Flavours from Singapore

Traders Hotel, Dubai, is hosting the Singapore Food Festival until the end of the month to promote the country's culinary heritage as the food capital of Asia.

Residents of the UAE can “experience authentic Singapore cuisine ahead of the original month-long festival in Singapore, which takes place in July this year'', said Jason Ong, area director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.

Chef Lee Suan Seng from Traders Hotel, Singapore, has created dishes that blend the country's diverse cultural influences, which include Chinese, Indian and Nyonya (straits born Chinese). Diners are presented with a buffet of over 35 dishes.

Seng feels “Singapore's renowned dishes will satisfy even the most demanding gourmands''.

He believes in using only the freshest of ingredients. “The colour, the aroma and the flavour of food are important.

"But the freshness of ingredients is the main element that enhances colour, aroma and taste,'' he said.

The menu includes popular Singaporean dishes, such as chilli crab, Singapore fried noodles, Hainanese chicken rice, popiah (spring rolls), kueh pie tee (Nyonya top hats) and chai thow kueh (fried carrot cake).

Guests can also enjoy local desserts such as kueh lapis (steamed layer cake), onde onde (sweet coconut rice balls) and bingka ubi (baked tapioca cake).

The festival is also offering diners the opportunity to win a trip to Singapore, which includes two return tickets sponsored by Singapore Airlines and a stay of three days and two nights at the Traders Hotel in the country.

The buffet is available daily at The Junction restaurant from 7.30 to 11.30pm for Dh99 per adult and Dh49 per child.

On Fridays, a brunch is hosted from 12.30 to 3.30pm at Dh125 per adult.