Pasar Malam

Pasar malam is from Malay words which "pasar" means "market" and "malam" means "night". So pasar malam literally means night market.

In Singapore, pasar malam is a grouping of temporary outdoor stalls or stands used for the sale of local food/snacks, fruits, toys, clothings, handphone accessories, plants, CD, watches, etc. at reasonable prices. Pasar malam are normally found around housing estates and last for about 3 to 16 days. The stall holders will rotate around different housing areas on different days of the week.

Previously, pasar malam only operated in the evenings, so most of the families staying nearby will go for a walk after dinner. But nowsadays, some of the stall holders also operate in the day time.

The food stalls are always my favourite. Because I will be able to get my favourite local delicacies like otah, muah chee, fried mee siam, nasi lemak, etc. Yummy!!!

Kaya Toast Set

Don't know what to have for breakfast while in Singapore? Try one of Singaporean traditional breakfast set as shown on the photo on the left. Kaya toast (or kaya roti) with 2 half-boiled eggs and a cup of local coffee. To enhance the taste of the half-boiled eggs, black soy sauce and ground white pepper seeds are added.

Kaya is a golden brown or green coloured bread spread made from coconut milk, egg yolks, sugar and flavoured with pandan leaves. Kaya is to be cooked over low heat and constant stirring is required to prevent burnt of the kaya mix.

In the olden days, kaya toast is normally found in coffee shops/stalls operated by the Hainanese. The bread is toasted on a charcoal grill till it is brown. The outer burnt surface of the toast is removed and then kaya and butter are spread onto the toast. Nowsadays, this traditional breakfast can be easily found in any coffee shops, coffee stalls and food courts. It is no more just to be taken as breakfast, but is enjoyed throughout the day.