Singapore Part 1
BAM! The heat hits you as soon as you leave the cool airport. Dragging a 27kg suitcase through the streets of Singapore in 32 degree heat and 78% humidity is not fun after a 7 hour flight on less than 2 hours sleep. Thank God for air-con!
First on the agenda in Singapore, a Michelin and Hawker Food Tour. Sadly this was not a tour of Michelin starred restaurants, only Michelin recommended food stalls. I try to start my trips with a food tour, it gives you a taste of what to expect from your trip, introduces you to the types of foods locals eat, and how to place an order at hospitality establishments, if this is something you are nervous of during your first time in the country. My favourite dish of the whole tour was Hainanese Chicken Rice, considered to be one of the national dishes of Singapore. Poached Chicken with fragrant rice and cucumber, often served alongside a bowl of soup or broth. Tender, flavourful and cheap. I think the most I paid for this dish was $3.50 SD at a Hawker food stall. I ate this on numerous occasions throughout my time in Singapore and have a recipe to try recreate the dish at home, but lets face it, whenever you try recreate something at home, it’s never the same as the original.
A lot of people who have visited Singapore say it is expensive, however, it doesn’t need to be. Hawker Centres have a range of tasty, filling meals that don’t need to cost an arm and a leg, and can be found across Singapore. Be sure to save your seat at a table before heading for food. Take a packet of tissues with you to reserve your seat. By placing the tissues on one seat, this lets others know you are reserving that seat only. Place the tissues on the table in the centre, you have reserved the whole table for you and your friends.
The end of my first week in Singapore ended with Afternoon Tea at the iconic Raffles Hotel. The theme for the Afternoon Tea, Sakura, in other words, Cherry Blossoms in Japan. The Hotel itself it as pristine and luxurious as you would expect. White walls and floors everywhere, a stool for my handbag so it wasn’t on the floor and Raffles Doormen in their distinct outfit. The food soon arrived sans scones. One sandwich on a plate, arrived with the cake stand, Beef with Katsu Béchamel. The bread was toasted, which I found a little odd but the beef was cooked perfectly and just the right amount of Béchamel. The bottom tier of the cake stand was Sushi; two different types of Sushi and a Tamagoyaki. Slightly disappointed no chopsticks were brought with the Sushi. After eating my yearly tolerance of Sushi in Tokyo, I must admit I was not looking forward to more Sushi, however, the 2 pieces were manageable. The Tamagoyaki was on the savoury side. Having made and eaten this in Tokyo, I know that there is a lot of sugar in this, this one didn’t seem to have seen sugar at all.
The middle tier had the Strawberry Tart, Raspberry Roll Cake and a Matcha Profiterole. The flavour of Matcha in the Profiterole was very subtle, completely the opposite of what I expected. Loved the Strawberry Tart, Raspberry Roll Cake needed more Raspberry but a very light dessert. The final tier in the cake stand consisted of Coconut Sable and Yuzu Verrine. The Verrine, hands down one of the best things I have eaten this year. The Yuzu flavour in the Jelly was spot on, it was creamy, it was flavourful, it was heaven. I just wanted more. I expected the Sable to have bits of Coconut in between my teeth once I had finished but didn’t. I suppose this is a good thing when you are not a fan of Coconut. I loved that the Sable was in the shape of the Sakura.
Whilst eating the desserts, three Scones arrived. Yes, you read that correctly, three! One Bacon and Chive savoury Scone and two sweet Scones; one fruit and one plain Scone. I ate the savoury Scone first, there were no accompaniments for this, I think some Butter would’ve been sufficient but none was brought to the table. I could’ve asked but if you are going into an establishment like the Raffles, everything you need should be brought to you when each course is being served. I got halfway through the Fruit Scone with Jam and Cream before giving up. I was defeated by a Scone. I approached a member of staff at the front of the room to settle the bill before heading to the Raffles Boutique for souvenirs and then The Long Bar for a signature Singapore Sling. If you have ever been to The Long Bar, then you know about the Peanuts on the bar and how you drop the shells on the floor. Such an odd thing to do, I felt like I was littering, but soon felt at ease once I saw fellow patrons doing the same. I wish I had spent longer in the bar or at least went back again during the trip. Spending the day at the Raffles was probably one of my favourite days in Singapore and I had a lot of favourite days in Singapore.
Coming up in part 3 of my year in food, my final week in Singapore where I crossed off 5 things of the bucket list.
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