Jumpstarting My Singapore Food Crawl: Makansutra Gluttons Bay

It's been a while since my last blog post, having been busy adjusting to a new way of life and a vastly different culture here in Singapore.  Unlike our Filipino habits, majority of Singaporeans live a fast-paced, career-driven, achievement-hungry lifestyle.  Yet despite this seemingly hectic pace, one thing I noticed in my first two weeks here is that they will slow down, queue up, and wait patiently for really good food.  Be it a hawker stall or a high-end restaurant, long lines are the best clue for something good.

If you come to Singapore lacking any knowledge of the good foodie spots or their best-selling local delicacies, you will surely find yourself giddy searching for what to eat.  Often, for first-time tourists (and even for second timers who just miss the food, like me), one quick jump start for an authentic culinary experience is Makansutra Gluttons Bay.

This is one sutra that is unadulterated.

The brainchild of KF Seetoh, the street food photojournalist guru (I love this guy and his shows on AFC!), Makansutra seeks to replicate a real hawker experience - open-air, smokey, crowded, yet home to tasty treats.  Although the real gems of Singapore cuisine are tucked away in the vast array of hawkers and food courts all over the island, Makansutra is a pretty good place to sample the local food and grab an overview of what the fuss is all about - without getting lost in the heart of the city.

Composed of several stalls which offer their own unique dish, one should manage to try out the best from each.  Having been here for the second time, we wanted to sample a different dish.  In the mood for grilled skewers, our first stop was Alhambra Padang Satay.

Satay Set, SGD 7.00

Apparently famous for their grilled skewers, their stall is a hit among both local and foreign beer guzzlers.  Now I'm really missing the kanto barbecue stalls of the Philippines!  But the satay had a curious charm on its own.  The set consisted of 5 sticks of tender chicken meat and another 5 sticks of soft beef mutton, with a side dish of fresh sliced onions and a peculiar looking yam of some sort.

Basted in a secret marinade, the chicken satay was juicy and flavorful.  It was like our own inasal but zestier.  The beef was my wonderful surprise.  The meat was soft and smokey, grilled to perfection.  Both varieties paired perfectly with their peanut sauce dip.  My only complaint was the seemingly small serving size of the skewered meat per stick.  But hey, nothing comes cheap in Singapore (that is, if you always convert to peso!)

Crispy Baby Squid, SGD 5.00 (?)

One of the first few things we craved for upon setting our feet again in this country was this dish, the Crispy Baby Squid.  This time, I tried out another stall for a different version. (Sorry, I forgot the name of the stall, but it's the one nearest to the bay side).  

Sponge Bob's boss.

These babies were deep fried to a crunch, and then tossed in a sweet spicy red sauce, garnished with chopped onions, red chili, and green pepper.  The entire mix is laid on a bed of what appears to be desiccated rice noodles.  The squid was indeed crispy - not a single piece tasted old nor chewy.  The sauce was executed well, a right mix of sweetness and an ample amount of spicy kick.  The serving size was good enough for two people, although again the price may seem steep for others.

Thai Crab Fried Rice, SGD 7.00 (?)

There's no better way to enjoy both dishes than with a heaping serving of rice.  This stall, Thai Yummy Food, serves a variety of fried rice creations.  We picked the crab fried rice to complement our two dishes.  As expected, the rice was a bit too oily, yet was exploding with flavor - just the right amount of saltiness and zest.

Generously mixed with chopped crabmeat and all sorts of veggies, it was definitely heavy and filling.  Good enough for four persons (or two really hungry people), yet again the price appeared to be inappropriately high.  Nevertheless, it went well with both the grilled skewers and the deep fried squid.  

With this view, I won't complain about the price anymore.

Makansutra Gluttons Bay has gathered some of the best hawker stalls in Singapore into one place, relieving us of the hassle of journeying from place to place, searching for the stall that serves its own unique best-seller.  Even homesick Filipinos can grab a quick bite of good old pinoy food, with Gerry's Grill having their own nook (just don't convert the price to peso though, or you'll feel sorry).  

Recreating an authentic hawker experience with its open-air ambiance, humid atmosphere, and noisy sales-talking vendors, you can be sure the food is genuine and fresh - as you have to wait for each dish to be cooked, just like the real hawker courts.  Perhaps because of its prime location in Marina Bay, the prices are steeper compared to overcrowded food courts in the city.  But then again, with a captivating view of the Singapore skyline, who's thinking about the price?

Jones

Makansutra Gluttons Bay

8 Raffles Avenue #01-15

Singapore

http://www.makansutra.com