Since I now have some time to read on the MRT to and from work, I have just finished Anthony Bourdain's "The Nasty Bits". I normally am not a short story fan, but this one was a great read. The book is filled with Anthony's culinary adventures around the world. It is pretty damn funny and makes you want to eat, travel, eat, and travel. Some great excerpts:
1. On the indoor and outdoor weather in Singapore (so true):
"My first time in Singapore, I hated it. The heat punched me in the chest every time I stepped outside,a thick, penetrating humidity made worse by relentless broiling sun. Three-shower-a-day, change-your-clothes-at-noon kind of heat; whenever I ducked inside for a beer, the bars were refrigerated, with locals happily sipping Tiger beers in their T-shirts in the bone chilling, meat locker cold."
2. On food courts:
"This is what a food court should be, I thought, as I waddled toward the door. Imagine if there was a food court near you, at the mall, for instance, where instead of the soul-destroying mediocrity and sameness of American fast food, a wide spectrum of ethnically diverse lone proprietors- all of whom had been perfecting their craft for decades- offered up their very best. Imagine independently owned and operated businesses next door to each other, each serving one specialty as far from and different from the adjacent offering as each individual culture. Imagine- if fast food could be good food."
3. On food ratings:
"Eateries are graded not with stars or number, but by rice bowls signifying 'good', 'very good', 'excellent'- and the Singlish 'Don't try, regret ah!' and the ultimate accolade, 'Die, die must try!'.
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