The annual festival takes a deep dive into the roots of the Hokkien Chinese,
promising visitors only the most authentic Hokkien flavours and experiences!
The 50 Cents Fest (五毛钱美食荟萃) is bringing the hustle and bustle back to the Chinatown Food Street once again with its 4th edition, happening on 27 and 28 July 2019. Jointly organised by Select Group Pte Ltd and Chinatown Food Street as a part of the annual Singapore Food Festival, which is in its 26th year running, this year’s festival spotlights Hokkien heritage, taking visitors through a multi-sensory, gastronomical experience of all that the largest dialect group in Singapore has to offer.
More than 88,000 people visited last year’s 1930s-themed edition, and The 50 Cents Fest is kicking it up a notch this year with plans to feature over 40 stalls and mobile vendors peddling an assortment of more than 50 different savouries and sweets.
Everything at this award-winning festival is priced from a humble S$0.50 to no more than S$3.00, and visitors will get to taste traditional Hokkien dishes – some of which are rare finds these days – ranging from Hokkien-style rice, noodles and nourishing soups, to snacks, small pastries, and ice-cold desserts and drinks.
“The 50 Cents Fest has become a platform for diners to take a trip back to the good old days, and for the younger generation to learn more about Singapore’s colourful heritage and experience a day in their elders’ shoes through food. Hokkiens form about 40 per cent of the Chinese population in Singapore, and this year we want to showcase the best Hokkien dishes and eateries, and bring both locals and tourists the most authentic experience with curated Hokkien-centric entertainment and activities,” says Ms Rae Ng, Senior Head of Marketing for Select Group.
The 50 Cents Fest 2019 is bringing on board heritage restaurants such as Beng Hiang, an established Hokkien restaurant founded in 1978 well-known for its melt-in-the-mouth kong bak pau (braised pork belly bun). More heritage restaurants that have also been serving up authentic Hokkien fare are in the pipeline for this year’s edition.
During the festival, tucked away in a corner of Chinatown Food Street will be a hidden Hokkien roadside stall presenting traditional dishes like hei zho (prawn rolls), fried Hokkien mee and ‘buddha jumps over the wall’, a nutritious soup made with a medley of premium ingredients like conpoy, fish maw, abalone and ginseng.
To hype up the crowd during the two-day festival, The 50 Cents Fest will also be hosting interactive and exciting activities, such as a “JIAK BA BUAY?” (have you eaten?) bingo game and nostalgic arcade games. Other festivities that add to the fun, buzzing atmosphere include a Mixed Goods Store retail lane with Hokkien-inspired merchandise from local brand Wetteeshirt and more!
Visitors can also enjoy the convenience of QR Code payments as you scan to pay at The 50 Cents Fest with OCBC PayAnyone. OCBC PayAnyone users will enjoy special perks when spending at the event. Also, look out for The 50 Cents Fest on Chope’s reservation platform and secure priority seats to The 50 Cents Fest 2019. Gather everyone at The 50 Cents Fest 2019 to experience true blue Hokkien food and fun! Hok kian lang ti toh loh (where are my Hokkien friends)? Li jiak ba buay (have you eaten)?
Chinatown Food Street
Smith Street, Chinatown
27 – 28 July 2019
11am to 11pm