Ramadan is currently being celebrated around the world. Here at Singabites some of our food guides are currently taking part in daylight fasting. This can be quite a challenge when your job is a food guide. W asked our Muslim colleagues how they cope and what sort of food they eat before they guide and when the fast is broken.
Kathy was our first ever guide at Singabites and is one of the creators of our Geylang Serai tour.
“Normally I will wake up at 4am. The most important food I and other guides eat upon breaking of fast is dates. This helps regulate the sugar level in the body. A hot drink, followed by fruits and rice porridge (usually cooked with meat and wheat or oats.) Following this we will do our prayers. We also need to drink lots of water to hydrate us throughout the day when we guide.
Ayob has joined the Singabites food guide team.
“I definitely start the day with some dates and fresh milk. The healthy sugar from the dates can immediately replace sugar loss from the fast. While the milk can provide some basic nutrients denied during the daytime when I guide.”
At the end of Ramadan everyone will come together and celebrate the day of triumphant. Otherwise called Eid’ul Fitri. The day will start with prayers in the local mosque followed by a huge feast at the guides family home. Over the coming days and weeks we have open houses across Singapore. Here Muslims, friends and neighbours to celebrate.
On Hari Raya day most guides households will have the ketupat. This is a rice cake made from soaked rice and cooked in woven palm leaves. This is usually served with a coconut based gravy, cabbage and tofu. Ketupat can also keep for days. As a result it is useful for the home cooks. They can make them all in one batch and not have to worry about them throughout the week.
Chicken curry, beef rendang and other more common dishes are also popular with our guides. As is a dish called Sambal Tumis Telor.
Do you want to find out more about Singapore’s muslim community? Would you like to try the food they eat? Come along to one of our Geylang Serai tours and meet guides Kathy and Ayob in person. www.singabites.com for more details.
