Teens & Traditions

“The simplest things in life often give us the most joy,” my father often tells me. For me, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of “simple things” is food. In Singapore, the best dishes often only require three ingredients to make. This is the case for many of our local dishes that I enjoy regularly at the hawker centre near my house.

Hawker centres are usually associated with the older generation, the more penny-pinching individuals. However, my experience starkly contrasts with the impression that many have. Every day, without fail, I walk through my neighbourhood hawker centre, the ABC Brickworks food centre and market. One might find it strange that a Secondary School student goes to a hawker centre every day. But you must know the truth: Hawker centres are much more “hip” than you think! At ABC food centre, right next to the fragrant chicken rice, glossy mee rubus (stir fried spicy noodles in thick gravy), buttery roti prata (fried Indian pancake) and plain old wanton mee (dumplings with noodles, either in soup or dry); there are thick gourmet burgers, calorie-ridden bubble tea and fresh pandan waffles.

It is a daily occurence to see hoards of students in their school uniforms queueing for their daily dose of sugar. The diabetes-inducing aroma of sugar and pandan leaves hits you like a strong perfume in a confined room once you get off the public bus from your commute home from school. At the low, low price of a dollar and fifty cents, who could refuse?

Other than these after-school snacks, hawker centres are truly integral to the Singaporean teenage experience, especially over the weekends. Even though adults tend to think that young people flock towards fast food chains when given the choice, I beg to differ. A filling meal at MacDonald’s costs a minimum of five dollars for an unhealthy drink, a fattening burger and greasy french fries. On the other hand, hawker centres offer a healthy alternative at a similar price tag, with more options! As teenagers, we struggle with our constant financial limitations. Even those who work part-time only earn a meagre five or six dollars an hour. For the more forward-looking people our age who are looking to save for their further education, the hawker centre is our only option. Even food courts are out of the picture! Two dollars for a plate of char kuey teow (slightly charred, stir-fried noodles in dark soy sauce) and a one dollar fifty cent cup of iced milo (chocolate malt drink); is all that is needed to put a smile on our faces and fill our empty bellies.

Imagine this: It is a Saturday night. You and your group of friends are out late and the shopping malls are closing. You have permission from your parents to stay out late, but you realise there is nowhere to go. What about the neighbourhood park? Well, that isn’t exactly safe… In that moment, a lightbulb illuminates your mind. “Let’s go to the hawker centre for ice kachang (shaved ice with syrup, red beans, corn and grass jelly)!” Everybody’s faces light up as everybody dashes toward your neighbourhood hawker centre for dessert.

Hawkers centres are open twenty-four seven, affordable late-night snacks are made possible for teens in Singapore. Despite there being clusters of shady old men in the corners drinking beer, you feel safe. There is a neighbourhood police centre just a minute’s walk away. Many of my best memories hanging out with my friends late at night are at hawker centres.

As a teenager in Singapore, I often feel restricted and pressured to do well and succeed. Hawker centres are of great importance to me— they give me a sense of freedom, affordable comfort food and great memories. As Singapore continues to develop into a more modern and westernised society, I sincerely hope that we can successfully preserve our vibrant hawker culture for future generations.