As I savor the joy that is Hainan Chicken Rice at the famous Tian Tian booth in Singapore, I wonder what other foods could match or possibly surpass this. The chicken is stewed in its broth making it so tender that it melts in your mouth like butter. The thickened soy sauce adds its bit of sweetness and tartness to every bite of the white rice cooked in broth instead of water. Even on a hot day like today, I sit down and think 'This is some trip'. That is of course until I get back to my hostel, the Betelbox in Katong District.
The Betelbox is a neat little hostel with lots of bunk beds. I met some interesting characters here in this hostel. A girl from Hong Kong who is starting an accounting job here in Singapore. She has a rather distinct distate for Singapore elitism. I do too. I feel it on the streets and on the subways. Just the way people interact with you. It seems like they are too busy to bother with you. Not a very hospitable country when you dig a little deeper. I also met Matt who lives in the bunk room that I'm in. He's a down to earth Australian guy who is constantly wearing a hat. A little bit peculiar but endearing at the same time. He was showing me his new camera that he bought for his trip to Thailand. Cool guy overall who seems happy from his persistent smile.
I arrive at my subway stop after a long day in the hot Singapore sun. The sun has already set and the night walkers come out to play. Walking down the little street to my hostel, I see drunk businessmen surrounded by these girls in short-shorts and mini-skirts. Their big fake smiles reflect the ambient lights coming from the shops and restaurants lining the streets. I pass a bar where a couple girls are hanging out texting and chatting away on their phones. They seem non-chalant about my presence. I finally reach the tiny door leading to the hostel. I punch in the code and drag myself up the stairs to the top floor to wash away a day's worth of sweat and dirt. The shower was cold but just what I needed in this blistering humidity. I go down the stairs to the lobby and ask the receptionist a good place to eat around the hostel. She suggests that I go south to get Katong Laksa.
As tired as I am from sightseeing, I walk the 6 blocks down to get me some local speciality. I am always up for good food. My god. I had no idea what I was in for.
Katong Laksa is heaven in a bowl. The most insane flavor I had in a while. I still miss it today. It is like a sweet curry noodle soup with bits of spices in every bite. The noodles are soft and slippery. The blood clams and the shrimp add a bit of sea brininess. Heaven, heaven, heaven. I loved it so much I went to the next food stall and had another bowl.
The second food stall, number 51, is climate controlled. Late night school children have converged into the far corners in the brightly lit room. I sit down and devour my second bowl. Completely overflowing with flavorful food from my stomach to my throat, I sit there contemplating what extradorinary things can top this delight. So far nothing but I hope someday and soon.
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