When you first arrive in a place, you need to have some understanding of it. Today, let's talk about the things you must know about immigrating to Singapore!
★ In Singapore, food is easily found from 7 AM to 10 PM, and in some areas, it is available until 3 or 4 AM. Some food courts and restaurants operate 24 hours, so you will never go hungry.
★ Perhaps due to its history of British colonization, locals are accustomed to having afternoon tea in addition to their three daily meals. Therefore, it is common to have four meals a day.
★ Local dining times are typically about an hour later than in your home country: breakfast is from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and dinner after 7:00 PM. Some Western restaurants are only open during two time slots daily: lunch from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and dinner from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM; they do not operate outside these hours. Weekend dining times may vary; breakfast is extended until 11:00 AM, and some places provide all-day breakfast and brunch, catering to those like myself who wish to indulge in breakfast while lounging in bed.
★ Places to eat in Singapore have different names. Most establishments referred to as restaurants charge a 10% service fee, and some also impose a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Additionally, some restaurants do not provide free cold or warm water; they charge a fee, but the servers will clarify this when taking your order, so be sure to listen carefully.
★ Most restaurants accept reservations in advance. If you plan to enjoy Western cuisine or chili crab, it is strongly recommended to reserve a table in advance to avoid unnecessary waiting. Some popular spots have long queues year-round, and sometimes they will close when they run out of stock. Travelers should remember the principle of first come, first served for these coveted places.
★ When addressing servers, it is common not to use "Miss" or "Waiter". You can say Excuse Me and then refer to them as "Miss", "Auntie", or "Sister".
★ Locals often use napkins to reserve seats, so be attentive when looking for a place to sit.
★ Sometimes, elderly vendors may sell tissues in dining establishments. This is quite common in Singapore, so feel free to engage as you like.
★ Eating is prohibited on buses and trains, and bringing durian is also not allowed, otherwise, you will be fined. Keep this in mind.
★ Friends from the Malay community follow Islamic teachings, which prohibits the consumption of pork. Therefore, if you see Halal, it means no pork is served.
★ For those going to enjoy Hainanese chicken rice, please specify the part of the chicken you want when ordering, such as the chicken wing, thigh, or tail (the tailbone area close to the thigh). Different parts have varying prices, and if you do not clarify, you may end up with chicken breast...
★ It is advisable to use Google Maps or gothere.sg in addition to a paper map, as the information is quite accurate. If you have no mobile data, feel free to ask pedestrians for directions; most people will know how to reach popular dining spots.
