SIA passengers to have chilli crab, bak ku teh, laksa and other local delicacies

[aerosmith]

Quote from LianHeZaoBao (Chinese Daily) in Singapore:

"One boards a plane and suddenly has a craving for food from the wet market or foodcourt. Unfortunately, the airline meal menu does not have any food that has local flavour. Many Singaporeans have probably experienced this."

From the article (weblinks below), the local delicacies (10 of them) will be provided from this month onwards.

http://www.zaobao.com.sg/sp/sp070808_516.html

http://www.zaobao.com/cgi-bin/zaobao...70808_516.html

[KeithMEL]

Hmm - they require payment for the English version.
Sounds like a nice idea anyhoo.

[sqforever]

I thought SQ already served some of those items like Bak Kut Teh? But anway, it will be nice to have more local dishes availible onboard. But I wonder what it would be like eating that messy chilli crab in F? Lets same some xiao uncle has a little accident...lol

[9V-JKL]

Article says that SQ will provide 'bibs' for pax use

Also, they'll roll out at a later date from BKK, HKG, NYC & CDG local delicacies as well

[mec]

I thought SQ already served some of those items like Bak Kut Teh? But anway, it will be nice to have more local dishes availible onboard. But I wonder what it would be like eating that messy chilli crab in F? Lets same some xiao uncle has a little accident...lol

I was lucky to be on a flight where they were serving the chilli crab dish as a trial. They asked for a comments form to be filled after.

It wasn't that messy: crab claws were served with sauce in a big bowl (those that they serve noodles). It was accompanied by chinese buns (mantou)

Disposable towels were supplied by the crew

There was hardly any mess The claws were basically shelled.

It was also quite tasty

[jjpb3]

Hmm - they require payment for the English version.

And not an insignificant amount too! D*mn, sometimes I wished I continued my Chinese lessons instead of shifting to German in high school.

Anyone care to give a rough translation of the highlights (such as 9V-JKL's point about bibs)? Does the article indicate:

• Which routes will be first? Whether all routes will eventually enjoy the offering?
• Whether the offerings will only be for certain times of the year?
• Expected rollout schedule?
• Whether Y pax will get to enjoy the change? Will they wait behind premium class pax?

What a way to capture passenger loyalty: I'd love to 'extend' my holidays by eating local delicacies onboard. SQ sure knows about the power of food. (Pretty amazing, too, that they have decided to exploit that space of customer preferences, given it's the space most airlines seem to vacate when under pressure to cut costs.)

I take it durian is out of the question? (I'm not a fan, but I just had to throw that in. )


EDITED TO ADD: mechinois, thanks for the insight. My salivary glands have been activated. Oh no.

[9V-JKL]

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_U...se/NE_3807.jsp

Singapore Airlines understands that there are days when customers crave the comfort of the familiar. That is why our latest in-flight dining option, which is offered on flights departing Singapore as well as Singapore Airlines destinations worldwide, will not only seduce the taste buds but will also feed customers’ nostalgia for food which reminds them of their roots.

Starting this month, popular Singaporean favourites such as chili crab, bak kut teh, laksa and nasi lemak will be available on selected flights departing Singapore.

“We are constantly looking for new ways to give customers greater variety in their in-flight meals. Our new Popular Local Fare Programme offers customers the authenticity and familiarity of local comfort food even at 35,000 feet,” said Mr Yap Kim Wah, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice-President of Product and Services.

“At the same time, holiday makers can enjoy a well-known local favourite before heading for home,” added Mr Yap.

The dishes will be offered on selected flights in First, Business and Economy Classes, as one of the main course options.

One of the iconic dishes of the Popular Local Fare Programme is chili crab. For passengers’ convenience, the crab claws are de-shelled and served in spicy, tangy sauce, accompanied by rice and mantou. This will be available for either lunch or dinner on selected flights.

To ensure that our customers enjoy a truly authentic dining experience, our Popular Local Fare dishes are carefully created such that their taste and presentation are comparable to those served by some of the best food stalls and restaurants in Singapore.

Our chefs also made sure that each dish is served with the appropriate side dish or garnish. Customers who choose braised duck with yam rice as their main course, for example, can expect to find braised egg and peanuts as well – just as they would in a local restaurant.

Other Singapore Airlines destinations such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, New York, Paris, Seoul, Sydney, and Taipei will also have their own Popular Local Fare Programme.

So in time to come, customers flying from Seoul may savour such classic favourites as bibimbap, while those departing Paris can whet their appetite with a hearty bouillabaisse.

[jjpb3]

9V-JKL:

I can't wait to see what they have in store for Manila.

I guess DPS already gets its share of beef rendang offerings on the menu?

[9V-JKL]

Balut on ex-MNL flights & Stinky tofu in ex-TPE flights

[KeithMEL]

What is mantou? [edited to add: doh just saw the answer in mechinois's post]

Any chance of drinking soy flat white ex-Australia?

[9V-JKL]

What is mantou?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantou

[Greatfox]

what about prata??

[KeithMEL]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantou

Nice. I've never had crab with pastry so that looks pretty cool.

[jjpb3]

Balut on ex-MNL flights & Stinky tofu in ex-TPE flights

They lose this customer if they serve balut ex-MNL.

(You're a very worldly traveller, 9V-JKL. )

[SQflyergirl]

They lose this customer if they serve balut ex-MNL.

Oh gosh.... deffo not my cup of tea.....