One of the best ways to explore Singapore is through the old food courts and the hawkers markets. The wet market of Tiong Bahru bustles with local trade before dawn, and as the sun rises Singaporeans queue for traditional (pulled coffee) kopi tarik – large is just 80 Singaporean cents. While the out of the way markets like Tiong Bahru or Redhill will probably offer more authentic food at a cheaper price, there is still great variety to be found at the tourist locations.
Bugis Street, once infamous as a red light district and gathering place for transvestites, is now a modern shopping centre with MRT access. The old food court is perhaps the last remnant of a forgotten past, and on most evenings is still mostly frequented by locals.
Stand #01-45 usually has a queue. It dishes up Singapore Famous Rojak – Chinese Salad – served with sticks. At first glance, with it’s brightly lit modern signage, it’s easy to miss the history. In another aisle of Bugis Street, my temporary dinner companion begins the story. “Try the Rojak – it is the way to taste the authentic Singapore”.
Rojak (or rujak) generally refers to a salad – though a more literal meaning is mixed. Often Rojak means fruit. In Malaysia, Mama Rojak contains fried dough fritters, bean curds, boiled potatoes, prawn fritters, hard boiled eggs, bean sprouts, cuttlefish and cucumber mixed with a sweet thick, spicy peanut sauce.
The Singaporean offering at Bugis Street proclaims a Chinese history. Current owner Mr. Loh, is proud that his recipe dates back three generations and at least 70 years. (I’m sure his grandfather would have had some tales to tell of the earlier days of Bugis Street.) Although the recipe is a family secret, the main ingredients are prominently displayed on the signage. Perhaps the secret is in the sauce – a sugar syrup with a lift of fish sauce?
The You Tiao (or twin fried breadsticks) – that are often included in Singaporean dishes like Rojak – have their own history. Although the Mandarin translation is oily stick, they are light and fluffy. Perhaps the original snack food, You Tiao is believed to have been first created in the Song Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago.
Singapore Famous Rojak
To create your own taste of Singapore mix together for each portion:
4 pieces deep fried tofu
6 slices cucumber
6 slices water chestnut
6 thin slices fresh pineapple
6 thin slices You Tiao (replace with croutons if not available)
1/2 cup fresh bean sprouts
1/2 cup cooked chicken (slice cooked thigh, or breast)
1/2 cup crushed peanuts
1/4 cup uncrystallised ginger (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons sugar syrup
2 teaspoons fish sauceAs with any recipe, and as this has been created from taste and memory, adjust the quantities as desired.
Or enjoy without the chicken as a tasty vegetarian salad.
Could not grab feed.
