Singapore's Hawker Culture: A Living Heritage on a Plate
Recognised by UNESCO in 2020, Singapore's hawker centres are where the nation eats together. Why hawker culture matters, and how to enjoy it.
If you want to understand Singapore, eat at a hawker centre. These open-air food courts, packed with stalls serving affordable, freshly cooked dishes, are where people from every background eat side by side.
Recognised by UNESCO
In December 2020, UNESCO inscribed Hawker Culture in Singapore on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising hawker centres as "community dining rooms" that bring people together.
A melting pot of flavours
Hawker food reflects Singapore's Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan heritage. Chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow, nasi lemak, roti prata and satay are just the beginning.
From stall to star
Hawker food gained international attention when a soya sauce chicken rice stall received a Michelin star in 2016, among the cheapest Michelin-starred meals in the world at the time.
How to hawker like a local
- "Chope" your seat by leaving a packet of tissues on the table.
- Follow the longest queues of locals.
- Return your tray: it is now expected at hawker centres.
- Try one new dish every visit.
Keeping it alive
With many veteran hawkers ageing, succession is a concern. Programmes to train and support new hawkers aim to ensure this everyday heritage survives for future generations.
