Food Stories in Singapore

I kept seeing this menu item "laksa" in different places, and I figured it must be one of these national dishes that Singapore is known for. We had found this coffee chain Toast Box in Bugis and liked their food, especially the coffee, but we did not get too adventurous. When we came across the same restaurant in Esplanade Mall while we were exploring this area, we stopped in. I had this laksa, Sherry stuck with the toast, which was also good. 

I wish I had taken a picture of their coffee and their coffee-making, made in a very large pot, with a net of some kind and a very long spout. June tried to teach me how to order the "kopi" I liked. Here is a sign from the airport (not Toast Box, but applies to Singapore kopi, in general), where I had my last cup. I think my order is "kopi C, siew dai."

Since this was our last day in Singapore, I just went with my urges and said yes to everything I wanted to eat. So I had this orange ice cream cone (the Hokkaido sign in the back is the vendor) and then coconut ice cream in a shell. These were great treats. 

While we were waiting for our evening plans, we came across this coffee shop, Mellower Coffee on Victoria St. in the Bugis area (I think). I just had to say yes to this. It's called Sweet Little Rain, and it's cotton candy that melts into "rain" drops with the heat of the coffee. 

---

When I was considering coming to Singapore, I looked into what was happening during this time period. I discovered there was a Festival of the Arts that lasted for many months and we wouldn't be there for much of it, but we were there for a portion of it that focused on food. 

I didn't take pictures of this event, but it was a film and lecture about how this Lebanese chef brought women from opposing factions in his country and created a way for them to have a business together as caterers. It was very inspiring and I love the idea of food as a means of peace-making. 

The only other event we managed to make it to was a cooking class for Indonesian food, which was held in the chef's home in a very nice area. 

These houses have some history. The area is called Mount Pleasant.

Beautiful setting

Our home chef, Restu Kusumaningrum.

We stirred and stirred.

The beautiful Nasi Masur, then the chili eggs, and the coconut soup.

The finished plate of food. Hmmm. What did we make? I'll have to look it up - Telur Pedas with Sayur Tumis Paku, Nasi Madura, Ayam Suwir and Soup Dingin Kelapa Muda. That's what it says on the programme. There was coconut soup, boiled eggs cooked in chili, fried vegetable fern, nasi masur (the rice dish), and fried chicken in chili. A delicious meal.

The photos on the left and below are credited to June. 

The fern dish.

This couple sat near us and we had a wonderful dinner conversation with them.

When I put the stories together on one page, it looks so interesting, if I may say so myself. When I do a random search on food in Singapore, I feel like we missed a lot. Such an exciting "foodie" city. Lots of cultural events, too. Very very enjoyable time in Singapore.