In celebration of National Day, we asked a group of Singapore-based chefs to answer a fun set of quickfire questions that showcase their favorite aspects of Singapore. From their favourite tourist attraction and wet market to their go-to local drink, hawker food, and choice of Singaporean slang.
P.S. We’ve also recorded some of these quickfire Q&A’s for you to use in any National Day videos you’re working on — completely free of rights and credits. Just scroll down to 'Media Files' and download the zip folder!
Chef Damian D'Silva, Rempapa
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
The Zoo. I spent many good times with my kids and friends at the Zoo and have also had a picnic there. It also helps that we have one of the best in the world, where you can see the animals.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
I have too many that I go to when I need to buy what is necessary for a specific dish. This is especially for herbs and vegetables that are uncommon today.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
Haha I used to say this to my friends quite a bit. It has the right connotations; 'Talk cock, sing song'.
What is your favourite local drink?
Hot - Kopi O Kosong. Cold - Sugar cane with lemon no ice.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Teochew Mui.
Chef Dylan, The Masses and Choon Hoy Parlor
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
Haji Lane.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Whampoa Market.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
I have two. One is steady lah! The other one is mai lai lah!
What is your favourite local drink?
Kopi siew dai.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Definitely has to be kway chap!
Chef Louis Han, NAE:UM, GU:UM and Hideaway
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
Merlion Park.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Chinatown wet market.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
Can lah!
What is your favourite local drink?
ABC juice!
What is your favourite hawker food?
It changes every time but recently I have eaten a lot of Yang Zhou bee hoon.
Chef Akane Eno, Ichigo Ichie
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
Singapore National Museum.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Tekka Market.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
Swee!
What is your favourite local drink?
Kopi C Siew Dai.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Local-style claypot rice.
Chef Ace Tan, Asu
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
Sentosa. It's quite underrated but there's quite a number of things to check out over there.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Tiong Bahru, at the moment.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
I don't use much of them but I would say, lah!
What is your favourite local drink?
Lemon barley.
What is your favourite hawker food?
A good bowl of fishball noodles or bak chor mee.
Chef Makoto Arami, AMI Patisserie
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
The Singapore Zoo!
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Tiong Bahru Market.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
There’s a few: aiyoooooooooo, wah lau eh, and can laaaaaa!
What is your favourite local drink?
Kopi siew dai peng.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Fish ball noodle mee kia dry with chilli.
Chef Denis Lucchi, Buona Terra and Locanda
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
The Peranakan houses in Joo Chiat.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Eunos Crescent Wet Market.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
Abuden.
What is your favourite local drink?
Kopi o kosong.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Bak Chor Mee with mee pok.
Chef Angus Chang, Sushi Hare
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
Gardens By The Bay.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
I rarely go to wet markets, but I will usually go to Meidi-Ya and Isetan supermarket.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
Shiok!
What is your favourite local drink?
Kopi o Kosong peng.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Chicken rice, carrot cake, and bak chor mee.
Chef Zor Tan, Born
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
Chinatown.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Chinatown, also.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
Wah lau eh!
What is your favourite local drink?
Cendol.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Chicken rice.
Chef Shingo Iijima, Fat Cow
What is your favourite tourist attraction in Singapore?
Sentosa.
What is your favourite wet market in Singapore?
Holland Village Market or The Fish Farmer.
What is your favourite Singaporean slang word or phrase?
Okay lah!
What is your favourite local drink?
Sugar cane juice.
What is your favourite hawker food?
Sambal stingray.
