Once seen as lowly members of Singaporean society, cooks in the city-state's bustling "hawker" centres are rejoicing this week after the United Nations recognised their food as a cultural treasure.

The UN has put Singapore's street food on a list of intangible cultural heritage
The UN has put Singapore's street food on a list of intangible cultural heritage AFP / ROSLAN RAHMAN

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Wednesday approved the country's bid to have its street food included on a list of intangible cultural heritage, which also includes yoga, Chinese calligraphy and flamenco.

"In the past being a hawker was a job that was looked down on, it was seen as a beggar's business," says Ng Kok Hua, who sells traditional deep-fried delicacies from his small stall.

Hawker centres are full of stalls selling a variety of dishes at a cheap price; some are even Michelin-starred
Hawker centres are full of stalls selling a variety of dishes at a cheap price; some are even Michelin-starred AFP / ROSLAN RAHMAN

"And now it's not, now the hawker culture in Singapore is globally recognised."

The city-state is full of open-air food courts where vendors serve delectable -- and cheap -- dishes.

Hawker centres are an important part of Singapore's cultural identity
Hawker centres are an important part of Singapore's cultural identity AFP / ROSLAN RAHMAN

In the same food centre as Ng's stall, for example, you can buy Michelin guide-recommended Hainanese chicken rice for around Sing$5 (US$4).

On its website, UNESCO noted that Singapore's diverse population of ethnic Chinese, Malays, Indians and other races inspired the hawkers' culinary creations.

UNESCO on Wednesday approved Singapore's bid to have its street food included on a list of intangible cultural heritage.The city-state is full of open-air food courts where vendors serve delectable -- and cheap -- dishes.
UNESCO on Wednesday approved Singapore's bid to have its street food included on a list of intangible cultural heritage.The city-state is full of open-air food courts where vendors serve delectable -- and cheap -- dishes. AFPTV / Catherine LAI

"Many (hawkers) specialise in a particular dish, refined over many years, and transmit their recipes, knowledge and skills to younger family members or apprentices," it added.

Ng's stall is an example of this -- it was started by his father, according to local media, and is one of the few places in Singapore that still makes "ngoh hiang", beancurd-wrapped rolls of spiced minced meat.

"Hawker culture is something that's not elite, it's of the people so I think it's something that all Singaporeans can celebrate," says Pasha Siraj, whose stall serves modern Indian cuisine.

Humphrey Lim, a Singaporean enjoying his lunch at the food centre, agrees.

Getting the recognition "has been a long but fruitful journey", wrote Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Facebook on Wednesday.

"The biggest thanks must go to the generations of hawkers for nourishing a nation's stomach and spirits."

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