From Bak Chor Mee To Ballot Box How politicians win hearts through hawker food

How politicians win hearts through hawker food

- Cherie Lok

"AI dente", "tangy", "succulent" and "flavourful". These are not necessarily words one might expect from someone campaigning for a seat in the gastronomic void that is Singapore's Parliament House.

But once in a while, a plate of char kway teow or a stack of prata wedges its way into the mosaic of resident handshakes and party group shots crowding the feeds of Singapore's politicians. Usually composed around a simple meal at a humble hawker table, these photographs depict everyday life as most Singaporeans might recognise it.

Casual update or calculated strategy? The Straits Times breaks down the ways in which politicians have approached the nation's favourite pastime: eating.

'I'M ONE OF YOU' Regardless of race, language or allegiance, everyone needs to eat. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong grabs a breakfast of bak chor mee when "jet-lagged and craving" local food. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo seeks solace in a bowl of mee tai mak during a hectic period. Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh discusses international affairs over a plate of mee siam.

These meals are documented on social media and tend to perform well — PM Wong's Tiong Bahru Market breakfast, for instance, is one of his most popular posts, having racked up more than 21,000 likes.

"It's not surprising that politicians post about food," says Dr Saifuddin Ahmed, an assistant professor at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University. "It can be considered a 'safe' and apolitical topic, helping politicians cut through several divides to appear more approachable."

Universally appreciated, food has proven to be a useful way for politicians to reach their constituents. Case in point: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan revved up his campaign by handing out bowls of rice with curry to residents in Bukit Batok in November 2024.