Description
About the Authors & Contributors

Neither a tourist guide nor a work of historical records, Pink Chilli in a Bowl is a personal archive of forgotten places and time-honoured buildings that may someday be wiped out—some of which have already disappeared amidst the backdrop of a city that is constantly developing. These pages detail an intangible side of Singapore, encouraging readers to tap into their imaginations and reconstruct their mental map of the island nation in ways that inspire them.

Each Constellation is composed of three different types of entries: restaurant, food, and landmark, which can all be found within a twenty- to forty-minute promenade.

The Stars are single, isolate singular entries in a specific location or characteristic that is worth highlighting.

The Essays are contributions made by food-enthusiastic writers about Singaporean eateries which contextualise the current survey into the specifics of the social, cultural, and political environment in this island-nation.

The Archives are curated selections of photographs which showcase the generic patterns of diversity in Singapore.

Constellations & Stars
Pink Chilli in a Bowl is an invitation for the curious explorer to venture beyond the surface of Singapore’s urban landscape through twenty-eight constellations. Each constellation—composed of a network of local establishments, architectural landmarks, and places of worship—can be described as a sensual voyage, enriched by the art of everyday eateries and a multifaceted street culture. Unveil hidden links between seemingly disparate and diverse spaces that showcase the lesser-known humanistic side of an automated nation.
Isabelle Der Hagopian (co-author) is a Swiss doctor practicing for 25 years between Switzerland and Southeast Asia. Fascinated by Asian street food and culture of cities. she co-authored the famed “Nancy Chandler’s Map of Hanoi” in 2010, and is the author of Pink Chilli in a Bowl, a subjective survey on eateries in Singapore. She is currently working on a study on Market typologies in Saigon, Vietnam.

Manuel Der Hagopian (co-author) is a Co-founder and Partner at G8A Architects. He is in charge of operations at the Singapore and Ho Chi Minh offices, and also co-manages the offices in Geneva and Hanoi. In collaboration with international and local institutions, Manuel is contributing to research and education by architectural studios and juries for a diversity of international architectural schools and cultural institutions.

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Stephanie Peh (main contributing writer) is an independent writer and creative producer born and raised in Singapore. In 2020, she published Self-made: Creative Lives in Southeast Asia, a paperback documenting the stories of creative individuals and how they navigate the terrain of uncertainty to create meaningful lives.

Mindy Tan (main photographer) is a Singapore-born photographer whose editorial and commercial work has been published worldwide. As a former newspaper journalist, her favourite subjects are people, with a penchant for tradition and nostalgia.

Don Wong (photographer) is a former photojournalist currently refining his photography practice and way-of-seeing by documenting his encounters of the built environment with an unsentimental gaze, paying closer attention instead to form, detail and presence.

Sarah Mineko Ichioka (essayist) is a strategist, urbanist, and writer. She is Founding Director of Desire Lines, a consultancy for environmental, cultural, and social-impact organizations and initiatives. In previous and parallel roles, she has explored the intersections of cities, society and ecology within leading international institutions of culture, policy and research.

Ming Tan (essayist) is a massive food nerd with over 12 years of experience in the industry. He’s worked as head chef of Lolla, owned and run Park Bench Deli, and has travelled throughout Asia working on various tasty projects. Most recently a host on various food programmes for Channel NewsAsia, he believes food is primarily about people.

Adib Jalal (essayist) is an urbanist whose work revolves around partnering and engaging stakeholders to address complex urban issues. He is currently a researcher in a think-tank about cities.

Practice Theory (book designer) is an award-winning design and branding agency founded in 2015. Together, they are a group of designers, strategists, art directors, and creative producers with offices in Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. Their work is guided by the belief that design can instigate meaningful change and shape culture in enduring ways.

Authors

Pink Chilli in a Bowl