Festival— where thousands of Singaporeans and tourists will flock to the gardens during the week nights to see the spectacle. Moon cakes, Chinese pastries are staples to have in a picnic under the stars. It's an annual carnival, with lots of food, families with children in tow milling around, taking it the sight. The crash of cymbals and beat of the drums showcase the lion dances performances, amid spectacular displays of colourful lanterns. You can catch the Lantern Festival in Singapore in late September or early October. It usually runs for a about 10 days, covering two weekends. Take the MRT to Chinese Gardens and walk in because the traffic and parking is a big problem during this festive season.
The Malay Population & Cultures The Malays are considered the natives of Singapore Island. They were the original inhabitants of Singapore, way before Singapore flourished and developed into the garden city of today. They have similar festivals like the Chinese, but it is celebrated and practiced differently. They have a Malay Heritage Village at the Geylang Serai area that is rich in the Malay cultural heritage that dates back to the days of the Malay Sultanate Kingdom. Hari Raya Haji— in Singapore — early in the morning the Malay Muslims will offer thanksgiving prayers and prayers for forgiveness at the mosques. After the prayers, the Malay Muslims community will conduct the 'qurban' - slaughtering of animals such as lambs and goats as sacrifices. Although it is not a compulsory religious duty, it is considered an obligation for those who can afford to contribute. The family will retain about 1/3 of the portion of the slaughtered lambs and goats’ meat, while the rest are distributed to relatives, friends and neighbours. But most importantly, the meats are also distributed to the poor and needy It is also customary for the Malay Muslims to visit their parents and relatives
Hari Raya Puasa— Also known as Hari Lebaran (in Indonesia) is the Malay Muslims celebration that comes after one lunar month of daily fasting from roughly dawn to sunset. It is an especially joyous occasion after the hardship of fasting and is generally more celebrated than the main feast of Hari Raya Haji.
The Indian Population & Cultures The Indians, though only forming about 8% of the population of Singapore, have a big presence in the Singapore Community.
Deepavali— in Singapore — which is also known as the festival of lights, usually falls around late October and November. One important practice that the Hindus Indians follow during the festival is to light oil lamps in their homes on Deepavali morning.
By lighting the oil lamps, the Hindus are thanking the gods for the happiness, knowledge, peace and wealth that they have received. The Hindus consider Deepavali as one of the most important festivals to celebrate.
Another important festival is the Thaipusam, which falls in January or February of each year, is a day of penance and thanksgiving for Hindus. Thaipusam in Singapore — Thousands of devotees embarked on the ritual journey each year. Men pierced their bodies with spikes and metal hooks supporting heavy structures called kavadis decorated with peacock feathers and offerings. They proceed along the four kilometers, in a trance like state, from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Tank Road. Women and children carried pots of symbolic milk.
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Food and Culture in Singapore |