IA & MN represent in dempsey hill.

If we thought we were the only Midwesterners living in Singapore... it's time we think again! Last weekend, AJ, Linna and I met up with a couple from Marshalltown, Iowa (where AJ's parents are from), after being connected by AJ's Aunt Peg. A couple emails and one confusing phone call later, and the Ruddocks from Iowa and the Saighs from Minnesota, were having a blast in the Dempsey Hill area of Singapore!

Gina and Tom ordering our lunch like Singapore pros!

 

Gina and Tom Ruddock came to pick us up in their car, and my first question to Tom was, "how did you figure out how to drive in this city?!", as the driver's side is on the right side of the car, AND they drive on the left side of the road in Singapore. Tom drove like he'd been driving in Singapore forever, and he actually kind of has been driving there forever, because they've lived there for almost five years! It was so nice to be with two people that spoke "our language" and still knew everything there is to know about Singapore.

Linna eating so nicely, with her view of the kitchen.
Pretty neat watching the chefs make the food.

Gina and Tom took us to have lunch at Jumbo Seafood. We told them we wanted them to show us where the good food was, since they'd been in Singapore for so long, and BOY did they deliver! Jumbo is a well-known restaurant outlet in Singapore, where they are known for their chili crab (a popular dish in Singapore). Since we hadn't tried the chili crab yet, we ordered one, and Gina and Tom were kind enough to give AJ and I the claws (they have the most meat). Yum! Although the sauce (or gravy) that the chili crab comes in is a little spicy (we all know how I feel about spicy food), it was still delicious! The restaurant even has you wear crab bibs. AJ decided to keep his on, long after we were finished with lunch:)

Salted Egg Golden Prawns in a rice bowl.

Kai-lan. Nom.

I think these may be the most unique and best-tasting ribs I've ever eaten.

Tom and Gina also ordered us the Salted Egg Golden Prawns, the Pork Ribs that were coated in a chocolate-type sauce, Kai-lan (green leafy vegetable), Chicken Satay, Fried Rice, and of course Tiger Beer (local beer). Everything was AMAZING! It was so nice to try so many different things, and not have anything be too "out there" for our liking. Even Linna tried the prawns and seemed to be a fan! She sat so nicely with all of us at lunch while we talked about Iowa, living in Singapore, the food, etc.

Chili Crab. Basically a full crab, marinated in a chili gravy sauce.

Chicken satay with peanut sauce.

My favorite part of the meal was the Pork Ribs. I must learn how to make the sauce they came in! It was unlike anything we've ever had before, and I could have eaten a dozen of the ribs in this sauce! It was savory like BBQ sauce, but also tasted like sweet chocolate. I am also a big fan of the Kai-lan vegetable. It was sauteed in oil and LOTS of garlic, so it was very tasty.

Tiger Beer also never fails to live up to its good reputation. It's such a light beer, but full of flavor. A perfect beer for a HOT Sunday afternoon in Singapore!

Lots of fishies in aquariums for Linna to look at.

In our bibs, ready for chili crab.

I am so thankful we had a chance to meet Tom and Gina in Singapore, before they head back to Iowa in a month. They taught us that there's no "wrong way" to do things in Singapore (when it comes to eating that is). There are so many people in Singapore visiting from many different countries, and as people do in different countries, everyone eats in different ways. Some people use chopsticks, some use a fork, and others use their hands as utensils. After meeting with Tom and Gina, we are no longer concerned with eating the "right way" in Singapore, because there is no "right" way! Thanks Tom and Gina:)

Suiting-up for the feast.

So many amazing shops in Dempsey Hill. Most are very expensive.

We also learned that the "nicer" restaurants are very kind to women's handbags in Singapore. Since women here like to spend a lot of money on their handbags, the restaurant staff will put a cover over your chair if you hang your handbag on it. Also, if you put your handbag on the floor, they will pick it up and put it somewhere "safer" for you. I had a diaper bag, so they didn't worry too much about me;)

Linna sampling the buns.

It was a wonderful afternoon filled with lots of laughs, "insider tips" and advice, from two of our now favorite people in Singapore! If only these two Iowans were staying until we left in November.