Some Singapore food habits never leave you, no matter how many years and flat whites stand between you and Changi. I left Singapore a long time ago, but Singapore clearly never left my stomach. Here are the four Singapore food habits that followed me home to Melbourne.
1. I scan for a queue before I pick somewhere to eat
In Singapore, a queue is a review. If the uncles and aunties are lining up, the food is worth it. So I still walk past a row of Melbourne restaurants doing a quick headcount like a census officer. Empty place? Suspicious. Twenty people out the door in the rain? Say less, I’m joining.
2. I’m completely at ease eating alone
Singapore taught me that a table for one is not a sad thing. It’s efficient, it’s peaceful and nobody steals your last dumpling. I’ll happily sit alone with a bowl of noodles and a book, no performance required. (Honestly, some of my best meals have had an audience of zero.)
3. Hungry and indecisive? Straight to the food court
When I can’t decide what I want, I don’t decide. I go to a food court and let the options decide for me. Melbourne food courts aren’t hawker centres (nothing is), but the logic still holds: more stalls, fewer arguments with myself.
4. I still follow far too many Singapore food bloggers
My feed is basically a Singapore food guide I can’t use from 6,000 kilometres away. New char kway teow spot in Bedok? Saved. Viral bakery in Tiong Bahru? Saved. Will I go? Eventually. Probably. (It’s a long list.)
Old habits, delicious habits. Some immigrants bring home recipes; I brought home a set of Singapore food habits, a queue radar and a food court reflex. No regrets.
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[…] to Melbourne last month. We went out to do a few of our favourite things to do there (mainly eating Singapore food) ━ here is the food trail of that […]