Singaporeans are avid travellers. While we love our holidays and take vacations big or small whenever we can, we always still long for a taste of home (because nothing beats the comfort of local food). Here are some places at Changi Airport, found in the public area, where you can cure that homesickness the instant you touch down.
For all-time favourites
Local delights like laksa, mee siam and nasi lemak to go along with that fresh, aromatic brew of kopi or teh is perhaps the best way to get an instant dose of nostalgic comfort.
Eateries Heavenly Wang and Kaffe & Toast can both be found at the airport, and are halal-certified and operate 24/7 so that you can drop in anytime of the day, no matter the time your flight lands. Make sure to order the most quintessential of all local breakfasts—the kaya toast and soft boiled egg combo—that always manages to fill the soul.
For traditional confectionary
Tai Chong Kok
For a taste of tradition, head to old-school bakery Tai Chong Kok that has been in the business of making Chinese baked goods since 1935. From mooncakes and custard tarts to lotus puff pastries and seasonal eats like niangao (sticky glutinous rice dessert) during the Chinese New Year festivities, Tai Chong Kok has them all. The original outlet is on Sago Street in Chinatown, but a branch is conveniently found at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3.
There is also household name Bengawan Solo for Peranakan cakes and kueh like ondeh ondeh, kueh lapis and pandan chiffon (apparently Singapore’s national cake), for those wanting a taste of traditional confectionary that we all grew up with.
For the love of durian
Durian Mpire
Whether it is durian season or not, the king of fruits reigns supreme in our hearts. And at Durian Mpire, a retail concept by fruit wholesalers 717 Trading (so you know the durians are fresh and of excellent quality), your love for the fleshy fruit can be taken to another level with their wide range of durian pastries, ice-cream and cookies on offer.
The self-proclaimed organizers of durian parties even do durian deliveries to your home, because we can’t bring the fruit home using public transport, so that you can feast till your heart’s content.
For full, heart-warming meals
Samsui Ginger Chicken
While Soup Restaurant Heritage is best known for their hearty boiled soups (as their name suggests), anyone who dined here before will know that their signature Samsui Ginger Chicken is equally to die for, especially when lathered in their addictive ginger sauce. Dishes here are inspired by recipes passed down by the hardworking samsui ladies of old, which is evident by how simple yet nourishing the cuisine is—and just like how most home-cooked meals should be.
Curry Times
There are also the people behind Singapore’s most iconic curry puffs, Old Chang Kee, who can satiate your curry cravings at their dine-in concept, Curry Times. There’s just something about the flavour profile of local curry compared to those found in other countries that always guarantees a satisfying meal, whether you pour it over rice, have it with chicken or, our favourite way, drench crispy pieces of roti prata in them.
As if all this isn’t enough, there is also the new heritage zone at Changi Airport Terminal 4 (opening end-2017) to look forward to. We are eager to check out the decor, inspired by local Peranakan shophouses, as well as the homegrown brands like Bee Cheng Hiang and Eu Yan Sang setting up shop there.
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