by Sharon Lai

Created on: February 22, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

With its unique blend of varied ethnic groups, one of the most revered and coveted pleasures of Singaporean life is to enjoy the cuisine of the best Singapore's menus. There is something for every taste, mood and budget. While occasional indulgence of langoustine en papillote with basil pesto and seared loin lamb with tahini are gourment treats, the best delights found in local food centers and foodcourts can be more gratifying.

I shall begin your journey with me on this sunny food paradise to find the best chicken rice affectionately famed as Singapore's de facto national dish.

Located in the northern suburban area of Thomson Road, just opposite Novena church, you will find a well known name called Wee Nam Kee. This is one of the best I have tasted.

The chicken is voluptuous, tender and juicy while the rice is picture perfect. Each grain is whole, coated with a thin layer of oil and the texture is simply just right. Absolutely flavoursome and not too oily, just the way it should be. I like my dish served with generous drizzles of sweet and salty savoury soy sauce. The accompaniment dipping sauce is absolutely heavenly. It has an aromatic blend of freshly pounded ginger and chilli. This place definitely gets my thumb-ups!

While you are in the north, why not continue your food hunt of a different ethnic flavour? Slightly off Thomson Road, you will find famous roti pratas at Casuarina Curry Restaurant. It is a dough-based flat pancake that is cooked by heating over a flat grill. With its crispness on the outside, flaky and stretchy on the inside, I find it similar to french croissant. The prata leaves a light buttery sweet taste on your palate. Curry is not too spicy and complemented the prata well.

Order a teh tarik, a tea drink made with milk (usually condensed or evaporated) and pulled by successive pouring from one container to another to allow it to cool.

At Adam Road Food Center, which is located near Singapore Bible College, you will find Selera Rasa. This stall sells the best Nasi Lemak. Once a modest meal of coconut rice, eggs and a small piece of fish or enchovies for Malays, Nasi Lemak has evolved to cult status. Among its loyal clientele are members of the Royal Family in Brunei. Unlike its competitors who use jasmine rice, Selera Rasa uses basmati instead. This renders a lighter texture, better flavour and the grains are immaculately separated.

Now head east to Chuan Kee satay at Old Aiport Road Food Center for traditinal Hainanese style satay. These skewered pork slices are served with crunchy peanut gravy that comes with tangy pineapple slashes. The meat gives off a fragrant aroma of lemongrass and coriander. It is carefully grilled to perfect golden gloss and really tender.

To end off on a sweet note, let us head to Bedok Bus Interchange Food Center for a refreshing dessert at Hollywood Chendol. This popular dessert of thinly shaved ice, freshly squeezed coconut milk, gula melaka (brown sugar with coconutty flavour), creamed corn, grass jelly, red beans and the signature green coloured starch noodles is an all-tme favourite among the locals in tropical Singapore. What I like about this stall is that the beans are soft and mushy yet maintaining its whole shape.

Are you getting hungry? I hope you enjoy the food at these places as much as I did. I have many more personal favourites to share but time is of constraint here. For more information, go to www.hungrygowhere.com or www.visitsingapore.com

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