Latest news with #Hawker
Sky News AU
12-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
RBA's rate hold was nothing more than a ‘cautionary move'
Former Labor advisor Bruce Hawker says the RBA's decision to hold the cash rate was nothing more than a 'cautionary move'. It comes after the Reserve Bank of Australia denied mortgage holders what would have been the first consecutive interest rate cuts since 2020. 'I think we will find that the CPI numbers, when they come out in August, will show that there is a very, very good case to reduce interest rates,' Mr Hawker told Sky News Australia. 'You wouldn't want to be going out for election right now if you were the RBA governor right now, but she doesn't have to go through that process.'
New Paper
10-07-2025
- New Paper
Singapore is 'best place on this planet': Swiss influencer
A video posted by a Swiss influencer about the virtues of life in Singapore has struck a chord with many here - and gained its fair share of brickbats. The video, titled "The reality of not being rich in Singapore", opens with full-time content creator Marion Műller - @swizzyinsg on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube - holding on to the handrail in an MRT train, with the subtitle: "Always taking public transport". The 29-year-old forces a smile, and the video cuts to a cluttered bedroom corner, where luggage and plastic bags are strewn across the floor. The subtitle reads: "Moving 4x in one year," as Műller reappears, frowning. The video then focuses on a single bed with a thin mattress and multiple towels, with the subtitle: "Improvising a comfortable way to sleep". This is followed by a scene at a Teochew porridge stall, with the subtitle: "Looking for the cheapest cai fan," and finally, a takeaway bag captioned: "Tabao if I cannot finish and eat for lunch the next day." It then moves to the front of a Valu$ shop ("shop atValu$") before ending with Ms Műller striding confidently along Marina Bay in an elegant cami dress and the subtitle, "but I'm grateful these options exist…and anything makes living in SG worth it." The accompanying caption reads: "And I am grateful for everything you see in this video. "Compared to a place like Switzerland - where no hawkers exist and public transport is very expensive - you can still live a comfortable life in Singapore without much money. "To me anything that enables me to stay here is worth it and I am grateful for every day I get to live and work in this beautiful city-state. "And let's be honest: Hawker food is the best food anyway." The video, posted on Saturday (July 5), has since been viewed 106,000 times on TikTok, drawing some 2,700 reactions and 160 comments. 'Singapore is the best place on this planet' Ms Műller, or Mary, as she calls herself in her videos, has lived in Singapore for two-and-a-half years, documenting her life here in the videos she creates. Ms Műller used to be a competitive figure skater, loves windsurfing, and is also a licensed yoga instructor. She came to the Republic because of "family matters" but had always wanted to live in Asia. She earns between $0 and $10,000 a month as a content creator and shops at Valu$ for items such as Snickers, Kit Kat, and Hershey's, as well as Nivea deodorant and toothpaste. "I am happy if I can make Singaporeans think and appreciate Singapore more," she told The New Paper on Wednesday night. "I truly believe Singapore is the best place on this planet." "I hear this often: 'Since I've been following you, I realise how great SG is,' This makes me so, so happy," added Ms Műller, who fell in love with Singapore "the moment I saw the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands from the car". And perhaps the heartfelt nature of her video struck a chord with many Singaporeans. "Hahaha we same same," said TikToker user2717724022125. "It's being sensible, and in that sense, you're super rich!" commented pangzter, also on TikTok. "Hey, welcome to the club of normal people living in the most expensive city in the world. There's many of us," said Cthulhu Spawn. 'You haven't met really poor people yet' Not everyone agreed with Ms Műller that living in Singapore is worth it. "This reality is gonna get worse soon. It's easy to exist here but very hard to be living well here. After all, everything's just a number in this corporate place of ruthless efficiency," said user1839433407736. "You still get a room with a nice view and eat a decent meal. You haven't met really poor people in Singapore yet," said Claw50times. "Are there really poor poor people?" said Ms Műller when asked about these comments. "I have not seen a homeless person. The Government takes care of their people so well," added Ms Muller, who does not qualify for assistance schemes like CDC or SG60 Vouchers. "In Singapore, no one needs to starve or sleep on the streets. And anyone who wants to work, can work." She conceded that life in Singapore isn't always a bed of roses, noting that she once had to move four times in a year. "There were some places I rented where only a short-term lease was available, so I had to move out," she explained. "There were also two places where I had to move out within two days, so I could not find something nice in time and it was so terrible, I had to move out. There were also two rental places I lived in where the flatmates were terrible." Alluding to the comment in her video about having to improvise beds, Ms Műller explained: "The mattress from the flat was so thin, I used different towels to make it more comfortable." She told The New Paper that she is preparing to move again because her flatmates at their Chinatown apartment are relocating to London. "It makes me sad because I really liked this apartment," she said. But she'll find something as she has no intention of packing up for good. "I hope I can stay here for as long as possible," said Ms Műller. She hopes to become a permanent resident someday so that she can live happily ever after - with her favourite chicken rice and fish soup. She is aware that not everyone agrees with her views and has had her fair share of negative comments. "I get lots of hate comments and bad ones, too. Lots of grumpy people who'll never be satisfied. These people don't realise how good they still have it," said Ms Műller.
New Paper
10-07-2025
- New Paper
Singapore is 'best place on this planet': Swiss vlogger
A video posted by a Swiss vlogger about the virtues of life in Singapore has struck a chord with many here - and gained its fair share of brickbats. The video, titled "The reality of not being rich in Singapore", opens with full-time content creator Marion Műller - @swizzyinsg on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube - holding on to the handrail in an MRT train, with the subtitle: "Always taking public transport". The 29-year-old forces a smile, and the video cuts to a cluttered bedroom corner, where luggage and plastic bags are strewn across the floor. The subtitle reads: "Moving 4x in one year," as Műller reappears, frowning. The video then focuses on a single bed with a thin mattress and multiple towels, with the subtitle: "Improvising a comfortable way to sleep". This is followed by a scene at a Teochew porridge stall, with the subtitle: "Looking for the cheapest cai fan," and finally, a takeaway bag captioned: "Tabao if I cannot finish and eat for lunch the next day." It then moves to the front of a Valu$ shop ("shop atValu$") before ending with Ms Műller striding confidently along Marina Bay in an elegant cami dress and the subtitle, "but I'm grateful these options exist…and anything makes living in SG worth it." The accompanying caption reads: "And I am grateful for everything you see in this video. "Compared to a place like Switzerland - where no hawkers exist and public transport is very expensive - you can still live a comfortable life in Singapore without much money. "To me anything that enables me to stay here is worth it and I am grateful for every day I get to live and work in this beautiful city-state. "And let's be honest: Hawker food is the best food anyway." The video, posted on Saturday (July 5), has since been viewed 106,000 times on TikTok, drawing some 2,700 reactions and 160 comments. 'Singapore is the best place on this planet' Ms Műller, or Mary, as she calls herself in her videos, has lived in Singapore for two-and-a-half years, documenting her life here in the videos she creates. Ms Műller used to be a competitive figure skater, loves windsurfing, and is also a licensed yoga instructor. She came to the Republic because of "family matters" but had always wanted to live in Asia. She earns between $0 and $10,000 a month as a content creator and shops at Valu$ for items such as Snickers, Kit Kat, and Hershey's, as well as Nivea deodorant and toothpaste. "I am happy if I can make Singaporeans think and appreciate Singapore more," she told The New Paper on Wednesday night. "I truly believe Singapore is the best place on this planet." "I hear this often: 'Since I've been following you, I realise how great SG is,' This makes me so, so happy," added Ms Műller, who fell in love with Singapore "the moment I saw the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands from the car". And perhaps the heartfelt nature of her video struck a chord with many Singaporeans. "Hahaha we same same," said TikToker user2717724022125. "It's being sensible, and in that sense, you're super rich!" commented pangzter, also on TikTok. "Hey, welcome to the club of normal people living in the most expensive city in the world. There's many of us," said Cthulhu Spawn. 'You haven't met really poor people yet' Not everyone agreed with Ms Műller that living in Singapore is worth it. "This reality is gonna get worse soon. It's easy to exist here but very hard to be living well here. After all, everything's just a number in this corporate place of ruthless efficiency," said user1839433407736. "You still get a room with a nice view and eat a decent meal. You haven't met really poor people in Singapore yet," said Claw50times. "Are there really poor poor people?" said Ms Műller when asked about these comments. "I have not seen a homeless person. The Government takes care of their people so well," added Ms Muller, who does not qualify for assistance schemes like CDC or SG60 Vouchers. "In Singapore, no one needs to starve or sleep on the streets. And anyone who wants to work, can work." She conceded that life in Singapore isn't always a bed of roses, noting that she once had to move four times in a year. "There were some places I rented where only a short-term lease was available, so I had to move out," she explained. "There were also two places where I had to move out within two days, so I could not find something nice in time and it was so terrible, I had to move out. There were also two rental places I lived in where the flatmates were terrible." Alluding to the comment in her video about having to improvise beds, Ms Műller explained: "The mattress from the flat was so thin, I used different towels to make it more comfortable." She told The New Paper that she is preparing to move again because her flatmates at their Chinatown apartment are relocating to London. "It makes me sad because I really liked this apartment," she said. But she'll find something as she has no intention of packing up for good. "I hope I can stay here for as long as possible," said Ms Műller. She hopes to become a permanent resident someday so that she can live happily ever after - with her favourite chicken rice and fish soup. She is aware that not everyone agrees with her views and has had her fair share of negative comments. "I get lots of hate comments and bad ones, too. Lots of grumpy people who'll never be satisfied. These people don't realise how good they still have it," said Ms Műller.
Buzz Feed
28-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
What To Eat For Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner In Singapore
Okay, so you've landed in Singapore, and your tastebuds are ready for an adventure. But with so much amazing food around, where do you even START?! Don't sweat it, fam, we've got your back. Here's your ultimate guide to eating your way through Singapore, from sunrise to sunset! Breakfast: Kickstart Your Day the Singaporean Way! 1. Kaya Toast Set Forget your basic avocado toast, honey. In Singapore, we do breakfast right! Your must-try is a classic Kaya Toast Set. Imagine perfectly toasted bread slathered with a sweet, coconutty kaya jam (it's like a dreamy custard!), served with soft-boiled eggs you dip your toast into. Don't knock it till you try it! Pair it with a strong, local coffee (kopi) or tea (teh) for that authentic kick. You can find this gem at almost any kopitiam (coffee shop) or even places like Ya Kun Kaya Toast or Toast Box. It's cheap, it's cheerful, and it's a total game-changer. 2. Prata Roti Prata is Singapore's beloved, flaky flatbread, often served with a side of savoury curry. The dough is expertly stretched and flipped, creating irresistible crispy layers on the outside and a soft, chewy interior. Whether plain (kosong), with egg (telur), or even sweet variations, it's a versatile and iconic dish for any meal! Lunch: Hawker Centre Hopping – A Foodie Wonderland! 3. Chicken Rice Alright, buckle up buttercup, because lunch in Singapore means diving headfirst into a hawker centre. This is where the magic happens, and your biggest dilemma will be choosing just ONE thing. Feeling like something hearty? Grab a plate of Chicken Rice. The fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, succulent steamed or roasted chicken, and that killer chili sauce? Chef's kiss! 4. Hokkien Mee You're craving some noodles? Hokkien Mee with its smoky, prawny goodness will blow your mind. 5. Singapore Laksa If you're a spice fiend, Singapore Laksa (a rich, coconutty noodle soup) is calling your name. Seriously, just walk around, follow your nose, and pick a stall with a queue – that's usually a good sign! Maxwell Food Centre or Lau Pa Sat are great starting points. Dinner: Level Up Your Eats – From Street Food to Seafood Feasts! 6. Chilli Crab As the sun sets, Singapore transforms into a twinkling foodie paradise. For dinner, you can go a little fancier or stick to those incredible hawker vibes. A quintessential Singaporean dinner experience has to involve Chilli Crab. It's messy, it's saucy, and it's absolutely legendary. Get ready to crack some shells and slurp up that sweet, savory, and spicy sauce with some fluffy mantou (fried buns). Jumbo Seafood or Long Beach are popular spots for this. 7. Satay If you're still in the mood for something more casual but equally delicious, hit up another hawker centre for some Satay (grilled skewers with peanut sauce). You can mix chicken, beef and mutton in any quantity to your liking. 8. Bak Kut Teh Rainy days call for a steaming bowl of Bak Kut Teh (pork rib soup). Your stomach will thank you later! Boiled with lots of white pepper and herbs, this hearty meal will definitely warm your insides. Order braised pork belly on the side to complete the meal! So there you have it! Your edible itinerary for a day in Singapore. Get out there, be brave, and eat ALL the things. You won't regret it!
AsiaOne
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Char kway teow is out, mala is in: And that's still hawker culture, Lifestyle News
It was one of those same-old afternoons when my friend H and I were deciding what to eat. The closest option was a hawker centre where we'd spent many childhood hours sipping lemon barley while our fathers shot the breeze over glass mugs of kopi. In our teenage years, we came here after school to slurp Teochew mee pok and kacang pool. Those stalls — and many others — have since changed hands. Today, a mala xiang guo stall stands beside the second-generation tau huay chwee sellers. One row down, where the smoky aroma of chai tow kway once filled the air, a pair of ex-restaurant chefs serve wagyu rice bowls garnished with truffle paste and ikura. [embed] As we scanned the options, H remarked, "Hawker culture is really changing, right?" The hawkers who once served us roti john, putu mayam and char kway teow have long retired. In their places are new stallholders, armed with youth, optimism, and a different menu. These days, you're more likely to find a solid smash burger, delicate French pastries, or a trendy tornado omelette than an outstanding bowl of bak chor mee at the hawker centre. And not everyone is pleased with this evolution. It's human nature, after all, to cling to the familiar and mourn the things that once anchored us. It's also hard not to feel bereft when the min jiang kueh you'd eaten every Saturday since childhood quietly disappears. It took me months to get over that. To some, this shift in hawker centre offerings might feel like the unravelling of our culinary identity. But here's the thing: Hawker culture is alive and evolving — just not in the way we expect or want it to. [embed] Tradition versus change Hawker centres were created to provide inexpensive, fuss-free meals for the masses. That mission hasn't changed. What has, and always will, is the food itself. Once upon a time, many hawkers cooked over charcoal, giving their food a distinctive smokiness. Few do that now. It's too time-consuming, harder to control, and unbearably hot in our ever-warming climate. It's difficult enough waiting more than 30 minutes for a plate of food in an un-airconditioned space during lunchtime, let alone cooking in that oppressive heat for hours on end. Flavours have changed, too. The animals we eat today are raised on different feeds. Some ingredients, like the lye water once used to soften thick bee hoon, are now banned. Which is why your father's favourite fish noodle soup tastes different today. Yes, dishes like satay bee hoon and kway chap are harder to find. But while we bemoan their disappearance, who among us is willing to put in the work of preserving them? Perfecting a dish takes time and effort. Serving up plate after plate of char kway teow requires long hours, physical stamina, and a deftness with the wok that can only be honed with years of practice. Yet the dining public still expects to pay no more than $5 a plate for it. It's not good business and we all know it. And so the hawker centres attract a different kind of hawker today. Passionate cooks sell dishes like mala xiang guo, Japanese curry, or fusion rice bowls because it makes more business sense. They are relatively scalable, can be batch-prepped, and appeal to younger diners. And let's not forget the economic pressures of being a hawker. Stall rentals and ingredient costs have risen — blame that on global inflation, supply chain challenges, and climate change, among numerous other factors — while expectations around pricing remain stuck in the early 2000s. Labour is scarce, especially when long hours in a hot stall with few days off is a hard sell for a generation raised on work-life balance and quiet quitting. Even first-generation hawkers, who like all parents, want a better life for their children, would rather their kids choose white collar vocations. Which leaves the job of hawker-ing to individuals who do what they can to earn a decent living while catering to the need for good, affordable food. [embed] Our hawker centres won't disappear, but they will change. Thirty years from now, 40-somethings will probably have the same lament about hawker culture not being what it used to be. They'll be wistful for their favourite mala xiang guo and wagyu rice bowls that used to define the hawker centres of their youth. They might complain about how bak chor mee now costs a whopping $15 a bowl and that no one makes it the proper way anymore. That's nostalgia in motion. And so the world turns. It bears remembering that hawker centres are living ecosystems shaped by supply, demand and migration patterns. Indian-Muslim hawkers popularised mamak favourites like mee goreng; Hainanese immigrants gave us chicken rice. The wave of today's crowd-pleasers — Korean ramyeon, truffle oil everything, or Taiwanese lu rou fan — is just another chapter in a very colourful book of the foods that make Singapore a culinary paradise. Do these dishes belong in a hawker centre? Who's to say they don't? Preserving hawker culture doesn't mean freezing it in time. It should be about making room for evolution while keeping the spirit intact. It's about supporting good food at fair prices, regardless of whether it's served with sambal or sous vide eggs. The flavours of a hawker centre will change, but that ritual of chope-ing a table with a packet of tissues, queueing in the heat for your favourite dishes, and ordering way too much food, remains unmistakably Singaporean. That's what's worth protecting. [[nid:716017]] This article was first published in .
