Kampong Gelam

Virtual 360 tour around Kampong Gelam.

News

Keep the Raya Celebrations Alive with Your Loved Ones Across the Border

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) hopes to inspire you with some ideas to keep the Raya celebrations alive for everyone to enjoy together.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) hopes to inspire you with some ideas to keep the Raya celebrations alive for everyone to enjoy together.

For the second year in a row, traditions may have to make way for health safety and social distancing measures. As millions of Muslims in the region prepare to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we are all searching for ways to connect and celebrate the season.

Not being able to “balik kampung” or reunite with families and friends between Malaysia and Singapore is another reality for many who miss their loved ones. If you can’t yet hold your loved ones close, there might be alternative ways to stay connected. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) hopes to inspire you with some ideas to keep the Raya celebrations alive for everyone to enjoy together.

Spice up your Raya feast with The Black Hole Group from Singapore

STB collaborated with The Black Hole Group (TBHG), Singapore to jointly host “Citarasa Singapore with TBHG”, a Virtual Cooking Masterclass. In the session, TBHG shared their techniques in creating a delicious Singapore-inspired Raya dish: Lamb Shank Merah!

ADVERTISEMENTS

Hosted by Chef Zulfadli Normedi, the Executive Sous Chef of TBHG over Zoom, the masterclass saw attendees such as Malaysian Dance Artiste, Suhaili Micheline and lifestyle influencer, Farhanah Firdaus, who joined to learn the ropes of creating this Singapore-inspired dish that’s perfect for the upcoming family feast.

“This Raya season, we have to push the boundaries and reimagine the Hari Raya experience for everyone. Though borders still remain closed between Malaysia and Singapore, we hope that the masterclass inspires Malaysians to incorporate flavours from this hearty Singapore-inspired dish as part of your festive menu. I am confident that the recipe from The Black Hole Group will earn you many compliments as your families savour it. When the right time comes, we look forward to welcoming Malaysian families back to Singapore to reunite with their loved ones,” said Dawn Ng, Area Director, Malaysia & Brunei, Singapore Tourism Board.

“One of the greatest opportunities this Raya is to be able to collaborate with the Singapore Tourism Board. Food is all about bringing people together to create memories and everlasting bonds. Although borders are still closed, we are delighted to share a taste of Singapore through this virtual masterclass.” said Chef Zulfadli, Executive Sous Chef, The Black Hole Group.

Lamb Shank Merah, prepared by Chef Zulfadli, Executive Sous Chef, The Black Hole Group.

Head over to the Visit Singapore Facebook Page to check out the “Citarasa Singapore with TBHG” Virtual Cooking Masterclass on how to create your very own Lamb Shank Merah. 

The Black Hole Group Website 
The Black Hole Group Instagram

ADVERTISEMENTS

Fill your loved ones’ bellies even though you are miles apart.

Delicious food is a staple for a festive Hari Raya. Together or apart, we can still enjoy our delightful Raya food. Surprise your loved ones with a tasty meal from these Halal-certified establishments in Singapore, delivered to their doorstep and have a feast together over Zoom. 

The Halia Restaurant

The Halia offers delivery for both cooked and frozen meals to one’s doorstep. They serve a delectable range of comfort food islandwide with unique dishes like Braised Wagyu “Nasi Lemak” and Singapore-style Spicy Chilli Crab Spaghettini. They even offer frozen meals from The Halia themselves, where your family can stock-up and enjoy The Halia’s fine-dining experience in minutes. 

The Halia Website
The Halia Instagram

Nasi Ambeng Sharing Platter from Coba Coba.

Are you missing the buffet? Coba Coba offers a traditional handmade Indonesian food buffet consisting of delicacies like “Handmade Begedil”, “Serunding”, “Indonesian Acar” and more, delivered directly to their doorsteps. For smaller groups, Coba Coba also offers Nasi Ambeng sharing platters that serve up to 4 people. 

Coba Coba Website
Coba Coba Instagram

Treat your family or friends with some sweet delights from Fluff Bakery to satisfy their sweet tooth. Fluff Bakery is never dull. The menu changes weekly and offers unconventional flavours like “Ondeh Ondeh Cake” and “Goreng Pisang Chocolate Cheese Cake” that many probably haven’t heard of before. 

Fluff Bakery Website
Fluff Bakery Instagram

Bond over a friendly match of local Singapore games 

Singaporean Dream to Kopi King to Limpeh Says 

Swap those fancy consoles with tabletop games that come with a Singaporean twist! Keep your family entertained with a round of local Singapore games during the Raya season with a friendly game of “Limpeh Says”, a Singaporean localised version of the global favourite, Cards Against Humanity. Check out these Singapore-inspired games on ToyTag and consider buying and getting them shipped to Malaysia for Raya.

ToyTag Website

Immerse in these virtual Raya experiences from Singapore

Missing that physical Ramadan bazaar and the Raya entertainment feels? Check out “Bazaar Kita“, a collaboration between Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS) and the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI). They offer virtual bazaar experiences and various online programmes up until 30 May 2021 to replicate the feel of physical bazaars. Malaysians can also enjoy these perks without having to travel to Singapore. Weekly live performances ranging from entertainment, comedy to cooking from WGS are featured, and can be streamed online across various social media platforms from the comfort of your home. Through the portal, you can also purchase gifts and food from over 110 merchants to be delivered to your family and friends in Singapore to show that you miss them this Raya.

Bazaar Kita Website
Wisma Geylang Serai Facebook
Wisma Geylang Serai Instagram
Wisma Geylang Serai Youtube

Those who miss travelling to Singapore, take a virtual 360 tour around Kampong Gelam and indulge yourself in the arts, heritage and culture of Singapore. Enjoy online shows produced by One Kampong Gelam as part of Cahaya Ramadan, a month-long event during the month of Ramadan to enshrine and relive the mood of the blessed month, on Visit Kampong Gelam’s Facebook and Youtube page. It includes the ‘Go Gelam’ episodic series with the all-witty Siti Sally (Huda Ali), ‘Kampong Boy Story’ hosted by Famie from the rock-and-roll band The Pinholes, ‘Glam in Gelam Diary’ hosted by Chinese-Muslim fashionista Suzan Lim, health and fitness show ‘Fast and Fit’ hosted by influencer Iswan Ismail and a healthy culinary show hosted by Mdm Rahayu Mahzam as part of Health Promotion Board’ Korang Ok’ campaign. 

These online programmes will take you deeper into the topic of arts, heritage, business and religion found around Kampong Gelam, and might give you a more in-depth look of the neighbourhood.

Cahaya Ramadan Microsite
Visit Kampong Gelam Facebook 
Visit Kampong Gelam Instagram 
Visit Kampong Gelam Youtube

Beef Steak Bowl by Sadia Singapore.

Celebrate the joy and blessings of Ramadan on Hello Ramadan 2021, an immersive virtual event brought to you by Have Halal, Will Travel, the largest travel and lifestyle platform for Muslims in Asia! Hello Ramadan 2021 is packed with exciting event highlights like daily challenges to learn a new recipe, a virtual bazaar and exciting shows which are happening now until 13 May 2021. Watch their Ramadan Around The World segment and hear from the community from countries such as China, Thailand, Korea and Japan as they share their experiences celebrating the holy month and upcoming Eid. Join in on their 30 Ramadan Recipe Challenge featuring sahur and iftar meals as well as yummy drinks, and also catch exciting Hello Ramadan shows throughout Ramadan. Singapore Tourism Board have also set up a virtual booth to allow people from all around the world to uncover travel guides to Kampong Gelam, Jewel Changi, Katong & Joo Chiat!

Hello Ramadan 2021 Website
Have Halal, Will Travel Instagram
Have Halal, Will Travel Facebook

Filed in:

Share with us what you think about this article!

ADVERTISEMENTS