50 Cents Fest 2018
#Throwback to a time where the internet wasn’t available, Samsui women were toiling along our streets and locals led simple, happy lives.
There wasn’t a need to prove which part of the city has better food because good eats were everywhere.
Want to relive those good ol’ days before Singapore became a developed city-state?
Bring your ah gong and ah ma down to the 50 Cents Fest 2018 taking place this weekend (28-29 Jul) at Chinatown Food Street (CFS).
Travel back in time to our grandparents’ era
This year’s 50 Cents Fest takes its cue from the 1930s, with CFS undergoing a 30s makeover, selling old school Singaporean dishes at yesteryears’ prices.
With old shophouses and makeshift hawker stalls as the backdrop, the event features food and an ambiance reminiscent of the colonial times.
Food for 50 cents, I kid you not
The best part of the 50 Cents Fest is that it allow diners to eat, eat & eat their way through for a mere 50 cents per dish. Yay!
You can expect to find authentic dishes from the colonial era with early immigrant influences as well as ethnic cuisines.
Here are some prominent must-trys.
1. Uttapam (S$0.50)
Thick pancake with dhal curry
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2. Fish Molee (S$1)
Fish curry stew
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3. Banana Ball (S$0.50)
Fried banana fritters
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4. Kopi Gu You ($0.50)
Black coffee with butter
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5. Black Pepper Crab ($2)
6. White Pepper Prawn ($2)
There will be more than 40 stalls featuring close to 50 different street bites that run the gamut of desserts to beverages.
A little slice of life from the golden days
You can also keep a lookout for entertainment acts such as the Taxi Girls and 1023, a local a cappella group, performing popular 1930s songs.
Besides soaking in the live music, take a glimpse into how streets in the olden days looked.
Walk down the streets with opium smokers, Samsui ladies and coolies — via the help of a Virtual Reality installation.
To add on to your retro experience, old-school toys such as Tikam Tikam and $2 haircuts by back-alley barbers are also available.
Recycling machines will present another anachronism for attendees, who can get rewards for recycling their trash.
Download PayLah! to receive up to 10 free dishes
Festival goers are encouraged to scan and use PayLah! at the event for seamless payment.
Users get to receive $5 with the promo code ‘STEADYLAH’, upon downloading the app.
$5 = 10 x $0.50 dishes, oh my.
Not to worry, this won’t ruin the retro 1930s vibe!
You can even take this opportunity to teach your grandparents how to pay using their phones.
Feast on your heritage
If you’re looking for a true Singaporean gastronomical experience, be sure not to miss out on this 2-day food fest!
Venue: Chinatown Food Street, Smith Street, Singapore
Date: 28 & 29 July
Time: 11am – 11pm
Website: The 50 Cent Fest
Featured image from CFS Facebook & CFS Facebook & CFS Facebook & Visit Singapore Facebook.
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