Across Singapore, hawker culture threads through the daily life of the city as a living, multicultural practice. Hawkers prepare a wide variety of food—often called ‘hawker food’—that draws people to shared spaces to eat, talk and mingle. These hawker centres act as informal ‘‘community dining rooms,’’ where neighbours, commuters and visitors from diverse backgrounds come together.
More than just places to buy a meal, hawker centres are social hubs. The simple act of ordering, sharing a table and enjoying dishes from different culinary traditions creates a sense of belonging and everyday connection. People gather at these centres throughout the day—over breakfast, lunch and dinner—making them constant, inclusive meeting points in an urban setting.
Framed by community dining and culinary practices in a multicultural urban context, hawker culture in Singapore highlights how food can bridge differences and strengthen social ties. In these open, communal spaces, the city’s diversity is not only reflected on the menu but experienced in the conversations, routines and shared meals that unfold there.
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