Some of Singapore's most acclaimed hawker stalls now have outlets at the newly refurbished Gardens by the Bay food court.
At Gardens By The Bay in Singapore, they don't think small. The 101-hectare green space has long been a favourite with families thanks to attractions such as the giant greenhouses containing the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, and the soaring illuminated structures known as the Supertrees.
Add another one to the list, with the park's freshly refurbished food court now offering the opportunity to dine with the dinosaurs. Rechristened Jurassic Nest, it is the only place in Singapore where animatronic dinosaurs - including a prowling velociraptor - roar into life every hour.
Food fans have another reason to pay Jurassic Nest a visit. Some of Singapore's most acclaimed hawker stalls have outlets here including Tsuta, the world's first Michelin-starred ramen, and Bismillah Biryani, the first biryani to receive recognition in a Michelin guide.
And then there is Hawker Chan, surely Singapore's most successful food stall. Chan Hon Meng was the first hawker chef to gain a Michelin star back in 2016 and he has spun that success into a global empire. He now has 30 outlets around the world, from Melbourne to Kazakhstan. The menu at this outlet has all his favourites, including not just his famous chicken rice but also pork rib rice, braised beef noodle and roasted duck rice.
Some chefs dislike sharing the spotlight but Chan has no qualms about working with co-stars - both of the cold-blooded dinosaur and warm-blooded chef species. He loves Singapore's food court tradition and the freedom that it gives customers.
"The good thing about a food court is that you are not restricted in your options," Chan says, adding that visiting food courts is still his favourite dining experience. "It is great to get together as a family and to allow children to enjoy different types of food."
