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Your online friend is visiting Singapore for the first time! Plan a memorable day out at a hawker center by completing the three tasks below. With your pair/ trio, look for your names in the section headers on the right, and add new posts to input your answers for the discussion. (Time: 8 minutes)

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Explain why the hawker centre is an appropriate tourist destination

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In your words, what is 'hawker culture'? What does it mean to you?

(As a pair, come up with two individual answers)

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Shortlist two hawker dishes that you want your tourist friend to try during his/her stay in Singapore.

Explain why you have chosen these dishes, including the personal/ cultural significance of the dishes in your explanation.

(As a pair, come up with two individual answers)

Eg.

I like it because ...

“it is a traditional dish that ...”

“it is a symbol of ...”

“it is often associated with …”

“it is a dish I share with …”

“it has a special meaning of …”

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"The hawker center is an ideal destination for my friend visiting Singapore because..."

or

"My friend would love a hawker center experience because..."

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To me, hawker culture is ....

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I would like my friend to try the Hainanese Chicken Rice! This is a traditional dish that can be traced to Hainan, an island off the Southern Coast of China and made with the wenchang chicken. Hainanese immigrants combined with local influencers then culminated into the Hainanese chicken rice we know of today. Hawkers have adopted the Cantonese method of preparing pak cham gai (white chopped chicken). I especially like it because there are different types of chicken rice available in Singapore, with Hainanese chicken rice being one of them!

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It is appropriate because it is unique to Singapore, it has a variety of local dishes and it is affordable.

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the hawker centre is an appropriate tourist destination because it is a combination of food from all cultures in Singapore and highlights the multiculturalism in Singapore. Then, my friend will be immersed in the authentic singapore experience

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The hawker centre is an ideal location because one can experience Singapore's multiculturalism through food.

Also, it is a one stop place for tourists to try most cuisines - different flavours - available.

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The hawker center is an ideal destination for my friend visiting Sg because it showcases the true Singaporean nature/identity. The food is authentic and you can find alllllll cuisines in the same place!

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Hawker culture is something unique to Singapore, it allows us to eat a variety of different food at the same time.

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Hawker culture is where uncles and aunties cook food that reminds me of home

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It is a place where tourists and locals can get a variety of local food. They can also experience our unique culture and way of life.

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To me, hawker culture is coming back to a comfortable home.

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Hawker centre is a unique trait of Singapore. Tourists get to experience different cultures (in terms of food) within one location. They can also interact with locals and find out more about Singapore.

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My friend would love a hawker center experience because it has a lot of variety and it is unique to Singapore. It is also afforadable and has yummy food.

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Hawker culture:

Yummy food and traditional goodies

A place where we meet our family and friends

Affordable food options from old times

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It means a sense of belonging because hawker food has been constant, yet adapting to Singapore's growth. If i miss Singapore, hawker food is my go to.

Secondly, it serves as a platform to bond. Many families and friends enjoy conversations and each others company over a variety of dishes.

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Hawker culture is cheaper food but not so much anymore.

to me, hawker culture reminds me of the choping culture in singapore where we will find a seat before we buy our food

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The hawker centre is an appropriate tourist destination as it is the perfect spot that highlights the diversity present in Singapore. It is an affordable destination that provides a huge range of cuisines that suits all palates!

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To me, hawker culture is choping seats. It is having to return your trays and keep your area clean (or else...dundundun)

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Hawker culture is a huge part of my identity as a Singaporean because I get to interact with fellow Singaporeans from different races and cultures. It is also a place where I get to experience cuisines from different cultures at an affordable price point. I cannot find another place in Singapore where I can have Nasi Kandar, Mango Lassi, and Popiah in the same spot.

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A variety of food stalls in one common space.

Selling different types of food at an affordable price.

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We want to recommend

1) Ice Kacang --> I like it because it helps to beat the heat in Singapore! It is a symbol of national identity --> colourful! :)

2) Fishball noodle --> I like it because I like yellow noodle! :)

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1) The hawker centre is an ideal destination for my friend visiting Singapore because it is a crash course for my online friend about Singapore. Spending time at hawker allows my friend to understand Singapore's culture in a short time.

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First dish is definitely Thunder Tea Rice. This is a Hakka vegetarian dish that is highly historical and represents the good old Hakka culture of our ancestors. It is super rare to find in SEA. It tastes healthy and great.

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1st Dish:

Carrot Cake - I like carrot cake because I think it is palatable for most and customisable. :D

2nd Dish:

Chilli Crab - I like chilli crab because the chilli complements the crab meat, and the spiciness gives a nice kick.

We chose these two dishes because it is yummy we think that tourists would enjoy it.

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To me, hawker culture is way of life. Not to be cliche, but it is only culture because it is something we are used to and something we all follow/enact as a collective.

It also symbolises bonding and shared identity + pride!

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Yummy!

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I would like my friend to try indian rojak because it is so unhealthy but so good and symbolises hawker culture of so many different things in one dish.

I would like my friend to try mixed carrot cake because it sounds like a Western dish but is our own version and will catch my friend by surprise

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I would recommend turtle soup. It is exotic, yet served its purpose in the belief that it can strengthen coolies back in the day. This is a testament to the group that contributed to making Singapore who it is today.

Secondly, I would recommend "chut chut" snails. While not the most common bbq seafood, one can see how the dish varies across culture. This represents how different groups can adopt the same dish to suit their cultural palette.

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3) first dish is hokkien mee and second dish is bak chor mee

Hokkien mee because I like lor and i eat that everyday. BCM because the queue is always the longest and it means its the nicest.

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Mala. I like it because it is delicious and I like sharing it with friends. My friend likes spicy.

Mee rebus. I like it because it is very flavourful, and I think my foreign friend would like it because it has familiar ingredients.

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1) You can only find hawker centres in Singapore! It's so Singaporean!! Cannot find anywhere else!

2) Cheap and yummieee!

3) Hokkien Mee and Char Kway Teow - It's got history one! Long time ago our forefathers ate that! Even Malaysia's hokkein mee is different from ours! MUST TRY!!

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1. Hawker centre is representative of Singapore there is a wide variety of food from various cultures and is thus the perfect tourist destination to experience Singapore in the most local way.

2. Hawker culture is blending of different cultures in Singapore from languages to food. It means eating outdoors and enjoying the delectable dishes that have historical origins or could be new fusion dishes of the present generation.

3. Rojak and laksa. Rojak because it is a representation of the mix of cultures in Singapore with sweet, savoury and even spicy elements. Laksa is part of Peranakan culture, a blend between Chinese and Malay influences which is also delectable.

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2) When we go hawker centre, we are reminded of Singapore's unique practices.