Singapore has become a popular place for Filipinos to visit and spend the holidays in. Just a three-hour ride from Manila, you’ll get to experience a wide variety of food choices not just its signature Singaporean recipes but also Indian, Chinese, Korean, and even Thai dishes.
East Coast Road’s Katong Laksa
Laksa means “10,000,” because you can add as many condiments as you like to this dish. But the main benchmark would be the spicy paste followed by a rich coconut extract that itself gives the kick. Whether you make it Peranakan style (in porcelain bowls with spoons), Thai style (with thick noodles, Asian basil, candlenuts, lime and pineapple), or Sarawak style (thin noodles, preserved carrots and sambal), a rich layered taste is all you get in every laksa experience.
Otak-otak, a de-boned fish (usually mackerel) marinated in coconut milk, freshly-ground chilli, onions, lemongrass, blue ginger and turmeric, is a perfect spicier side dish for laksa. It is wrapped in banana leaf that brings out the flavor, retaining moisture and taste.
A very well-known place situated on the east coast of Singapore is Geylang. The odd avenues are 1, 3, 5 intersecting the main roads which are dimmed down to the red light area in Singapore. To locate where the yummy stalls are, head to the even numbered avenues, 2, 4 and 6, where you’ll find strips of laksa eateries serving the residents and foreigners. If you are looking for the perfect laksa, start your search in this place. Every restaurant claims to be the best laksa house in town. You’ll also find the restaurant owners themselves serving you their laksa pride.
Johor Bahru’s red snapper fried fish
Johor Bahru or “JB” in Malaysia offers visitors a glimpse of its colourful heritage and culture, delectable local cuisine, and exciting recreational activities. Just a brief ride from Singapore, you can take a tour to Johor Bahru, the southernmost city of the peninsula. Just take an MRT, a bus or a cab and get off to pass through Malaysian Immigration. At the inexpensive fare of S$1 on either bus or train, you get to have another stamp on your passport.
At the outskirts of Johor Bahru is the Kedai Makanan Restaurant, a hard-to-find restaurant made popular through word-of-mouth. Every year, the number of customers doubles up even on regular days. One of the favorites is the red snapper fried fish, scoured, dipped into a flour mix and deep-fried. The crispy fried fish is topped with sweet and sour sauce, drizzled with mayo dressing and garnished with spring onions on a bed of secret light soy sauce mix. It comes with a dipping sauce, made from green and red chilies, garlic and soya sauce. It is most likely the oriental version of our local escabeche but is way much better and truly a collection of taste that’s stirring up. Their unique signature lime juice with kiamoy goes very well with it.
Grab the chance to take a short trip to the other countryside and experience another realm of food adventure?
49 Katong Laksa Food House is located at 49, East Coast Road (off Ceylon Road), Singapore and Ah Seng Seafood Restaurant is located at 100, Jalan Keris, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
