The Singapore neighborhood I’m staying in this year is much more modern and upscale than anywhere I’ve stayed before. It feels a bit sterile, and many of the stores and food shops are selling western food — beer, pizza, burgers. I’d started to worry that as Singaporeans become wealthier they turn their backs on their food heritage.
Up the street is the Great World City mall, the apotheosis of all the westernized trends in this neighborhood. There’s a Starbucks, a Krispy Creme, a Kenny Roger’s Roaster. Across the street from the Great World City is this inconspicuous sight:
And THAT is where the people are.
This neighborhood hasn’t given up on local food. It just hides it better.