Soldiers, Stash & Singapore: A Field Ration Surprise
When the U.S. Army Gave A Nod to Singapore’s Kitchen
While Singapore’s culinary scene has been rock‑stars on the Michelin radar and even on the plates of Gordon Ramsay & the late Anthony Bourdain, a different kind of applause came this month—straight from the U.S. Army. The Singapore Army shared a short clip on Facebook showing American soldiers sampling SAF field rations during a joint training exercise in Oklahoma.
Exercise Daring Warrior 2018: The Setting
- Dates: 8‑25 Oct 2018
- Location: Fort Sill, Oklahoma
- Participants: ~150 Singaporean soldiers + U.S. troops in a live‑fire drill
The Ration Rundown
The video, just over a minute, takes us on a taste‑test journey through three Singaporean staples:
- Makhani bean stew with chicken – a hearty mix of legumes and poultry.
- Glutinous rice with chicken – a chewy, sticky rice dish that some locals call a “Chinese kind of delicacy.”
- Sweet potato & red bean soup – a warm, soup‑time treat that’s elusive outside Asia.
Soldier Takes & Taste Test
Private First Class Slack first chewed his way through the makhani stew. “This is pretty good,” he quipped, drawing a quick comparison to the more familiar beans & chicken combo back home.
Private Phillips followed suit, saying, “I’d probably have this more than once.” The taste alone wasn’t the only win—many U.S. troops noted that the serving sizes were generous enough to keep them fueled on the field.
Explaining Glutinous Rice
A Singaporean soldier stepped in to clarify the clumpy carb, pointing to Sergeant Major McLaughlin (his name tag revealed) and describing the dish as a “Chinese kind of delicacy.” He added, “We try to give that to our soldiers so they can taste home while out in the field.”
Sweet, Savory, and Simply Singaporean
Beyond the flavor, the Brazilian troops praised the practicality of the meals. The rations not only hit the spot but also satisfy the logistical demands of a training camp—ensuring personnel stay energized without a back‑and‑forth trip to a local hawker.
In the heat of coalition drills, a few unlikely moments of culinary camaraderie remind us that food truly bridges cultures—especially when soldiers are ready to shout it out loud: “This is pretty good!”
— Original article published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
