Behind the Dish

Chef stir-fries Char Kway Teow in a blazing wok, flames erupting dramatically around caramelized noodles and glistening sauce—capturing the elusive wok hei, that smoky, forbidden pleasure at the heart of Singapore’s hawker soul. Shot in warm, high-contrast lighting with a shallow depth of field to emphasize motion and heat.

Wok Hei Photography: Capturing the Forbidden Pleasure of Char Kway Teow

By Aaron Ong - October 24, 2025

In the heart of Singapore, amidst the symphony of sounds and smells that define its hawker centres, a culinary performance unfolds. The creation of char kway teow is a spectacle of fire and skill, a…

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Poached Hainanese chicken sliced and arranged over fragrant rice, paired with clear chicken broth, fiery red chili sauce, and pickled vegetables—an elegant composition capturing the quiet allure and cultural depth of Singapore’s iconic comfort dish.

The Slow Seduction: Hainanese Chicken Rice

By Aaron Ong - September 22, 2025

Before you even take a bite, a plate of Hainanese chicken rice beckons with its glossy, tender chopped chicken cut, silky chicken skin, and a mound of glistening, chicken fat-infused rice. The delicate fragrance of…

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