Uniquely Singapore – 10 Things You Can Find Only In Singapore

Singapore is a unique city that has influences from both the East and West.

To foreigners, we speak in a hybrid of different languages that sounds like an entire language of its own and we have a distinct culture that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. Sometimes, we have habits and behaviours that foreigners cannot comprehend. But that’s because We Are Singapore and we are unique like that.

This National Day, let us celebrate the 10 Things You Can Find Only In Singapore.

Photo Credit: The Stain Eaters

#1 The Chewing Gum Ban

Few in Singapore would not be aware of this. In fact, while traveling abroad, a favourite question asked by our foreigner friends is the reason to having such a law in Singapore.

Well, the law was set up after 1922 because people were unhygienically sticking it everywhere in public.

Photo Credit: Scape

#2 Reserving Seats In Hawker Centres With Tissue Paper

That is obviously an empty table but why are people walking past it during lunch hour? Observe carefully. Yes, that packet of tissue paper sitting right in the middle of the table is a Singaporean way of reserving seats.

#3 Ice Cream Sandwich

With our hot and humid climate, this cheap ice cream snack is one of the best ways to cool off. The ice cream come in many flavours such as corn, red bean and durian!

#4 Ice Kachang

Speaking of desserts, the Singapore ice kachang is made up of shaved ice shaped like a mountain atop red bean, grass jelly, corn, attap seeds and drenched with sugar syrup and condensed milk.

#5 Our Love For Durians

Trust us when we say that Singaporeans are serious about our durians. Though foreigners may dislike the pungent smell of this tropical fruit, you can find it almost everywhere in this city be it in desserts, beverages and even in chee cheong fun (rice noodle roll).

As if that isn’t enough, the Esplanade concert hall shows resemblance to the King of Fruits too.

Photo Credit: Bridal Trend Asia

#6 The World’s First Night Zoo

Home to over 2,500 animals, the Singapore Night Safari offers an exciting nocturnal experience that cannot be found anywhere else on the island. Explore the place by tram to cover the main attractions and hop off when you are ready to go for a stroll at the four interlinked walking trails inside.

 #7 Melting Pot Of Cultures

In a country made up of people with different religious backgrounds, it is well worth a visit to Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and the Colonial District where places of worships, food places and people reflect these cultural differences.

#8 The Renown Singapore Sling

This gin-based cocktail was concocted by a bartender working at Raffles Hotel and is regarded widely as the National drink. Have no clue what it is? Read this little story of what the cocktail really is and how its humble beginnings developed into a worldwide sensation.

#9 Kaya Toast With Half-Boiled Eggs

A simple and hearty breakfast enjoyed by many locals, you can find this traditional set complete with coffee or tea at coffee shops or kopitiams.

#10 Singlish

It is easy to identify a fellow Singaporean on the streets and even abroad once they start speaking in Singlish. A mixture of English, Malay and Hokkien, it is a special combination that is hard to imitate or even understand unless you have been living here for a few years.

Sometimes, we even add in slangs such as ‘lah’ or ‘lor’ to express different feelings and only a true blue Singaporeans will get it immediately. It may make no sense to others since the sentence structure works perfectly even when you omit those words but Singlish is what makes us Singaporeans.