You know Singapore hawker food, but do you know Singapore hawker packaging?
Singapore is known for its diverse hawker culture which has since become a culture UNESCO on 16 Dec 2020…besides the uniqueness of the food, many forget to mention the quirkiness of hawker food packaging.
Before styrofoam, paper and plastic boxes, we had plastic bags in hawker centres. These transparent plastic bags can contain food items ranging from rice, soup, noodles and even beverages. Anything you can think of, the plastic bag will get you covered! These plastic bags packaging was a staple in the past as it was a cheap and affordable option. If you’re getting some coffee and going on a drive, no need to worry about not having a space for your drink. Just hook the handle of the plastic bag on an S-hook and you’re good to go. If you’re taking it home, wiggle the bag in a mug or a bowl so you can skip the dishes. The only downside is that food plating isn’t a priority.
Next up, we have brown oil paper. This oil-resistant paper is typically used to wrap non-soap based food that's oily such as chicken rice and char kuey tiao. Food is basically placed in the middle. The left and right sides are folded towards the middle, hugging the food tightly. Then the bottom is folded upwards. As a kid we find it fascinating to see the uncle/auntie at the store wrapping the food up real quick, lifting it up and giving it a light hit on the table so that the food is fitted snugly at the bottom before folding the top part downwards and putting a red rubber band around it. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you have to experience it yourself. While eating, you’ll often find yourself lifting up the paper to push the food into your spoon as the food keeps sliding across the paper.
Currently, the rarest of all packaging is the food can, also known as ‘kong’ in dialect. It was popularised in the 60s and 70s. Coffee shops and hawker centres would recycle the metal cans of products such as condensed milk and use it as packaging for takeaway coffee. A raffia string is attached at the top of the can so that people can hang their drink up instead of putting it on the ground. This is particularly useful for workers working at construction sites.
Even though such traditional packaging might be eliminated as we become more modernised and sustainable, they will forever be in our hearts and form a part of the Singaporean identity.
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