How one Sydney chef is reimagining Singapore's dining scene
Singapore is a common stopover for travellers, but as the locals would say, it offers a full itinerary of culinary delights.
For foodies, 24 hours isn't enough to be immersed in the Lion City's dining scene with a smorgasbord of options from the Hawker Centres on every corner to fine-dining venues.
A melting pot of flavours, Singapore is known for its signature dishes such as chilli crab and Hainanese chicken rice, with Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan influences.
However, one Sydney chef is turning traditional Singaporean cuisine on its head with his reimagining of local delicacies.
READ MORE: Six questions to ask yourself before booking a cruise
Chef Nelly Robinson of NEL Restaurant in Surry Hills is reimagining Singapore's dining scene. Instagram
The British-born chef is offering Aussies an 11-course degustation experience, A Taste of Singapore. NEL
Nelly Robinson of NEL Restaurant in Surry Hills, could easily be considered 'Australia's own Heston Blumenthal', with his unique approach to story-telling through food.
The British-born chef is now offering Aussies a bespoke 11-course degustation experience called A Taste of Singapore from Wednesday March 29 to Saturday May 27.
Aussies can sample Nelly's take on traditional classics such as laksa, chilli crab and Hainanese chicken rice, inspired from Nelly's own travels in Singapore over the years.
READ MORE: What a MAFS honeymoon destination is really like
Nelly's take on the classic laksa may be plated up fancy, but its inspiration comes from a cooking masterclass at the home of Ruqxana Vasanwala in Singapore.
Very much a hands-on experience, Ruqxana teaches her students at Cookery Magic to experiment with herbs, spices and chilli, to create the perfect aroma and taste.
Nelly's take on the classic laksa. NEL
The inspiration comes from a cooking masterclass at the home of Ruqxana Vasanwala in Singapore. Supplied
Ruqxana teaches her students at Cookery Magic to experiment with herbs, spices and chilli. Supplied
READ MORE: New study reveals the healthiest Aussie cities
Nelly's 'Cereal Fish' is an interpretation of a dish from food stall Keng Eng Kee Seafood in Singapore.
The stall is known for their homely comfort foods such as 'Coffee Pork Ribs' and 'Marmite Chicken', along with their 'Cereal Prawn' dish - prawns cooked perfectly and coated in a light cereal crumb.
Keng Eng Kee Seafood first opened in the 1970s as a stall in a Hawker Centre and relocated to Alexandra Village where it has remained for over 20 years.
Nelly's 'Cereal Fish' is an interpretation of a dish from a local food stall in Singapore. NEL
Keng Eng Kee Seafood is known for their 'Cereal Prawn' dish - prawns coated in a cereal crumb. Supplied
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a local delicacy in Singapore, easily found at food stalls.
It's steamed or fried and often served with white rice, cucumber and a broth.
Nelly's take on the classic dish is more indulgent in its texture and accompaniments.
Nelly's take on the classic Hainanese Chicken Rice dish is more indulgent. NEL
Hainanese Chicken Rice, found at food stalls, consists of either steamed or fried chicken with rice and broth. Supplied
A Hawker Centre in Singapore is pretty much the equivalent to an Aussie supermarket.
They are found on nearly every street corner in Singapore... their appeal lies with their cheap prices and fresh produce.
Nelly's take on satay chicken takes on a more 'Heston Blumenthal vibe' with its test tube presentation and bite-sized portion.
Nelly's take on satay chicken, found at Hawker Centres, takes on a 'Heston Blumenthal vibe'. NEL
Hawker Centres are found on nearly every street corner in Singapore. Supplied
Chef LG Han of one Michelin-starred restaurant Labyrinth, has also taken inspiration from Hawker Centres. Supplied
It's not only chef Nelly that's inspired by Hawker Centres, also top Singaporean chef LG Han.
At his one Michelin-starred restaurant, Labyrinth, Han offers a "New Singaporean" dining experience with references to his childhood and roots as a Hainanese.
'Memories of Newton Food Centre' features classic dishes found at a Hawker Centre, but interpreted in a fine-dining style.
Nelly's 'Gardens by the Bay' dessert is inspired by Singapore's famous nature park. NEL
Nelly's 'Gardens by the Bay' dessert is inspired by the famous nature park of the same name, in the heart of Singapore's downtown.
Vibrant colours and sweet textures presented in an artistic fashion mimic the diverse collection of more than 1.5 million plants at the gardens.
In conjunction with Singapore Tourism Board, A Taste of Singapore at NEL Restaurant is available to the public from Wednesday March 29 to Saturday 27 May. The 11-course degustation costs $185-per-person and $165-per-person for beverage matching.
Gardens of the Bay is located in the heart of downtown Singapore. Supplied
More than 1.5 million plants feature at the gardens. Supplied
Those with the travel bug also have the unique opportunity to enjoy an exclusive culinary journey in Singapore with the man himself, chef Nelly.
Over four days from $3,149, two adults can experience dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant Labyrinth, a cooking class, and a three-hour food tour of Chinatown alongside other activities, from either May 19-22 or June 16-19.
The writer was a guest of Singapore Tourism and NEL Restaurant.
