Yay or Nay: Unusual Weird Food Trends in Singapore
King’s Cup but make it a meal and you pay for it.
BY: JOLENE TEO
(Not) An Art Hoe
Singapore has always been known to be foodie paradise such that it has become a big part of our national identity. Like weird Tik Tok trends, we have also had our fair share of weird food trends for the avant-garde, adventurous taste buds. Have you tried any of these crazy dishes? We round up some recent and historical dishes from Singapore’s exotic ‘meme-food’ history.
Image credits: Burger King
Chocolate Whopper
As part of April’s Fool 2021, Burger King has recently came up with the Chocolate Whopper Burger and it was not a joke. Available only for 2 weeks until 15th April, their signature burger with flame-grilled beef patty, tomatoes, onions, and of course drizzled with chocolate sauce. If you are hungry for more sweet-savory confusion, you can also add on a side of six-piece Nugget Dipper that comes with a tub of chocolate sauce. End your meal with Mashed Up Fries which is a messed up combination of chocolate fudge sundae and fries at the top and bottom of the cup for dessert.
Image via Mc Donalds
Nasi Lemak Burger
Having said that our huge variety of local food is the pride and joy of our nation, this led to fusion of iconic dishes like the Nasi Lemak Burger at Mcdonalds back in 2017. The burger was sold out within 2 weeks of its launch and became one of McDonald's most successful promotions in recent years.
The coconut rice inspired burger consists of cornflakes-coated fried chicken thigh patty marinated with spiced coconut, fried egg, caramelised onions, cucumber, sambal sauce, and fluffy semolina buns. While there were debates as to whether the burger should have been served with rice buns instead as the original dish was rice based, fans were also quick to defend the burger. The Nasi Lemak Burger was promoted with the Bandung McFizz, Coconut Pie, and Chendol McFlurry.
via Pizzahut
Bubble Tea Pizza and Hotpot
Remember the good old days when you chiong to get Sweet Talk bubble tea after school? Nowadays we have way more options to get our sugary fix with Koi, Gongcha, and many more. But do you love bubble tea enough to have it as a meal?
Pizza Hut launched a Bubble Tea Blossom Pizza earlier this year, and this abomination is served with bubble tea pearl toppings and mini marshmallows on top of a cheesy flower shaped pizza, complete with brown sugar milk tea sauce.
via Eatbook SG
If you love mala hotpot and bubble tea, how about a bubble tea hotpot? Spice World Hot Pot at Clarke Quay allows you to enjoy your favourite mala and dessert at the same time. The broth is Assam milk tea served with a layer of milk foam on top and a generous amount of toppings such as mango popping pearls, Oreo cookies, and coffee powder. Customers can dip savoury ingredients such as mala bak kwa and beef slices, or sweet options such as taro and nata de coco. A more affordable option you can try bubble tea hotpot is Kaca Coffee House where it starts from $9.90.
Strictly Pancakes
This is the OG GOAT weird food trends that actually worked, but has sadly closed down in 2018. Touted as one of the best pancakes in Singapore, Strictly Pancakes occupied a two-storey space at Prinsep Street and was a comfort to the SOTA and NAFA kids back then. While the café served both sweet and savory options, the highlights were definitely the latter.
via strictly pancakes
While the cafe served both sweet and savoury options, the highlights were definitely the latter. Cult favourites were the Garlic Butter Prawn Pancakes and the Chicken a la King. Both were served with three fluffy pancakes, and the former is topped with a generous serving of prawns and creamy butter sauce, while the chicken option had grilled chicken strips, sweet onion slices in a cream sauce, and asparagus. Press F to pay respects to one of the greatest weird food fusions in Singapore.
via strictly pancakes
Char Siew Bouquet
This is the definition of ‘your mother never ask you don’t play with your food ah?’ For the past few years there has been a trend where couples were very free to make edible bouquets with chicken nuggets and other goodies. Add a Singaporean spin to it and you get the char siew bouquet by @char.seal. This online business usually sells delectable char siew platters and rice bowls, with different flavors such as mala, truffle, and yuzu. But this Valentine’s Day they launched the char siew bouquet which was unsurprisingly sold out:
via Char Seal
Some of the food in the list sounds like a King’s Cup drinking game concoction, while others were a pleasant surprise. Which did you manage to try or are there any you would like to share about? Let us know!
JOLENE TEO | (Not) An Art Hoe
Jolene Teo is a contemporary and modern art enthusiast, writer, curator, and cultural researcher. She enjoys exploring the areas inbetween art, design, critical narratives, pop culture, and the cult of collecting. She is socially awkward but will talk to you about plants, art, anime, and life. Some part of her still wishes she can become an artist one day. Send her memes @joteo_
