Singapore's TidbiTs

Laksa is a popular tasty dish that originated from the Peranakan, an inter-marriage between the Chinese and Malay cultures which gave rise to the fusion of flavours from the ingredients used, thus this dish is very popular with both Chinese and Malay alike, and of course to the many tourists or visitors to this island who have got hooked on it. The curry laksa is a rich spicy coconut-based noodles soup, the ingredients which may include bean sprouts, tofu (taupok), cockles, slices of chicken and egg. It is usually topped with a spoonful of sambal belacan , a fermented shrimp and chilli paste, and laksa leaf for the added zest. The Malays called laksa leaf daun kesum rather than daun laksa. Daun means leaf. Cockles' laksa is the more common type of laksa but there are other options such as those containing prawns or pieces of chicken for those who are allergic to seafood. Laksa leaf is a herb which is an intrinsic part of this dish. It has a strong flavour just like curry leaf. I...

The good old humble rice porridge or congee made its way into american fast food restaurants. There is chicken (what else!) porridge breakfast meal sold for $3.60 at KFC that includes a cup of coffee or tea. If you buy ala carte the porridge cost $2.60. A good hearty breakfast to start your day. At some KFC outlets you can surf for free too while having your brekky. At Long John Silver you can also get porridge set complete with two half-boiled eggs for $5.20. Half-boiled eggs are usually part of kaya toast set , but still delicious to be mixed with congee as well. It is certainly a great way to start your day by having a hot comfort soft meal of porridge or congee with generous amount of nicely smelled fried shallots sprinkled on top of it. Black soya sauce and pepper are optional, but a bit of soya sauce is a must for many, to give some added taste and zest to otherwise bland-looking dish. Breakfast porridge at KFC You can get one for only $1.80 at Old Chang Kee, which is good as a t...

While most items like furniture certainly cost much more than $5, there are many useful household accessories that cost less than $5. Big plastic chopping board for only $2.90, glass bottle jar with lid for $3.90, stainless steel cutleries holder for $4.90, wall clock for only $1.90 (battery is extra of course but you will only need one AA battery), a set of four clothes hangers for only a dollar, a cushion for $4.90, cups or mugs for $2.90, plant pot for $3.90, simple self-assembled shelves for $12, and many more. They do sell potted plants, well, like a nursery. A small potted plant sells for about $5. You can get the pandan, a common plant , in IKEA. Beyond that, furnitures will sell in the hundreds, but if you are looking for quality and would not mind paying a bit more, do shop around elsewhere too. Sometimes we would not want to be seen having similar items or stuffs as our neighbour. Of course, if you buy lots of these small items the cost does add up. And we sometimes end up bu...

Bugis Village also known as Bugis Street Market is a good place for tourists and locals alike to pick up a souvenir or two such as fridge magnets and keychains. It is not a flea market, but more of the street's night market concept stores with fixed price,though you can also bargain for higher value items like a luggage bag. You can find 'I love Singapore' or 'Singapore is a Fine City' T-shirts that go for three pieces for $10. But of course, it must look lame for locals to wear these T-shirts here or elsewhere. Not that we are not patriotic. I think one would look pretty hilarious too, wearing a 'no chewing gum' t-shirt. You cannot find chewing gum at Bugis Market or elsewhere in Singapore. So, do I miss chewing the sugary gum? Sometimes, but it is what it is. Snowman at the roof of busy Bugis Market If you are looking for inexpensive watches, you can get a $5 watch at Bugis Market. These are not fake branded watches like those found in some alleys in Bang...