It's almost dinnertime in Singapore and I'm about to polish off an Oyster Omelette. I'm not at one of the city's celebrated open-air hawker centres tucking into the beloved local dish - a glorious mass of crispy, gooey eggs studded with succulent bivalves - but I'm sitting in a bar, enjoying a cocktail of the same name.
The bright yellow concoction is creamy and delightfully rich in umami - startlingly reminiscent of the dish it pays homage to. As bartender Josh reveals, the cocktail's base is a distillate of oysters harvested from the waters off Pulau Ubin, a small island northeast of Singapore's mainland. The drink is topped with miso-cured egg foam, coriander shoots, a smattering of Kampot pepper and a dash of Shaoxing rice wine. And it's served in a cup made from oyster shells, no less.
The oyster omelette is one of many inventive tipples at Native, a laid-back, two-storey bar in Singapore's Chinatown, where colourful heritage shophouses sit in the shadow of the city's soaring skyscrapers. Opened in 2016, the bar celebrates local and regional spirits, ingredients and flavours, while producing as little waste as possible (which explains the creative barware). To this end, many of its ingredients are cured, pickled or fermented to extend their shelf life. "In a small place like Singapore, sourcing can be a challenge," says owner Vijay Mudaliar. "Sometimes we get great produce, so I'm always thinking of ways to extract and lengthen those flavours. And other times we get produce that isn't as fresh, but can be fermented," he adds, gesturing to the rows of pickling jars lining the shelves.
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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DIRECTORY
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CLIMBING KILIMANJARO
To summit Kilimanjaro is an expedition of a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned mountaineer or a first-timer, there are key questions to consider before tackling the Tanzanian peak.
SEARCHING FOR BIGFOOT
TO VISIT OREGON IS TO EMBRACE THE ELEMENTAL POSSIBILITY OF BIGFOOT, THE HAIRY, HUMAN-LIKE MYTHICAL CREATURE. THE PROSPECT AND THRILL OF THE CHASE MAKES THE AREA'S THICK FORESTS, GURGLING CREEKS AND SCENIC HIKING TRAILS A TRUE WALK ON THE WILD SIDE.
FOR THE BIRDS
A visit to the Scottish Highlands offers one of the best bird- and wildlife-watching experiences in the UK, with the promise of rare encounters with unique species.
ON THE WATER
From swimming to standup paddleboarding, boating to biking, here's how to have the ultimate adventure on and around six of world's most beautiful lakes.
HOW I GOT THE SHOT
PHOTOGRAPHER MATT DUTILE ON SNAPPING THE FROZEN CONTINENT'S CHARISMATIC WILDLIFE FOR OUR MAY ISSUE
THE EVOLVING GAP YEAR
FROM ENHANCING A CV TO BENEFITTING A LOCAL COMMUNITY OR TRAVELLING WITH PURPOSE, THE MOTIVES FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE A GAP YEAR ARE INCREASINGLY NUANCED.
VALLETTA
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A timeless city
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SANDS OF TIME
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