Singapore's TidbiTs

Fragrant coconut rice, fiery sambal, and the little parcels that hold a nation's heart. Singapore Food & Culture If chicken rice is the dish Singapore packages for the world, nasi lemak is the one it keeps for itself. It's the warm brown-paper parcel from the auntie at the morning bus stop, the 2 AM craving after a night out, and the taste of home that Singaporeans crave the moment they step off a plane. But what exactly makes this humble plate of coconut rice so beloved? What is Nasi Lemak? The name says it all. In Malay, nasi means rice, while lemak translates to "rich" or "creamy". Together, they describe rice cooked in coconut milk until it becomes fragrant, velvety, and utterly irresistible. A traditional plate of nasi lemak is a masterclass in balance: fluffy coconut rice infused with pandan leaves, a generous dollop of spicy-sweet sambal chilli, crispy fried anchovies ( ikan bilis ), roasted peanuts, slices of cool ...

Tucked away in Simei in the East, this cafe is the heart of a much larger circle of support built on understanding, respect, and inclusion. Tucked away in Singapore’s eastern heartland, just a short walk from Simei MRT, lies a cafe that looks ordinary on the outside but carries an extraordinary purpose. Metta Cafe isn’t just another vegetarian eatery—it’s the heart of a much larger circle of support built on understanding, respect, and inclusion . The Bigger Picture: Metta Welfare Association’s Story Metta Cafe is run by the Metta Welfare Association (Metta), an organisation founded in 1992 by Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhaobbm—who also serves as the President of Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Registered as a society in 1994, Metta is endorsed by Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Ministry of Health (MOH), and Ministry of Education (MOE). It is also a proud member of the National C...