Singapore

The “Lion City” is the world’s only island city-state. Long dismissed as sterile and bland, peeling back its shiny veneer reveals something completely unexpected.

Hanuman stands watch at the entrance of the Sri Krishna Bagawan Temple

In this episode, we meet a passionate chef who is determined to save Singapore’s heritage food from extinction. Finally, we explore the heritage lost from repurposing century old shophouses and neighborhoods.

Narrated by Will Yun Lee.

Segment 1

“Passion or Madness”

The late 1970s and throughout the 1980s saw Singapore undergo major urban development. Engineered by the government, Singaporeans would transform into urbanites much like the residents of New York and Tokyo. They’d live in apartments, work in offices and commute by mass transit.

Singapore’s modern skyline

Gone were many historic neighborhoods. Demolished to make room for the shiny modern Singapore of today. High-rises and shopping malls replaced traditional markets and bungalows. A fast-paced lifestyle for an even faster paced world.

With this rush forward comes the demise of the home cooking tradition. There’s no time for sharing meals with family. And this has led to the disappearance of Singapore’s own culinary heritage.

But one man, Chef Damian D’Silva, is on a mission… a mission to rescue Singapore’s heritage food from extinction.

Chef Damian D’Silvia fights to preserve Singapore’s cuisine

And what exactly is heritage food? Why is it special? Why is it disappearing? Does it even matter in today’s fast-paced world? Should it be saved?

Chef D’Silva unveils the mysteries behind heritage food

Join Chef D’Silva on a culinary journey that delves deep into the tasty secrets and delectable surprises of heritage cuisine.

Segment 2

“Razing Hope”

For nearly 100 years, Bugis Street was crammed with merchants and shops, making it one of the most vibrant economic areas of the city. But it was also a community that housed hundreds of Singaporean families.

Old Bugis Street at night

It all came to an abrupt end in 1985. Major urban redevelopment flattened the entire area. Today, Bugis is just another sterile shopping mall.

The Bugis area with its low-rise houses prior to redevelopment

Is there anything left of the old “Bugis”? What vanished with the community’s demise? Is it possible to reclaim the spirit of a by-gone era?

Local historian Joseph Chan tours today’s new “Bugis”

Local historian Joseph Chan explores life in old Bugis as well as the gentrification of the dodgy Geylang area, where small businesses pepper the even numbered streets and brothels dot the odd numbered ones.

One of Geylang’s odd numbered streets

Find it all in Episode 6 – Singapore in “Vanishing ASIA.”