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AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
'Against racial harmony': Singaporeans riled by Chinese menus with no English translation, Singapore News
Stepping into an eatery, the last thing most diners would expect is a menu entirely in a language they don't understand. After all, English is Singapore's lingua franca and the working language of the civil service, bringing its diverse communities together. While bigger chains like Haidilao, Tanyu, and Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodle cater to all customers with bilingual menus, some Chinese food establishments have been spotted operating without English menus — a trend that some non-Chinese Singaporeans call "exclusionary". A photo of a Chinese pancake stall menu recently went viral for its lack of English. The stall is located in Clementi's Gantral Mall, which one Google Maps user nicknamed "mini-Chinatown" in a review. This is in spite of Singapore Food Agency (SFA) regulations stating that food businesses offering prepacked food for sale in Singapore must provide labels with basic information about the product, such as its source, contents, and net quantity, in English. The labelling requirements do not extend to non-prepacked food like dishes served in a restaurant. This seems to be an issue across some Chinese food establishments in Singapore. In June, a Reddit user shared a post detailing the struggles of understanding a menu entirely in Chinese, as an Indian Muslim who does not speak Mandarin. "Yes, they're a Chinese business, and Singapore is Chinese-majority. But having only the Chinese language means you are excluding non-Chinese people and even some Chinese Singaporeans who struggle with their mother tongue," the user wrote. Comments in response to the user noted that Singaporeans are not the customer base these businesses are targeting: "Your absence does not make a difference to their bottom line because the (China national) expat bubble is self-sustaining." Another user who identified as a Chinese Singaporean felt that service staff should be trained to speak basic English: "I'm going to do my part and speak (in English) to the staff in Chinese restaurants." Not a one-off The Grantral Mall stall is not an exception - when The New Paper visited Scarlett Supermarket on a weekday afternoon, some signage was entirely in Chinese. The newly-opened outlet in Sembawang, one of 38 outlets owned by the Chinese supermarket chain, was predominantly staffed and patronised by Chinese nationals. It boasted a food court with four stalls, one of which was a mala stall with no English on its signage. An item on the menu of a dumpling stall was labelled in English, apparently with the help of online translation services, as Sichuan chilli oil wonton was awkwardly mistranslated to "copyist with red oil". Alienating non-Chinese customers 24-year-old university student Nornabihah Mohamed Noor told The New Paper that the lack of proper English translation alienates non-Mandarin-speaking customers: "Honestly, I dislike it. It feels unfair and goes against the idea of racial harmony that Singapore stands for. "As a Malay who looks Chinese, I often get told I should speak Mandarin, even though I didn't grow up speaking it. It feels like there's an assumption or pressure to fit in a certain box." She added that, intentionally or not, these businesses are sending a message to customers that other races are not as welcome: "Not having English labels would make people feel excluded or like they don't belong in their own country." 'We are a multilingual society' A 47-year-old woman from China's Hainan province, who only wanted to be known as Mrs Tan, told TNP that she first visited Singapore 20 years ago in search of a job. She later met her Singaporean husband through a friend and settled here. Mrs Tan, who admitted that her English is still "not good", has since obtained Singapore citizenship and has two teenage children. "When I first came here, I didn't know English at all. Nowadays, I know basic words that I can use at work," Mrs Tan, who has worked as a dessert stall hawker for over 15 years, said in Mandarin. While she acknowledged the preponderance of Chinese immigrants, Mrs Tan stressed that it should not excuse the absence of English translations on menus. "If you're living here, you should follow how things are done here," she said. "We are a multilingual society, so of course, you have to label your menu in English. That's the most basic level of respect you can give to customers because not everybody can understand Chinese." Taking action Some Chinese eateries have amended their menus to better reflect their offerings. Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine, with 15 outlets across Singapore, recently updated its menu to correct some English translations. However, not all Chinese words on the menu were translated. In September 2021, Scarlett Supermarket was investigated by authorities for selling products without English labels. In April 2023, the chain came under fire again for selling instant Chinese bread soup that listed methamphetamine as an ingredient. It was later clarified that the ingredients had been wrongly translated by the Chinese manufacturer. At press time, Scarlett Supermarket and Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine had not responded to TNP's queries. Miss Nornabihah told TNP that the lack of proper English labelling on menus is "not right" in a multiracial country. "It goes against the idea of inclusivity and racial harmony we claim to value and preach about." [[nid:719628]] This article was first published in The New Paper . Permission required for reproduction.
New Paper
5 days ago
- General
- New Paper
'It's almost revolting': Singapore's durian craze is not for all
When wildlife advocate Robert Irwin tried durian for the first time in Singapore a year ago, he called it the "most polarising food in the world". He might have a point. As durian season, which typically occurs between June and September, hits its peak and Singaporeans flock to satisfy their durian cravings, not everyone is sold on the king of fruits. "I don't hate it but it's not something I will want to have," 19-year-old polytechnic student, Mr Seah, told The New Paper: "I used to be quite fond of it but as I grow older, I find the smell to be quite unpleasant. It's so strong that it's almost revolting, and when people have it, it just fills the entire space with that pungent smell." He added: "If you paid me to eat it I think I would, but durian is not something I'll squeeze with people in queues for." On a Reddit thread detailing different durian varieties with over a hundred comments, some netizens shared similar sentiments. "I swear, I really tried, but as soon as I had a piece in my mouth and it was all creamy and tasted like carrion, I just could not bring myself to have it," said one. "Am I missing something crucial here? Because it was as horrendous in taste as in smell." Operations executive Fu Jia, 24, echoed this sentiment. "I dislike the smell of it in general, it smells so foul. My instinct when I see a durian stall is to avoid it or walk really fast if I have no choice but to go near it," she said. A shared experience for all But durian fanatics could care less about such misgivings. At Block 964 Jurong West Street 91, prices dip as low as $2 per durian, amid the hustle and bustle of the afternoon crowds and stall owners. Durian lovers flock to stalls offering low prices. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS Durian stall vendor Cai Ming Hong (transliterated) noted that this year's durians are of excellent quality. He expects an even larger harvest by mid-July. His stall receives at least 5,000kg of durians daily, most of which sell out. The 26-year-old told Shin Min Daily News: "For example, the B-grade Musang King durians are now going for $12 per kg, and we're using premium durians from Pahang for our promotions. "A-grade ones are priced at $20 per kg and are of even better quality. Earlier batches had some weather-related issues, but the current supply tastes great across all varieties." There are also durian delivery services like Durian Delivery, while others opt to visit durian cafes. Durian vending machines, installed by local durian retailer Kaki Kaki, have even popped up in Tampines. So why do so many Singaporeans have such a fondness for the pungent delight? One Reddit poster suggested that it serves as a form of community building, creating shared experiences that bring people together. "It's a seasonal thing, so getting together to eat it is a cultural/social thing that has developed over the years. It's just another way to chill with friends and family." Another Redditor suggested that it is inextricably tied to national identity: "For a country as small as Singapore and only 50 years old, there's not much solid items of culture to look forward to. Especially because it's an amalgamation of other cultures like Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage. "Other than the practices belonging to those races, there's not much physical things Singapore can attribute its original culture to. And that's why we cling to the things we can define as Singaporean." While reactions remain varied, and sometimes even extreme, the durian continues to unite Singaporeans in the common experience of rushing to buy it - or avoiding it completely.
New Paper
11-07-2025
- General
- New Paper
'Only one gantry working': Commuters fume over EWL delays and overcrowded MRT stations
Train delays on the East-West Line during peak hour on July 10 led to overcrowding at several MRT stations, with some commuters even claiming that fare gates and escalators could not be used. At around 6pm, commuters began posting about the delays and crowd buildup on social media, particularly Reddit. One user shared a photo of Boon Lay MRT station, where commuters were seen lining up at the fare gates. "Peak hour today and there's overcrowding at Boon Lay MRT. Only one gantry is working and the trains are taking forever to move off." Shortly after, another Reddit user shared a photo taken at Clementi MRT station, showing commuters crowding around the fare gates. The user said there was a "delay for trains heading towards Tampines for supposedly '5-10 minutes'". The New Paper understands that track works were being carried out, and announcements were made at affected stations and on board trains to inform commuters of the delay. A third post shared on the r/Singapore subreddit, this time from Jurong East MRT station, appeared to confirm this. The user said announcements had been made, explaining that the delays were due to track works. "I was searching up news and LTA website and no updates on any delays. Anyone else stuck at Jurong East?" the user wrote. Photos posted on the Facebook group Complaint Singapore by commuter Derrick Seah showed a packed Jurong East station. He claimed that there was no "escalator going up (to the platform), followed by blocking of stairs going to (the) train platform." A photo showed the next train was due in 10 minutes. A commuter who only wished to be known as Ms Chen told Lianhe Zaobao that when she reached Joo Koon MRT station at around 6pm, she saw that the station was already crowded. She also heard announcements stating that track works between Boon Lay and Jurong East were causing delays of up to 10 minutes.
AsiaOne
07-07-2025
- AsiaOne
'Freeloader' women target elderly in Chinatown, Singapore News
Foreign women have been seen asking passers-by for money in Chinatown, with elderly individuals apparently targeted. Termed "freeloader girl groups", Shin Min Daily News earlier reported a spike in such cases in Tampines since March, including reports from a member of the public who said he was approached five times by different women using the same tactic. According to a Facebook post shared last week, a man witnessed the women approaching an elderly man near Hong Lim Complex along South Bridge Road. When he tried to take a photo of them, the women quickly took the money and left. The post drew dozens of comments from netizens, with some claiming to have seen similar behaviour in other parts of Singapore. Several commenters said the individuals often left by MRT or bus after approaching their targets, and urged members of the public to call the police if they encountered such situations. Cai, 54, a stallholder near South Bridge Road, told Shin Min that similar incidents involving foreigners asking for money under various pretexts had occurred in the area years ago. "If they come back, it will make the atmosphere here worse," he said. Chen, a diner in the area, said she recognised the issue from news reports and was concerned it might escalate. Begging is illegal in Singapore. Under the Destitute Persons Act, those found guilty of persistently begging or causing public nuisance may face up to two years in jail or a fine of up to $3,000. Collecting funds in public without a licence may also result in a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. [[nid:719945]] This article was first published in The New Paper . Permission required for reproduction.
New Paper
07-07-2025
- New Paper
Malaysia food better than Singapore's, says US traveller
The age-old cross-Causeway debate about whose food is better has resurfaced. This time, an American who spends considerable time in Malaysia has weighed in with a bold assertion that our neighbours make better food, and at just a third the price. Brent Farris, who describes himself on Facebook as being from Eldorado, Illinois and currently living in St Charles, Missouri, is a regular contributor to the public Facebook group, Travel Tips Malaysia . From his frequent posts in the group, it appears he's spent a fair bit of time in the country. On June 25, he posted this hot take: "Here goes. I'm going to say something quite controversial. If it offends you, I apologise in advance. Ok, I'm not sorry. "Anything you can find in Singapore (food wise) you can find in Malaysia for one-third the price, and tastes better. "And, Singapore's national fruit is the durian. I'm sure they love durian, but they don't grow any. Malaysia originated it and the durian from Malaysia is better than any durian grown anywhere in the world. Sorry, Thailand. There, I said it. Whew that feels like a weight has been lifted. I've been wanting to say this for years." That post has since gone viral, racking up over 17,000 reactions, more than 1,400 comments, and over 800 shares. Melvin Chew with the late Anthony Bourdain. PHOTO: Courtesy of Melvin Chew Melvin Chew, 47, owner of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck and Kway Chap in Chinatown Point, was unfazed by the American traveller's judgment when The New Paper spoke to him. "Taste can be subjective," said Mr Chew, chewing on the matter. But it's all monosodium glutamate, a flavour enhancer, he added. "Maybe the Malaysian food stalls which he went to, the cze char stalls he visited, are managed heavily by a Japanese master, Mr Ajinomoto - hence the taste is very good," he quipped. "When he comes to Singapore, his friend Mr Ajimamoto, who has no passport, stays in Malaysia." Mr Chew believes that Mr Farris' post was made to gain attention. "We will not blame him for his assessment of Singapore food, as we know attention seekers are very kay kiang. (Hokkien for "act smart", but not really.) He thinks he is Anthony Bourdain, is it? More like Anthony Bo Bi Sor (Anthony "bad taste", in Hokkien)," he added in immaculate Singlish. "So please don't let a non-professional food critic spoil our good relationship with our neighbours." Melvin Chua with his King. PHOTO: Courtesy of Melvin Chua Meanwhile, durian boss Melvin Chua, 54, who owns Durian Garden at 42 Cambridge Road, seemed perplexed that an American would think that the durian was Singapore's national fruit. "National fruit? I've never heard of that in my 12 years of selling durian," said Mr Chua as he was packing up for the night at his stall when The New Paper approached him about the thorny issue. "Unofficially, maybe, because we are not an agricultural country. Malaysia has a greater right to claim it as their national fruit," he said, while offering us a piece of the pungent fruit. "We know it better as the King of Fruits. But the durian is king in Malaysia as well as in Thailand. We are all part of the durian's huge empire," he added. "And it is OK to share the king. " The penny dropped when we explained that the proclamation was made by a traveller from the United States. "They don't have kings there, do they? So he probably wouldn't know or understand," noted Mr Chua, wiping his fingers. "Oh wait, they have Donald Trump!" he said, chuckling. "So we really shouldn't take this guy too seriously. But Happy Independence Day, anyway." Benny Se Teo. PHOTO: Courtesy of Benny Se Teo Meanwhile, renowned Singapore chef, restaurateur and social entrepreneur Benny Se Teo agreed - at least partially - with Mr Farris' view. Mainly, on durians. Not so about his view on food, though. "Oh Brent," said the celebrity chef. "Bless your adventurous palate! We're glad Malaysia gave your taste buds a budget-friendly thrill … just remember - if food were only about price, instant noodles would win Michelin stars. "But hey, thanks for the review," added Mr Se Teo. "Come back to Singapore when your stomach needs Wi-Fi, safety, and a napkin."
