Anthropology of Food

“Anthropology of food” examines the relationship between food and culture. We invite participants to explore, taste and experience the ways in which food record and reflect social change and culture aspirations.

We visit sites in Singapore Chinatown where traditional food items are produced or sold. These sites are carefully selected for the food heritage they represent and the ways in which their establishments function as sites of cultural reproduction.

Traditional Chinese Pastry Shop
Chinese pastries are made from simple ingredients but embody complex dreams, hopes and aspirations of the consumers. We take a look at some of these pastries and show the ways in which these ideals are manifested and what it tells us about the people who created and consume them.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Shop
Before the era of panadol and aspirin, what happened when people were unwell? The Traditional Chinese Medicine shop has the answer. However, it is more than a “medicine shop” offering products that promote “well being”, a category that challenges the dichotomy of “sick” and “well”.

The traditional Chinese medicine shop is also a site to explore how “non traditional” products become “traditional”.

Bakkwa shop and local food stuff shop
We explore the relationship between food and technology and the ways in which new food sources are interweaved with historical imagination wrapping the food with a layer of cultural myth.

Chinese Vegetarian Restaurant
We find out why Chinese vegetarian restaurants serve vegetarian pork, fish, or beef. How does these dishes relate to notions of compassion? What does it tell us about Chinese Vegetarian food and Chinese society?

Note:
All tours conducted by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) licensed tour guide trained by Chinatownology.
Every participant gets a goody bag to bring back memories of food tour.
Travel, personal or any other insurance not included.

For prices and dates, contact Chinatownology at info@chinatownology.com