Take a bite out of Singapore’s culinary culture

This safe and sophisticated oasis has it all

Written and Photographed y Karen Loftus

Start your exotic journey in Singapore, an island country off the Straits of Malay. It’s no surprise that this country has been called the most globalized country in the world.

The cosmopolitan city-state has a very rich and diverse culture that is reflective of its population, which consists of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Caucasian and Asian (of various descents).

Small in size, Singapore boasts big amenities. With its five million citizens, Singapore is a financial force and the fourth wealthiest country in the world offering a very high quality of life index.

If you are looking to live like a local, slip in to the uber exclusive Valley Wing at The Shangri-La Hotel in the tony Orchard Road district. This 5 star hotel plays hosts to heads of state and global celebrities.

 Whether it’s Obama or Becks, it’s the premier hotel in Singapore. Their world-class service starts the moment you walk through the door. Your private butler will escort you to your sweeping suite overlooking the pool and gardens and assist with your unpacking while your masseur prepares your table. There’s no better way to shed the jetlag.

If rain is on the tropical schedule, indulge in an ambient afternoon nap before heading downstairs for complimentary champagne and cocktails in their luxe lobby. It’s the perfect warm up to The Line, a foodie’s playground and their hip trendy restaurant on site. The food is as artful and evocative as it is delicious. Play the field hitting the 16 stations of international food offering several small bites from the noodle to raw bar to their endless display of desserts.

After an evening of sweet dreaming get ready to explore the city. Singapore is a well-known foodie capitol. Yet unlike other international outposts, in Singapore you not only eat from the street, you can also eat off the street, as it is equally known for its cleanliness. So rest assured those food stalls and hawkers are good to go.

Head to The Maxwell Road Food Centre, once a wet market, for your local foodie fix. Try signature dishes Won Ton Mee (noodles with dumplings and pork), ngoh hiang (local sausage) and Char Kway Teow (fried noodles in soya sacue with cockles and eggs).

Mid morning hop on the River Cruise to get a full view of the city and its many sights from Merlin Park, The Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, the vibrant Clark Quay and the new Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino, which looks like a surf board in the sky. It’s an interesting and mad mix of both old and new. Once a busy warehouse district, the Clark Quay today boasts an array of ethnic restaurants, English pubs and cocktail bars. After hours, it’s a great window in to the local, bustling ex-pat life.

If you’re looking for a more dramatic view, hop on the Singapore Flyer for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city where many host parties in their VIP capsule. It’s available for an exchange of vows or the simple sipping of champagne.

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, it’s time to dig deeper. Pop in to the Peranakan Museum. Peranakan is not a term often heard outside of the region, yet it is very common to locals. It refers to the many hybrid cultures that have since developed due to the mix of foreign traders who married local women through the years. This new boutique museum offers a look in to the cuisine, culture, and the many rich traditions.

Finish off the tour with lunch next door at Tru Blu a traditional Peranakan restaurant. Feast on the delicious local fare full of flavor and spices. Indulge in otak-otak, a blend of fish and coconut milk, chili paste, galangal and herb wrapped in banana leaf or itek tim, a classic soup of duck, tomatoes, green peppers and preserved sour plums. This is true fusion food.

If interested in the cocktail culture, try an array of different flavored Singapore Slings at the historical Fullerton Hotel overlooking the river or slip in to Raffles Hotel where it all began, the city and The Sling itself. The hotel is named after Singapore’s founder Sir Raffles. The Long Bar at Raffles, home to the Singapore Sling is a must. It’s a definitive window in to the old colonial Singapore and it’s English influences. After happy hour, be sure to explore the grounds and the many shops. You’ll find Louis and Tiffany’s, but the real finds on site are the one off shops where summer hats and vintage travel posters are sure to please.

Before returning to your local castle, get lost in the many ethnic neighborhoods in the city, as there is no better way to wrap your head around this multi cultural melting pot. From Chinatown, to Little India and the Malay District you can slip in and out of temples and mosques, hit high-end boutiques, craft and souvenir shops, or simply take in the local lure. One word to the wise, forget about haggling. Their economy is strong. So, if you walk away, know that you will not be missed. A fixed price is a fixed price.

For an adventurous evening, it’s a toss up between the night safari or dinner at Shangri-La’s own BLU. BLU’s Canadian chef Kevin Cherkas has an impressive international resume from Daniel Boulud’s Daniel restaurant in New York to the three star Michelin Arzak and El Bulli, both in Spain. His inventiveness and creativity pops off the plate and explodes on the palette. This cutting edge culinary experience is complimented by the sexy atmosphere and city views.

It’s easy to see why 5 million people are happy living in Singapore. Enjoy your regal sleep before bidding adieu to this sophisticated city and state.

To Stay  – The Valley Wing of the The Shangri-La Hotel is an uber exclusive enclave off of the tony Orchard Road shopping district in Singapore. Shangri-La offers unrivaled service and stunning suites and a candy concierge who replenishes your room’s chocolates throughout the day. That’s reason enough to click your well-traveled heels and say, “There’s no place like Shangri-La. There’s no place like Shangri-La.”  www.shangri-la.com

To Play – Having experienced a real African safari I failed to see the intrigue in a night safari in Singapore. Well, I must say I was pleasantly surprised.There is no tracking of the animals as they are all right there, right before you, a plentiful bunch roaming free but a few feet away for your viewing pleasure. It’s a definitive can’t miss. www.zoo.com.sg

Flying High –Slip in to a Cathay Pacific flight. Hong Kong’s national airline is seamless in service and provides you with one of the best cinema selections in flight complimented with the best wines from around the world. It’s a blissful window of travel that will have you in top form, ready for action once on the ground.. Flights to Hong Kong leave daily from LA, New York, San Fran. It’s an easy connect to Penang from there. www.cathaypacific.com/us

For more information on Singapore and all that it has to offer: www.yoursingapore.com

You can follow Karen on Twitter: @LAKarenLoftus