Taste of home: Singaporeans abroad share the local flavours they miss the most

Jes, living in Dubai for close to a year 

"Contrary to popular belief, you can easily buy pork in Dubai in certain supermarkets. However, access to a late-night sinful indulgence like bak kut teh is definitely not heard of here. Sometimes, all I want to do is take a drive down to Rangoon Road like I used to and get my bak kut teh fix. I remember the auntie who owned the place always wore a smile as she carried a kettle of boiling soup to refill our bowls."

Enjoy it at home with New Moon Traditional Bak Kut Teh spice blend. Get it delivered via pandamart to enjoy this nourishing soup anytime the craving hits.

Andric, living in Perth for seven years

"There’s so many I don’t know what to choose. If I really have to pick one, then it would be Singapore’s chicken rice. There are many chicken rice stores here (in Perth) but it’s not the same. The texture and flavour of the chicken, the rice, and more importantly the chilli sauce. Back in Singapore, I often ended up at the chicken rice store downstairs to ‘sober up’ before going home to my girlfriend. She would know that I had a late night out if I smelled like chicken."

Enjoy it at home with Woh Hup Hainanese Chicken Rice Paste. Just mix it into your rice, add a sprig of pandan leaf, turn on the rice cooker, and you’ve got heartwarming chicken rice to dig into in no time.

Ben, living in Osaka for two years 

"I miss going to Simpang Bedok at 2am with friends, nursing a cup of teh tarik kurang manis while reminiscing about the good old days. We’ll catch up over teh paired with plaster prata and sometimes murtabak."

Enjoy it at home but with a twist. If you like your tea with a splash of coffee, you might enjoy the exclusive Pau Pau Yuan Yang ice cream by the Ice Cream & Cookie Co. It’s now exclusively available while stocks last on pandamart with 20% off no minimum spend using this code: SCOOPMART. Also, when you purchase four items from these three participating brands – Milo, Nescafe and Starbucks – you’ll receive an exclusive Pau-Pau camping mug, while stocks last from now until August 31. Just add to cart along with the participating products and the discount will automatically apply so the cup will cost $0.

Sam, living in Los Angeles for close to 10 years 

"I miss laksa so much! It’s possible to find it here, but it’s more of a hassle and just doesn’t taste the same as what you get in Singapore. My favourite is the Katong laksa you can find around Joo Chiat – I live nowhere close but it was always worth the effort to travel down." 

Enjoy it at home with Prima Taste Laksa, an instant noodle that’ll give you a fiery, coconut kick without you having to step out the door. 

Andrea, living in Japan for more than six years

"I miss the agar agar that the fruit stand uncle on the first floor of Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre sells. It was just 30 or 50 cents. I would always buy that when I went to Chinatown to buy fabric because it was so good. It was my little secret snack – I would buy three and walk around along buying my fabric."

Enjoy it at home with Naspac nata de coco mixed pudding – a similarly nostalgic childhood jelly snack that you can pop open and enjoy immediately. 

Raine, living in Chiang Mai for close to three years

"Popiah – one that's freshly wrapped and fully packed with veggies. It takes me back to lazy weekend mornings when we'd pop by our grandmother's flat to say hi."

Enjoy it at home by making your own! Throw a popiah party with family and friends with fresh beansprouts, lettuce, radishes and other popiah ingredients delivered straight to your door via pandamart.

Daniel, living in Norway for more than five years

"I’ve loved sambal since young and always need a good dollop of it with my nasi lemak, laksa or char kway teow. That same taste and heat isn’t something I get easily in Norway. It’s also too difficult to make myself. So it’s something I really enjoy having whenever I’m back in Singapore to visit family."

Enjoy it at home with Prima Taste Sambal Belacan Paste, which you can mix in with vegetables, meat or seafood for a quick yet delicious meal.