Newton Circus and Lau Pa Sat are two of the most well known and popular hawker centers in Singapore -- locals say, too popular and too "touristy". I should really get out and try the hawker centers where residents really eat.
I first ate at Newton Circus in the mid 1980s. Since then, it has undergone quite a bit of touching up and renovation. Today, it is widely regarded as over priced and too full of tourists but it's convenient to go to and there are still stalls that offer very good food.
I met up with two ex-officemates now based in Singapore for a rare evening of eating, drinking, reminiscing and bonding at Newton Circus.
One of the things I don't like in this hawker cetnter is the too aggressive touting done by stall owners and their reps. As we entered the food center, we had to literally dodge and turn away very pushy touts, all shoving menus in our face and telling us to "take this table, lah, I order for you, what you want?"
We moved to a quieter spot outside and found a table by the corner. No touts here, we could finally relax and enjoy our dinner in peace.
What a meal it was! Very cold Tiger beer, chili crab, 30 sticks of satay - mutton, chicken and pork, mee bihon and ginger garlic clams.
Plus a plate of fried fluffy bread to sop up the chili crab sauce with.
I was hankering for carrot cake, another favorite, but we found ourselves too stuffed for that.
The open air and expansive grounds make Newton a favorite for dinner and late night eating and drinking. It's open till 4 a.m. so you can drop by for beer and pulutan anytime.
Just steer clear of the touts!
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