Singapore’s National Day Parade 2018: 7 Must‑Grab Treats
With August 9 only a few weeks away, Singapore is gearing up for the annual National Day Parade. While the anthem “Home” will soundtrack the festivities, local fans are already lining up for the season’s limited‑edition snacks and mementos.
Island Creamery: Chilli Crab Ice Cream (R$ 3.80 for a scoop)
Island Creamery loves to play on local flavors, but this time the “National Day” ice cream is an oddball. It mixes sweet and spicy notes with a tang that almost tastes like ketchup. I tasted it yesterday—sour‑sweet and mildly peppery—and though it’s not my go‑to flavor, a quick try won’t break the bank.
Old Chang Kee’s Chilli Crab Curry Puff (R$ 2.20 each or R$ 4 for two)
Everyone’s still excited about chilli crab. Old Chang Kee is spicing up its classic curry puff: real crab meat, chilli crab sauce, and a bright‑red pastry crust (just a dye, not actual crab). A quick bite is worth it for the festive flair.
McDonald’s Ha Ha Cheong Gai Burger (R$ 6.05)
- Ha Ha Cheong Gai Chicken Burger – R$ 6.05
- Drumlets – R$ 2.20
- Breakfast Curry Burger – R$ 4.20
- D24 Durian McFlurry – R$ 4.00
- McCafé’s Kueh Salat Cake – R$ 5.00
McDonald’s keeps the National Day menu fresh, echoing the classic nasi lemak chili‑fueled burger but with a twist.
Starbucks’ Chicken Laksa Pie (R$ 5.90)
Even Starbucks isn’t shy about a patriotic push. The signature Laksa Pie – a savory pastry stuffed with a laksa‑based chicken filling – looks handy. It’s a unique addition that buyers can’t resist. On the sweeter side, there are desserts like the Kit‑Kat chocolate cake, Nestum cake, and pandan gula melaka cake.
LiHo’s Bastardised Milo Dinosaur (R$ 2.50 medium cup)
LiHo attempts to replicate the beloved Milo dinosaur but with a different recipe. The result is a chocolate‑milk base topped with Speculoos crumbs. It’s a fairly tasty take on the classic, priced at R$ 2.50 for a medium cup.
Sharity Elephant EZ‑Link Card (R$ 12)
Sharity the Elephant – the 1984 pink mascot promoting kindness – makes a cameo on National Day EZ‑Link cards sold at TransitLink offices across the island. Two limited‑edition designs feature Sharity alongside Ang Ku Kueh Girl and friends. Each card costs R$ 12, with only R$ 7 loaded onto the card. R$ 0.50 from each card goes to the Community Chest.
Gemnesis Merlion Ear Studs (R$ 18 per pair)
Self‑made novelty jewelry hits the spotlight with these cute mini‑Merlions. Each stud resembles a souvenir Merlion chocolate, available in caramel, chocolate, and white‑chocolate “flavors.” The pair costs R$ 18.
National Day Parade 2018 Fun Pack (Free)
A quick reminder: the Fun Pack is a free treat for those who win National Day Parade tickets. It features 18 originally designed canvas tote bags, contributed by talented special‑needs children, and contains snacks and parade goodies such as a glow‑in‑the‑dark toy and placards. If you don’t snag a ticket, you can attempt to get the Fun Pack from friends, coworkers, neighbours, or even the secondary market on Carousell.
