William, Yes we have been to Singapore before, it's one of my favourite Cities.
We are staying at the Fairmont and fly out Monday morning.
Can you suggest a good restaurant for lunch, that is Authentic Singapore and not dumbed down for the tourists? The reason I specify lunch is the races are at night. Anyone else who knows Singapore restaurants please chime in.
Hello Pete,
I am unable to meet with you this time 'round.
If you would like to go to Singapore's #1 place for chicken rice here is what to tell the taxi driver.
Novena (part of town) - Balestier Road - Loy Kee Chicken Rice. It is right beside Shaw Plaza. He can drop you at Shaw Plaza. If you face Shaw Plaza, turn right and walk to the end of the block and cross the road. It is right there on the corner, same side as Shaw Plaza.
Order 1 set of chicken rice per person. Ask for the crispy skin. Order a lime juice too. And order a side dish of roasted pork and make sure you get the crispy pork.
1 set chicken rice has chicken, greens, soup, cucumber, rice, black sauce (thick sweet soy sauce), ginger sauce and chili sauce. The chili sauce is out of this world.
The roasted pork (crispy) is heavenly. Wash it down with a lime juice and you have eaten authentic Singaporean food. A 750 ml bottle of Tiger beer is optional. They shouldn't serve ice with it there but if you were to cross the road they would.
One side of roasted pork will be enough for 2 people.
Chicken rice at Loy Kee should be $6.50 SGD. With roasted pork and lime juice under $20 SGD.
Other authentic food is pork soup called Bak Kut Teh (back koo tay). Pork cooked for 24 hours. Not much to it and you will need a big bottle of Tiger beer with it. Ask concierge.
Do you like the "hawker" food here in S'pore? The street food?
The satay is kick ass but make sure it is Malay who makes it as the Chinese can't match the Malay. The Chinese dry the meat out too much.
I am not sure if the Lagoon hawker center is open for lunch. This is a big one on the East Coast just off the ocean. Same goes for Newton Circus. Ask concierge. If they are open head there and get the stingray... completely delicious. Duck rice is awesome as is the roasted pork with noodle (Char Siew).
Authentic Malay food is Nasi Lemak (fried chicken, rice and other stuff), Mee Ribus (noodles in a gravy) and Lasksa (coconut tyoe gravy/soup with noodles and all kinds of goodies). You can get good food at Sun Tec "convention center" on the main floor just off the lobby. Walk in and head right. Walk 50 meters and there are food stalls there. One of the first stalls on the left serves excellent Nasi Lemak. Order 1-2 extra pieces of fried chicken - you will thank me.
Be sure to get sugar cane juice. I like it with lemon. My favorite is soursop juice.
Let me know how you make out.
Cheers!