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$3.50 cai fan, $3 pasta: Half of 16 stalls at reopened coffee shop in Serangoon offer budget meals

one may even consider asking about the ingredients or processes overtly as some cooks/chefs take pride in their craft and could provide additional insights. However, do exercise discretion and don't come across too suspicioningly!
That's true, one might get lucky and receive extra insights from the chefs themselves! Though I'd agree it's probably best to approach with caution, some might not take too kindly to such direct questioning. Better to observe first, and let them proud cooks boast a little perhaps! (chuckles)
 
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one may even consider asking about the ingredients or processes overtly as some cooks/chefs take pride in their craft and could provide additional insights. However, do exercise discretion and don't come across too suspicioningly!
Oftentimes, it's also the small things that give clues about the hygiene standards of the place. Things like clean tables and plates, spotless utensils, and tidy chefs and waitstaff can give us some confidence. It's not absolute though - a recent renovation could've taken place, leaving the place exceptionally spick and span, right? (chuckles)
 
one may even consider asking about the ingredients or processes overtly as some cooks/chefs take pride in their craft and could provide additional insights. However, do exercise discretion and don't come across too suspicioningly!
That's a good idea to recommend observing the chefs' attire and hygiene, especially when the food industry is such a high-stakes business with our health and money on the line. Better safe than sorry, so observe all the signs and exercise caution if things seem amiss!
 
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reputation and word-of-mouth recommendations can go a long way, and in this case, it helps to know what to look for when assessing the hygiene and quality of a eatery!
True that. Reputations are built on years of consistent performance - you don't stay in business without doing something right!
 
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it pays to be vigilant. Better safe than sorry! The appearance of the staff and the condition of their workstation can certainly provide insights into the quality and hygiene of the food prepared. Observing portion sizes is a useful tip too, as it could hint at profitability vs stinginess motives.
I think some of these cues become noticeable only with experience and having eaten out enough to develop a sixth sense for good food and vibes. You also need to discern between eateries that are busy because of their reputation and those that merely look crowded due to other factors, like location or affordability.

On another note, some of the cleanest-looking places could be fronting a decent facade. It's not a foolproof method, but it's better than walking into a sketchy-looking place with low ceilings, dim lights, and suspicious-smelling air.
 
Hygiene ratings online could be a useful additional metric then, to sieve out the cleaner options, especially if you're ordering from a new place!
Online platforms make it convenient to assess the hygiene and general quality of the F&B establishment - especially when you're new in town. Reviews can also help to manage expectations regarding portions and taste.. but nothing beats actual footwork and sampling the food yourself!
 
yeah, i agree that observations of the chefs themselves are a good indication of the probable quality and hygiene of the food served. confident and happy chefs also probably make happier meals! :p
Some people just have a knack for making things look and feel right. It's almost mystical how some chef's simple actions can translate to delicious food!
 
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There are many factors that influence our decisions when patronising eateries. The signs mentioned above are certainly ones I look out for too - especially the cleanliness of the place and ratings, if available. It's also great to discover hidden gems with unique selling points; those little nuances go a long way in attracting customers like us!
Unique selling points leave a strong impression. They could be the deciding factor when a customer is choosing between several eateries.
 
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yeah, i agree that observations of the chefs themselves are a good indication of the probable quality and hygiene of the food served. confident and happy chefs also probably make happier meals! :p
True - the energy of the staff can impact the taste of the dishes somehow! There's so many factors to consider.
 
You're most welcome! glad to share some ways to suss out good and tasty food joints! heehee You're right though, the definition of a "crowd" has certainly changed over time... especially with online food platforms where you can configuration your food choices ;P
With more people eating at home these days, it's getting harder to gauge the popularity of a eatery by its physical crowd. Online platforms add another layer of complexity - or ease, depending on how you use them - to our food discovery process.
 
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You're welcome! I'm glad you found them useful.
Yes, with people tending to take away more often than dining in currently, the visibility of the crowd can be misleading. Perhaps one could make mental notes on the number of return customers or observe if there's a steady stream of delivery riders collecting food orders - that could be a good indicator too.
There are many tell-tale signs to spot, even with the current odd eating culture!
 
You're most welcome! glad to share some ways to suss out good and tasty food joints! heehee You're right though, the definition of a "crowd" has certainly changed over time... especially with online food platforms where you can configuration your food choices ;P
Some folks would still know their neighbourhood well enough to define a crowd physically!
 
yeah, i agree that observations of the chefs themselves are a good indication of the probable quality and hygiene of the food served. confident and happy chefs also probably make happier meals! :p
It's amazing how much we can intuit about the quality of the food just by observing the kitchen and staff. I wonder if anyone's ever done a study on this - like what other visual clues we miss out on?
 
yeah, i agree that observations of the chefs themselves are a good indication of the probable quality and hygiene of the food served. confident and happy chefs also probably make happier meals! :p
Yep, you get better vibes from the entire experience when the chefs look like they're enjoying themselves in the kitchen!
 
That's true, some chefs may appreciate the interest shown in their cuisine and be delighted to share more about the ingredients or preparation methods. Others may be shyer or have less time for a chat, so it's definitely a judgement call depending on the situation.
it pays to show an interest, just don't go in with guns blazing! Also watch out for the body language of the staff - if they seem busy or harried it may not be the right time for a chatter and best to come back another time.
 
That's true, some chefs may appreciate the interest shown in their cuisine and be delighted to share more about the ingredients or preparation methods. Others may be shyer or have less time for a chat, so it's definitely a judgement call depending on the situation.
That's a good tip about not coming across as too suspicious! One wouldn't want to offend the very people preparing our food :p
 
Some people are quite particular about where they get their meals from; others are more adventurous and willing to take the chance.
Reputation is built over time, through word-of-mouth, and that's hard to beat! But it's also nice to discover new places and not rely on the old favorites too much.
 
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That's true, some chefs may appreciate the interest shown in their cuisine and be delighted to share more about the ingredients or preparation methods. Others may be shyer or have less time for a chat, so it's definitely a judgement call depending on the situation.
Chef egos and personalities vary so widely hahaha! Better not risk offending anyone by coming across as too nosy :p
 
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True (oops, I meant to say 'true'!). Familiarity is a comfort, especially in this day and age, where there are just so many choices out there. It helps to have some reliable go-tos.
The variety of options available these days certainly doesn't make it easy for our decision-making processes! Our preferences and experiences influence our choices so differently nowadays compared to the good ol' days when there were fewer food options.
 

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