NOW through Aug. 23, guests can experience the true meaning of “Shiok” at a Singaporean food festival at the FOODS restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou. Two guest chefs, Ong Kim-hui and Cheang Kuang-hui, from the renowned Colony restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, will serve up a melting pot of flavors influenced by Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan cuisine, reflective of Singapore’s multicultural culinary heritage.

Commonly referred to as one of Singapore’s quintessential delicacies, chili crab is stir-fried in a robust, tangy and sweet chili sauce, served with deep-fried mantou, which is ideal for scooping up every single drop of gravy on the plate. Despite its name, chili crab is not all that spicy. Bak kut teh, tender pork ribs simmered in an aromatic herbal broth to make a flavorful soup, is loved by its fans for its distinct herbal aroma. Katong laksa is known as one of the “world’s best spicy foods,” a fragrant coconut curry noodle dish with ingredients that are the epitome of Chinese and Malay cuisine.

Other specialties include Singaporean all-time favorite, Hainanese chicken rice. Premium lamb rendang or lamb tandoori is perfectly spiced, succulent and tender. Be overwhelmed by the aroma of Singapore’s big head prawn and crayfish noodles. The sweetness of the prawn stock gives the dish a rich flavor.

Teh tarik is a hot milk tea beverage. Translated as “pulled tea,” it has a smooth texture with a frothy cap; the mixture is poured back and forth repeatedly between two vessels from a height, giving it a thick frothy top. This process cools the tea to optimal drinking temperatures, and helps to thoroughly mix the tea with the condensed milk. It is also done to give the tea a better flavor.

“Shiok is a Singlish term to express sheer pleasure and happiness. Singaporeans commonly use this expression to describe extreme satisfaction,” said Lincoln Lim, executive sous chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou. “Singapore is a tiny country with a big appetite. In Singapore, food is viewed as crucial to national identity and a unifying cultural thread. The food festival is a stellar opportunity to showcase Singapore’s tapestry of diverse cultures.” (SD-Agencies)