Most of us would not be able to resist Singapore's signature hawker dishes such as Bak Chor Mee, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Katong Laksa, Prawn Noodle Soup, Bak Kut Teh, Chilli Crab, and Beef Rendang. At Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore's The Lobby Lounge, you will get to sample these dishes woven with finesse and fine quality ingredients. What's more, these creations are rooted in tradition. Most of them are based on recipes from well-known old-school eateries, so you're assured of authentic tastes. For instance, tuck into one of Singapore's favourite comfort foods: Bak Chor Mee. This version from Seng Kee Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle comes with thick fish maw soup braised with pork bones and umami-rich dried sole in a claypot. The slurp-worthy noodles are topped with minced pork, pork slices and stewed sliced mushrooms. Worth ordering too, is the boldly flavoured Chilli Crab and Mantou based on the original recipe by the venerable Dragon Phoenix restaurant. This speciality was first dished out by Madam Cher, owner of a humble eatery along a pre-reclamation area in the East Coast in 1956. Decades later, master chef Hooi Kok Wai of Dragon Phoenix decided to dial things up with sambal and eggs to enrich the gravy, resulting in this well-loved version that is served today. We suggest tucking into the succulent crabmeat and tearing up your mantou to mop up the punchy gravy. Another beloved Singapore dish is the Katong Laksa, whose recipe is inspired by the Original Katong Laksa aka Janggut Laksa in Katong, an iconic dish served since the 1950s. Slurp up generously portioned thick rice noodles bathed in a rich broth perfumed with coconut, laksa leaves and dried shrimp. All seven signature dishes are available on the à la carte menu every day from 11.30am to 10pm or as part of the local semi-buffet lunch priced at $38 during weekdays (from 11.30am till 2.30pm) or $42 during weekends and public holidays (11.30am till 4pm). On top of these a la carte items, you can also choose to have the semi-buffet lunch. Lining the counter is a wide selection of local appetisers such as Kueh Pie Tee and Popiah made à la minute. Dessert? What about assorted Nonya Kueh, Cheng Tng or Tau Suan - these sweet treats are changed daily. Weekends get a whole lot better thanks to Lobby Lounge's Heritage Weekend Pop-up Series. Each edition, held on the last weekend of every month (11.30am to 4pm), will shine the spotlight on a local hawker or eatery which showcases their signature at a live station. Kway Guan Huat, a 80 year-old brand that prides itself on ingredients and condiments made by hand, will serve up traditional Popiah and Kueh Pie Tee on 27 and 28 October 2018. The Heritage Weekend Pop-up is available at $48 per person and includes the semi-buffet. Besides lunch, The Lobby Lounge also rolls out afternoon tea. You'll get a Three-Tier Local Signature Set brimming with local delicacies. Enjoy these bites served on Peranakan crockery along with coffee or tea. Alternatively, go local with kopi tarik and teh tarik. Lobby Lounge's elegant and lofty space encourages quiet conversation during your afternoon tea sessions. But on weekends, expect the atmosphere to get more convivial. Whether it's a special occasion, informal catch-up or a friend's birthday party, you can rely on this spot for their attentive service and great local food.

Lobby Level, Tower Wing, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road, S(258350) Tel: 6213 4398 http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/dining/bars-lounges/lobby-lounge/