If you’re always crossing the Causeway for food, then you will want to check out Hawker Culture by Maybank. Happening on 5 and 6 October 2019 at Gardens by the Bay, this food fair will showcase more than 10 famous hawkers from both Singapore and Malaysia all under one roof. Celebrating the region’s hawker culture, each stall has an interesting story, whether it’s a 60-year history or a heartwarming family tie-up. Here are five stalls to check out!
Top of my list of stalls to visit is Kwong Wah. Known for churning out the most refreshing cendol, this Malaysian eatery at Petaling Jaya is run by third-generation hawkers and has been around since 1958.Â
Almost everything is house-made; even the ice is made from filtered water! The gula melaka is said to be extremely fragrant with a smoky-sweet note, and pairs well with the toothsome coconut milk.
Another heritage Malaysian stall that will be flying down to GBTB is Samy & Min Bak Kut Teh, which has been around for more than 25 years. This Klang-style BKT is best known for its herby and aromatic broth, and tender pork that falls off the bone.Â
At the fair, you will find their best-selling tua kut that has a good ratio of melt-in-your-mouth skin to juicy meat.
Let’s not forget our Singapore hawker heroes too, such as Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring. Receiving numerous accolades along with a feature on Netflix’s Street Food, this family-owned putu piring store stays true to tradition, where everything is made the old-school way.Â
Watch as a flurry of hands shape, steam, and pack the circular treats like clockwork. Soft and fluffy, these steamed rice cakes are filled with luscious gula melaka and finished off with a smattering of fresh coconut shreds.
Oyster cakes are fast disappearing from Singapore’s food scene, and one of the last remaining hawkers to sell this crispy snack is Fu Zhou Poh Hwa Oyster Cake.Â
Run by a third-generation hawker, Jenny, who grew up helping her grandmother sell oyster cakes at Ophir Road in the 1950s, before her grandmother’s house got burnt down in the 1970s. This hawker stall was then reopened in 1986 to commemorate her late grandmother, and follows the same recipe as before.
Bursting with savoury flavours, this fried treat features a crispy exterior topped with nuts and ikan bilis, and a moist interior containing oysters, minced meat, prawns, and Chinese parsley.
Unlike most hawkers that pass down their stalls to their children, the owner of the famous Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh wanted his children to learn hardship, and decided to open Tuan Yuan for them to start afresh.Â
The bak kut teh here is the Teochew-style version we are more familiar with, and boasts a robust peppery tang—the result of boiling pork bones, old garlic, and Sarawak white pepper for hours. Each bowl at the fair will also come with two whole tender pork ribs, making it great value for money.Â
These stalls and dishes are just the tip of the iceberg, and you can expect other exciting vendors from Malaysia such as Burger Bakar Kaw Kaw and Nasi Lemak Ong gracing the fair! For the Singapore line-up, look out for other notable names such as Liao Fan Hawker Chan, Rong Guang BBQ Seafood, and Pandan Gardens Fishball Noodles!
Hawker Culture by Maybank will host two sessions each day at 11:30am to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm. If you’re worried about the heat and haze, don’t fret as the event will be held at the air-conditioned The Flower Field Hall at GBTB, so you won’t need to sweat it out as you enjoy your scrummy grub.Â
Maybank Cardmembers can rejoice, as they only need to pay $16 to enter the event, instead of the usual $20 for non-Maybank Cardmembers. Each ticket comes with $16 worth of food credits too, which can essentially get you about four dishes in total.Â
Maybank Cardmembers can also upgrade to the Butler Service ($90 for adults, $45 for children) and be treated like a king. This package entails you to free-flow drinks including beer, as well as a reserved table with butler service so you won’t need to queue up for your food.Â
Each guest can get six dishes of their choice too, which will certainly leave you full to the brim. This exclusive service is only limited to 50 Maybank Cardmembers a day, so fastest fingers first!Â
If you’re not a Maybank Cardmember yet, do be sure to sign up now to enjoy these perks at the food fair as well as receive a complimentary American Tourister Linex 66/24 Luggage TSA worth $260*. SMS “MBAPPLY EBA <Name> <NRIC>” to 79898 or visit maybank.sg/applycards for details.
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Address: 211 Marine Way, Flower Field Hall, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore 018977
Event date and time: 5-6 October 2019, 11:30am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm
Website
*Terms and Conditions apply. Visit maybank.sg/applycards for details.
Photos taken by Pichan Cruz and Danny Ko.
This post is brought to you by Maybank Cards.
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