https://new.bananalemonsingapore.com/Independent field notes by Denya.enhttps://bananalemonsingapore.com/jerky-driving-singapore-taxis/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/jerky-driving-singapore-taxis/Sun, 06 Sep 2026 10:14:40 GMTA Singapore taxi ride turns into a stop-start lesson when I finally ask the driver to stop pumping the accelerator.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/wildfire-singapore-burger/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/wildfire-singapore-burger/Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:28:31 GMTI have been going to Wildfire for about four years, from its old address to UE Square. I still go back for the burgers — and the caviar soft serve.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/how-we-moved-house-in-singapore-and-learned-about-false-economy/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/how-we-moved-house-in-singapore-and-learned-about-false-economy/Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:07:26 GMTA self-managed move between two Singapore condos looked cheaper than professional movers — until permissions, trucks and an overnight delay changed the calculation.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/apocalypse-singapore-style-one-day-without-milk-and-eggs/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/apocalypse-singapore-style-one-day-without-milk-and-eggs/Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:27:20 GMTMy son studies at a local school, and recently, I received an announcement: on February 17, as part of Total Defence Day and the SG Ready…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/12-truly-strange-facts-about-singapore/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/12-truly-strange-facts-about-singapore/Tue, 23 Jan 2024 05:44:51 GMTWhy Singapore taxis make me sick, why tap water is never cold, and why a gecko named Gennady is better than a cockroach: 12 everyday surprises.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-in-song-unraveling-vertinskys-banana-lemon-metaphor/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-in-song-unraveling-vertinskys-banana-lemon-metaphor/Tue, 05 Dec 2023 04:18:41 GMTWhy did Alexander Vertinsky imagine a woman called Yvette longing for love in “banana-lemon Singapore”? The story of the 1931 tango, the sad Pierrot and the real river behind the fantasy.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-style-passions-when-the-struggle-for-a-parking-space-becomes-the-main-news-of-the-day/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-style-passions-when-the-struggle-for-a-parking-space-becomes-the-main-news-of-the-day/Sat, 23 Sep 2023 04:11:52 GMTA woman’s stance to reserve a parking spot sparks debate, reflecting the local “chope” culture and societal norms over space use…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/strange-ingredients-of-nasi-lemak/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/strange-ingredients-of-nasi-lemak/Thu, 31 Aug 2023 05:25:46 GMTSingapore is located near Malaysia, there are many Malays here, and Malaysian cuisine is popular. So! The most popular Malaysian dish, Nasi…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/my-choice-chili-oil-wonton/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/my-choice-chili-oil-wonton/Sun, 27 Aug 2023 02:33:48 GMTWhat’s the most delicious thing I’ve tried in Singapore in 4 years? It’s hard to pick from a plethora of impressions, but now I would say…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/sim-lim-a-time-capsule-of-electronics/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/sim-lim-a-time-capsule-of-electronics/Sat, 26 Aug 2023 03:07:56 GMTThe exterior of this building is unremarkable, its facade covered in plain concrete and glass, more akin to an office block or a local…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/rice-shopping-confusion/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/rice-shopping-confusion/Fri, 25 Aug 2023 04:54:42 GMT— Go to the store, buy some rice. — Ok! Easy! Which one? — Just get a good one… — (100,500 types of rice in the store) 🤯https://bananalemonsingapore.com/villa-marina-vintage-condo-in-siglap/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/villa-marina-vintage-condo-in-siglap/Fri, 25 Aug 2023 04:33:18 GMTI continue the series of stories about searching for an apartment in exotic Singapore. This time we encountered an option that can truly be…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/city-square-residences-little-india/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/city-square-residences-little-india/Thu, 24 Aug 2023 05:46:43 GMTOur apartment search took us to a large condominium in the busy, high-density Little India neighbourhood. The location had obvious advantages, but would it suit us?…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/palmera-residence-not-impressed/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/palmera-residence-not-impressed/Thu, 24 Aug 2023 05:34:05 GMTThe apartment where we previously lived has been sold, and now we are faced with the urgent task of finding new housing for relocation. In…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/dont-buy-ice-cream-in-bread/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/dont-buy-ice-cream-in-bread/Wed, 23 Aug 2023 05:51:38 GMTMany Singapore guides recommend ice cream in bread, an old-school street snack sold from carts around the city. I tried it, and it simply was not for me…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/annoying-elevator-etiquette/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/annoying-elevator-etiquette/Tue, 22 Aug 2023 04:05:20 GMTIn Singapore, they’ve taken common courtesy to such an extent that it’s beginning to be annoying. I don’t know where the historical…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/egg-lovers-paradise/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/egg-lovers-paradise/Tue, 22 Aug 2023 03:49:28 GMTSingapore grocery stores, even small ones, often have an impressive selection of eggs. Take the nearby FairPrice Finest…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/invictus-international-school-dempsey-hill/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/invictus-international-school-dempsey-hill/Mon, 21 Aug 2023 10:57:37 GMTMy son has transferred to a new school. His previous school no longer felt like the right fit for our budget and priorities, so we looked…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/durian-taste-anomaly/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/durian-taste-anomaly/Mon, 21 Aug 2023 02:36:08 GMTI developed a love for durian, although it didn’t happen immediately. Several years ago, I had tried durian in Thailand. The experience was…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/best-bar-in-singapore-atlas-bar/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/best-bar-in-singapore-atlas-bar/Sun, 20 Aug 2023 06:25:18 GMTJust next to my office is the Atlas bar, which ranks 4th in the list of the 50 best bars in the world. Also, it’s the largest and most…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/expensive-beer-in-bars/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/expensive-beer-in-bars/Sat, 19 Aug 2023 15:25:37 GMTDialogue in a bar: — Here’s your beer! Enjoy. — Thanks! But I gave you 20 dollars, can I get change? — One pint costs 20 dollars…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/chewing-gum-ban-in-singapore/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/chewing-gum-ban-in-singapore/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:49:21 GMTDialogue in the government: — Prime Minister, we built a subway in Singapore for 5 billion dollars! And do you know what these pitiful…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/what-is-not-allowed-in-singapore/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/what-is-not-allowed-in-singapore/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:47:30 GMTSome famous Singapore “bans” are real, some are narrower than the legends, and some rules have changed. Here is a myth-versus-reality update…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/the-best-dumplings-xiao-long-bao/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/the-best-dumplings-xiao-long-bao/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:45:50 GMTWhat’s the most delicious thing I’ve eaten in Singapore? Of course, it’s the dumplings from Din Tai Fung (with 20 restaurants on the…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/garbage-chute-right-in-the-kitchen/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/garbage-chute-right-in-the-kitchen/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:44:05 GMTA conversation in a newly rented Singaporean apartment: — Look, there’s a garbage chute right in the kitchen! — Ewwww. That’s terrible…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/cis-canadian-international-school-tajong-katong/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/cis-canadian-international-school-tajong-katong/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:42:42 GMTDon’t even think about moving to Singapore with a school-age child! Just kidding… Kids on the island have it really good. But it’s worth…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-public-schools/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-public-schools/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:41:03 GMTA couple of days ago, our company hosted a cybersecurity event for Singaporean schoolchildren. I was interested and volunteered to work…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/ridiculous-local-news/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/ridiculous-local-news/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:38:36 GMTSingapore’s calm reputation means that a small public confrontation can become surprisingly prominent local news. One story I remember began like this…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/century-eggs/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/century-eggs/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:36:52 GMTCentury eggs are not rotten and not a century old. They are mild, savoury eggs preserved for a few weeks — and surprisingly good with ginger or mayonnaise.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/what-is-a-condo/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/what-is-a-condo/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:35:24 GMTWhen we arrived in Singapore, a condominium — or condo — was the most practical choice for us. Many expat families choose one if their budget allows…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/how-did-i-move-to-singapore/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/how-did-i-move-to-singapore/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:33:17 GMTAsia had never particularly enticed me. Thailand had meant holidays to me: heat, sea, tom yum and warm encounters. I definitely never thought…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/theres-no-wind-on-the-east-coast/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/theres-no-wind-on-the-east-coast/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:30:35 GMTConversation with a taxi driver: — Where do you live? — I live on the East Coast, right by the sea. — Wow! It’s so hot there with no…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/how-to-hail-a-taxi/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/how-to-hail-a-taxi/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:28:07 GMT🚕 Did you know that classic taxi stands are alive and even thriving in Singapore?! You don’t need to call a taxi, it’s already waiting for…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/hot-and-humid/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/hot-and-humid/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:25:45 GMTIt’s very hot and humid in Singapore. When I moved, I never thought I’d be able to get used to this heat…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/safe-singapore-no-locks/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/safe-singapore-no-locks/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:34:44 GMTIn the photo, you can see the most reliable lock that many shops in Singapore use. However, this shop has an entrance from the street. But…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/tasty-bbq-stingray/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/tasty-bbq-stingray/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:29:43 GMTI’ve been living in Singapore for three years now, so I’m slowly but surely beginning to explore the peculiarities of local cuisine. I…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/hello-singapore/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/hello-singapore/Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:09:24 GMTBefore I moved, I lazily grouped Singapore with other Southeast Asian destinations I knew only from short trips. I quickly discovered how little that assumption explained…https://bananalemonsingapore.com/i12-katong-what-does-this-name-mean/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/i12-katong-what-does-this-name-mean/Mon, 31 Jul 2023 03:52:51 GMTWhy does everyone call i12 Katong “Katong 112”? The shopping centre’s name is stranger — and more literal — than it looks.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/exploring-singapore-by-double-decker-bus/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/exploring-singapore-by-double-decker-bus/Wed, 26 Jul 2023 12:16:51 GMTWhy Singapore’s double-decker buses work, where they came from, and which routes give the best views from the front row upstairs.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/my-bicycle-was-stolen-in-singapore/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/my-bicycle-was-stolen-in-singapore/Mon, 29 May 2023 06:51:51 GMTMy S$2,000 bicycle disappeared from a Singapore condo. An AirTag led me to two HDB blocks, a lot of stairs and a surprisingly busy night for the police.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/a-bomb-shelter-inside-the-apartment/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/a-bomb-shelter-inside-the-apartment/Fri, 03 Jun 2022 05:07:51 GMTMy Singapore apartment has its own bomb shelter — on the 20th floor. It is meant for emergencies. We use it as a storeroom.https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-carrot-cake/https://bananalemonsingapore.com/singapore-carrot-cake/Tue, 31 May 2022 05:06:51 GMTSingapore fried carrot cake is a savoury hawker dish made with white radish, rice flour and egg. Here is why it is called cake — and why it comes in black or white.