Hawker center...glutton square...these are eating places that Singaporeans frequent at all times of the day. Some of these glutton squares are housed in air-conditioned shopping centers or malls.
It's open concept of food stall where a vendor specialised in one particular food. Take for instance, the stall closest is a 'goreng pisang' -- Malay words for banana fritters. In this stall you'll find fritters of sweet potato, green-bean paste and others.
Next to the fritter stall is the local salad stall 'rojak' -- pity I don't have a photo. It's a combination of pineapple, cucumber, turnip, and others mixed with a prawn sauce and a dab of chilli. An acquired taste.
Following that is the chicken and duck rice stall...drinks stall...and others.
The elderly lady with an apron goes around clearing the tables. Occasionally you do meet one who is not very nice...like this one. She chooses table to clear. I saw someone from one table waving for her attention and she would deliberately look away! The elderly men are better workers. This is one job that an elderly person can pass one's time and yet earn some pocket money. In some centers, you find foreign workers clearing these tables.
You can order from whichever stall you like and be seated wherever you want. Nowadays, you have to collect your own food when you make your order -- self-service!
Each hawker center houses at least 20-25 stalls, and more. You have a choice of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and even Western food.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
hawker center
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6 comments:
We have huge places like this called, "Food Courts" in our malls. Not all that healthy!
Hi MOI! You're right there...not all that healthy! Fast food. But the new generation are spending more time eating out in these places today.
Did you notice the 'no litter' sign!
These places are extrememly popular here Lea. Every shopping mall has at least one of them.
Joy: Glad to know these places are available where you are. I seldom go there except with friends as personally, it's not good value for that I paid. I prefer home cooking, if not restaurants for ambience.
Yep, we have them here in England too - the kids love them! You seem to have a lot more variety than the ones around here - we have such things as baked potatoes (with a variety of fillings), Chinese or Malaysian, McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), pancakes etc I think yours sounds more intersting. Ours is mostly junk food as well, though there is the occassional good stall (Like the smoothie stall, where you can choose the fruit to go in your smoothie... that's nice, but relatively expensive :-( )
Annelisa: glad to know there are these stalls in England too.
While in London and Cambridge years (late 80s), there weren't any. For variety, had to go to the Chinese eateries or restaurants... if not sandwich bars.
I love London. A fascinating place...one lament, too cosmopolitant for me! Had been returning there occasionally. Each time I visit that place, I seem to enjoy new experiences.
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