季風人文講壇第102期：Tse Wei Lim

Eating in Singapore

with Tse Wei Lim & Chantal Tseng

February 18, 2026｜In English 

Singapore’s food culture is globally celebrated, yet deeply shaped by economic pressures, migration, colonial legacies, and questions of identity. In this conversation, TW Lim and Chantal Tseng explore how food reveals tensions between tradition and modernization, affordability and aspiration, authenticity and reinvention. Moving beyond nostalgia, the discussion considers what Singapore’s culinary landscape can teach us about the Sinosphere, cultural memory, and the future of cities facing similar pressures.

About the Speaker 

Tse Wei Lim writes about food and value — “the regard that something is held to deserve.” Formerly the chef-owner of Journeyman in Somerville, MA, he is the author of Little Perfections: Eating in Singapore and now writes primarily on his Substack, Let Them Eat Cake. Born and raised in Singapore, he now divides his time between Cambridge, MA, and Falls Church, VA.

Moderator: Chantal Tseng is a hospitality veteran, published writer, and founder of Literary Cocktails. With over 25 years in the industry, she is known for blending drinks, literature, and community through education-forward experiences.

About the Book

Lim Tse Wei romps through the hawker centres, home kitchens, and restaurants of Singapore, tasting everything and chatting with the cooks. Eating guide, portrait, cookbook, confession, this collection is an insider's tour of Singaporean food - and Singaporean society. In a country where food is identity, what is food and eating worth?