PUBLISHED December 3rd, 2014 04:00 pm | UPDATED May 19th, 2017 03:32 pm
We Lion City dwellers are spoilt when it comes to food. On top of our delectable hawker and local food, we have loads of other overseas options in our melting pot of a city as well.
Given the international exposure our palate has access to, we’re more than interested in why we take to particular types of food more than others. So we’ve singled out 6 different nationalities of the international stable of food that we think are (still) making waves on Singapore’s dining circuit.
The Comfort Food Level
Japanese
Probably the biggest duh if there ever was one, we think. From the chain restaurants in the malls dishing out sushi and sashimi like hotcakes to high-end omakase restaurants serving fish from Tsukiji market, and more than a hundred ramen shops in Singapore, it’s safe to say we’ll never tire of it.
Why it’s so popular: The large Japanese community in Singapore, our obsession with all things Japanese, the somewhat-similar (but not really) cuisine profiles between Japanese food and Chinese food, and the harmonious flavours that anyone can get used.
Italian
Okay, we know it’s a little stereotypical but hands up if you’ve had a bad day and at the end of it, your meal of choice is simple aglio olio or arrabiata pasta with loads of cheese and maybe some bacon. It’s amazing how such a simple dish can be a party on the plate and palate, but that’s probably why Italian food has our tastebuds enslaved as long as we can remember.
Why we love it: Cheese, wine, pizza, zesty sauces, and the nifty things they can do with wheat flour – ’nuff said.
The Cozy Middle Ground
American
We’d like to think we’ve gone further afield in the realm of American food than just burgers and fries since more American diners have mushroomed up in the last couple of years than the last 20 put together (but don’t quote us). So it’s clear that now we can at least get a decent plate of chicken and waffles or pulled pork that we know how to appreciate.
Why it’s so popular: We hate to say it but fast food from the USA was probably the kickstarter of this trend. Over the years, we realized that we could probably make better burgers, and there’s more to American food than that.
Spanish
Another type of cuisine that’s found its footing quite comfortably in Singapore. While the trend started out very focused on tapas half a decade ago, Spanish food goes way beyond small plates now with some places serving up food from the different regions of Spain.
Why we love it: As much as the whole tapas/small plates movement appeared overrated, what’s not to love when you get to try a variety of different dishes with your best mates? Oh, and paella is da bomb.
The Up and Coming
Korean
Hallyu, or better known as the Korean Wave, shows no sign of dissipating in Singapore. In fact, the number of Korean establishments – be it barbeque restaurants, fried chicken joints, and small home-style eateries – around has increased exponentially.
Why it’s popular: Hallyu made people realize that the likes of kimchi and bibimbap were unexplored territory in Singapore. We don’t know about you, but some people we know believe that this cuisine is relatively healthy – due to the amount of veggies, we’re guessing – helps too.
Mexican
Mexican food and Tex-Mex (a portmanteau of Texan and Mexican) have been quite a constant in our lives ever since we discovered it. So we are quite happy that we’re getting more options for our Mexican fix on our sunny shores.
Why we love it: It’s probably because they use ingredients that we know and love in Asia such as avocado, beans, rice, salsa, and cheese, which result in rather different flavours.
So what’s your favourite foreign cuisine? If it isn’t on our list, let us know what you think and hit up Coca-Cola on Twitter at @cokesg to find out more about #cokewithfood!
This article is brought to you by Coca-Cola®.
Check out more eastern eats at Talad Thai: Comforting Thai Street Food in Bedok and 8 Times the Tastiness – 8 Korean BBQ: Review