It is difficult to envision life in Singapore without hawker centres. Similarly, it is hard to imagine a Singaporean who has never eaten at a hawker centre before. Life in Singapore would be vastly different if there were no hawker centres. Being a source of affordable and delicious food, many Singaporeans revel in the hawker food culture on a daily basis. The ability to enjoy a meal with someone of any race or religion is a unique experience here in Singapore. Even though hawker food culture plays such a crucial role in shaping Singapore’s identity, there is no certainty that this culture will survive in the rapidly changing landscape in Singapore due to the rise of international mega-corporations and the need to strike a balance among the core aspects of hawker food culture.
Hawker food culture is able to provide Singaporeans with affordable food from a wide range of cultures. Hawker centres play a crucial role in boosting Singapore’s economy and cultural identity. Being able to get a wholesome meal under $5 helps Singaporeans save money amid the well-known fact that Singapore is an expensive city to live in. Indeed, the wide array of reasonably priced dishes from numerous cuisines would excite the taste buds of hardworking Singaporeans slogging through their hectic schedules. Moreover, hawker food culture does not only benefit locals but also boosts Singapore’s tourism industry. Being a multiracial country, Singapore is able to act as an all-in-one cultural hub within Asia. Where else can one get to choose between laksa, briyani, mee goreng, fish and chips, ramen, bibimbap, and tom yam, all under one roof, for under $6? This privilege is not only enjoyed by Singaporeans, but also the millions of tourists who come to Singapore every year. Hence, hawker food culture benefits Singapore through its economic and cultural impacts.
To further its cultural significance, hawker centres also serve as a common space for interaction between people of any race or religion. Anyone can walk into a hawker centre and enjoy a meal, no matter their race, religion, age or income level. Vendors will sell their food to just about anyone and it is not uncommon to see complete strangers sharing a table and even a conversation. Hawker centres are ideal for meeting new people whom one would not usually get the chance to interact with. Since Hawker food culture is plugged into the average Singaporean’s life, it is only natural that hawker centres are crowded during peak hours. It can be difficult to find seats for dining in sometimes, hence people are more inclined to share their tables with other people and socialise with others. Also, the diverse food options in a hawker centre means that everyone can find food that suits their tastes, or their personal dietary restrictions. For instance, there are plenty of halal options for Muslims. Not only are there Malay food stalls, as it is not uncommon to find halal Indian food stalls or even halal Chinese food options. Vegetarian and vegan options are not any different in this regard. Coupled with well-thought infrastructure such as tables with open seats and wide walkways for the aged and disabled, it is evident that no one gets left behind in the hawker food culture. These considerations have successfully developed hawker centres into inclusive spaces for the everyday patron in Singapore.
Unfortunately, there is a formidable challenge surrounding hawker food culture which is the need to secure a balance between respecting the historical legacy and changing to meet the requirements of the present and future, so that hawker food culture can continue to thrive. Being a major source of economical food that supports many Singaporeans while also being an inclusive space for interaction between people, it is important for the continuation of hawker culture to sustain the fast-paced and expensive lifestyle many lead in Singapore. Having existed long before Singapore even gained her independence, hawker culture has a history that must be preserved. Should there be any drastic change to hawker culture, there will be a loss of the hawker food identity. However, as times change, the preferences of people also change. It is important for hawkers to keep up and adjust their practices to cater to the younger generation so as not to become outdated. Still, it is crucial to balance culture and innovation, so that we can bring hawker food culture into the future while keeping its traditional roots intact. As costs of imported food and rent increase, hawkers will have to choose between increasing prices while upsetting customers and maintaining current prices at their own expense. This dilemma can make the younger generation more skeptical about picking up the hawker profession. With fewer people willing to carry the torch of the hawker food culture, its sustainability becomes increasingly questionable.
Lately, however, proponents of hawker food culture have made huge strides in scoring the nearly impossible balance. New hawker centres like the Kampung Admiralty hawker centre are built with suitable infrastructure for both Singapore’s ageing population and the younger generation. Kampung Admiralty hawker centre has moveable chairs for flexible seating to suit various group sizes and even those who are wheelchair-bound. The hawker centre is very spacious and allows for an efficient flow of people during peak hours. The hawker centre also has a modern design that keeps up with architectural trends to appeal to the youth. Being clean and airy, the ambience is much more comfortable for both customers and hawkers.
However, some can argue that the new look strays too far from the origins of the hawker food culture. Innovative hawkers who strive to keep up with the changing times are also baulked at by traditionalists. Nevertheless, this is usually practised by the younger hawkers who lack culinary experience, serving up gimmicky dishes that cannot compare to the authentic hawker food made by experienced hawkers. These attempts in the name of innovation may backfire as they are abandoning the familiar traditional taste Singaporeans have grown up eating, effectively inhibiting the continuation of hawker food culture.Given the current stage of experimentation, balancing innovation, tradition and sustainability indubitably seems a distant reality.
Despite persistent efforts to spruce up hawker centres; many have flocked to restaurants, cafes and fast-food chains. With many of these alternative options being air-conditioned with future-proofed architecture and design, hawker centres simply cannot outcompete them. Large food companies like McDonald’s continue to draw in millions of customers with their ever-increasing sphere of marketing influence and comparable prices. As more and more shopping malls spring up all around the island, the convenience of having a hawker centre near one’s house starts fading. While hawker centres offer diverse foods; the variety of flavours and dining styles, for instance, option for buffet meals, of a mall are still superior. As such, hawker food culture may not survive the tides of time eventually.
In conclusion, I believe that the challenges surrounding hawker food culture outweigh its benefits. While hawker food culture can provide Singaporeans with cheap, diverse food, and a place for social interaction, it might not be able to reconcile its glorious legacy with the needs of the future. Furthermore, global competition posed by well-resourced multinational corporations threatens the very survival of hawker food culture. Still, it is not easy to take a solid stance due to future’s uncertainty, considering the significant challenges it will be facing. Indeed, to ensure the continuation of hawker food culture, the government should provide financial assistance through enhanced rental subsidies and provide technical assistance for research efforts to refresh our hawker food culture – our national pride.
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