New Delhi, July 06: Singapore is a land that assaults the senses from the moment you step out of the airport doors. The thick, musty heat mixes with a sweet scent of incense and the sound of thousands of cash registers ringing as tourists discover what the country is most known for: shopping.
The city state is renowned as a popular pit-stop sandwiched between other countries on the travel itinerary, and visitors frequently spend their 24 hours in the hundreds of shopping centres.
But plan your stopover around the food stalls and you`ll find yourself back on the plane with a satisfied stomach and a new understanding of what makes up Singapore cuisine.
Market madness
FOR the foodie, Singapore is an Aladdin`s Cave of different dishes and experiences you`ll never get at home.
The trio of ethnic markets are a must-see on the menu of experiences where the food stalls line up side-by-side and aromas switch from mouth-watering seafood to fresh sweet coconut in seconds.
Little India, the Arab markets and Chinatown are some ways to savour the culture of three different countries in just a few hours.
Little India has hundreds of stalls. The place to buy yourself a sari if that takes your fancy, this is also where you will find authentic Indian flavours for about $5 – the difficulty is in the choosing.
Or for a taste of real Singapore, take yourself down to Newton Food Centre.
This chaotic late-night open-air circle of stalls is where the locals eat and it is an inexpensive place to soak up the sights.
Famous dish
DINING in air-conditioned comfort is one way to make any Singaporian eating experience five-star, but the Chatterbox Coffeehouse on the Orchard Rd shopping strip offers one of the most famous dishes in the country.
This retail district is where you`ll find designer names at prices just a fraction cheaper than home, so if you can`t bear to go home without a shopping bag, then make sure you take a lunch break to sample the famous Chatterbox chicken-rice dish in the Meritus Mandarin.
With the western decor belying this very authentic meal, Chatterbox is the kind of place where drinks come in tall glasses and the menus fold out tall and wide.
The award-winning rice is coveted by celebrities who order the famous home-made soy sauce delivered.
Touted by some as the best in Singapore, this traditional dish is simple but richly flavoured. The chicken is steeped in hot liquid splashed with a touch of chilli-garlic and soy sauce and served with rice soaked in chicken stock.
Bureau Report
