Why Char Kway Teow deserves more attention

Char Kway Teow rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The deeply umami from prawn paste complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using pandan leaves correctly takes real skill.

Singapore's hawker culture was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020. I encountered it first in a hawker centre and that context helped me understand it properly. bandung rose milk drink is the natural accompaniment and the combination makes the case for the dish. If you haven't explored this cuisine seriously, Char Kway Teow is the dish to start with.