I am Wilber and I love food and culture. Very much so if it is from Hinghwa. I was invited to today’s media preview for the Hinghwa Food and Cultural Festival. There was a lot of good food! Ok, before today I only knew this type of food as Chinese food. In Singapore, I categorise food as food from the various races. So I consolidate all the different types of food from the various Chinese communities as just Chinese food. However, after today, I love the Hinghwa type of Chinese food.
Hinghwa is also referred to as Xinghua. Xinghua people come from Putian, east Fujian, China. Otherwise known as Putian people. Once I tell you Putian, I think you all can relate to the type of food already. I also think many will think of the restaurant that is located at Kitchener Road. That restaurant received one-Michelin-star. Usually very packed and it is challenging to get a reservation during peak hours.
The Hinghwa Food and Cultural Festival will be held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza from the 12th to the 17th of March 2024. This is the inaugural event. First time! Never before. However, today’s media preview was held at Putien Kitchener Road. Shiok… Can go to the one-Michelin-star Putian restaurant (just FYI, it is this specific restaurant that obtained the one-Michelin-star).
I went with my colleague Kevin. He was the photographer and I was the… errr… food taster. I really love this type of food. It was really very good. Let me show you what I had this morning.
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The drinks on offer… The Golden Oolong Tea was one of the best.
Braised Pig Intestine Skewer was very interesting. Chewy. Interesting texture.
They made sure we knew they were Hinghwa people. Nice t-shirt!
Braised abalone on skewers! The abalone was very tender. This was the most popular item. I too was very interested! This was good.
Olives on skewer also.
The Hanjiang-style Spring Roll was interesting. There was a generous serving of “tang hoon” on the inside. The soft “tang hoon” was a nice contrast to the crispy exterior of the spring roll.
I never knew pancake was like this. Very different. Make sure you all try it at the festival itself!
I wanted to try this but it was very crowded and it was so popular. I will try it at the festival. This actually looks good.
I took the two most popular items at the preview. Sorry doctor for disregarding your advice… the food was good. It was worth the try.
Hinghwa Bian Rou Soup. Translates to Hinghwa flat meat soup.
Is this the same Lor Mee that is served at the Putian restaurants.
Crispy is always good. Although I felt that this was pretty normal.
This was good. I liked this very much.
There were many oyster dishes on offer.
I don’t fancy liver. I think my colleague Willie would like this. Whenever I go to steamboat meals he often orders liver. Thus this should be something he would fancy.
These were all the drinks on offer. I liked the interesting variety.
I just love a nice picture of a table full of food.
Remember, if you want to try this food, it will be on offer from 12 to 17 March 2024 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza on Orchard Road. From now till 11 March 2024, for every purchase of $100 worth of coupons, you will receive an additional $20 worth. You will need to purchase the coupons to purchase food from the food booths. You can purchase the coupons at the Singapore Puxian (Honghwa) Network at 87272510 or email [email protected].
Here are some pictures of the Media Preview.
From the left: Mr Andrew Tjioe, Vice President of Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network and Mr Fong Chi Chung, President of Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network. If you are a foodie like me, you would be familiar with the restaurants these two men are running.
Some of the performers that will be there at the festival.
This is an inaugural event. Judging from today’s media preview, I think this will be a very well-organised event. You should try to make your way down. Do not forget to purchase the tickets BEFORE the event to enjoy the pre-event promotion. I will see you at the event! Food binds people and it opens up various cultures to the rest of the world. Judging by how this event is shaping up to be, it will be very interesting to have the Hinghwa culture presented to Singaporeans in the form of its cuisine in a festival. Looking forward to all the delicious food once again.
Yours sincerely,
Wilber
