Never Miss an Update
Add islifearecipe.net as a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our content in AI Mode and AI Overviews.
➕ Add to Preferred SourcesWhat's an incredible Singaporean-Style Hawker Chicken Recipe - made from tapao
Hawker Chicken and Pork Recipe: Tapao re-purposed: I am always looking for new ideas for the kid’s breakfast and also I am a firm believer in trying to reduce food waste hence us always doing Tapao at the local hawker. Perhaps it goes back to my days as a kid at my Mum’s and Nan’s having dripping on toast, or bubble & squeak the next day after a family roast. Who knows. But anyways re-purposed food can be quite amazing, as you’ll see from today’s recipe for Jude Jude’s breakfast.
Who’d have thought you could ever stack Singaporean Hawker Chicken. Why not. I think it looks absolutely incredible re-purposed like this and believe me it was absolutely delicious.
What is the meaning of Tapao?
This word originates from the Chinese phrase Da Pao which means to package. It’s not just a Singaporean gig either as this is used in parts of many Southeast Asia such as Singapore and Malaysia. For example; “On your way home can you tapao something for me?” “Aunty, too full, tapao can?” Now, is it just me or is this uncannily similar to Tapas… There’s a thought!!!
As usual at the local hawker, we had massively over-ordered. Bee Hoon, deep-fried chicken wings, deep-fried 5-spice pork belly, sliced fish, and the list goes on. So yes we did indeed ask for Tapao of our Singaporean Hawker Chicken.
How to make a Singaporean Hawker Chicken Recipe at home
Here’s what I did for that boy Jude Jude’s breakfast: Best to have some stacker rings for this – but not impossible if you don’t – improvise with a stumpy glass to load in that Singaporean Hawker Chicken.
- Strip all the meat off the Singaporean Hawker Chicken wings, skin inclusive;
- Make sure no bones in the deep-fried pork belly – add to the chicken meat;
- Chop all that up into a fine mince;
- Pop that in a frying pan with a 1″ knob of salted butter and fry up until crispy;
- I did add a little black truffle Tartufata as well to jazz her up – could also use soy or Magi seasoning;
- At the same time toast 2 slices of bread in the pan with a 1″ knob of salted butter until golden-brown on both sides;
- Cut four circles from the toast with a small stacker ring;
- On your platter put the stacker ring and pop in the stacker ring in this order;
- A toast circle
- 1x Tbsp Tapao mix
- A toast circle – push down
- 1x Tbsp Tapao mix
- A toast circle – push down
- 1x Tbsp Tapao mix
- A toast circle – push down
- Mayo blob + something green
- Careful remove the stacker ring and serve on up.
That’s it. No wasted food and a stunning dish to look at and eat. How good is that? Jude Jude loved it, so everyone was happy. I must show the Hawker Stall Aunty what I did and see what she thinks? She is a family friend as we have been eating with her for 7 years now (she even buys me special soy sauce when she goes to Malaysia – like another Asian Mum haha). I like this as a theme actually as that is two dishes today that is messing with traditional hawker food... hmm there’s an idea!!! Anyways that was Singaporean Hawker Chicken and pork Tapao Recipe re-purposed… it’s a beauty – ENJOY!!!
What are Singaporean Hawkers
Singaporean hawkers are skilled cooks and small food business owners who prepare and sell affordable meals from individual food stalls located in hawker centres. They are at the heart of Singapore’s food culture and are widely regarded as custodians of the nation’s culinary heritage.
A hawker centre is a large, open-air or covered food court where dozens, sometimes hundreds, of independently operated stalls serve dishes from Singapore’s multicultural communities. Instead of one restaurant kitchen, each stall specialises in just a few dishes that have often been perfected over generations.
In 2020, Singapore’s hawker culture was added to UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition celebrates not only the food but also the social role hawker centres play as gathering places where people from all walks of life share meals together.
What food do Singaporean Hawkers sell
Each stall usually specialises in one cuisine or signature dish, including:
- Hainanese chicken rice
- Char kway teow
- Laksa
- Satay
- Bak kut teh
- Nasi lemak
- Roti prata
- Carrot cake
- Wanton mee
- Hokkien mee
Many hawkers have been cooking the same recipes for decades, with some family businesses spanning three or four generations.
What are the best hawkers in Singapore
Some of Singapore’s best-known hawker centres include:
- Maxwell Food Centre
- Lau Pa Sat
- Old Airport Road Food Centre
- Tiong Bahru Market
- Newton Food Centre
- East Coast Lagoon Food Village
Why are Singaporean Hawkers Popular
Hawker food is loved because it offers:
- Exceptional quality at affordable prices.
- Authentic recipes handed down through generations.
- A huge variety of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, and international flavours all under one roof.
- A vibrant communal dining atmosphere where office workers, families, tourists, and retirees all eat together.
For many Singaporeans, eating at a hawker centre isn’t just about convenience—it’s part of daily life and a source of national pride. Some stalls have even earned prestigious recognition, including Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand awards and Michelin stars, proving that world-class food doesn’t have to come with a fine-dining price tag.