So I was originally going to call this post something along the lines of eating our way through Singapore, while creatively adding in something about Christmas lights. But then we had the Chili Crab for dinner and O.M.G.

Ok so let us start from the beginning. Singapore wasn’t originally on our list of places to go. But when we chose to fly from Nepal to Myanmar, it was the best option for a layover – so we extended it to give ourselves a day here. And the number one thing we kept hearing and reading about told us we would be spending the day eating, and maybe shopping.

The number 1 item on my (Devon) list was to try the newly Michelin-rated hawker stall for chicken and rice. We got in line around 10:45AM and still had a bit of a wait. (The stall wasn’t even open yet.) But they are ready for the crowds now and have a system, so the line moves pretty well. I was so excited when it was finally our turn! And the verdict? It isn’t fancy. It isn’t gourmet. It is very solid chicken and rice. I would eat it again — especially since it meant I got my first Michelin meal for mere pocket change. But I wouldn’t wait more 45 min or so. So if you visit Singapore and want to try this, go early. If the line is more than an hour long it may not be worth it to you.

To wash down our chicken and rice, Brandon went and found us from fresh fruit drinks. (It was also SUPER hot in the Chinatown hawker stalls.) We could get anything from star fruit, to lychee, to watermelon juice and more! After getting a recommendation from the stall owner, he walked away with one Sour Lime Plum and one Soursop. I understand sour, lime and plum, but had never heard of soursop. One sip and we were hooked. I have now seen it in the market, but I still don’t know quite what it is except delicious!

The next dish we tried is called black carrot cake and is made of neither carrots, nor cake. It appeared to be some type of radish and egg cooked down together. You can get it plain or with a sweet (black) sauce mixed in. It was very good! We liked it better than the chicken.

Considering it was not even 12 yet and we had done nothing but eat, we decided to walk around by the riverside. It was nice and what you would expect with restaurants, bars, etc… catering to the international crowd (and more expensive because of it). We’d read about the Singapore Sling being invented at Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel area, so headed there for a drink. After getting a little lost, we made it. The drinks were VERY good and VERY pricey. (Truly we think we spent more on food and drink in this one day than in a couple of weeks in Nepal.)

After the large, refreshing drinks, Devon needed more food. We headed to another hawker stall area to get some chicken buns. It was a little out of the way, but that meant less touristy – yay! However when we finally made it almost all the stalls were closed, including the one with the buns, were closed. We grabbed something we were told was rice and vegetables. Not sure what it was called, but it was pretty good.

On our way to Orchard Road to see the Christmas decorations and events, we grabbed a pohpia (like an egg roll) in Chinatown. We hung around to hear Christmas carols, but they were less Hallmark-type Christmas songs than we were hoping for. We’d heard there was a free and pretty cool light show in the evenings at Gardens by the Bay. Turns out it was not free – I think because they had a Christmas village set up – was pretty basic and lasted a solid 10 minutes. Oh! It also started raining in the middle of it. Womp, womp!

For dinner, we wanted to try the acclaimed Chili Crab. Our hostel recommended a local place which we always pick over touristy places. (Also – cheaper.) And OMG it was the best thing we had eaten all day – hence the blog title! Good crab, spicy, tomato-y sauce and the fried buns dipped in the sauce! I (Devon) wanted to curl up in a giant fried bun and eat my way out in the morning. The meal may have caused a little stomach distress, buuuuut it was good going in! Thanks for an interesting day, Singapore!