There is plenty of things that Singaporeans can be grateful for but the one thing that we simply cannot do without is our vast array of local food that stems from our heritage and culture that spans across all races.
It goes without saying that when it comes to our local cuisine, we Singaporeans are fanatically passionate about it and it shows with the many Singaporean food festivals that take place all over the world for students and people working abroad who just can’t fathom the absence of our local delicacies in their bellies.
Come this National Day and the month of August, a number of fast food chains, restaurants, bars and cafes have decided that it’s time to upkeep the true spirit that is Singapore’s unyielding gastronomic scene by coming up with a slew of new Singaporean-themed edible treats, infusing both local flavours and flair into their various offerings. Here is our guide on 12 new dishes that pay tribute to all things Singaporean.
AH MAH HOMEMADE CAKE – ONDEH ONDEH CASTELLA CAKE
Wobbly castella cakes are bestowed with the ondeh ondeh touch at this bakery, where a pandan base made of freshly squeezed pandan leaves is layered with coconut, a splash of gula melaka for sweetness, and shavings of desiccated coconut on top.
This thematic treat even comes in its own designer box illustrated by local artist, Lee Kow Fong, featuring an image of old-school Singapore streets.
60 Paya Lebar Road,
Singapore 409051
Tel: +65 8133 8508
Daily: 9.45am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar
BREADTALK – CHILLI CRAB PUFFS
Moulded and shaped to look like actual mud crabs, tantalise your taste buds with the adorable and mighty tasty Chilli Crab Puffs from Breadtalk. Even though their filling might differ a lot from the original dish, who can deny that these pastry parcels are just the cutest things ever?
BURGER KING – HAINANESE TENDERGRILL CHICKEN & TEH TARIK PIE
Get the total ‘Taste Of Singapore’ experience with Burger King’s latest slew of locally-inspired offerings. The flavourful Hainanese Tendergrill Chicken and fragrant Rendang Beef/Chicken are back for a limited time only and let’s not forget to end off our meal with their new Teh Tarik Pie!
BUTTERKNIFE FOLK – SAMBAL CRUMBLE GELATO
The base of this innovative creation is made using both light and dark soy sauce along with a hint of spice in the form of their house-made sambal crumble. Costing S$5 for a single scoop, this intriguing gelato creation really packs on unbeatable flavour as well as some heat.
238 River Valley Road,
Singapore 238296
Tel: +65 6734 7855
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut
CREAMERY BOUTIQUE ICE CREAMS – ONDEH ONDEH LAVA COOKIE
Crafted especially for the nation’s 53rd birthday, this limited edition cookie presents itself in the form of crumbly pandan cookie crumbs infused with heavenly gula melaka and coconut shavings! But get your hands on this lovable treat quick because it will only be around from 14 Jul to 8 Aug 2018.
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139 Tyrwhitt Road #01-03,
Singapore 207557
(Closed on Thursdays)
Mon to Wed: 12.30pm – 10pm
Fri: 12.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Lavender
KFC – GOLDSPICE CHICKEN KFC
Signature Hot & Crispy chicken coated with a winning combination of salted egg, chilli, curry leaves an sweet basil to deliver a touch of heat. Fried to glorious golden brown, for a taste better than gold.
Photo Credit: Krispy Kreme Singapore
KRISPY KREME – CHILLI SERIES DOUGHNUTS
Singaporeans love food but the one condiment that truly defines a dish—or rather completes it—is chilli.
For the month of August 2018 only, Krispy Kreme will present their new spicy chilli doughnuts; guaranteed to provide you with a fiery kick with every bite. These spicy morsels of happiness come in a variety of flavours, namely: Caramel Chili Doughnuts and White Chocolate Chili Doughnuts—both of which feature sprinklings of fresh chilli flakes over top.
MCDONALD’S – HA HA CHEONG GAI BURGER & D24 DURIAN MCFLURRY
Joining the bandwagon of sensational treats this National Day is McDonald’s Ha Ha Cheong Gai Burger. Paying homage to one of Singapore’s most beloved zi char classic, get ready get your appetites racing for these glorious (and massive) bad boys.
Why not complete the Singapore-themed gastronomic trip with their D24 Durian Mcflurry or the Kueh Salat from McCafé that’s inspired by the rich culinary stories of traditional Nonya delights. A sponge cake that, when cut into, reveals layer upon layer of sumptuous pandan mousse, sponge cake and sticky rice topped with coconut flakes.
OLD CHANG KEE – CHILLI CRAB’O
Boasting a bright red colour (possibly signifying one half of our nation’s flag), and stuffed generously with OCK’s house-perfected chilli crab stuffing, what you can expect from the Chilli Crab’O is a combination of savoury, sweet and lip-smacking flavour coupled with an aromatic, crumbly pastry to seal the deal.
Photo Credit: Paradise Teochew
PARADISE TEOCHEW – RED & WHITE DELIGHTS
Paying tribute to our nation’s birthday this year, Paradise Teochew has come up with an array of dishes that take on the iconic red and white colour of the Singapore flag. From dumplings, selected main course items and even desserts, get ready to be awed by their arsenal of thematic dishes.
TEXAS CHICKEN – SAMBAL CHICKEN
Taking their fried chicken up a notch, get set to light your mouth ablaze with their sweet but fiery sambal fried chicken. This saucy variant packs some punch but stays relatively true to the complex, heady aromas of a good sambal.
TOM’S PALATTE – CHEE CHEONG FUN ICE CREAM
Serving their own variation of homemade ice cream since September 2005, this humble ice cream parlour is best known for their array of playful, somewhat quirky ice cream flavours.
We liked to believe that the folks here hit their creative threshold with their ginseng flavour but little did we know that they have way more up their sleeves. This national day, be sure to try their chee cheong fun-flavoured ice cream.
#01-25, 100 Beach Road,
Singapore 189702
Tel: +65 6296 5239
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 1pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade
Read: 38 Best Hawker Food in Singapore you have to try at least once in your life.