Singapore's TidbiTs

The calories rich but tasty teh tarik (or teh tarek) or pulled tea is a unique milk or 'sarabat' tea found in Malaysia and Singapore. It is made of black tea in combination with condensed milk (or evaporated milk for less sweetness), and tossing or dragging (tarik) the tea from one container to another at a height. This tea is usually drank while having roti prata . Well you can drink it with about any snacks or dishes or you can just sip it on its own. There is also teh masala or spice tea, but for the locals here we tend to stick with either teh tarik or teh halia. These teh tarek stalls are traditionally owned or operated by Indians. A glass or a cup of teh tarik usually cost between $1.20 to $2.00 depending if you get them at hawker centres or air-conditioned food-courts. Teh tarik seller You can get a fix of teh-tarik not only in Little India but all over Singapore. Obviously it is cheaper and tastes better at the road-side stalls or at hawker centres . We locals like to...

Many associated Little India with Mustafa Centre, the huge 24-hour department store that sells almost anything. Yes, they practically sell everything including electronics, jewellery, shoes and fresh produce. And we all know of someone who would dash to Mustafa Centre to get that last-minute travel luggage. Other than Mustafa Centre, another well-known landmark in Little India is without doubt Tekka Centre or Market and the Arcade. Although not part of the original Raffles Town or Jackson Plan, like the ethnic areas of Kampong Glam and Chinatown , the well-preserved Little India in Singapore evolved through trade-related activities and remain a magnet of all things that represent the Indian culture and heritage of Singapore. The area was developed around agriculture and cattle trading in the 19th century. Common traditional trades include garland-making, goldsmithing, and fortune-telling. Indian goldsmiths are prominent, as gold jewelry is culturally significant. Walk along Serangoon ...

Museums and heritage centres offer wealth of information about the history, tradition and culture of the country and its people. There are many artefacts on display for the public to appreciate what the country has gone through in the past and offer glimpse of hope for the future. For the arts museums or galleries, they offer arts lovers and the public in general venues to appreciate and understand arts, however abstract and modern they may be. Most museums are free, at least for the locals. And for tourists too on certain days such as during public holidays or on Fridays. However, there are exceptions like the Changi Museum , which is free for all visitors, locals and foreign. There is a separate post dedicated to Changi Museum . While most museums are free (entry fees apply for foreign visitors except Changi Museum and few others), if you end up eating at the many upscale restaurants and cafes dotting some museums, your outing can be an expensive affair. However, the setting of the r...

One of Singapore's favourite breakfast that you can find all over Singapore. Many have it for late supper too as many roti prata shops open 24 hours. We are a nation that cannot stop eating. The good old roti prata or Indian pancakes. Roti means bread. And prata means flat. Literally it means flat bread. Our Malaysian neighbours call it Roti Canai. The origin could be from Chennai, India. Prata can be plain or may come with fillings, depending on customers preference, eggs being the most common. You can also have a combo of egg and onion. Crispy roti prata with curry There are also cheese, banana and chocolate pratas. And prata topped with ice-cream! Similar to the French crepes. Prata is a bit greasy, though the crispier ones taste better and probably less greasy too. You dip the prata into the vegetable, fish or meat curry sauce. Prata typically cost between 80 cents to $2 each depending on whether it's plain or with eggs and other fillings. Price also varies depending on i...

If you crave for that yummy Indian dishes there are many tasty yet affordable dishes that you can get for between $3 to $5. The good old roti prata or Indian pancake with vegetable, fish or meat curry gravy, which you can find practically everywhere in Singapore, at hawker centres , food-courts or coffee-shops. Or stand-alone stalls that just sells roti-prata and other Indian foods. Though just like many local snacks, roti-prata can be quite greasy as well. Chappati set with four different dips. Other common tasty and affordable Indian food is potato filled masala thosai with curry and sourish sauces, dipping or gravies that you can get for $3 or a chappati set that includes two pieces of chapatis and three side dishes plus poppadom, or Indian cracker. If you are looking for a healthier option, chapati will probably be it. Just like roti-prata, you can find those or chapati at many Indian stalls at hawker centres or food-courts. A plain thosai without fillings cost only between $1.50...