12 quintessential Singaporean encounters :Black-and-white bungalows, Heritage houses, HDBs, Shophouses, Chinese Chilli Crab, Indian Roti Prata, Malay Nasi Lemak, LASALLE College of the Arts, Mount Sophia,SOTA,Community Centres & The Singapore Sports Council
The Lion City's signature melting pot of fascinating contrasts, diverse cultures, attractions, traditions and lifestyles is well documented. But what makes the Republic truly authentic? JASSMIN PETER details a glossary of quintessential Singapore...
Community Centres develop a sense of community spirit and strengthen racial harmony through activities and events. Centres are located in almost every heartland neighbourhood. Sign up for a cooking, language, dance or life skills class or hire an area for a private function. There's also a dedicated range of educational kids workshops including public speaking, creative thinking and money management. www.pa.gov.sg
The Singapore Sports Council provides a platform for nurturing and developing sporting champions, creating experiences for Singaporeans by offering a range of physical activities and exercise classes. Some of the facilities act as home to the S.League football clubs and The Singapore Slingers basketball team. Swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts are available for hire or you can join a fully-equipped gym for a minimum fee.
www.ssc.gov.sg 
Black-and-white bungalows, built in the pre-war British colonial period, remain a favourite with the expatriate community. Today, many of these century-old dwellings have been refurbished as private residences with all mod cons, while others - still retaining their charm - have been converted into restaurants and bars. Most black-and-whites have long private driveways ending under a porte-cochère and sit in sprawling gardens shared with the "natural beauties" of tropical life - like fruit bats, monkeys, cobras and meter long monitor lizards!
Heritage houses display a touch of Asian nostalgia. Designed for big or extended families, a common feature of these two-storey homes is a first floor open communal area. Living rooms and dining halls are typically partitioned with delicately-carved wooden screens while some come with a small courtyard, perfect as a private retreat. The second floor has three bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Bedroom layouts are not too spacious and the master bedrooms can be smaller than expected.
Housing Development Board (HDB) flats are home to 85 percent of Singaporeans. Located in housing estates with clinics, schools, supermarkets, food centres and recreational areas, there are three distinct HDB types. A standard layout provides space for up to six-bedrooms, including a living area. There are also executive apartments with three bedrooms and separate dining and living rooms and the larger executive maisonette - a two-level apartment introduced in the 1990s - though these are no longer built. Only Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible to purchase a HDB flat. A housing subsidy is available on application for first-time buyers meeting certain criteria.
Shophouses built between 1840 and 1960 are two or three storey homes constructed built in a continuous terrace. Covered road-side walkways provide welcome shade or shelter from rains. A common sight in culturally rich areas such as Chinatown, Club Street, Tanjong Pagar and Little India, shophouses are now a popular investment option for both small business and private residential use. Typical shophouses have high ceilings, terracotta floor tiles, internal courtyards and sometimes a rooftop terrace.
LASALLE College of the Arts offers a range of diploma and degree courses including design, fine arts, film, media arts, fashion, dance, music, theatre, art history, art therapy and arts management. The faculty staff and hero graduates include established artists at the Venice Biennale, acclaimed designers recognised by the British D&AD and red dot, respected curators, writers, internationally recognised musicians and dance and theatre pioneers. www.lasalle.edu.sg
Mount Sophia is home to the Istana and exudes a quiet charm. Situated in prestigious district nine - Mount Sophia is dotted with arts, cultural and educational institutions and hosts an eclectic mix of hip eateries, museums and backpacker hotels.
Many flock to Old School (www.oldschool.sg), an arts hub made up of Sinema Old School (www.sinema.sg), Osage Gallery (www.osagegallery.com) and Timbre @ Old School (www.timbre.com.sg). Sinema provides young, amateur film-makers with a platform to showcase their work, while Osaga exhibits experimental artwork and installations to challenge convention. Timbre is a breeding ground for up-and-coming musicians and also serves good brews and a selection of pizza, pastas and tapas.
School of the Arts (SOTA) is Singapore's first independent, pre-tertiary arts school offering a unique arts and academic curriculum for youths 13 to 18 years of age. An initiative by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, SOTA provides a dynamic learning environment for exceptionally talented teenagers. The curriculum is designed to nurture a student's artistic and academic potential while identifying and grooming the nation's artists of tomorrow. www.sota.edu.sg
Chinese Chilli Crab is Singapore's unofficial national dish and also one of the most delicious messes you'll get yourself into. First created in the 1950s, the dish is prepared with hard-shell mud crabs and is flavoursome but not particularly spicy. The distinctive sauce consists of ginger, garlic, fermented black beans, tomato sauce, fresh chillies and a mild chilli sauce. Beaten eggs are added at the end to give body and create egg-ribbons. It's all served with Chinese-style steamed buns called mantou, to mop up the sauce. Just roll up your sleeves, use your hands and get cracking!
Indian Roti Prata is a dough-based pancake rolled out flat to achieve a thin, fluffy texture then cooked over a flat grill plate. Best complemented with a side of fish curry, it's a simple but truly satisfying dish. While the traditional Prata is served plain or fried with egg or onion, the dish has evolved and is now available with a variety of ingredients including ice-cream, chocolate or a sugar and honey version.
Malay Nasi Lemak is a popular breakfast option. The stars of this dish are the sambal chilli paste and rice cooked with coconut milk and Pandan leaves. Choose from an array of sides such as fried egg, fried fish, otah otah (grilled fish paste), cucumber slices and sambal ikan bilis - fried anchovies in chilli and shrimp paste.
Posted Aug 2011
