Hainanese Western food

#DidYouKnow that a lot of the classic ‘Western food’ you enjoy in coffeeshops and hawker centres is actually fusion cuisine -- more specifically, “Hainanese” Western food?

Hainanese Western food in Singapore is a unique culinary phenomenon that reflects the cultural diversity and culinary fusion in the country. It originated from Hainanese immigrants who, in the 19th century, were predominantly working in service roles such as cooks, waiters, and servants in hotels, restaurants, or wealthy European and Peranakan households.

This exposed the cooks to many Western culinary practices, even as they made modifications to the dishes according to their preferences, as well as ingredients and equipment available. Chicken chops were not grilled but wok-fried with a dash of soy sauce, fries and buns were deep fried, and most dishes were served with a sunny-side up egg -- quite unlike “traditional” Western food that Europeans or Americans would enjoy back home.

Since then, Hainanese Western food stalls, often found in local hawker centres or coffee shops, have become a beloved part of Singapore's food scene.

These "Western food" stalls bring together Western classics with a uniquely Singaporean twist. One such example is the iconic Hainanese Chicken Chop - a pan-seared, juicy dish with roots tracing back to the colonial era.

Today, while this fusion cuisine is no longer sold by just the Hainanese, they are a testament to our colonial past and how we have adapted it into our local food culture -- something that is truly uniquely Singapore!

What is your go-to order at the Western food hawker stall? Let us know in the comments!

#singapore #hawkerfood #hawkerfoodsg #hawkerculture #westernstyle

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