Tag Archives: Singapore

A rainbow connection – Celebrating Holi and Songkran the colorful and fun way!

May 26, 2011 Joan Wee Leave a comment

Author: Sujata Sawai and Tai Yossiree, Class of 2011

On a bright Saturday afternoon, some thirty of us gathered together at Graduate Hall grounds to celebrate the advent of spring and celebrate two of Asia’s widely celebrated festivities – Songkran from Thailand and Holi, from India, last 16th of April. In fact Holi has been celebrated at Nanyang by the MBA students for the last 3 years, while this is the first Songkran event celebration at Nanyang. And celebrating this together is a first too, we believe!

Songkran day is the celebration of Thai New Year, which falls in the middle of April of each year, and it is celebrated all over Thailand. With a long history people gather on the streets with water containers, water guns and white powder and splash or throw them on friends or passerby. However, on a serious note, the main purpose of Songkran day is to pay a visit to family or elders, and also to go to temple for Buddhist activities as Thais look forward to a better year.

Coming from Thailand (yes, that’s me – Tai), I feel that my classmates should not only experience Songkran the way how it is celebrated, but also to create a sense of unity as a family – doing activities outside of academic life like having fun together. Like what Songkran festival is all about – together, we will ‘wash away’ the sadness, tiredness and stress from our studies, and be ready for the new year to come!

Holi, on the other hand, is the spring religious festival celebrated by Hindus and dates back many centuries ago. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and countries with large Indic diaspora populations, such as Suriname, Malaysia, and Guyana, among others. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), which, for this year, fell on 20th of March. Like Songkran, Holi is celebrated by throwing colored powder (dye powder) and colored water at each other. Traditionally, playful throwing of colored powder and water has medicinal significance, especially during the onset of spring which normally brings viral fever and cold due to change of weather (reference: Wikipedia.com).

Finding clothes to discard was easy. We had to since we wanted to have fun throwing colored water and colored powder at our classmates- we knew that our clothes will be soiled and will be thrown away after the celebrations. We had a fantastic time splashing one another with colored water!

Three stooges all soiled up – me (Tai) in the middle with Snigdha (left) and Reynold (right)

We ran across the huge vacant field beside our graduate residence hall, and no one escaped the flurry of powder and water.

Esmond’s makeshift shower but making a mess out of Alejandra (left) and Flora (right), while lonesome Scott pretends to be a Red Indian.

Zos is trying to be serious out here, while Claudia playfully poses to the camera (Thank you both for the awesome photos!)

Everyone was ecstatic with joy as we messed our clothes – some went stumbling down on the ground laughing, diving into a mixture of mud and colored water, while others chased madly those who have not been messed up with buckets of it (yes, buckets!) and ensured that they are messed up as well. Here at Nanyang, we ‘hit a lot ’ with this joint celebration – we gathered as family, we cooled ourselves from the hot and humid weather of Singapore during this time and cooled down from the stress from studies, as well! Just like how I experienced it in India (Sujata), the day was filled with the spirit of joy, naughtiness, passion and enthusiasm. Even one of our classmates, Claudia, wished that there were celebrations like this in her home country – Germany! As Claudia puts it, “I really enjoyed celebrating Holi & Songkran with my fellow students. It was the first time for me to get to know these celebrations and helped me in understanding and experiencing Thai and Hindu culture. While we were throwing colours and water at each other, everybody was cheering, laughing. In the end, I was completely covered in all kinds of colours… it was just a lot of fun! I wish we had a Holi and Songkran celebration in Germany, too! The cross-cultural festivals at NBS, like Mid-Autumn festival, Diwali and Holi & Songkran celebration, make my MBA in Singapore a memorable and unique experience for me. I’m looking forward to more of these!”

Our classmates are having a fantastic time (topmost photo); We still look good despite being so ‘colorful’ – (from left to right) Mandar, Me (Sujata), Sameer and Vidushi.

And to end this day of fun, we had good food to nourish our near-aching bodies [from all those running and stumbling, and getting hit by throwing water]. We feasted on an awesome assortment of Thai and Indian food like Veg Pakoda, pineapple fried rice, Thai fish cake, and Thai banana in coconut milk (Prof Siri, you are fantastic in preparing this for us!). Nothing beats a hungry stomach, so we emptied everything on the table!

A shout out of thanks to our Student ExCo and the rest of our classmates for making this double celebration more fun and exciting! Who says that MBA students are no fun at all?

Blog, Networking

Breaking Barriers, Forging Friendships and Conceiving the Future – Singapore MBA Network organizes its first networking event

April 9, 2011 Joan Wee Leave a comment

Author: Pramoj S/O Sankar, MBA Student 2011, Vice-President Cultural, Student Ex-Co,

On the 9th of April, I joined a gathering of over 200 MBA students from top business schools based in Singapore -Nanyang, NUS, SMU, Essec and Insead, in an evening filled with fun, laughter and networking. It was held at the Oosh bar and restaurant, located in Dempsey Hill and one of the hip places in Singapore for parties and dining. Oosh used to be a former army camp which turned into Singapore’s largest alfresco bar and restaurant, tucked inside a natural habitat of trees – away from the hustle and bustle of buildings and city life. Yes, Singapore can surprise you with such lush places! That event was the very first initiative of the Singapore MBA Network, a newly created, and maybe the first formal group of MBAs based in Singapore, which counts both present students and alumni from the 5 schools. And this networking event was certainly the best way to kick start the formation of this group.

I found the excitement to be palpable as I met fellow young (and some very experienced) thought leaders of tomorrow from other schools and shared with one another our experiences from our respective programs, as well as our aspirations upon receiving our MBAs. Everyone was in high spirits, and I found the opportunity of meeting new people and of learning new ideas very refreshing and truly rewarding experience.

I was the emcee of the event – hugging the microphone most of the time, and maybe I tried my best to make the event as enjoyable as possible, by telling anecdotes or simple jokes to break the ice. I was thrilled to have worked with the other MBA participants to organize the event, and was especially pleased to have the opportunity to play games and interact with almost everyone.

Pram hosting the night

On a more serious note, student leaders of each school also gave brief speeches to rally their peers towards forming a cohesive and influential network of Singapore MBAs. I personally felt honoured to be part of this network, with so many brilliant minds and by just being at this event, I could already feel the immense potential and value this alliance could give me and other aspiring young business individuals. It is, indeed, a start of something big!

I felt everyone enjoyed the networking session – hundreds of name-cards, including my own, were exchanged, ideas for future collaborations were conceived and most importantly, new circles of valuable friendship had been forged. This unprecedented event had truly added a new dimension to my MBA experience in Singapore. We all look forward to the next event, as this first networking event paved the way to more occasions of similar nature.

Posing for the camera while enjoying drinks and company – Singapore MBA Students at the networking event

(Photos courtesy of Singapore MBA Network organizer)

Blog, Living in Singapore

Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore

August 28, 2010 Joan Wee Leave a comment

Singapore’s very proud moment culminated in a ceremonial close two nights ago, with
President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mr Jacques Roc, handing over
the symbolic Olympic flag to Mr Ji Jianye, mayor of Nanjing, the 2014 host city of the
second Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

Singapore has long been in plans to be the host country of the world’s first Youth
Olympic Games, slated for 2010. Back in 2007, it put together a pitch committee
including members from governmental agencies MCYS, SSC and SNOC to prepare
Singapore’s bid. Its vision was to leverage on the golden opportunity to host talented
young athletes from all over the world to celebrate diversity, friendship and hope a for
a better future through the promotion of the Olympic ideals.

Our young, small and multicultural nation was indeed the ideal site to fulfill the
objectives of YOG as conceptualised by the IOC. Outbidding the other bigger bidding
cities of Athens, Bangkok, Moscow and Turin, Singapore was declared host in
February 2008 via a live telecast from Lausanne, Switzerland, where the IOC held its
final meet.

Amongst some key capabilities that Singapore was selected on, were its education
and culture, accommodation, security, technology and transport. However what
strongly stood out, was its nature as a multicultural nation where people of different
ethnicities, cultures and histories live in harmony and respect one another. Singapore
is also internationally recognised for its integrity and commitment to fair play.

Over the next two years, Singapore worked hard in preparation for the big day.
It involved its citizens and residents in YOG’s branding aspects, and put together its
representing teams for the games. The first YOG Learning Centre was set up to allow
visitors to discover and experience the spirit of Olympism and trace Singapore’s
journey in hosting the YOG.

The city state also invested much in engaging youths from all over the globe through
digital media. A YOG mircosite named “WhyOhGee” was set up to house the most up-
to-date information, facts and trivia, games and even a virtual community on the 26
Summer YOG sports as well as stories of sports personalities. Some 3594 young
athletes are slated to compete in these sports comprising 201 events.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was picked over National University of
Singapore (NUS) as the accommodation of choice for these athletes and the Youth
Olympic Village, also known to NTU as a ‘Garden, Village, Home’ was created.
Refurbishments to hall rooms and enhancements to training facilities were carried out
to create the best home-away-from-home living experience for them.

A world-class performance was also planned to welcome the athletes in the opening
ceremony on 14 August 2010, on the world’s largest floating platform which would
become the stage to 7000 performers. Technical experts from France, Germany,
Belgium, Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom including Technical Director Nick
Eltis, Lighting Designer Koert Vermeulen, Special Effects Designer Jean Kohler,
Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Designer Michael Lakin, Flames Designer Francois Montel,
Sound Designer Scott Willsallen, Set Designer Raja Malek and Multimedia Director Brian
Gothong Tan, were roped in to ensure perfection to this display of theatre, music,
song, dance and multimedia shows. All of this was to be played out against the
stunning backdrop of Singapore’s Marina Bay.

And indeed, Singapore lived up to its name of always striving for the best. The next
12 days saw perfect co-ordination in terms of logistical arrangements, traffic
management and provision of resources. At YOG’s closing ceremony, Olympic
Committee President Jacques Rogge said the inaugural YOG has vastly exceeded his
highest expectations. “I did not expect this level of perfection,” he said of the
organisation – about a third of the scale of a Summer Games – in his closing press
conference at the Marina Bay Sands. “Hats off to Singapore for what they’ve done. I
now have 22 Olympic Games under my belt, and this YOG is ranking at the very top.”
The event, which caters to athletes aged between 14 and 18, has been championed
by the Belgian since he became the Olympics chief in 2001.

Let’s recap some exciting sporting moments of YOG 2010.

Blog, Living in Singapore

Singapore Millionaire Club The Fastest Growing

June 13, 2010 Joan Wee Leave a comment

[Extracted from cover story of The Straits Times, Saturday, 12 June 2010]

Author: Gabriel Chen, The Straits Times – Singapore Press Holdings

Singapore added millionaires at a faster rate than anywhere else in the world last year, despite a recession that decimated wealth in many nations.

The millionaire club grew by 35 per cent here, putting Singapore just ahead of second-placed Malaysia with a 33 per cent gain, and Slovakia on 32 per cent and China on 31 per cent.

In absolute numbers, the United States still has by far the most millionaire households at 4.7million, followed by Japan and China. But you are more likely to bump into a millionaire here.

An annual study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) showed that Singapore had the highest concentration of millionaires, as in 2008. A total of 11.4 per cent of households here own more than US$1million (S$1.4million) – defined as those with investable assets of over US$1million, exclusive of property and items like art. BCG did not provide the number of millionaire households in Singapore.

Hong Kong was next in terms of concentration, followed by Switzerland, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the US.

Singaporean T.J Thang, who belongs to the elite group, did not fare too badly during the downturn. “Some of my stocks fell in value during the recession, but I was getting attractive property rental yields, and hence my cash grew.” said the 49-year-old businessman.

Economists and wealth managers cite a number of factors as to why Singapore is leading the way in the growth of millionaire households. One is Singapore’s “liberal admissions policy” to attract talent and the well-heeled, said CIMB Research economist Song Seng Wun.

Today, virtually every big-name private bank which caters to the well-heeled has made Singapore its regional hub.

What this latest reports means is, “for all the private bankers who are here, it confirms that Singapore is the right spot to be”, said Mr Rolf Gerber, chief executive of LGT Bank in Liechtenstein (Singapore).

BCG believes that another factor of this rise could be the strength of the Singapore dollar currency against the US dollar.

BCG’s study reviewed the assets under management covering 62 markets representing around 99 per cent of global economic output.

Top of the list
[Country growth in millionaire households]

Singapore: 35%
Malaysia: 33%
Slovakia: 32%
China: 31%
Morocco: 28%
South Korea: 28%
United Arab Emirates: 23%
Germany: 23%
Indonesia: 21%
Algeria: 21%

Blog, Living in Singapore

The Lovely Bintan

May 5, 2010 Joan Wee

Author: Yosuke S., Japan

Singapore is just a stone’s throw away from everywhere else. Which is why, most of us would travel together regularly to surrounding cities or islands for a relaxing weekend vacation.

Recently, a group of us decided to hit the shores of Bintan, Indonesia. Bintan is an island which is just an hour away from Singapore by ferry. Most of the shops, restaurants and hotels accept the Singapore currency too, so we don’t even need to bother about exchanging currencies.
It is a perfect getaway if you had a hectic week at school, and like me, only the sound of beach waves and the sight of bikini babes can relax me. We were kept busy with sea sports like banana boating, jet skiing, para gliding and just chilling on the upper deck of a small rented yatch.

In Japanese culture, we believe in a good life balance between work and relax. So, I am glad here in Singapore, I am able to have the same balance. Although the program is rigourous, whenever I think about these affordable short getaways to relax by the beautiful beaches, I have enough motivation to work hard during the week.

Some recommendations I have in Bintan, are the spa and seafood. Go to a reputable spa and spend a few hours enjoying a massage. I am beginning to like the Balinese style of massage a lot. Since Bintan is an island, there is plenty of seafood. I suggest going out of the hotel (as they can charge more) and heading downtown for a good seafood restaurant. If only they serve sashimi.

Let me share some pictures with you.

Our ferry is called Penguin 5. The upper deck feels less shaky in the waves.

My heart jumped for joy when I saw the peaceful water and simple way of life

The sight of a quiet sandy beach is so welcoming

You will see me if you look closely. I was trying not to fall off the boat!

The view from our rented yatch. All you need is a pair of shades and suntan lotion.

You can have your massage outdoors if you wish to

Some also like to snorkel but I’m not a fan of jellyfish

I wish this is the view from my room, but it is not. One day it will be.

This is the view from our hotel. Not bad too.

There were some couples enjoying their romantic dinners on the beach. Unfortunately my dinner partners were a bunch of MBA guys.

The sunset is absolutely beautiful. I have not seen anything like this before.

If you wish to go downtown for shopping in the night, these trishaws will bring you there very quickly.

Blog, Living in Singapore

A 3-day Getaway to Phuket!

March 30, 2010 Joan Wee Leave a comment

Author: Adeline T., Singapore

Just a short 1 hour and 45 minutes’ flight away from Singapore, is Phuket, and island south of Thailand which is favoured by many beach bums like myself.

Cotton candy clouds en-route to Phuket

If you have 3 days to spare, do what I did!

I bought an air ticket from Jetstar Asia, 1 of the 3 budget carriers we have in Singapore (The other two are Tiger Airways and Air Asia). All 3 of them have regular promotions, so check often to get yourself a good deal!) And simply with a passport in a hand, and a small bag of clothes and necessities in another, I was off to a weekend of sun, sand and the sea!

Phuket is not like its metropolitan sister cities, neither is it steeped in rich history. But it has one of the nicest beaches I’ve ever seen, and unfortunately, even more beautiful, after the killer 2004 Tsunami that killed over 230,000 people in the region (recorded as one of history’s worst natural catastrophes) ravaged the great mass of low lands on the island. For a whole year, Phuket was hard at work, grieving and rebuilding everything that it lost, back to its former glory.

I checked myself into the Dusit Thani, Thailand’s premier hotel chain. I was showed to my cozy deluxe room with a balcony that overlooks the Indian Ocean, by the Bangtao Beach (a less rowdy part of Phuket as compared to the Patong Beach which is peppered with many pubs and bars and other joints not suitable for mention in this blog).

The calm, blue and alluring sea just steps away from my room

The river that links the Dusit Thani to the other hotels in the same Bangtao stretch

I hired a guide cum driver, who brought me to some really good spas in Phuket. Getting a simple massage in Phuket doesn’t come cheap, but because of how hospitable and skillful the Thai masseuses are, it is well worth the money.

This spa sits on the river bank.

Check out the amazing mountainous view!

In between spa-ing and vegetating under the sun all 3 days, I managed to squeeze in an hour of ATV Quad Biking near a swamp on an uneven terrain which proved to be the most daring activity I have ever attempted at. Steep inclines, sudden drops, into a mud pool, getting a wheel stuck in sand, both legs encrusted in mud stains…beats shopping any day if you asked me.

On the final night of my stay in Phuket, I did what every tourist in Phuket would do – I went to the Simon Cabaret! Performed by only ladyboys (transvestites), the show consisted of only lip-syncs to the latest pop songs in a few regional languages amidst elaborate and grandeur setting. The ladyboys were modelesque and had beautiful features (not without the help of a good plastic surgeon actually) but they did charm the pants off the male audiences (no pun intended). They all gather at the exit after the show, so that the audiences can take photos with them for a fee.

She looks gorgeous! I was truly mesmerised…

Check out her elaborate headgear with intricate details. Wow!

Three days was all I needed for a quick rejuvenation and it was a very well-deserving holiday for all the hard work I have put in for the past 2 trimesters!

Back to my studies for now!

Blog, Living in Singapore

Sun Beams Aplenty!

March 11, 2010 Joan Wee Leave a comment

Author: Cynthea Lam (Marketing Manager, The NANYANG MBA)

Last Saturday (6 March 2010) was a very special day for me, my friends and
colleagues, as we trooped down to Sunbeam Place armed with bags and bags of
groceries for the kids.

Sunbeam Place is a home set up by the Children’s Society of Singapore,
to shelter and protect children between the ages of 2 to 18, who have
abusive parents or parents who can no longer look after them because they’re both
incarcerated or have no financial means to.

The wonderful Director of the home, Dr. Siew, brought us around the home, and
introduced us to her staff, who take care of the children, each with a different role to
ensure they are eating right, studying well in school, and that they have good sports,
arts and music activities to partake in, caring for their every need.

It is a very difficult journey for some children, having been brought up in environments
that have scarred them mentally. They are sensitive souls who yearn security and
love, just like any other ordinary child.

I have earlier on gathered some donations from friends and family, and my friends and
their families have also come forth to donate. The spirit of giving is a very touching
one, and brings together strangers who have no connections to each other. That
day’s visit, was a reflection of how we can all join forces to make bigger things
happen, as long as our hearts’ intentions are aligned!

Blog, Living in Singapore

New Kid On The Block in Sentosa!

March 1, 2010 Joan Wee Leave a comment

We are all very excited…that Singapore has just become even more exciting, with its very first integrated resort, featuring a CASINO, the UNIVERSAL STUDIOS theme park and GRAND hotels and the largest OCEANARIUM in the world, within a mammoth area of 49 hectares of land!

Opened on Valentine’s Day this year, which is coincidentally the first day of the Lunar New Year, Resorts World is situated off the southern part of Singapore, in a conjoined island called SENTOSA.

We Singaporeans grew up with only Sentosa to escape to during the school holidays. (Remember, Singapore is land-scarce before the land reclaiming projects started!) Back then, the island was not well-developed with hotels or other forms of entertainment. So, apart from a fast food outlet and some historic sites to visit on a monorail that runs through the island, and ok, a musical fountain, there really weren’t much sights to devour like a tourist should.

So, Singapore has truly come a long way, to become a top tourist destination today. *beams with pride*

With the exams behind us now (they just ended last week), I am planning to visit Sentosa again! (Note to Victoria Secret’s fans: VS has opened its first Asian store here in Resorts World!!! *Ballistic with anticipation*)

Looking forward to the rides, the shopping, the dining, the blackjack table, the spas. I think I should just check myself in to Hard Rock Hotel for a 3 day staycation! WOOOHOOOO!!

Updates soon!

P/S: Meanwhile, I leave you with some pictures of Resorts World I’ve seen from other friends’ blogs. I can’t wait!

Hard Rock Hotel facade: I’ve always wanted to stay in one of these but never had the chance to

Entrance to the Casino, our very first!

The Crockfords Tower Hotel entrance. WOW.

I am never going on this thing. But it looks scary enough to excite some of my roller coaster fanatic friends.

Jesters on stilts on its opening day. Charming.

Now this is charming but where’s the floor vent?!?

Blog, Living in Singapore

Chinese New Year in Singapore

February 12, 2010 Joan Wee Leave a comment

I have always been extremely thankful to be born in Singapore: A home that is not only known as one of the safest country in the world, but also a multi-racial, religious and harmonious community. Our forefathers came from all over the world and within a short span of 45 years, we have evolved from a rural fishing village to today’s cosmopolitan city of magnificent sky-scrapers and happening nightlife!

Alright, enough of the self-praise. Since Chinese New Year (CNY) is coming up (14th-28th February 2010), let me tell you more about the cultural aspects of Singapore. The rich mix of cultures in Singapore means there is always a cultural event to celebrate, all through the year. These festivals usually centre on race, religion, age-old myths and traditions. Oh, did you notice the array of abbreviations Singaporeans use? That’s part of the Singapore culture as well! ERP, CPF, MOE, NTUC…you’ll learn more as we go along!

Chinatown

The hub of all activity during CNY is of course, Chinatown. Sense the preparation excitement in the air as enterprising merchants line Terengganu Street and Pagoda Street (Nearest MRT Station: Chinatown Station) with their colourful stalls!

Get your traditional CNY goodies such as Love Letters (thin, crispy cracker emblazoned with auspicious symbols, rolled into a hollow tube), Pineapple Tarts, Kuih Bang Kit (milky cookie that melts in your mouth, made from tapioca flour and coconut milk) and many more! The free sampling of goodies there can fill you up for a meal! Yummy. Or buy some pussy willow, red-paper decorations or baskets of mandarin oranges for good luck. If you’re married and want to join in an age-old tradition, get some Hong Bao (small red envelopes) to give to those who are single. Don’t forget to slip in some dollar notes in the Hong Bao before you give it away!

River Hong Bao Carnival (5 Minutes Walk from City Hall Station)

One of the most awaited carnivals in Singapore, the River Hong Bao Carnival is a huge and lively fair, featuring a mind-boggling variety of food, traditional arts and folklore from ancient China. You will find the entire fairground decorated with floats of mythical creatures, legendary heroes, Chinese gods, pagodas and cherry blossoms.

Visiting performers and artisans, flown in from selected provinces in China, will perform nightly cultural performances ranging from acrobatics to Chinese calligraphy. You can even have your palm read, or get a special Chinese zodiac reading of your birth sign! You should visit this place if you want to learn and experience the CNY customs.

Chingay Parade (Nearest MRT: CityHall Station)

Started in 1973 as a procession to mark the CNY festivities, this annual parade is now the grandest street and floats parade in Asia, showcasing the rich, vibrant multi-ethnic and cosmopolitan cultures of Singapore as well as hundreds of renowned performers from all over the world.

The term ‘Chingay’ originated from Southeast Asia, and is a phonetic equivalent of the Chinese words “妆艺” (which means “a decorated display of culture and traditional skills). Today, the parade has evolved into a massive multi-cultural and international event with live telecast on local television every year. For 2010, it will be taking place at our very own F1 Racing Pit on 19th and 20th February. Tickets can be purchased from www.sistic.com.sg. Chingay is truly an all-out, multi-national party you must not miss!

Transport-wise, I would say that it is relatively easy to find your way around Singapore. Not that we are a mere “little red dot”, but it is because we have got a comprehensive and accessible transport system in place. A good way to avoid the festive jams is to take the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit, also known as our subway or train services), which will bring you swiftly to heart of Chinatown and City Hall.

It is just the beginning of February, but I can already sense how exciting this month will be! Got to go, I’m off to get new wardrobe additions for the Chinese New Year, and I can’t wait to experience the festive crowd at Chinatown tonight!

Blog, Living in Singapore

Food Paradise

February 1, 2010 Joan Wee Leave a comment

Author : Kelly-Ann, Singapore

I think I can safely call myself a foodie; someone who is discerning enough to tell a ribeye from a sirloin.

Food gives me comfort and for some strange reason, I feel uberly excited as the clock tick closer and closer to the next meal time.

Singapore is just the place for a foodie like me. The great nationality diversity here means the many different cuisines available for our taste buds. Walk into any hawker centre or kopitiam (literally: a coffee shop – one without air conditioning – that sells food and drinks), and you’ll be spoilt for choice. The majority of races in Singapore make up the kinds of dishes you’ll find there: Chinese, Malay, Indian and simple Western dishes.

I’ll start simple, and give you a low-down of what to expect if you’re on a low budget. Nothing fancy, yet.

There is almost always a kopitiam within a few blocks away from wherever you are, in Singapore. If you’re in a suburban neighbourhood centre (affectionately known as ‘Central’ here), there will be a market, a large complex that sells fresh meats, produce, food and drinks. If you’re in a suburban mall, or a shopping centre in the city, you will definitely be able to locate a food court – which has air conditioning and cleaners who help to clear your trays.

These places are the most affordable ways to dine and are usually open until late.

Almost always, you’ll find the below dishes in some or all of these places.

Chinese

1.Hainanese Chicken Rice: Steamed chicken with soya and sesame gravy. Served with chicken-flavoured rice. If you dare the spice factor, ask for a side dip of chilli, ginger paste and dark sauce.

2.Roasted Duck Rice: Roasted duck served with white rice. Ask for a side dip of plum sauce and chilli paste.

3.Sliced fish soup vermicelli:

4.Bak Chor Mee (Minced Pork Noodle): Thin yellow noodle doused in a mixture of minced pork, mushrooms and dark soya-based gravy. Served with a side bowl of meatball soup.

5.Wanton Mee (Pork dumpling Noodle): Usually eaten dry. Thin yellow noodle with soya-based gravy and topped with roasted pork and wanton (pork dumplings)

6.Seafood/Beef Hor Fun (Stir-fried flat broad rice noodle): Stir-fried hor fun with a starchy gravy with your choice of meat/seafood. Must be eaten with pickled green chilli for extra kick!

7.Char Kway Teow (Stir-fried flat broad rice noodle in dark sauce): A dry version of the hor fun, this dish is usually done with dark sweet soya sauce, and lots of crispy and fragrant pork lard, tossed with bean sprouts, fish cake and raw clams. Ask for no clams if you’re not used to its raw taste.

8.Fried Carrot Cake: Broken pieces of steamed carrot and starch cake, stir fried with sweet dark sauce and held together with egg. Ask for a non-black version if you’re not used to having a sweet and savoury mix of tastes.

9.Fried Oyster Omelette: Fresh oysters loosely fried with a starchy egg mixture which turns into a yummy chewy paste when done.

10.Popiah: A rice paper-thin roll of stewed turnips, shredded vegetables and Chinese sausage.

11.‘Michael Jackson’ drink: Officially known as “Michael Jackson”, this is a beverage made by mixing white soya bean milk with black grass jelly drink.

Malay

1.Laksa: A coconut milk-infused curry noodle dish. Topped with sliced fish cake, bean sprouts and raw clams.

2.Mee Siam: A tamarind-based soupy vermicelli dish. Topped with hard-boiled egg.

3.Mee Rubus: Another coconut-milk infused dish that has a strong peanut taste. Served with yellow noodles, shredded chicken and bean sprouts.

4.Nasi Lemak: Everyone’s favourite. Coconut white rice, topped with an omelette, fried fish, fried anchovies and peanut mix, cucumber slices and a dollop of sambal chilli (savoury chilli paste)

5.Mee Soto: Yellow noodles soaked in a chicken-based soup. Served with hard-boiled egg and shredded chicken.

6.Mee Goreng: Stir-fried yellow noodles in spicy paste. Some stalls use instant noodles to make this dish, good for those who cannot appreciate the taste of yellow noodles.

7.Rojak: A mixture of sliced cucumbers, apples, pineapples, raw mango, deep fried dough fritters tossed in a thick peanut-y shrimp sauce.

8.Bandung: A sweet beverage made with rose syrup and sweetened condensed milk.

Indian

1.Roti prata: A pancake bread made of lard, egg, flour and water. Usually eaten with curry. A variety of stuffings available like onion, cheese, eggs, and more.

2.Indian Rojak: An assortment of potatoes, eggs, bean curd (tofu), and prawns fried in batter, served with a sweet and spicy chili sauce

3.Fish head curry: A spicy dish, usually eaten with rice or bread. Fish head cooked in a thick curry gravy with chopped vegetables like lady’s fingers, onions, tomatos and brinjals (eggplants)

4.Nasi Biryani: A set of rice-based foods made with lots of spices, basmati rice, and meat, fish, eggs or vegetables.

5.Teh Tarik: Everyone’s favourite frothy tea! Literally known as “pulled tea”, its name is derived from the pouring process of “pulling” the drink during preparation. It is made from black tea and sweetened condensed milk.