296: Michelin-rated roadside stalls

Chinatown is located in the south-central part of Singapore city, and its name comes from the fact that there was no running water there originally, and water supply relied entirely on oxcarts for transport.

This area has always been the main gathering place for all Dragon Country People who traveled to Southeast Asia. Later, after the British landed, this place…

Chinatown does not have the huge archways found in European and American Chinatowns; most of its buildings are arcade-style, typical of southern China.

But here, Li Qinghe had a strange feeling, as if he hadn't left the country.

Chinatown

Because in the bustling crowds here, most people speak Dragon Country People, with various dialects intertwining to form a very unique charm.

Zhang Rui brought Li Qinghe here mainly to see several famous attractions and temples.

The first place they went was the Chinatown Heritage Centre, which chronicles the history of the Dragon Country People people's development and changes in Singapore.

It is said that the fastest way to understand a place is to visit its local museum or historical archives.

Not only many Asians come here, but also quite a few European and American tourists come to learn about the history of Singapore's development.

The first floor of the Heritage Centre is a tailor shop recreated in the 1950s style, with five or six sewing machines, truly showcasing the history of business and life in such a tailor shop at that time.

The second floor displays the original living conditions of various Dragon Country People families, filled with many old artifacts related to clothing, food, housing, and transportation, allowing visitors to see the living environment of people back then.

The third floor uses pictures to document the historical changes of Dragon Country People descendants in Singapore.

"Dragon Country People people are models of hard work no matter where they go, but the Dragon Country People descendants in Singapore have completely transformed their way of life…"

It wasn't his first time visiting this heritage centre, and after seeing it again, Zhang Rui was still quite moved.

And what prompted him to feel this way was his former Singaporean girlfriend.

That girl, who wished to live amidst luxury goods every day, had very poor self-care abilities and couldn't do any housework.

Her personality was also like that of an overgrown child, only demanding to receive without considering giving anything in return.

More importantly, she and her family were full of superiority when facing Zhang Rui.

As if China was still the impoverished and weak country it was in 1940.

And in their eyes, Dragon Country People people were still country bumpkins who couldn't even get enough to eat.

Yet, such a family, whose generations had lived in HDB flats built by the government for low- and middle-income residents, had no idea where their sense of superiority came from.

Therefore, that sense of humiliation made Zhang Rui resolutely choose to break up.

His current girlfriend also came from China, sharing a common educational background and worldview, making their relationship much more comfortable.

"Haha, bro, you still have another option: find a Vietnamese girlfriend, they're guaranteed to be obedient."

After hearing Zhang Rui's relationship history, Li Qinghe not only didn't join Zhang Rui in cursing his ex-girlfriend but instead offered Zhang Rui new suggestions for a partner.

"You rascal, what did you experience in Vietnam? It's only been half a year since you graduated, and you've changed a lot. Come on, let's go have lunch first, and I'll take you to visit temples this afternoon."

Li Qinghe's words instantly dispelled Zhang Rui's somewhat melancholic mood, and he smiled as he turned and walked towards the street.

Led by Zhang Rui, the two arrived at Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown, a place similar to a food court in China.

It was a huge steel-framed building with shops on both sides and a dining area for customers in the middle.

Maxwell Food Centre

When Li Qinghe and He Zai arrived, it was already almost noon, right at lunchtime, and the entire market was bustling with people, many of whom were already enjoying their lunch.

Li Qinghe took a look and saw that the prices here ranged from about three to seven Singapore Dollars.

According to Zhang Rui, this was already considered the most affordable price.

"He Zai, I'm taking you to eat the best chicken rice in all of Singapore; it's a Michelin one-star delicacy!"

Zhang Rui said with a mysterious smile.

Li Qinghe looked at the spacious shed: "Here? Michelin?"

"Oh, don't underestimate this place. Many Michelin restaurants in Singapore are these kinds of hawker stalls."

Since Zhang Rui recommended it so strongly, Li Qinghe followed him.

Although he could afford better places, there was no need to show off too much in front of his older cousin.

After all, Zhang Rui would definitely pay for these meals; as the older brother, he had to do that.

After passing many shops, they finally stopped in front of an unremarkable stall.

Compared to other stalls, this one was twice as large, occupying two stalls.

A blue sign read "Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice," and some people were queuing next to the stall.

It looked no different from other food stalls.

He looked at the menu posted on the glass: a small portion of chicken rice was 3.5 Singapore Dollars, a medium portion was 5 Singapore Dollars, and a large portion was 7.8 Singapore Dollars.

Converted to dragon country currency, a small portion was approximately 19.3 yuan, a medium portion 27.6 yuan, and a large portion 43 yuan.

In addition to chicken rice, one could also order some side dishes, such as glass chicken feet, oyster sauce vegetables, and chicken liver and gizzards.

Of course, these side dishes cost extra.

"He Zai, take a look at what you want to eat. I'll get you a large portion of chicken rice, and we'll add some side dishes."

Zhang Rui gestured for Li Qinghe to look at the menu for anything he wanted to eat.

Li Qinghe glanced at it, seeing its simplicity, then grinned: "Bro, one large portion of chicken rice isn't enough. Get me two medium portions, a medium portion of chicken gizzards, and a small portion of oyster sauce vegetables."

These two side dishes, the chicken gizzards, cost 5 Singapore Dollars, and the oyster sauce vegetables cost 4 Singapore Dollars. Li Qinghe alone ate 19 Singapore Dollars worth, which is about 105 dragon country currency.

"You rascal, you sure can eat!" Zhang Rui said, patting his shoulder with a smile. "Go find a seat over there first."

When the younger brother made a request, the older brother couldn't refuse.

19 Singapore Dollars was indeed nothing to Zhang Rui, who earned over ten thousand a month.

However, he didn't know that his young cousin, whom he saw as recently graduated, had a daily income from the system that, when converted to Singapore Dollars, amounted to over 390,000.

Even taking Zhang Rui to the most luxurious restaurant in Singapore would not be a problem at all.

Nevertheless, in front of Zhang Rui, Li Qinghe maintained the harmless demeanor of a newbie.

Having an older brother to arrange things felt quite good.

Anyway, all the way from the large waterfall at Changi Airport to the Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre, Li Qinghe had recorded everything with his future camera.

Although Zhang Rui himself worked in IT, he hadn't really paid attention to what Li Qinghe actually did, only knowing that his cousin had gone to Vietnam to make a living after graduating from university.

Li Qinghe carried his future camera, disguised as an action camera, the whole way. To Zhang Rui, he simply thought it was a young person's habit to record their journey.

After all, in this era of citizen journalism, people carrying cameras and phones everywhere are commonplace.

The chicken rice was served very quickly, and in no time, two glistening plates of chicken rice were placed in front of Li Qinghe.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

The oil drizzled over the chicken was clear and bright, and the skin and meat were like jelly, with a very tender and smooth texture. Paired with Thai fragrant rice soaked in chicken juice, the taste was indeed excellent.

Zhang Rui looked at the two plates of chicken rice in front of Li Qinghe, then at other people's large portions, and nodded in agreement: "Two medium portions are indeed quite a bit more than one large portion."

However, the two side dishes ordered were not particularly amazing; their taste fell into the category of 'quite good'.

The two quickly finished their lunch. This environment and occasion were not places for you to chew slowly and savor.

The first attraction not far from Maxwell Food Centre was the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

To go worship Buddha right after eating chicken is, Amitabha. Thankfully, predecessors have paved a different path.

"Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but the Buddha remains in the heart." Thinking this, Li Qinghe felt much better.