Singapore's next generation hawkers | Belly Of A Nation | Part 2 | Full Episode

Part 2 follows 2 groups of young hawkerpreneurs - a mala xiang pot trio, and a burger outfit who wants to introduce the meaning of warung into Singapore. They embark on new adventures and obstacles.
Watch Part 1 here: • Singapore's hawker cul...
Watch Season 2 here: • Ties That Bind: Singap...
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About the show: This 2-part documentary series explores the hearts and minds of Singapore's hawkers while paying homage to the amazing dishes that they serve. Going back into the past, we trace how ethnic lines were blurred by roving hawkers and continued to integrate in the hawker centre. But over the years, against the winds of change, eating hawker food in hot and humid centres fell out of fashion. As the first generation stallholders pass on, who is going to carry their torch? We profile some of the brave and intrepid hawkerpreneurs, the new breed, who despite the odds think that they can make it and keep the hawker culture alive in Singapore.
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#CNA #CNADocumentaries #Singapore #HawkerCentres
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[@channelnewsasia]

If you enjoyed this two-part documentary, make sure to check out Season 2 of Belly of a Nation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKO4qqNrp5iNi5Y There we follow different Singapore hawkers over 9 months and captures their blood, sweat and tears as they dish out salivating Oyster Omelette, Wonton Noodles, Appam, Tze Char Poke Bowls, Mee Siam and many more while trying to cope with COVID-19.

[@EliseAndrada]

After visiting Singapore for a couple of times, I'm inclined to say that the heart and soul of this place is not with its skyscrapers or its modern day business establishments but from these hawker centers.

[@louth1770]

Well said, Elise!!! An equally important element in biding the community.

[@kbidols]

I spent 3 years living in Singapore, and yes I have to agree with you. I can clearly see why it has become like that. Food & beverages is what unite people from different cultures. It's the friendliest means of communication.

[@budakdk]

Thanks Elise you truly see where we come from!

[@MC-tm2uy]

Absolutely true. You want the facade of Singapore? Go to all the fancy places and entertainment attractions. You want the heart beat of Singapore? Sit down and have a meal at a hawker center and make some new friends

[@NazriBuang-w9v]

Lies again? Banned Actors USD SGD

[@gwenleesl]

Singaporean are lucky...we have choices..from hawker centre food starting at $3 to high end restaurants to choose from. Not many first world countries have such option. Hawker food is very much part of our country culture.

[@peko7446]

I live in the US and the closest we get from hawker food are those offered by food trucks, but you won't find 3 USD prices for lunch.

[@theuglykwan]

@@peko7446 All that gentrification etc and new developments but they don't think to create spaces like this.

[@sdqsdq6274]

@@peko7446 its all about overheads

[@romella_karmey]

@@peko7446 I'm surprised about the price of handmade or home cooked meals in the US for 10 dollar average you'll get some pieces of meat with chow fan or noodles and shu mai. In my country the fast food are the ones more expensive than homecooked meals.

[@peko7446]

@@sdqsdq6274 you got it

[@Zohnho]

shit, honestly CNA have pretty darn good documentaries... why arent more people viewing this... WHY DID I ONLY VIEW THIS NOW?!?!

[@remymartin1326]

Political issues,

[@yeh_den]

To all the hawkers around Singapore, Thank you very much for all the hard work to bring us all kinds of good food. Greatly appreciated. Thank you once again🙏🏻

[@bigthings]

Support all Singapore hawkers. They are our heart and soul

[@MrJonslife]

Our local heroes. Thank you for making our small country so famous all over the world for our amazing food. let’s continue to keep our traditions and keep our Singaporean blood strong and alive.

[@euni99]

I'm from mexico!! And never been to singapore but i just find this documentary amazing!! And lovable!! Can't wait to travel to taste all this dishes!!

[@kamwaichan8048]

Some of these hawkers story are very emotional, is great the new generation of youth taking over from their parents or grandparents. These are part of Asian traditional foods, once modernised, keep the place clean and tidy it will attract customers, new or old. Western fast food is proven as not health to human, but is the environment the fast food restaurants created as comfort, convenience and trendy. The hawker centre can do the same, when few stores form together it gives the consumers more of a choice and much more healthy food etc. Long live the hawkers store 😘😘😘

[@bayezidhtanu2907]

I opened this video thinking that I'll only watch 4-5 minutes & close the tab but here I am commenting after watching the whole documentary and sharing it on my facebook hahaha Thank you, CNA. Much love from Bangladesh and God bless you all.

[@Joshoncampus]

Hawker is a trade in Singapore that only Singaporeans can practise. We should be proud of it.

[@hoorace]

Its sooo very Singaporean with lots of actually actually actually and i love it. Narrator Ms Karen Tan' pronuncuation of non English words is so authenting. Like sotong, Abu Bakar, roti prata and the dialects names and foods. Makes me want to makan oredi.

[@bernadettejavier8184]

Singapore always sets the bar high in everything. I think so long as the hawkers are creative with their dish (or dishes) they won't have anything to fear. The dish has got to be a niche dish...something they can call their own creation.

[@fongfattchee282]

Dear Mr Sumadi Sapari - I ate the food your mother and dad cooked and loved it since I was a teenager. The bubur ayam at their store was my first experience eating a bubur ayam and still in my mind the very best I have ever tasted! I have moved away from the area but if I pass by Adam Road I will aim for Mee soto and mee rebus breakfast. There was also a chinese family that sold chicken rice and then was converted into a dessert store later in the day. I wish you the very best!

[@catherinechen9496]

Left Singapore over a decade, the hawker food is what I miss the most.

[@mahaguru58]

As a Malaysian, who once worked and lived for 6 years in Singapore, I know how most Singaporeans work hard to make ends meet. Watching this video and seeing how dedicated these educated sons and daughters of the 2nd and 3rd generation food hawkers rise up to continue their parents and forefathers legacies, brings tears to my eyes. I wish them all the success in their endeavors and wish them good health and happiness ❤️ We 🇲🇾 are your closest neighbour and many of us have relatives in each others country. This bond will always prevail and we should all adopt and practice a 'prosper thy neighbour' attitude. 🤗 Be well and do what's best for you 👍🤲🇸🇬🇲🇾🤝

[@babibrain]

Most Singaporen , there parents are Malaysian

[@Novato.twentythree]

LOL

[@apartparis]

Keep the Hawker culture places alive. A great multi ethnic cuisine and great diversity place. That’s what I enjoy most each time passing in Singapore. Great places and great taste buds. Yummi food

[@XevLexa]

Food from hawker centre taste the best hands down...they are the beating heart & soul of Singapore 😘

[@GKP999]

Respect and admiration for all hawkers!

[@waileonglum2738]

All I can say is, this is a fantastic documentary.

[@1WhiteAkita]

This is a cruel, cruel documentary! I became hungry before a minute is gone and am planning to book a ticket to Singapore. Singaporean hawker food is definitely on my bucket list.

[@waileonglum2738]

饿勒派焊条巴布亚 😂😆

[@jandl9417]

Proud of the first two hawkers and you could see from their face expressions they are proud of their grandfather and father....such fine young folks! I hope to meet them and eat their delicious looking food someday soon when the pandemic is over!

[@maheshtamrakar7572]

Lived in Singapore for 6 months, in 1990's. Nothing I loved more then those hawker cneter food. Regardless, what time of night, you always find aunties cooking nice and testy foods. They are the center of Singapore's joy culture for foodies like me.

[@queenbee4637]

I really hope the young generation continue the hawker heart beat for many more generations to come. Food is what bring people together.

[@carmenirigoyen-lopez9920]

Yummy! Singapore's Hawkers food is a National treasure! Love that food!

[@joelpalmer4976]

Wonderful video. It would be a national tragedy for Singapore to lose this unique tradition. Thank you CNA and partners.

[@natpainter8185]

are they Chinese , cna and partners

[@joelpalmer4976]

@@natpainter8185 Based in Singapore

[@dooms8870]

I always thank the hawkers with all my heart, the people who keep traditions alive with hard work. 7 hours to make indian rojak can you imagine, i am very grateful to simply walk by the stalls and pick what i want to eat.

[@paulsz6194]

Thank you for this amazing video, covering the Hawker centre history and giving us an insight of where some of these unique foods come from, and showing us the dedication of the various stall holders and some of the difficulties they go through. It makes me appreciate the food even more, and makes me want to return to Singapore again just to explore the various hawker stalls.

[@Kumutuna]

Hawkers have been my inspiration to open up a small food truck. I watch all these videos. These people are the true heart beats to the culture. I mean look at them just beautiful

[@janetday5431]

I pray for all the people doing this job,it is truly a labor of love.God bless them to continue their food traditions.this video made me cry so much,but I am happy for the children who love their parents ,and press on.

[@davidaulia1595]

I hope the world knows and wants to come and indulge their taste buds with the variety of good food in Singapore. It is worth the expense to travel here. Thank you.

[@dazzaustralia4618]

When I am in Singapore I mostly eat at these places, I hope🙏🏼they will continue. For me this is one of the main attractions in Singapore.

[@peacebe2u480]

Thank you for sharing... I miss my high school experience in Singapore in 70s... always eat food court meals... $1-2 back then... I will re-visit those places again if I stop by Singapore...

[@zcath7710]

You can never go wrong when you care to do your part as a son or daughter to your parents..working no matter how difficult it may seem but has always paid off..to a better life..though it may not all be materially rewarding

[@gerrykoh7442]

Good video especially showing the history and old days. Really admire all hardworking hawkers and the good food

[@babibrain]

Singapore is a good heaven. There are so many good food inherited generation to generation. No doubt

[@lsl6653]

Wow! I say Bravo! his is pretty hard for someone who had graduated with a university degree and hopes to be a doctor or an engineer but gives in to his filial piety to honor his dad's legacy!

[@infinitecuriosity9210]

Hawkers centers heart and soul of Singapore please please keep . I still remember some of the best food in 30 years, it was outdoors and heavenly

[@wangtie9602]

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRUE HUMAN BEINGS . THEY DO THEIR BEST TO SERVE WITH LOVE AND DEDICATION. I HOPE ONEDAY I CAN VISIT SINGAPORE AND ENJOY THEIR DISHES. GOD BLESS

[@raveenmisra2954]

Narrated beautifully. Captured the emotions of ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

[@seantran6689]

Great documentary, very interesting to learn the history of Singapore from a different perspective.

[@wl7427]

Interesting to see a follow-up episode if these new hawkers survived after 4 years. Sharing their learnings in the journey.

[@Kumutuna]

These people are freaking amazing theyre like natural chefs. Ughh dream to eat their food

[@mimosakhoo]

I really like hawker foods. Hope the legacy of hawker culture will continue.

[@juainaar7642]

It's wonderful that the children hv taken over from their parents. Because of them we r still able to savour delicious hawker food!

[@flamelikefire228]

This is why I love singapore

[@kimchiba4570]

Thank you cna for this wonderful documentary ... Respect all these hardworking hawkers

[@deanchen6485]

humans...a species that never appreciates abundance till they are all gone....God bless you CNA.....GOd bless us all.

[@dottieland7061]

Much love to you all. These stories were simply inspiring. They remind me of the old ramen shops we visit in shinjuku.

[@Tegugur]

man, i love rojak ujak... and his rojak looks soo delicious! my mouth watering while watching that segment :D

[@Venmanayan]

I love singapore hawkers, its the experience and food

[@carmenirigoyen-lopez9920]

SO HARD TO CHOOSE...I LOVE THE OYSTER OMELETTE, MURTABAK, WONTON SOUP...HOWEVER, MY FAVORITE DISH, WHICH I CAN EAT DAILY IS THE FRAGANT, YUMMY HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE!!!!

[@longdragon3]

Wonderful food documentary! Never been to Singapore but this documentary about hawker food makes me want to go just try the hawker food! I hope hawker culture continue to prosper in Singapore!

[@iarshintasudjana4382]

Rujak...Rojak in Spore...with chakueh...enakk pk kecombrang..sambel kacang terasi❤❤❤

[@channelnewsasia]

What's your favourite Singaporean hawker dish? Comment below!

[@dejezordic]

Hokkien Mee and Laksa

[@piobulosan8085]

Fried prawn noodle.

[@natpainter8185]

Japanese mochi

[@debjyotidutta6287]

@Jeremy WCK fukoffffff how is this for eng sub

[@debjyotidutta6287]

those indian rojak

[@robertweber8936]

Wonderful story I can't wait to try it on my next visit

[@martinh619]

so happy the hawker culture still running in an advanced country like singapore , unlike other where fast food chain is the cheapest option

[@deidradahl3186]

''''If you love the job you do, you will never work another day'''', wow, graduated from university, and decided to become a hawker, she's happy

[@kennedypoi503]

Ponder this, Ref KF Seetoh comments."It’s nice- having a hawker centre at almost every corner in Singapore (safe for the newer towns where more will be built). There are currently 114 government run public hawker centres in tiny Singapore. Nice for the customers, as they expect food there to be good, cheap or at least affordable. But not nice for the hawkers and any new players looking to be one. There are too many hawker centres it seems. And this excludes the hundreds of coffeeshops, food courts, canteens and stand alone food shops and stalls. We are looking at in excess of 15,000 food stalls in puny Singapore and the number is growing as more hawker centres are being built as I write. "

[@zhenhangwong5548]

Kennedy Poi ponder this if some extra hawker center was to relocated to Punggol and new towns, those so call extra stall will be not extra anymore. Bedok have so many that a few can be moved.

[@evilcooler80]

Great documentary. Actually brought tears to my eyes. 😅

[@majinboo6377]

the underground mall in the heart of the city also consists of modern hawkers if i remember correctly, been more than a decade since last time i went to singapore. the noodle thing (forgot the name) and just across from the noodle stand is the hainam rice, both are insanely good, not to mention also great for diet.

[@zcath7710]

Something new to feast people’s eyes on..to break the monotony as others think so..what does boredom mean..it is a word that describe those who think life itself is not enough..

[@super0chick]

Very well made video. Thank you and very informative. I will someday come to Singapore and experience this traditional Hawker Stalls. Very nice food.

[@jamesjonathanrong]

Very nice and informative piece. As with most CNA features, this story was told comprehensively. Also, until I read the credits, I thought that the narrator of this story was Michelle Yeoh!

[@yahya4370]

I enjoyed this; please keep traditions alive . 🕊

[@MsRwong]

It’s an amazing & wonderful show. The subtitles are too small - it’s harder for seniors to see.

[@channelnewsasia]

Hi MsRwong, we've added the subtitles file. You can click on Settings > Options > Font Size and select a larger font size. Hope this helps!

[@lingth]

A bowl of hard worked prawn noodles sell for $4 and customers already complain its "expensive", but people are gladly paying $9-10 for a bowl of Japanese ramen, or $7-8 for Korean Ramen, which are essentially instant noodles with powdered soup, and add some meat. the mindset of customers must change also, that we must be willing to pay more for quality hawker food, and hawkers also need to learn to take breaks and take off. If working for 10 or 12 hours, and selling food at $2.50 or $3 is the "norm" for hawkers, then no one will want to do it. I dun mind $4 or $5 for food if i can tell its handmade. but i dun like how some newbies are using all factory made ingredients, to assemble their food, then sell it at high prices, and call it a "skill"

[@apartparis]

Great. Keep up the tradition

[@SaoirsenahÉireann1]

My mouth is watering looking at all the delicious food...

[@cammynyah]

I move to England from Singapore and I do miss the hawker center a lot.

[@nelsonloh2510]

Our ITE should consider having courses to train future Hawkers. Government is to build high ceiling, better ventilated and well equipped stalls to encourage more youngsters to take up this trade. Most young working couples depend on hawker foods for their lunch and dinner. Food at coffee shops are expensive and food quality declining as owners of coffee shops are more keen on huge profit. Hawker centres will provide competition to the greedy coffee shop owners.

[@cannersamson7931]

different countries gathered into one place in Singapore to spread presenting foods with distinct taste it is really happy to see that there is this strong connection in every each country on this environment, hope that someday I will be one of their lucky customer to taste and experience their delicious food!

[@Clklom]

Nice one CNA. love your documentaries.

[@sidneyboo9704]

the subsidized dishwasher is great. Less waste because dishes are taken care of.. Man we need more of these around in the US.

[@GsCConcrete123]

i lived in Singapore a long time a go my dad was in the UK RAF , one thing i will say is we had a resonant at the back of the home we lived at in Chang we never for get the food still.

[@joyceng1522]

The captions are terrible! Some do not make sense just nonsense. Luckily, the presenter is good! A very comprehensive history and ongoing progress of hawker centres. Singapore and Malaysia are unique with the hawker food culture which we all love!

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

The best part of the rojak is many food operators forget to put the freshly blanc cut water spinach. Bean Sprout acceptable also. Chinese Royak with water spinach is delicious. The vegetables will absorb the sauce together with the fixed fruits (half ripe light orange crunchy mangoes, red or green fragrant jampu, japanese cucumber not the local ones, pienapples, is delicious. Should have seafood rojak version. The father is very tough. Have a high wood seat make so you can sit during work.

[@littlelysalee]

I loved this documentary. Thank you.

[@myhouseimports]

Very inspiring video: thank-you.

[@lexinuk]

This is nice❤️

[@SlushFundManager]

Heroes of the nation.

[@Vidalin11]

Yummy. Love Singapore hawkers' food

[@zorrotigerman]

CNA thank you for the very good and interesting documentaries which I now follow Keep up the good work

[@annecorey607]

Beautiful. Foods very good healthy foods she is very good hard worker thank you for sharing your beautiful healthy foods spices and not spicy thank you for sharing your beautiful healthy foods very good noodle stall .

[@lindseylim8026]

The hawker life is not easy. What still keeps the younger generation's determination to maintain the spirit, the devotion to upkeep the legacy? Heart, soul, memory to the legacy of their parents. As someone who really enjoys cooking, and living abroad, when i make a dish that comes close to tasting "authentic", it is very satisfying. I feel fortunate to grow up in this time, while the hawker fare has such an amazing variety. That is the creativity of Singaporeans. It will be a big pity if the hawker culture gradually disappears because this life is just too difficult and doesn't pay very well.

[@Antzzz_Manzzz]

So many rich history w the street hawkers ❤️🙏🏼

[@lanathitran98]

Thank you for the beautyfull document. Restaurant are very hard job. You much love it, if no you can't cook some good food.

[@suzannabradley3576]

Thanks for sharing video love it 😍

[@xlncy]

Hats off to those young guys

[@vincenttan6303]

Hey, not sure if its a secret but penang prawn mee has prawn heads stir fried ( bao xiang ) before being broiled in broth, also a bit of ground shells.

[@vlado2701]

I'm impressed ! Spirit captures ! How hardworking, how much sincere kindness in the eyes of these people ! I'm sure that such people will not be able to make not tasty dishes ! Very interesting and helpful video ! Decent job ! * * * Dear CNA ! Thank You very very much for Your unique , necessary and important job for us ! I appreciate it !

[@bobdevan2232]

Excellent job on the documentaries! 👍🏾👍🏾

[@nathr7375]

Part of the fun in Thailand was places like this.

[@michikawadoyle943]

I love mutton rice. There is a stall selling mutton rice at Geylang food court near the wet market.

[@markoli2455]

I envy Singapore. I wish I could have a copy of Lee Kuan Yew's From Third World to First: The Singapore Story

[@budoywalkman9615]

The prawn mee is delicious.Lunch time is always a long que

[@ISTARI22]

I wished and hope more younger generation hawkers would continue their parent's legacy. If not, our children won't be able to have them in future.

[@ISTARI22]

@Lee David I'm afraid of that too.

[@kally06]

But many think being a hawker is a useless job and won’t earn a lot of money so they are better off in other career paths

[@romella_karmey]

Younger gens ideal job was less effort and easy money that's why many find jobs in becoming KZbin vloggers or gamers. They never want labor intensive jobs anymore. For me, as a 23 year old, the ideal job for me is food vlogger, ASMR or mukbang vlogger or food taster. I eat food yet I earn money from it lol easy peasy. Less effort and more income.

[@romella_karmey]

@Rousseau Anah Dave but the younger entrants don't do their job with love. They pick factory made or already made ingredients then dump everything in a bowl lol. The oldies even make noodles from scratch. The newbies just toss some instant noodles and call it hawker's food lol

[@iwinlee]

@@kally06 they can expand by franchising their business...

[@vivek-1318]

Awesome

[@renacatalan7611]

Prata and naan... ❤😊😋🤤

[@wric01]

Commentator sure sounds like Michelle Yeoh.

[@channelnewsasia]

That's Singaporean theatre actress Karen Tan's voice!

[@wfhalsey1]

I came to the comments to ask if this is Michelle's voice - so similar!

[@itsmejulie1982]

yes, same thought]

[@preethipaniker]

Me too😁

[@fly89]

south east Asia is heaven for hawkers food!