#asia

A Singapore Photo Tour, By Photographer Katie June Burton

"It doesn't take long for you to feel yourself simmering in their melting pot."

8 July 2019

I recently got the chance to travel to Singapore with Journy—and while we may have come for the World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards, we stayed for the incredible hospitality and vibrant gastronomic culture unlike that of any other city I have been to.

These were the top highlights:

My first impression while driving through Singapore from the ultra-modern Changi Airport was, this may be the most pristine city on earth. It’s as if every inch has been thoughtfully and perfectly designed, including the super lush landscape—a true concrete jungle. Sitting in the hybrid taxi looking up at the buildings, I felt like I was cruising through some kind of alternate reality.

Left: Marina Bay Sands | Right: View of Singapore from the top of Marina Bay Sands | @@katiefresca

Old-style shophouses and modern architecture | @katiefresca

We were quickly introduced to the bustling outdoor hawker markets: small stalls lined up in never-ending rows selling every regional dish on this side of the world. The whiplash of twisting from five-star hotel concierges to loud, gritty street food vendors was harsh at first, but quickly became a thrilling all-day dance around town.

Walking away from our table at Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh | @katiefresca

For breakfast, we started with the Singaporean staple, kaya toast: white bread (toasted or teamed) topped with a sweet spread made of egg yolks, sugar, coconut cream and pandam leaves. A side order of soft boiled eggs with soy sauce and white pepper is highly recommended. Or go completely savory with Chinese crispy pork belly and char siu over rice—the world is your oyster out here.

Kaya toast and crispy pork belly over rice at Maxwell Food Centre | @katiefresca

You won’t be able to miss the well-known foods, like Hokkien mee, chili crab, the famous chicken rice, skewered meats and sambal-covered everything. Prepare to meet people from all over the world and taste dishes with origins from Malaysia, China, India, Thailand, Portugal and beyond. This could be at a colorful plastic table in the middle of a hawker center or at the marble counter of a gorgeous fine dining restaurant—this city is the definition of high-low.

Singapore is a place of incredible cultural influence and flavors, and it doesn't take long for you to feel yourself simmering in their melting pot.

Firing up the Hokkien mee noodles | @katiefresca

Chicken rice at Ah Tai Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre | @katiefresca

Weighing out the live crabs at Tiong Bahru Market | @katiefresca

Street food chicken skewers | @katiefresca

Left: Live crabs for the choosing | Center: Fresh fish at Tiong Bahru Market | Right: Catch of the day | @katiefresca

Famous fish balls at Tiong Bahru Market | @katiefresca

Pork dumplings at Tai Hwa Pork Noodle | @katiefresca

The acclaimed Teochew style Bak Chor Mee aka minced pork noodles at Tai Hwa Pork Noodle | @katiefresca

Char kway teow at Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee | @katiefresca

Left: Steamed crab | Right: Chili crab and black pepper crab served with mantous (mini fried buns) | @katiefresca

Indian roti and curries in Little India | @katiefresca

Interested in learning more about Singaporean culture? Hear what Michelin-starred chefs, hawker stall experts, locals and expats alike had to say about what sets this island city-state apart.