MyStory

When in Singapore, do as the Singaporeans do: Join a ridiculously long queue for the latest food fad; refrain from questioning your intelligence for doing so; let streams of consciousness flow for the 3 hours of queuing; purchase the food items in large quantities so as to make your time worthwhile; proudly display your trophies to all the strangers you encounter; gorge on your hard-earned prizes for days; proceed to boast to friends about your successful food mission; fend off well-intentioned queries on the state of your sanity and bask in the limelight of the envy you think you evoked. Most importantly, convince yourself that the following equation is true:

Latest Food Fad + Absurdly Long Queue = Good Idea x (“I am not a crazy person, no, I am not.” + “I love queuing! Seriously!”)

In true Singapore fashion, a food fad is a must to rouse the nation. Regardless whether the fad is a gastronomic delight or disaster, it is usually guaranteed to have far-reaching detrimental effects on our health. But, we tough Singaporeans are impervious to such possible health threats as it is our civic duty to throw our support behind the latest craze. Thereafter, we would reflect on our rash decision and promptly abandon the fad in preparation for some other one.

• List of has-been food fads
  • Apple Crumble – This sweet American dessert attracted the taste buds of many during its short-lived heyday.
  • Portuguese Egg Tarts – In the late 1990s, Singaporeans found themselves unwittingly drawn to the pastry’s latest disguise.
  • Bubble Tea – An import from Taiwan, the success of this fad was simply astounding. Within months, there were bubble tea shops sprouting up in every corner of our sunny island. But like all fads in Singapore, Singaporeans gradually grew conscious of the fact that Bubble Tea wasn’t just a simple fruit juice. Wary of the money - $2.50 per cup – that we were paying to get burdened by increased health risks in diabetes and cancer, we eventually came to our senses. However, a few shops have managed to survive the ignominy of being a fad in Singapore, and they doggedly continue to ply their trade.
  • Coffee Buns – The meteoric rise of this frightfully oily bun was quickly halted when the original company, Rotiboy, could do little to sustain public interest. As a result, Rotiboy soon quietly vanished from our shores, leaving us with many other healthier imitations in local bakeries.
  • Donuts – The early 2007 food fad, also known widely as the soon-to-be-has-been.