Head to your local Asian grocery store to stock up on the following ingredients:

• Coconut Milk
• Laksa Paste or Sauce
• Onions
• Red peppers
• Rice vermicelli (1 package per serving)
• Shrimp (or chicken)
• Feel free to add anything else your little heart desires. Bean sprouts are nice to add too!

For instructions, check out this video. He makes it seem so easy!

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1) Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow

High in fat and low in health, Char Kway Teow is a fried flat noodle dish mixed with soy sauce, egg, Chinese sausage, lard, bean sprouts, prawns, and more fried by an experienced hawker. The quality and taste all depends on the high heat and quickness of the stir-fry pro.
The best place to experience this dish is Hill Street Char Kway Teow at Block 16, Bedok South Road, #01-187.

2) Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh is exactly what it translates to ‘pork rib tea’. Juicy pork ribs are boiled for hours and mixed with herbs to create a flavourful soup base. There are two different styles of this soup, the Hokkien Chinese version is made with soy sauce along with herbs, while the Teochew Chinese version is clearer and lighter with a peppery flavour.
One of the best Bak Kut Teh’s is found at Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House at 208C Rangoon Road S.

3) Chai Tow Kway

Chai Tow Kway

Better known as Carrot Cake, Chai Tow Kway is nothing like the Western dish as carrots are not even an ingredient. The main ingredient is white radish and is mixed with rice flour and steamed into cakes that are eventually cut into pieces and mixed with some items such as, eggs, spring onions, and pickled radish. It is also served as fried carrot cake or chye tow kueh.
Check out Ah Heng Carrot Cake at Newton Food Centre #01-28 to make your belly smile!

4) Chili Crab

Chili Crab

One of Singapore’s most favored meals, Chili Crab may be a mess to eat, but well-worth it especially since it is served with hot buns to help clean it up. Eaten with bare hands, chili crab is coated in a thick savory tomato-chili sauce.
A crowd-pleaser is Roland Restaurant, who claims to be the creator of the dish. They are located at Block 89 Marine Parade Central #06-750.

5) Chicken Rice

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

Simple and healthy, Chicken Rice is total comfort food found everywhere. It can be referred to as the ‘national dish’. The chicken is boiled or steamed in a broth that eventually gives the rice it’s oily texture. The dish is served with cucumbers and dipping sauces such as, ginger, chili lime, and sweet black soy sauce.
The legendary Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is so popular that there is more than one location. For quick meals, check out Maxwell Food Centre #01-10, and for sit down meals, head to 12 Jalan Pari Burong or 443 Joo Chiat Road.

6) Katong Laksa

Katong Laksa

Laksa is a noodle dish soaked in a spicy light coconut milk curry giving the texture of a soup. It is normally mixed with shrimp, cockles, and bean curd, but is also available with chicken. There are several different versions of Laksa, but the Katong can be easiest to eat as noodles are shorter and chopsticks are not needed.
One of the best of all laksa’s can be found at Sungei Road Laksa, located at Block 27, Jalan Berseh, #01-100 S.

7) Rojak

Rojak

A burst of sweet, savory, and sour flavours, Rojak is a fruit salad mixed with random ingredients such as, vegetables, tofu, cuttlefish, and fritters. It is normally topped with peanuts and a dressing made with prawn paste, tamarind, and chili.
The Rojak at Balestier Road Hoover Rojak is well-known and located at Block 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-06 Whampoa Drive Food Centre.

8) Roti Prata

Roti Prata

Basically an Indian style bread, Roti Prata is not only fun to eat, but also fun to watch it being made. Similar to how pizza is made, the chef flattens a ball of dough and then flips it in the air until it is tissue thin. The roti is then griddle-fried in a pancake shape. It is great sweet or savory with ice cream or curry.
Many adore the Roti Prata from Sin Ming Roti Prata at Block 24 Sin Ming Drive #01-51.

9) Fish Head Bee Hoon

Fish Head Bee Hoon

More for the adventurous eater, Fish Head Been Hoon is a spicy red broth soup mixed with vegetables and the head of a fish, complete with eyes, lips, and scrumptious cheeks. Its surprisingly flavourful.
A great option is Holland Village XO, who became popular by adding XO Brandy to the soup. It is located at Block 19A Dover Crescent #01-05 S.

10) Wonton/Wantan mee

Wonton/Wantan mee

Wontons, better known as dumplings, are popular in many diverse countries with Asian populations, but in each Asian country, the meal is prepared differently. Singapore’s version is similar to Malaysia’s. The dish includes thin egg noodles cooked to perfection, vegetables, barbecued pork and bite-sized wontons, either served dry or in a soup form.
One of the best wonton mee’s are available 24 hours at Fei Fei Wantan Mee located at 64 Joo Chiat Place S.

Photos by LexnGer, goodiesfirst, avlxyz, Phil~, avlxyz, Truthiness, avlxyz, avlxyz and arahstarkweather

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(Photo by Secretary of Defense)

Greeting
Handshaking is the most common form to greet one another, but may differ between ethnicities and sexes. Formal Indians would not shake hands with a member of the opposite sex, nor would Malaysian Muslim men. If in doubt, it is best to bow or if you are a male, you should wait to see if the woman extends her hand first. Also, due to the diversity, understanding names can be complex. The Chinese may have up to three names, and many Malays and Indians do not have surnames. If you are unsure how they should be called, there is no problem with asking politely.

Communication and Body Language
There are four national languages in Singapore; Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, and English. English is the most used when conducting business or politics. Verbal language is quite subtle and indirect causing Singaporeans to rely heavily on body language. Non-verbal messages are sometimes more trusted than verbal messages. It is a good idea to watch your actions and tones. For example, resting your hands on your hips, pointing your feet at someone, or answering a question before taking a pause to think, are each considered to be offensive actions. The Western world communication is not understood. Silence is an important part of communication as it signifies a degree of consideration.

Religion
The variety of ethnicities bring on a variety of religious beliefs. Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu (Indians), Sikh, Taoist, and Confucianist are the religions practiced by the majority of the population with Buddhism taking the lead. An interesting fact is that these religions merge in Singapore. For example, one temple can host more than one religion and many holy festivals are celebrated by all, despite religious beliefs. Religion is still an integral part of Singapore’s society and many admirable works of architecture are places of worship.

Hierarchy
Singaporean views on hierarchy stem from Confucianism, which focuses on respect of age and status to one’s elders. The elderly are to receive the utmost respect and courtesy. A law was even passed stating that children must assume financial responsibility for their parents, if needed.

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