Singapore: The Republic of Food

I was on a recent quick trip to Singapore and although I get the chance to visit every year or so, it seems like the city-state is forever in a state of flux. Change is the natural course of things in Singapore and it's all for the better as Singaporeans seem almost obsessive about being the best in the region.

The proliferation of museums, galleries and all kinds of venues for the arts in recent years shows how serious they are about cultivating an artistic heritage - something which they have once been accused of lacking, presumably because of the diversity of cultures that make up their population. I guess the thought of becoming a state of human androids (or worse, geeks) would strike fear in the hearts of a people. Which is why the shakers in this part of the region are moving heaven and earth to breed more right-brained people.


The change is all for good. The passion to be Asia's best has reached a high point not just in the visual arts but in culinary arts as well. It's not just malls and museums that dot Singapore's landscapes these days but great food haunts as well. Food in this part of the region was once flavorful but too diverse and there was much "to each/eat his own" going on -- Malays would stick to their spicy laksas, the Indians would have be happy only with curry, and the Chinese want to be left alone with their own dimsum and ducks. But that was the dark ages in Singapore's culinary history.

Today, Singaporeans have embraced their unique diversity and take pride in it. And they're shouting it to the top of their lungs by building what they call the FOOD REPUBLIC. THE FOOD REPUBLIC is actually a foodcourt of sorts as it gathers a variety of cuisines all in one place. It's quick, it's hot and it's good! There is a FOOD REPUBLIC in the biggest malls: Suntec City Mall, Wisma Atria and the huge Vivo City Mall at Harbourfront.

Going through the maze of eateries in the area, one is given a feel of what Singapore must have been like in its early years as a port where Malays, Indians and Chinese once hawked and traded their wares. Each stall is stylized in the traditon of the country it represents, even the uniforms of the servers and cooks were carefully chosen to highlight the individuality of their country. The food is a heady and tasty blend much like the melting pot of cultures that Singapore really is. One stall sells coconut cakes, another sells bao and dumplings that can compete with what's served in our own posh hotels in Manila. There's prawn mee cooked in front of you, fresh fruit shakes and juices, roast duck and chicken, all sorts of curries, seafood, noodles and so much more! And all these in just a foodcourt!

THE FOOD REPUBLIC is a celebration of Singapore's cultural and culinary diversity. It seems that they have found distinction and a unique identity in being a melting pot of cultures in the real and actual sense of the word.