Singapore's hawker culture: How did it all start? | Belly of a Nation | Part 1 | Full Episode

From push carts to modern hawker centres, Singapore's hawker culture has evolved through the years. How did early immigrants create food that's uniquely Singaporean? Why is Hokkien mee Hokkien, and how did Indian rojak come about?
Watch Part 2 here: • Singapore's next gener...
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]

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.

[@godspeedjourneys2661]

I have not been back to Singapore in 32 years since I left as a kid, I watch this with my mom and it was so sentimental and nice to see the references of the past and the present Singapore. Well done documentary! Tugged at my heart strings.

[@ftd7435]

First buy a two way plane ticket. Next ...

[@sfbluestar]

Every time I see an old photograph or footage of Singapore, I am awed by how much Singapore transformed herself within such short time. Glad Singapore has been a part of my life, even if I will eventually go home to US.

[@cappuccinoowl559]

I want to go to Singapore not for the tourist destinations but for the food

[@imthebestthingsincerice5122]

You wont be disappointed. I highly suggest you travel to Singapore when things settle down

[@pops1507]

I have. Twice. Need to go back!

[@Mr-Wisdomthief]

@Tan SW i'm Singaporean but with family in Msia, ur right, most Msian food does taste better

[@terryofford4977]

You must seek out Maxwell Market, south of the Chinese Emporium or Geylang Serai where there's a hawkers section adjacent to the Wet Market also the Malay Structure across the Geylang Road. mainly Indian and Malay food there, aslo good tasty Indian food at Teh Tarik same side as the Market. Sadly Bedok Corner, which used to be the Best place for Chilly Crab has been closed for many years, due to modernisation of the entire area which now looks like anywhere in USA or EUROPE. Very few hawkers along Orchard Road but an upstairs open eatery known as Food Republic do have reasonably priced Asian foods Malay, Japanese and Chinese.Peoples Park in China town has excellent Asian Food downstairs, good prices too.Sadly, the best hawkers food which put Singapore on the World Foods map has long gone and Singapore is now a Super Clean version of a Highly government over controlled, spotlessly clean island which lost its heart when Founder, Premier Lee KUan Yew passed away.Island.

[@iarshintasudjana4382]

@@imthebestthingsincerice5122 true lah❤❤❤

[@bowlampar]

Singapore hawker center has played a pivotal role in full filling one of the most vital needs of Singaporean daily life, without it, much of the joy living in Singapore will be lost.

[@schadenfreude6274]

Oh please. Its the lowest form of food to eat. Only Low SES people eat hawker food. :)

[@doubtfulmeasly8635]

There are so many reasons I love this country.. good bless you Singapore

[@user-cq9hb1pg3u]

I knew nothing, then decided to click. Know I hold a deep appreciation for hawkers. This was a wonderful video.💗

[@anthtan]

Perhaps not as lusciously filmed as Chef's Table, but a hundred times more meaningful for me to watch because this is my daily food. Thank you for this beautiful, well-researched look into Singapore hawker culture.

[@channelnewsasia]

Glad you liked it!

[@justcause9575]

I was born in Tiong Bahru, grew up in 1970’s Singapore. I ate at Tiong Bahru markets everyday and loved the carrot cake old man who drove his cart outside my flat. He made delicious Carrot cake. As a teenager I migrated to Australia and now I live in Russia, with my Russian wife. I miss the old days and the food. Time flies.

[@romella_karmey]

Make them at your home to serve for your Russian wife 😀

[@terryofford4977]

Ha Ha, my wife was from Lim Liak Street Tiong Bahru, 1936, The same flats built by the Old Housing Development Board are now fetching Millions of dollars.Tiong Bahru Market sold the best Oyster Omelettes (until around 1980) then became modernised and the standards of cooking many special dishes was reduced to take away hurry hurry style no taste, the old Hawkers used flavorsome recipes handed down from father to son/daughter, nowadays it's all about How little you sell for How many more dollars, no flavour no taste.

[@clackox9412]

IDK but theres two things that I think about when I hear about Singapore. 1. Hawkers 2. Finance. Both equally important. Protect the hawkers!!!

[@sitinazariah9097]

Yesss!!!

[@teoeejay1]

The introduction is quite funny HAHA, the whole paragraph about what masses and urges. It’s basically: “At 12pm, everyone goes for lunch”

[@nulnoh219]

When you have to fulfill the word count man... totally can relate.

[@DBT1007]

No. It is the reference to some animal documentary. Usually, every animal documentary TV program will start with the introduction to a biome first. Like.. They talk about the climate, vegetation, and how things work there. And then they talk about some specific time. Like lunch or night time or in the morning. Some talk about the eat or be eaten and some talk about the mating ritual of some animals. And some talks about other animal's behavior. U just don't get it, dude..

[@limjf6624]

Basically Singapore are nothing but uncultured and westernised. Fyi hawker culture starts from his neighbour Malaysia.

[@denamad7765]

@@limjf6624 Malaysian jealousy is top notch. I thought they are nice people but Indo seems better than them.

[@maxlee7521]

@@denamad7765 he's not wrong you know. Nothing is original in Singapore. Well maybe your singlish. That's very unique and I know yall quite proud of it too.

[@wribbit]

Madam Chua @36:44 reminded me so much of my mom.. (yes, mom is also Teochew-nang) Especially the bit about just basically improving her foods through experiments, and her curiosity. Love you Madam Chua 🤞

[@liongkienfai104]

I'm Indonesian but videos like this make me feel nostalgic. The food court style and food carts (which are still common in Indonesia) are very similar. Especially Madam Chua's stall. She reminds me of my grandmother who is also Teochew. And the Kwecap that you can still find in her hometown of Pontianak.

[@Veronica_Boer]

Madame Chua (sorry for eventual misspelling) is such a darling old lady, hard working till the end.

[@julesellana2258]

Great documentary! Thank you for sharing this rich Singaporean culture!

[@zorlitazorlita2654]

This is what I love about Singapore, the hawker centers. Hope it stays that way forever 🥰😘. Chili crab is my favorite 🤩

[@drw888]

Coming from across the causeway, one thing I'm jealous is Singapore's hawker culture. All races cook and do business under one roof- a sight rarely seen in Malaysia.

[@laurence82]

@Brent Hui I seriously doubt Malaysia has diverse and richer hawker scene....this coming from a Malaysian

[@Aoshimaro]

@@laurence82 You forgot Sabah and Sarawak. We do have a diverse hawker scene, just not diverse in the sense that everyone is mixed-in at the foodcourt or hawker centre.

[@danialroslan1531]

@@laurence82 you must not be exploring your country. Most Singaporeans know Malaysia has as good if not better street food.

[@laurence82]

@@danialroslan1531 'Most'? Must be a credible survey.

[@laurence82]

@@Aoshimaro Yeah I kinda miss out Sabah Sarawak and do agree their hawker scene is quite lot more diverse than Semenanjung.

[@imthebestthingsincerice5122]

We went to Singapore on the early stages of the pandemic and was able to eat at this places. First time I heard about Hawker i thought it was a dish from a certain part of a country like Hunan, Cantonese or a certain group of people like Uyghurs. But damn the food was good and cheap that puts to shame some restaurants in the west.

[@SyTacLoc]

It’s Hakka 客家

[@share_accidental]

that's why my sister & i say the best food in singapore is our cheap food! ironically i don't eat hawker centre food often...

[@GKP999]

Watching this makes me miss the time when I was growing up in Singapore.

[@natnat8393]

This is so interesting :). Some of these dishes look so delicious too 😋 :D Much love from Jamaica.

[@namigoori]

Mdm Chua is adorable! I would love to try her kway chap someday :) Singapore hawker culture is really one of a kind, and I really hope the government can help preserve this world heritage by making it easier for hawkers to continue their business. Great documentary btw!

[@ahkl77]

Well done 👍 An overdue record of our culinary culture

[@minniec.9127]

Excellent documentary!

[@channelnewsasia]

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

[@cocot9291]

Curry laksa with clams, Hokkien mee, & Hainan chicken rice😋😋😋❤️❤️❤️😋😋

[@facemakerable]

everything aepecially with noodle in it .

[@user-fk6jk4ob2r]

Oyster Omelette ;))

[@siriusxmfix]

卤面, Mee Rebus, Roti Prata, you name it I will take it!

[@jesiemmanuelbuensuceso183]

Noodle dishes, anything with rice also.

[@vincentho3964]

Thank you ! Very clear and helpful narration - good job, no slang. Keep it up ! Appreciate that there is NO UNNECESSARY background "music". Well done !

[@channelnewsasia]

Singaporean theatre actress Karen Tan lent us her voice :D

[@alanooi1005]

One of the best documentary!

[@chungchontchin4604]

I was staying at Havelock Rd near Beo Crescent when working in Sg . Fond memories of those days living there, affordable and delicious foods everywhere. Sigh... It's been 22 years ... How time flies.

[@user-bm1hg8hy4z]

It is super cool documentary video that I've ever seen!!!! I really love Singapore's hawker centre culture, and I've been always curious about why only SG started this kind of unique culture.! Now all my curiosity is solved and I'm really looking forward to Ep.2!!! Thank u for making this kind of cool video!

[@AL-sf7pf]

Great documentaries! It is not only about food, it is history and life.

[@sleepyhealer]

Please do more such program love it

[@waileonglum2738]

Great docu! A lot of insights! From a Malaysian, it’s nice to know how SG hawker culture started.

[@reallynani9693]

You guys have a great deal of street food culture too!!

[@waileonglum2738]

really nani Thank you! Yes, that’s one of the reasons I learned to appreciate and respect other countries’ hawker culture!

[@rustyrust804]

so beautiful narration.

[@channelnewsasia]

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

[@annasolanis]

Very interesting!

[@BumbleBeeLovePeace]

Good documentary

[@user-lo2te5fd9y]

very nice and it is very engaging

[@jazzmitz9657]

Miss so much this country have work at there 2009-2010 at paint factory no. 6 gul drive tuas. I love singaporean street food so many choice yummy..

[@ghiberti]

Singapore's rich food culture is inspiring!

[@Hotspur62]

New drinking game....every time someone says "Actually" take a swig from the bottle. Actually.

[@maxlee7521]

And basically. They like that too. They keep doing it to make themself sound intelligent.

[@ravindranathkokki]

Very nice, I recollect my good old memories of having food at food plaza

[@SUNTZE13]

hawker culture, is a heritage, we all grow up eating all this authentic good food, hope the sg govt, will allocate special previlage, in term of rental, licences for them to carry on with this heritage,

[@test02-christine25]

Loving these full episodes, CNA!

[@channelnewsasia]

What's your favourite hawker food?

[@nelsonloh2510]

Hope Government could build more Hawker Centres. Food sold at Coffee Shops are getting poorer and more expensive. The owners are more keen to make excessive profit than catering to the communities. Most working couples depend on hawker foods for their lunch and dinner. We need to set high standards to help our hawkers for good corporate image of our nation.

[@MrNamesNoMore]

Problem is nowadays not a lot of new blood willing to do hawker work. As the profit margin is expected to be kept very low as compared to food court and restaurants. Even if they open more hawker centres, if can't find the hawkers then also no point. Nowadays hard to get an affordable, good portion and delicious food liao. At most can only have 2 of the conditions fulfilled.

[@nelsonloh2510]

@@MrNamesNoMore Should consider to use ITE to train future Hawkers. No true that hawkers are not earning enough. For hawkers who made effort to ensure that their food are good, a long queue is expected. You can observe that many successful hawkers are driving BMWs and Mercedes plus Rolax gold watches. You will be surprised that they stay in bungalows.

[@kurlexchoi]

It's good the three guys were able to learn from some of their neighboring hawker stalls. Usually! Food Cafes don't teach another business anything when they're competing with each others of the same needs.

[@brian-beeler]

America has a large problem with mostly empty shopping malls and IMO Singapore style hawker stalls could be a wonderful solution by not only renting now available space but also acting as a draw for other businesses [in that shopping mall].

[@thepinoyrice]

Yeaa I live in Los Angeles and although a good amount of our malls are still in use as a lot of people go to it to escape the heat, the empty shopping spaces could be a great place for hawker-like businesses to thrive. It's just that a lot of legislation has to be passed I believe. Like in LA, we barely got street food vending to be allowed rip.. ://

[@brian-beeler]

@@thepinoyrice I use to live in Vietnam and really miss street food. IMO laws against it are overrated. I've eaten from street vendors over a thousand times and only got sick once. And that one time my better judgement told me not to but I did anyways. =)

[@thepinoyrice]

Brian Beeler Street food is always where it’s at tbh haha

[@toxicwaste920]

I've been here for 12 yrs and ive always hated that there's no cheap healthy food like this. It's always FAST FOOD that are cheap and if you want healthy you have to go to a sit-in restaurant. Crap foods everywhere. I wish they'd come up with something like this here.

[@romella_karmey]

@@toxicwaste920 it's the agenda. Feed the populace with trash and cancer and disease-inducing foods. While organic and healthy ones are more expensive. In that way, they will easily die, so that they won't reap the benefit of social security and senior citizen government benefits.

[@summergate666]

Is it just me? The narrator sounds like Dato Seri Michelle Yeoh.

[@channelnewsasia]

That's Singaporean theatre actress Karen Tan :D

[@CaliD0LL]

I was going to ask this too 😆

[@godspeedjourneys2661]

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking - Michelle Yeoh. I found it remarkable that she was able to pronounce all the names with the perfect accent lol. I was just waiting for her to introduce Li Mu Bai!

[@theuglykwan]

Yeah for a while I was like why does her voice sound so familiar?!

[@Nurazza68]

@@channelnewsasia same like Michelle Yeoh Voice 😁😁

[@apsventure9515]

Basically makes me hungry and wanna go back to Singapore to just eat!! 😋

[@ShiroChii90]

havent eaten that many prawn noodles in singapore but the abc uncle's one is very delicious imo!

[@Alderic.]

Our street food scene was so rampant that the Government had to build hawker centres in order to house the hawkers so as to not have congested streets. and people say Singapore doesn't really have street food.

[@maxlee7521]

Lol? "our" XD good one XD I burst out laughing.

[@theuglykwan]

I often have dreams of being in a hawker centre!

[@sfbluestar]

Wow, I know the guy at 46:20. I buy his shaved ice every time I go to that hawker center.

[@paulhunter6742]

This was fascinating look at history of Street Hawkers in Singapore. The vintage photos and videos add nice comparison of Hawker food centre's Today. This trend start catch hold in USA with Food Courts. (Not those used found in Shopping Malls)

[@MsHantubelau]

Burg in golden Mile complex. Salam Rujak, Tutu kue (I forgot where its located), all the hawkers I need to visit next time in Singapore

[@cingulum16]

The most admirable hawker is Madam Chua @88yrs she's seen SG rise from the damps..👏👏👋

[@maxlee7521]

You mean Singapore isn't a damp now? Pffff. Mind blown to pieces.

[@yengsabio5315]

In a small nation like SG, I apparently think this is how food should be served/provided.

[@chm3035]

The Philippines should learn from this model for street hawkers.

[@romella_karmey]

We have these kinds of establishments already only that many small food businesses continue to spring like wild mushroom so that it's not easy to organize them up in one food court like these.

[@terryofford4977]

Many nations could learn from Singapore, tho sadly, the BEST of that beautiful Island was immediate post war to around early (0's.

[@oldwong5977]

I am a blogger and I have eaten almost all of Singapore hawker food. All I can say is there are still very good hawkers but the overall food quality has declined and food prices have increased significantly. For example, one stall in Bedok has increased Hokkien noodles prices from $3 to $4 (a dollar increase at one go).

[@PP-vf1kx]

Old Wong Dies Hard

[@funkee9]

Not a surprise. Singaporeans want quality hawker food, but not many of the younger generation want to be hawkers (including me...). So that authentic local taste is slowly dying away. Part of it is because so many stalls are now run by foreigners who can't quite capture that "local" taste, but part of it is also due to us young Singaporeans. Then rent in Singapore is so high, so...*sigh*

[@terryofford4977]

You should come to Australia mate, a dish of 'pretend Hokkien noodles will cost you a minimum of around $18 to $20 AUSTRALIA DOLLARS.

[@paulhunter6742]

What! You're complaining about one dollar increase? During the Pandemic, we began order Pizza. A medium two topping pizza with 40 liter soda was nearly $40. Which does always include delivery charges.

[@troutstalker7855]

My favorite is..fei fei ,wonton noodle (dry).

[@aaronkoh4567]

Anyone knows where is the mee rebus stall in the video at 32 minutes

[@Isaac-gh5ku]

I do hope the hawkers are alright during the Pandemic. Both their health and business.

[@sever4781]

Thanks Hokkien ppl, you make a noodle that i eat my entire life 😁😁 , from Sumatra

[@nizamzakaria]

Indian Rojak is known as Rojak Singapore in Malaysia :)

[@sfbluestar]

I am now inspired to try those dishes that I initially looked and had no interest in eating just because they look unfamiliar to me.

[@bpk8320]

b💪 i believe in u guys

[@facemakerable]

Hawker's food SOOO Yummy !!

[@oldschool8432]

I wish I could try. No hawkers where I live an this food looks so good

[@oldschool8432]

Mmm this is making me hungry

[@dzakisuda]

I do not if it still exists but I was waiting for Newton Circus Hawkers Centre in the documentary. I frequented it in 1987 when I was attending a short course in RELC, Orange Grove Road.

[@tcwdoggy]

it still exist although not featured.

[@deanchen6485]

38:00 absolutely heart-warming interview....now i feel worse than terrible for eating at fastfood chains T_T......THANKU CNA!.....ToT

[@archerzzy]

I miss those foods so much

[@Alan-Aus]

Seems like hardwork but they all look happy & simple life (not like working in a corporate, they mainly stress and mean people)

[@somebody_me_th]

So far, I do addictively love foods in Hong Kong atmost and Singapore secondly. Might it be different types of chinese dishes. 💖👍💖🇹🇭

[@purrfekt]

Mdm Chua is so cute! Gonna eat the kuay chap after Circuit Breaker is over ; )

[@kadajlim]

Why Old Airport Road Food Centre was not mentioned?

[@SalvatoreJules]

I’ve been craving “fried” prawn mee for weeks and it brought me here... 7 hours ago

[@arrowstheorem1881]

My understanding is for Service sector, generally, stall holders are not allowed to hire any foreigner. Usually allowed are citizens, PR , China workers , Malaysian workers, and some unlikely but allowed workers from SKorea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong. But these are unlikely to come here for such jobs because their country is pretty advanced. My point is hawkers suffer from hiring the help they need. If Vietnam, Myanmar are easily allowed without needing them to be PR , then we may see less elderly old uncles and aunties slogging away without getting the help they need

[@seng628]

Sg hawker good job auntie

[@elleteo]

This is why I always say Singapore is not similar to Dubai. We have heart :)

[@StanHowse]

One can't even get a good, stiff drink in Dubai..This fact alone makes 1,000+ places better than it, right off the bat.

[@salihin23]

Can you show a 🎥🎥 to us 0ne day Why Some young generation This Days don't went to Wet market and don't Eat At hawker centre?? Thanks😊

[@iarshintasudjana4382]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@riichobamin7612]

I hope all of them survived Covid19 lockdown.

[@IanPaulSaligumba]

44:19 Is this Maxwell Food Center?

[@yosuabaguswirawan2106]

24:21 I found it all everyday in Java.

[@sanjayvhawal2404]

Nice and lovely historic movie Sanjay pune India

[@silvervirio3642]

Whats the bgm name in the intro?

[@omgkeuri734]

23:10 painting said to be reminiscent of the past looks like present day Quiapo area here in the Philippines except now the vendors are wearing facemask.

[@dgoodlife2301]

Hawker food is BUSSSINGGG

[@mlc2158]

😋❤️✊️

[@bennylin3949]

I WAS HERE!!!! i eat here last year, I was traveling from malaysia to SG by bus and I get dropped off at golden mile tower, and I was hungry So I decided to go here, and they're mala was GOOD FR, but it's not good for my stomach later on 🙂

[@Vanfinity88]

can anyone recognize this voice! I think that was Michelle Yeoh!

[@Piggypuggy]

I find SG Hawkers is a dying trend.. not many younger generation is willing to take up this laborous trade. So we find more and more Hawkers run by overseas workers these days

[@JajobaGasoil]

should have watch this before meal, now hungry again

[@channelnewsasia]

What hawker dish are you craving for?

[@mildredpang7508]

Hi, the Best Mee Rebus stall is situated in which hawker centre. Thanks

[@tcwdoggy]

@@mildredpang7508 Afandi Hawa & Family Mee Rebus 14 Haig Rd, #01-21

[@mildredpang7508]

@@tcwdoggy Thank You, will try after circuit breaker

[@drewgoh5748]

At 35min mark : This was going to be the Final Solution for Singapore's Street Hawkers. Why does this line sound so ominous? Haha

[@P53eud0nym05]

Drew Goh Your friendly neighbourhood jew will tell u why.

[@h3lldiv3r]

watching this doco while hungry is not very recommended la !

[@tonyzhang8681]

The mala xiangguo in salty egg is shocking me. People can’t take spice, can have a try of it

[@phillylee6776]

This is is a wonderful documentary to showcase the great hawker culture of Singapore. Most times CNA has been spot on choosing the right voice that matches their programme. Unfortunately not this time. It is so painful to watch this documentary with the voice of the narrator who isn’t suited. Her voice is too heavy and strong - like how a teacher speaks to her students. She speaks with her lungs like a theatre actress. The voice of a narrator for a documentary should be smooth and complimentary to the programme. I’m sorry for pointing this out but it really spoils an otherwise great documentary. I would imagine she would narrate the rest of the series. That’s a pity.

[@remymartin1326]

Grand salute to hawkers that endures the years of corrupt law enforcers and local crime gangs. Cheers.

[@fukenright4431]

Just a fun fact: Singapore wasn't independent until 1965. It used to be part of Malaya.

[@krizdeep]

Basically all their food is Malaysian 😂

[@veronham61]

@@krizdeep Disagree.

[@veronham61]

Singapore was a British colony in the 19th century and during that period there were already immigrants from China and India selling home cooked foods on the streets. Singapore was granted self governance in 1959 and only joined Malaysia in 1963 for 2 years. You maybe right by saying that Singapore food is Malaysian food based on the fact that the foods ,esp Chinese foods were brought in by the Chinese immigrants. We have been independent for 55 years now, are you saying Singaporeans have never created any new dishes after all these years?

[@krizdeep]

Please educate yourself on history before coming back two weeks to make a comment just to embarrass yourself even more ... Singapore was under the Johor Empire way before the British arrived ... Aka Malaysia !! ....

[@krizdeep]

If you want to educate yourself more I suggest you read a book on Iskandar Shah ...

[@marcl6192]

"My name, is Bolo Santosi..."

[@IanPaulSaligumba]

I miss Hainanese Chicken Rice so much 😢

[@mety9042]

O man ...make me want to move back...

[@akimamin7670]

Tutu kueh comes from the sound tutu? LOL