I got up at 4 a.m. to see how one of Singapore's famous hawkers prepares for a day of cooking meals that cost just $2.50 in the second-most expensive city in the world

Marielle DescalsotaApr 12, 2022, 13:33 IST

How nasi lemak is prepared at Mizzy Corner.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Singapore's hawker culture is regarded as a national treasure.
I spent a day at Mizzy Corner, a nasi lemak stall, to learn how they prepare one of the city-state's most iconic dishes.

Changi Village is one of eastern Singapore's most famous food spots.

Changi Village in Singapore.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The village's hawker center has been serving delicious and affordable meals since 1975.

The morning crowd on a weekend at Changi Village Hawker Center.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Mizzy Corner, a pair of stalls in the hawker center, has remained one of the most popular businesses since it opened in 1997.

Mizrea Abu Nazir (left), the owner of Mizzy Corner, and Iskandar Abu Nazir.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The stall serves nasi lemak, a staple dish in Malay cuisine.

Nasi lemak from Mizzy Corner.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

When I visited at 4 a.m. on a Saturday, the hawker center was empty.

An empty Changi Village Hawker Center at 4 a.m.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

In one area of the hawker center, a few vendors dropped off supplies for the day.

Hawker supplies in the early morning.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Mizzy Corner was one of the few stalls open. As their first customer usually arrives at 6.30 a.m., they begin preparations more than two hours in advance.

A cook marinating and coating fried chicken.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

One cook from each stall prepares dozen ingredients that collectively form a nasi lemak dish.

Cooking fried chicken for the nasi lemak.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Sambal, the spicy sauce served with nasi lemak, is cooked for eight hours.

Sambal for nasi lemak.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While nasi lemak is predominantly eaten with meat, there were a few vegetarian options.

Fried chicken wings and other food items seen ready to be served at Mizzy Corner.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I spotted the first customer of the day at 6.40 a.m. He said Mizzy Corner serves the best food in the hawker center.

First customer of the day at Mizzy Corner.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

More than a dozen people were lining up for nasi lemak by 8 a.m. Many diners were having the famed dish for breakfast.

Long lines at Mizzy Corner.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I ended up spending almost 16 hours at the hawker center, returning later in the day to have nasi lemak for lunch and dinner. I found myself appreciating hawkers even more after witnessing the long hours of hard work that it takes to run a stall.

I ate nasi lemak for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I ended up spending almost 16 hours at the hawker center, returning later in the day to have nasi lemak for lunch and dinner. I found myself appreciating hawkers even more after witnessing the long hours of hard work that it takes to run a stall.

I tried 3 Florida bagel shops where customers expect a New York-style experience. As a native New Yorker, I was impressed.

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I got up at 4 a.m. to see how one of Singapore's famous hawkers prepares for a day of cooking meals that cost just $2.50 in the second-most expensive city in the world

Changi Village is one of eastern Singapore's most famous food spots.

The village's hawker center has been serving delicious and affordable meals since 1975.

Mizzy Corner, a pair of stalls in the hawker center, has remained one of the most popular businesses since it opened in 1997.

The stall serves nasi lemak, a staple dish in Malay cuisine.

When I visited at 4 a.m. on a Saturday, the hawker center was empty.

In one area of the hawker center, a few vendors dropped off supplies for the day.

Mizzy Corner was one of the few stalls open. As their first customer usually arrives at 6.30 a.m., they begin preparations more than two hours in advance.

One cook from each stall prepares dozen ingredients that collectively form a nasi lemak dish.

Sambal, the spicy sauce served with nasi lemak, is cooked for eight hours.

While nasi lemak is predominantly eaten with meat, there were a few vegetarian options.

I spotted the first customer of the day at 6.40 a.m. He said Mizzy Corner serves the best food in the hawker center.

More than a dozen people were lining up for nasi lemak by 8 a.m. Many diners were having the famed dish for breakfast.

I ended up spending almost 16 hours at the hawker center, returning later in the day to have nasi lemak for lunch and dinner. I found myself appreciating hawkers even more after witnessing the long hours of hard work that it takes to run a stall.