Singapore Archives - Our Tasty Travels

New Singapore Sling Cocktail Offerings at the Raffles Hotel Long Bar

Brett Domue — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:54:10 +0000

Late last week, I found myself faced with a surprising dilemma, an unplanned four day weekend! I knew that I had Tuesday, Feb 28 off for the 228 Memorial Day Holiday, but did not know I also had off on the Monday before it. Realizing this only on Friday, I made a quick call to my sister in Singapore, and booked a last minute flight down for Saturday and Sunday.

As this was such a short notice visit, the plans of course revolved around the existing schedule for her and my niece, which included my niece’s Saturday afternoon art class downtown near the Singapore Art Museum. What were we going to do for the 90 minutes while she was in her class? As the museum is located right by the Bras Basah MRT station, it didn’t take long to come to a good solution…my sister had lived in Singapore for two years, and had yet to try an original Singapore Sling from the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel, where it was invented in 1915, only three blocks away!

A few short minutes later, my sister, my niece’s nanny and I had arrived at this grand colonial-style hotel and made our way up to the second floor entry for the Long Bar, and were faced with quite a crowd! Seems Saturday afternoon may not be the best time to try to make a quick visit to the Long Bar, especially as the second floor bar was not open this day. We could have sat at the bar or outside on the veranda, but it was only a short wait for a table, so we opted for that, and less than 10 minutes later, we had our seats.

The original plan was for a trio of original Singapore Sling cocktails, however, on taking a quick peek at the menu, we were greeted with a surprising assortment of new sling cocktails on the menu! In addition to the classic original, the following six items now appear on the menu, all at S$26 each, the same price as an Original Singapore Sling:

Spring Sling – Apple Vodka, Apple Sourz, DOM, Cointreau, Blue Curacao, Pineapple & Orange Juice
Summer Sling – Bacardi Limon, Lychee Liqueurs, DOM, Cointreau, Mango, Lychee & Orange Juice
Autumn Sling – Vodka, Creme de Casis, Apple & Pineapple Juice, Monin Casis, Lemon Wedges, Blackberries
Winter Sling – Vanilla Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cointreau, DOM, Pineapple Juice, Pineapple Puree
Tropical Sling – Bacardi, Cherry Heering, Passion Fruit Puree, Lime Juice, Cointreau, DOM, Grenadine Syrup, Champagne
Courtyard Sling – Gin, DOM, Lychee Liqueurs, Mango Juice, Grenadine Syrup, Ginger Beer

Sling Options at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Of course, needing to experiment, we had to go for three of the new cocktails (and one original to split…for tradition’s sake, and so my sister could finally say she’s had one here). Our orders placed, a few minutes of munching on the great Thai peanuts (and making quite a mess with the pile of shells we left on the floor), and we soon had our drinks before us.

Peanuts at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

First thing to note, only the Original Singapore Sling comes in the Original Singapore Sling glass. All others come in an unlabeled glass. Also to note, nowhere on the menu did I see the option of ordering the Singapore Sling with the ability to keep the collector’s glass as was available in the past, but perhaps this is meant to have you visit the gift shop on the first floor where you can buy the glass and other Raffles Hotel souvenirs.

Original Singapore Sling, Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Of the non-standard slings, the Tropical Sling came out first, much faster than the others. Not sure if this meant this was pre-made like the Original, or just easier to make. This drink was quite tasty, but did not quite have that signature Sling taste. Though it was quite nice, with the passion-fruit and champagne.

Tropical Sling, Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

The Courtyard Sling was very tasty, though perhaps a bit strong. Again, not a very traditional taste in line with the original sling, but one I would order again.

Courtyard Sling, Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

The Summer Sling tasted quite similar to the original Singapore Sling, and seemed to also be the most popular option, aside from the original, that I saw people ordering as well. This one also took the longest to receive, not sure if it was a lost order due to it being so crowded, or just took a while to make. Very pleasing flavors, and very easy to drink. Perhaps dangerously so!

Summer Sling, Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Overall, I have to say, the new Slings are rather enjoyable. I did not see the Tiger Lily on the menu any longer, so I’m not sure if it is still an option, or if it has been totally replaced by these new offerings. If that is the case, however, I’m happy with the new flavors on the menu.

How Do Asian Hawker Centers and Night Markets Differ?

Erin De Santiago — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:09:16 +0000

Taiwan is known for its signature Asian cuisine found at night markets whereas Singapore is known for its hawker centers — but how do they actually differ?

The frenzied night markets found in Taiwan are truly the epitome of Taiwanese culture. They are loud, busy, and filled with a seemingly endless array of delicious local foods. Hawker centers are essentially the same, but with a few key differences.

What are Hawker Centers?

Hawker center is the name given to the numerous informal open-air food stalls that are found in Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia. They sell inexpensive local foods and are often found near major transportation hubs, like bus stations or large train stations.

Singapore is probably the country most recognized and renowned for their hawker centers. Singapore has also helped improve the overall image of hawker centers as they were once known for unlicensed hawkers selling non-hygienic foods. In the past, many hawker centers were not properly managed and had problems with no running water or lack of appropriate cleaning facilities.

Newton Food Centre aka Newton Food Circus

Today, Singapore has turned some hawker centers into more of a food court atmosphere, moving them inside air-conditioned shopping malls, a smart move given the extremely hot and humid climate of Singapore.

Types of Food Served at Hawker Centers and Night Markets

The types of food sold at hawker centers versus night markets is one of the biggest differences between the two.

Hawker centers are more like fast food restaurants, serving whole meals and combination platters. In places like Singapore, many hawker centers even feature special Halal cuisine, meaning the food passes Islamic dietary laws. There are even signs reminding patrons not to mix the dishes from a Halal stall with those from a regular Chinese food stall.

Typical night markets, like those found in Taiwan, serve more snack type foods. Most booths or stalls feature one or two types of specialty items and patrons walk from booth to booth to sample many different foods. One food stall may carry only steamed dumplings while the next food cart features stinky tofu and oyster omelets, two of Taiwan’s signature snack foods.

Food on a stick is the heart of a Taiwanese Night Market

Popular food items at Singapore hawker centers include large seafood meals, from Singapore’s signature chili crab to more obscure items like barbecued stingray. Many dishes have noticeable Malay or Indonesian influences as well. Besides oyster omelets and stinky tofu, Taiwan night markets are known for a variety of delicious local foods like sausages, grilled squid, candied tomatoes on a stick, large fried chicken patties, and practically every chicken (or duck) organ imaginable. Signature Taiwanese drinks found all over night markets include pearl milk tea, aiyu jelly, and blended fresh fruit concoctions and smoothies.

Seating at Singapore Hawker Centers versus Taiwan Night Markets

Another major difference of hawker centers versus typical Asian night markets is the availability of seating. Hawker centers usually feature numbered tables where patrons can spread out and enjoy their meal. The typical process is to scope out a table, remember the number, and then go place an order. The person taking the order will ask for the table number and the food will then be delivered. This means a person could order food from different stalls and have everything delivered to their table.

Hawker Center food stalls

Night markets are traditionally standing room only, which is why snack foods are the featured fare. Vendors typically use mobile carts and many are not permanent storefronts or stalls like a hawker center. People may sit along a curb or some carts have a small table and several stools set up, provided there is room. Taiwan is known for serving many unexpected foods on a stick and it is the night market culture that has lead to these popular foods being served on a skewer.

Taipei's Shilin Night Market Food Bldg - designed for snacking with only a few stalls having 4-10 seats

Lines are often lengthy at night market food carts, especially those vendors who have developed a following over the years. It is not uncommon to see 50 people or more in line at some food stalls. Many tourists have learned to seek out the long lines to ensure they try the best local cuisine.

Some of the larger night markets, like the famous Shilin Market in Taipei, have a separate food building where very limited seating is available; however, it is not nearly as comfortable and spacious as a hawker center. The Jiantan food building at the Shilin Night Market is not for the faint of heart or those with claustrophobia. The aisles are extremely narrow and on weekends it is not uncommon to be packed in like sardines.

Location of Hawker Centers and Night Markets

Hawker centers are in a permanent central location with structural starting and ending points. They are typically adjacent to major transportation hubs and greatly resemble shopping mall food courts in the United States.

Newton Hawker Centre in Singapore

Night markets span entire blocks and feature a mix of food, shopping, and entertainment. They tend to be in many neighborhood districts, located close to transportation hubs, but especially near trendy shopping or university areas.

Typical Saturday Night on streets of Taipei's Shilin Night Market

Taiwan night markets also blend temporary, mobile elements with permanent storefronts and restaurants. During the day, a night market area may appear as a regular neighborhood with shops, restaurants, etc. Once late afternoon hits, vendors begin setting up for the rush of nighttime visitors. While there is still some risk of unlicensed vendors setting up, police typically patrol most night market areas to verify vendors are properly licensed.

Overall, the concept of hawker centers and night markets are fundamentally the same. They serve as central hubs where locals go to enjoy inexpensive local foods and provide an opportunity for tourists to experience some of the best cuisine the country is known for.