Singapore, June 23, 2012

Heritage Feast By The River
Town Restaurant, The Fullerton Hotel
June 25 to July 8, 6 to 10pm
$52 (adults), $26 (children aged six to 12 years old)
Tel:6877-8128

In the old days, Singaporeans used to feast on cheap but delicious food at the open-air stalls by the Singapore River.

The Town Restaurant of The Fullerton Hotel hopes to recreate a slice of the old world but in its comfortable surroundings at its Heritage Feast By The River buffet, starting on Monday (June 25).

It has roped in eight famous hawkers and eateries to create their specialties as part of its sumptuous buffet.



Assisted by her son and in her 80s today is the operator of Nam Seng Noodles, which used to feed thousands who visited the coffeeshop near the old National Library.

You can chomp on old National Library Wanton Mee, Hock Lam Beef Noodles, Kim Choo Kueh Chang, Hoo Kee rice dumplings and Teck Kee Tanglin Pau.

Pagi Sore, famous for its grilled Indonesian chicken, is also represented.

Also enjoy Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Annie’s Peanut Ice Kachang.

The buffet concept was created by well-known gourmand, Mr Chia Boon Pin, president of Far East Food Concepts, a subsidiary of Far East Organization which owns the hotel.

Apart from the hawker fare by the famous stalls, you can also tuck into the restaurant’s signature dishes, such as the Laksa, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Bak Kut Teh, Char Kway Teow and Roti Prata.

A selection of fresh seafood, pasta, pizzas, cheese and desserts will also be available.

My favourites:

- Nam Seng Noodles (Wanton Mee tossed in an aromatic shallot oil and sauce with 'secre' ingredients)

- Hock Lam Beef Noodles - assorted beef parts, cooked to tenderness in a delicious beefy stock

- Teck Kee Tanglin Pau (Char Siew Pau has old world savoury-sweet flavour)

- Pagi Sore's BBQ Chicken Indonesian style (not exactly a Singapore heritage name but the chicken is delectably marinated)



Two rows of riverside hawker stalls lead to The Fullerton Building (now The Fullerton Hotel) in the old days.

Go out of the restaurant to its riverside dining area, and you can imagine how the old hawker scene is like.

But with the muggy weather these days, it's better for those who can tolerate the heat to enjoy these heritage specialties indoor.
- Chen Jingwen



Outdoor tables of the Town Restaurant overlooks the Singpore River.