Singapore Food Trail- Reminiscing the Hawker Legacy in the 1960s

The Singapore Food Trail is located in the heart of the iconic Singapore Flyer. As if taking a time machine back to the 1960s, you will experience the Singapore Food Trail as a showcase of Singapore's proud hawker legacy, re-creating the most memorable roadside hawker scene of Singapore in the 1960s.




This multi-million dollar project features specially-customised pushcarts and makeshift stalls along a specially-designed tarmac road. The entire place is furnished and decorated with old-fashioned furniture, props and even the cutlery are reminiscent of the 1960s.

Look closely at the backdrop of the stalls. It was designed to create a '1960s roadside effect', imitating the stalls selling food in front of old shophouses.

You may wish to take a piece of nostalgia home too. There is a heritage corner selling authentic 1960s curios like:

old vinyl record players,

ice-kachang making machine,

There's even really old school 'dai gor dai' (big brother big in cantonese).

In the past, this is one of the coolest gadgets one can own. However, when the reception signals were really bad then, you'd see some 'dai gor dai' owners going "Hello, Hello!" all the way outside the door. Hilarious!

(Photo taken from: http://www.hn.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-11/18/xin_3131105181134460185616.jpg)

What's more, you can even have your photographs taken here:

Invited by OMY.SG, Ninemer Public Relations and Selct Group Limited, bloggers Alvin, Pete, Cherie, Yongwei and I were among a group of food lovers to witness the official opening ceremony of Singapore Food Trail by Guest-Of-Honour, Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive Of the Singapore Tourism Board(STB), on 25th February 2011.

From left: Me, Pete, Yongwei, Cherie




Photo description:

Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive Of the Singapore Tourism Board(STB) , giving her speech about the Singapore Food Trail. She told us about her childhood when she'll walk to the end of the street to buy Fried kway tiao, bringing her own egg to request an extra egg from the hawker.

While waiting for the food to be served, the group of bloggers, together with the OMY crew, explored this nostalgic food heritage. It was an unforgettable experience as the 16,000sq ft premise reminds me of my childhood-kampong life. My grandmother used to own a noodle stall in a school and back then I was her 'accountant', sitting in front of her stall next to a milo tin, playing with coins she had deposited in it. A milo tin which looks like this:



It's been far too long to remember except that my grandfather always carries me to a provision stall to buy ice-cream and candies:







Look, we spotted a Kacang Puteh stall at a corner and I simply have to buy some to try!






(photo courtesy of AussiePete)

It wasn't an easy mission.

Representatives from Select Group went in search for 1960s curios in Singapore and other neighbouring countries. One of the prized finds displayed at the Singapore Food Trail is an original 1960s jukebox that still works, which cost nearly $10,000!



Placing ads around Singapore to do an island-wide search for the best hawkers in Singapore with strong heritage, you will be delighted to a mouth-watering selection of food stalls at the Singapore Food Trail as these stalls were carefully selected and picked. 17 heritage hawkers are proudly featured now, including many established names in which many have been in the business for 30 to over 50 years.

The cold drinks stall owner even got his hair permed to give people that 1960s look:





The drink stall sells traditional drinks like Bird Nest Drink and Sugarcane drinks. Even the soft drinks comes in the form of traditional glass bottles!





HOHOHO, my favourite stall of all, the dessert stall!
Ice balls are now replaced by Ice-Kachangs in most parts of Singapore . However, this traditional dessert is being revived and patrons can have a taste of ice balls again!

Not to forget the hot drinks stall where you can order a cup of Milo, coffee or tea.



Our food is ready. Look at the spread on our table!

FEAST!!!







The oldest food stall is the High Street Tai Wah Pork Noodle stall which started back in 1939. Originally located along The Singapore River it is currently run by the 2nd generation hawker who has 45 years of experience and his two sons. Together, they ensure that the original taste of their family's Teochew minced meat noodles is preserved through generations.

Bloggers highly-recommendation:

The Oyster Omelette("Orh Lua") from Katong Keah Kee Fried Oysters. Fresh oysters, crispy edges, fried to the right texture! The stall has been around for more than 50years frying cooking fried oyster omelette.


Alhambra Sataty Club Satay/ Alhambra Satay Club BBQ Chicken Wings:

The meat is deliciously tender!

Chinatown Ann Chin Popiah:


Old Airport Road Satay Beehoon and Satay Celup:
(my mum's favourite!)


Lagoon Kampong Rojak/Cuttlefish Kangkong:

Crispy youtiao, sweet sauce, fresh ingredients!

Other local delights include:

Selera's Adam Road Nasi Lemak:


Boon Tat Street BBQ Seafood:


Bugis Street Ah Huat Hainanese Chicken Rice:


Newton Lim Kee Hokkien Noodles:


Whampoa Ngoh Hiang Prawn Cracker:


Hong Kong Zhai House Of Dim Sum:


Top 73+1 Handmade Fishball Noodles:


Changi Village Mei Xiang Goreng Pisang:

(Yongwei arranged this!)



This is my first time eating this snack. There's a total of 3 layers here-sweet tapioca, yam and a thin layer of Chinese-style sticky rice cake in the middle. I thought it's something interesting and now it'll be added to my must-buy food collection if I see it anywhere else by chance.

For the young and the tourists alike, the Singapore Food Trail will be an eye-opener into the life of Singapore in the 1960s. As for the older generation, it will revoke many fond memories of the old Singapore. Although I was born in the 1980s, Singapore had looked more or less the same. The Singapore Food Trail had definitely brought back much of my childhood memories.


(photo courtesy of AussiePete)

On top of these local delicacies, a series of activities were arranged for us on the day of the official opening:

Sweet-looking girls wearing Cheongsam and serving nostalgic snacks:


There was a set of Teochew opera staged for us on a traditional wooden stage.










There was also a Tikam board!
'Tikam' is a malay word for 'trying-your-luck'.







Try your luck to win a prize!


With a bit of luck, I got to take an exclusive photograph of Radio Station Y.E.S. 933 DJ, Lim Pei Fen! *SCREAM* I've always wanted to meet her in person. Isn't she adorable?! SHE ALWAYS HAS BEEN!!!

The bloggers' did an interview with OMY about our experience at the Singapore Food Trail:


There's a mandarin article about the place too, written by Yeo Hock Chuan.

What

The Singapore Food Trail
Premise area: Approx 16,000 sq ft
Seating Capacity: Indoor about 300pax, Outdoor about 500pax

Stalls
Hawker stalls: 12
Snack kiosks: 5(Rojak, Satay, Chicken Wings, Popiah, Goreng Pisang)
Carts: 3 (Toys, Biscuits, Kacang Puteh)

Where
The Singapore Flyer
30 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039803

Opening Hours
Sunday- Thursday, 10.30am to 10.30pm
Friday and Saturday, 10.30am to 11.30pm

Admission
FREE

Nearest MRT Station
Promenade Station (Circle Line, CC4)

Parking Charges
Mon - Fri 0700 - 1859 $1.00 for 1/2 hr
1900 - 0159 $2.50 per entry
0200 - 0659 $1.00 for 1/2 hr
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: $1.20 for 1/2 hr

FREE LUNCH TIME PARKING: Everyday from 12pm to 2pm
CAP OF PARKING CHARGE: Weekdays capped at $10 for parking from 7am to 7pm

Before I forget to tell you, if you're worried about the food trail being as stuffy and hot as the 1960s, you're going to be SO WRONG. Although we visited here at lunch time close to noon, the place was well ventilated and surprisingly cooling.

So, they have spared a thought for you, don't worry.

Enjoy your Singapore Food Trail Experience at The Singapore Flyer!