The food scene in Singapore is fantastic. Perhaps most surprising, you can eat at numerous Michelin Star restaurants and, at some for less than three dollars! Yes, you read that correctly.
If you have never been to Singapore, this small island has some of the world's best restaurants. Perhaps more remarkable than the variety and quality of food is, in many instances, the price. Lio Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice earned a Michelin star. Even better, a plate of their world-famous chicken is just $2.
How in the world is that possible? Two words, Hawker Centers; community food halls with each stall specializing in their family recipes hand-down and perfected over generations.
Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, they master a dish or two that people are willing to line up. Perhaps that has inspired the recent trend of American Food Halls. Several unique specialty restaurants all under one roof. But are there lessons restaurants can take from these successful Hawker Centers?
Sometimes, less can be more. Smaller menus reduce costs while improving quality. That is not to say most sit down restaurants can reduce their menu to just one item. But, perhaps reducing the number of menu items isn't a bad idea. That said, whether you are a writer or chef, it is always hard for an artist to edit their work. But, as William Faulkner once said, sometimes, "You must kill your darlings."
