102532 Char kway teow, loosely translated as “stir-fried rice cake strips”, is made by stir-frying flat rice noodles (similar to the Italian tagliatelle) with light and dark soy sauce, a dash of belachan (shrimp paste), tamarind juice, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, lap cheong (Chinese sausages) and cockles.
102533 In its original recipe, the rice noodles are also stir-fried in pork fat using crisp bits of pork lard, resulting in a distinctively rich taste.
102534 In recent years, the dish as evolved into a healthier version with hawkers serving up more greens and adding less oil.
102535 This not only makes the dish healthy but the greens and bean sprouts give it a freshness and crunchy texture, adding to the overall star quality of this old-time favourite.
102536 The clanging wok and sweet-smelling hot air wafting from it gives it a heady, sensuous dimension of sight, smell and sound; and that’s even before you’ve taken a bite!
102537 Char kway teow is easily available at most food centres in Singapore, such as at the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre, and it’s also a signature dish at the Princess Terrace Café.
102538 Choose from either cockles or prawns to go with a plate of sizzling hot char kway teow, and have a hearty meal that satisfies your sinful cravings.
102539 If you’re heading to Zouk for a spot of clubbing, then why not stop off at the nearby Zion Road Hawker Centre (no need to mention the stall here; you’ll recognise it instantly from its long queues of eager customers) for a scrumptious plate of this famous dish from a much-lauded, famous hawker.
102542 Surrounded by retro-inspired push-carts and offering a spectacular view of the Marina Bay skyline, this open-air, moon-lit food centre is a hotspot for visitors and the sleepless in Singapore.
102543 Take your pick from a wide range of famous local treats such as fried carrot cake, oyster omelette, chilli crab and roti jala (lacy pancakes served with delicious curry), or try the more unusual roti kaya fondue.
102544 A must-try is the roti john or egg with minced lamb loaf, which many claim to be a creative delicacy concocted by an enterprising Malay chef to cater to his meat loaf-loving visitors from overseas.
102545 Also enjoy an ice-cold glass of beer while watching free street performances frequently organised by arts centre Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, located just next door.