Hainanese Chicken Rice Is Not from Hainan, Singapore Sling Is Not a Commander

Food is undoubtedly the simplest way to get to know a city. Singapore sits at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula, connecting the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, making it one of the most important port cities for East-West trade. As a result, local culinary habits blend multi-ethnic flavors, featuring dishes from southern China, spices from South Asia, and, of course, a variety of freshly caught seafood and tropical fruits.

Merchants traveling across the seas, hardworking foreign laborers, and assertive colonists—different people came to this small island for various reasons, together creating a unique culinary landscape. Nanyang cuisine, born from a fusion of diverse eating habits, has possessed the genes to conquer the world's taste buds since its inception.

Hainanese Chicken Rice is undeniably Singapore's national dish. It can be found in every food court and shopping mall across Singapore. Legend has it that during World War II, wealthy businessmen fled Singapore, leading to the dismissal of many workers from Hainan, China. Some Hainanese, forced to make a living, started opening restaurants selling Hainanese Wenchang chicken to sustain themselves.

Since the Chinese community in Singapore came from various parts of China, Hainanese bosses began incorporating Cantonese cooking techniques to suit the general palate. They also used Southeast Asian spices and chili sauce for seasoning, eventually forming the Hainanese Chicken Rice we know today. That's right—the authentic Hainanese Chicken Rice is not from Hainan (where they have Wenchang chicken) but from Singapore!

Although you can buy Hainanese Chicken Rice on almost every street corner, the best place to enjoy this dish is in Chinatown. As the gathering place for Singapore's Chinese community in the last century, Chinatown records the early struggles and hard work of the Chinese, and it is also where the first bowl of Hainanese Chicken Rice was created. The Chinatown architecture complex is one of Singapore's most distinctive building groups. Coming here to eat a bowl of authentic Hainanese Chicken Rice, strolling leisurely through the Chinatown Heritage Centre, and learning about the inspirational stories of early Chinese immigrants—only then can you say you've truly been to Singapore.

The culinary legend created by Hainanese overseas Chinese in Singapore is not just Hainanese Chicken Rice. Singapore's iconic national cocktail, the Singapore Sling, was created by Hainanese overseas Chinese Ngiam Tong Boon between 1910 and 1915 while he was working as a bartender at the Raffles Hotel's Long Bar.

Ngiam Tong Boon improved the traditional gin sling according to customer requests, crafting this sweet and sour cocktail with a pink hue. Today, we can enjoy this drink at bars around the world, but only the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore offers the taste closest to the first Singapore Sling.

Another excellent way to enjoy a Singapore Sling is to head to the CÉ LA VI rooftop bar at the top of Marina Bay Sands Singapore. Pairing Singapore's national drink with the stunning night view of Marina Bay, a sense of luxury and elegance comes effortlessly.

As wonderful as cocktails are, they can only be appreciated when crafted by a professional bartender. Beer, in contrast, is more approachable—it seems to fit any time and place, adding a touch of passion and freedom to life.

Tiger Beer is Singapore's flagship beer. From late-night food stalls in Singapore to the bars of five-star hotels worldwide, Tiger Beer has traveled from the Lion City to the world. With Singapore's refinement and expertise, it serves as the best companion for meals across the globe.

Come explore the Tiger Beer brewery in Singapore, and enjoy an ice-cold beer under the Southeast Asian sun, offering a unique and exclusive experience for your Singapore trip.

The power of food transcends borders and cultures, connecting people of different races, religions, and classes, becoming the most beautiful memory in everyone's heart.

Together with GoSingapore, let's strive to eat well.