23-9-2023 (SINGAPORE) Singaporean Minister, Maliki Osman, recently paid a visit to Urban Hawker in New York City (NYC), providing a taste of home for Singaporeans residing in the Big Apple. During his lunch break while attending the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Mr. Maliki indulged in local delicacies such as mee rebus and teh tarik.
In a Facebook video posted on September 21, Mr. Maliki documented his visit to Urban Hawker in NYC. Expressing his excitement, he noticed the similarities between the setup of the food market and local Singaporean food courts. Familiar names, like Padi from Bussorah Street in Kampong Gelam, caught his eye as he explored the different stalls. Interestingly, he encountered a Latina employee at the prata stall who, despite being unfamiliar with him, exchanged smiles.
After his exploration, Mr. Maliki joined his colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Singapore’s New York Mission to enjoy their meals. With a large entourage, they sampled dishes from various stalls. The extensive spread included sliced fish white bee hoon, char kway teow, Hokkien mee, mee rebus, mee goreng mamak, satay, mee bakso, nasi padang with gulai chicken, and teh tarik. The total cost of the feast amounted to US$186.50 (S$254.74).
Mr. Maliki provided his opinions on the dishes. He found the teh tarik to be satisfactory, with a distinct taste. The mee rebus garnered high praise, described as “shiok” (a Malay term meaning extremely satisfying), accompanied by a thumbs-up gesture and a five-star rating. The satay was also deemed decent, resembling the flavors found in Singapore, albeit with larger portions.
During his visit, Mr. Maliki met Mr. Shukor, the owner of Padi and the mamak stall, who shared the initial challenges of running the stalls. However, after gaining a better understanding of the market, business has improved. Mr. Shukor encourages everyone to visit his stalls in NYC.
Following their meal, Mr. Maliki and his team exhibited Singaporean customs by clearing their tables and returning their utensils to the tray collection points. They expressed their satisfaction, stating they had a good meal and a good time.
While the prices at Urban Hawker may seem steep, there are likely various factors contributing to them. Nevertheless, the opportunity to find a piece of home in a foreign land is invaluable and greatly appreciated by many Singaporeans.
