Singapore’s hawker culture was recognised by UNESCO in 2020. This means that the hawker centres that we visit every day are recognised globally! People around the world want to try out our delightful dishes as they are interested to learn more about our hawker culture.

In the past, people from Malaysia, India, China and other countries came to Singapore to better their lives. Some of them became hawkers and pushed carts around town to sell foods which originated from their home countries. However, these street hawkers often littered the streets. To address this challenge, the Singapore government built hawker centres so that hawkers did not have to roam the streets. Thus, the hawker culture was born.

Today, Singaporeans gather at hawker centres to eat their favourite foods, which are prepared painstakingly by hawkers. Our hawkers put in a lot of effort to improve their culinary skills and ensure that they can continue to serve generations of Singaporeans. For example, some elderly hawkers pass down their skills to their children. Additionally, some hawkers train hard at overseas culinary schools to learn the ropes of the trade.

Singaporeans love hawker centres due to numerous reasons. Hawker centres enable us to enjoy tasty Chinese, Malay, Indian and other cuisines at the same place. The dishes are affordable too, which helps us to save money. Furthermore, dining together at hawker centres promotes social bonding among Singaporeans.

Indeed, Singapore’s hawker culture is a source of pride for all Singaporeans. We must do our best to preserve it, for it reflects our rich food heritage. It encourages the development of a common national identity based on shared experiences. Lastly, it is an important part of Singaporeans’ daily lives as we depend on hawker centres to enjoy great food with our loved ones.