This project was a part of the Singapore Heritage Festival in May 2021, in conjunction with the recognition of Singapore Hawker Culture as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Challenges
There are many poems about local food by Singaporean writers, mostly unknown to the average reader. Creating Local Flavours allowed us to introduce audiences to this overlooked body of literature using a familiar and well-loved subject – hawker food – as an entry point.
Ideation
We came up with the idea of creating a pseudo food delivery website during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people (including our team!) started using these online services more regularly than before due to the nationwide social distancing measures.
Like food, art can be comforting as well as celebratory, providing both sender and recipient with an opportunity to connect over a shared joy – in this case, over reading poetry.
Just as people have different preferences with food, the same is true of any kind of art. There’s no right or wrong way to experience it.
We wanted the food delivery app format to transform that – placing poetry on par with essentials and hopefully making both that and illustration feel more approachable.
Read more behind-the-scenes at our blog:
https://www.tusitala.sg/behind-the-scenes-local-flavours/
Final concept
Order your next bite from Local Flavours, and let us put words in your mouth! Explore an enticing menu prepared by Singapore writers and illustrators in this fun, poetic twist on food delivery sites.
Featuring 15 poems carefully paired with gifs and illustrations, this eclectic selection offers a mix of cuisines and poetic styles. With foods ranging from favourites like chicken rice and prata, to lesser known dishes like garam assam and idli, there’s something for everyone!
All delivery fees waived. Give us your (email) address and receive these tasty sides, delivered straight to your inbox:
- Insightful articles to find out more
- Recipes to try at home
- Digital stickers to use with friends
Be sure to also check out the “Gift” feature, which allows you to send a digital care pack to friends and family who miss Singaporean food. Order now!
Featured works
| Name of work | Poet |
| Kopi Gau Siu Dai | Daryl Lim Wei Jie |
| Porridge | Heng Siok Tian |
| One-Dish Wonder | Gwee Li Sui |
| இட்லி (“Idli”) | KTM Iqbal, trans. Gangadaran Khaanchennah |
| Kosong | Margaret Devadason |
| Victory for Kueh | Ramakrishnan Bhargav Subramanian |
| Nasi Lemak | Ann Ang |
| CTK | Joshua Ip |
| A Big Pile of Bak Chor Mee | Tse Hao Guang |
| Dialog Sia-Sia Dengan Onde-Onde (“Banal Banter with Onde-Onde”) | Zulfadli Rashid (“Big”), trans. Annaliza Bakri |
| Ini Nasi Yang Kusuap (“The Rice I Eat”) | Masuri S.N., trans. Annaliza Bakri |
| 海南鸡饭 (“Hainanese Chicken Rice”) | Quek Yong SIu, trans. Chow Teck Seng and Joshua Ip |
| Garam Assam | Hidhir Razak |
| On Offal | Arthur Yap |
| 还魂记：炸虾饼 (“Reincarnation: Deep Fried Prawn Fritters”) | Wong Yoon Wah, trans. Chow Teck Seng and Joshua Ip |
