Aug 9 marks Singapore’s National Day, and the little island nation will be celebrating its 59th birthday with the usual bells and whistles in a heart-stirring 2.5-hour-long parade featuring songs, dance and performances by local artists. But you don’t have to catch the show of patriotic fanfare to enjoy what is arguably the most famous part of Singapore’s reputation: its status as a foodie nation! You can explore this side of Singapore right here in Beijing at the Singapore Hawker Festival at JinShang!

If you are not familiar, a hawker center is a congregation of stalls offering a variety of street food from satay (the Malay equivalent of “BBQ meat on a stick”) to Hokkien mee (delicious yellow egg noodles mixed with white rice noodles stir-fried with fish cakes and shrimp in sauce) to carrot cake, which ironically has nothing to do with carrots but everything to do with daikon or “white carrot” instead, and so much more.

Hawking is a great way to celebrate Singapore’s independence, since it was after the nation found its own identity in 1965 that hawker centers begin to grow as a result of the state’s governance of unlicensed, unregulated food hawkers. Today, hawker centers are now celebrated icons of Singapore’s food diversity, as well as a convenient metaphor for the country’s racial diversity. It’s a must-try when you visit the country, though I would try to avoid the newer air-conditioned hawker centers at tourist spots and head for the older ones in the heartlands for cheaper and tastier finds.

On the topic of celebrating your home country’s culture, I always like a reminder of how we as parents can seek to inculcate a spirit of patriotism but not nationalism in our children. What’s the difference? Helpful Professor helpfully replies: “The key difference between nationalism and patriotism is that nationalism is the belief in an exclusionary and insular nation-state, while patriotism is the non-exclusionary love of your own nation. Nationalism is a belief that your nation sits at the top of a hierarchy of nations, while patriotism is inclusive and cooperative.”

Now that we’ve got that cleared up, let’s get down and talk about how you can practically inculcate a spirit of patriotism in your child. Start simple: For younger children below 3, introduce them to the country’s national flag. Draw, color and make your own national flag for them to wave around the house. Then, further their knowledge by looking up the national symbols, particularly the ones in categories your child is interested in. For example, if your child is into animals, look up the national animal. Better yet, visit it at the Beijing Zoo. Don’t forget lesser-known national symbols like the national flower, bird and, in the unique case of America, tree!

Preschool tots should learn the national motto, anthem and pledge. It may be especially hard for expat kids to remember these since they don’t regularly recite them, and even you may need some help jogging your memory! If you’re really on a mission to cultivate patriotism, consider getting the whole family to recite the pledge or sing the anthem every Sunday before dinner, or make it a fun impromptu pop quiz where you randomly ask them to recite it!

To up the ante, regularly read your country’s news with your kids, or at least discuss some key developments with them casually. Follow up by asking what they think and how they feel, paying special attention to make it more relevant by drawing their attention to how the news might affect their friends and relatives back home.

It can be hard for our third-culture kids to connect with their home country (or countries) considering how much time they spend out of it. Never make them feel bad for not identifying with your nation, and deepen their roots through consistent exposure, whether it be through books, videos or even movies made in your country.

KEEP READING: How to Go Keto in Beijing: 5 Places With Keto-Friendly Food

Images: Pexels

Juicy Burger Fest happens this weekend, and we can’t wait to share the fun with you all! We’ve already taken a look at some of the vendors (part 1 & part 2) who’ll be flipping tasty burgers at the fest this weekend, as well as the list of entertainers that we’ve got lined up.

But for parents (especially those with young kids), if you’re still wondering whether this weekend’s Juicy Burger Fest is a kid-appropriate event to be rocking up to with a stroller or a toddler in hand, we’re here to tell you: YES!

We’ve got everything from an epic Dragon Show to the return of our Best Buns competition, an amazing kids’ corner run by Ms Jennifer Studio, live music, dancing, and DJs. This may just be our best Juicy Burger Fest yet!

Get your tickets early by scanning the QR code. Kids 1.4m and below are free before 2pm every day (full price after 2pm). Kids under 1.2m get in for free all day long.

Jingkids Kids Corner with Ms Jennifer Studio

Jingkids will be partnering up with Ms Jennifer Studio to create a special Kids Corner where there will be a range of arts and crafts activities to keep your little ones entertained while parents can relax and fully immerse themselves in the festivities. Remember, kids 1.4m and below are free before 2pm every day (full price after 2pm). Kids under 1.2m get in for free all day long.

Dragon Show

In honor of the dragon theme at this year’s Juicy Burger Fest, there will be a spectacular Dragon Show performed by the Beijing Red Ruixiang Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe. The group was established way back in 2009 and has performed thousands of times over the years. Prepare to be mesmerized by a wild ride of vibrant colors, epic dance moves, and kickass coordination that you definitely don’t want to miss! The Dragon Show will take place every day of the fest at 7pm.

Furry Show

Think you’ve got the cutest pet in Beijing? This Juicy Burger Fest is completely pet friendly and if you’re planning on bringing your furry friend to the fest and think they’re the cutest pet around or have some hidden talents, then the Furry Show is the chance for you to let them strut their stuff! Take to the stage with your best furry pal and show the judges just what they can do. The Furry Show will take place every day of the fest at 3pm.

Pet Zone

As well as a dedicated kids area, at this fest we’ll also have a designated Pet Zone where you can take your furry friends for some fun, games, and socializing. There will also be pet snacks and plenty of water available, because it’s important to keep those pets hydrated in the heat! If you don’t have a pet but are interested in getting one, there will be information here about pet adoption too.

You can check out a full schedule of all the stage activities below.

Aside from the entertainment that we’ve planned, our vendors at the fest will be doing some interactive activities with great prizes up for grabs!

Side Street

Side Street will have a darts board at the fest with prizes in store. Each person has three darts. If you get all three darts on the same number then you win a free burger; get two darts on the same number and you get an RMB 20 coupon! There will also be a Bingo Bonanza, where each person can draw three times for the chance to win good stuff!

Circle Urban

Circle Urban will be bringing back their super popular corn hole competition, which you might remember from Taco Fest. This time around, players can battle it out to win themselves some free food!

BA Burger

BA Burger will have a special Juicy Burger Fest check-in point where if you take a photo there, you can win some great prizes!

Tough Tongue

Tough Tongue will be bringing back their Hard to Get Drunk challenge, where if you finish a beer within eight seconds you win a free cup or can of beer. Finish within six seconds and you get two free cans or cups of beer.

Nashville 

Nashville has a burger-eating challenge where if you finish their massive Nashville Hell Burger – it’s ten inches wide and has a patty weighing 1kg – in 30 minutes then it’s completely free! They’ll also be giving out a free chocolate lipstick dessert to any customer who spends over RMB 100.

Carbon

Carbon will be doing a Mini Pong game, which works similarly to beer pong except you don’t have to down any drinks! Instead there will be three cups filled with water, and competitors have to try and get their ping pong balls into the cups. If you get the ball in one cup you get a small gift, e.g. a keychain. If you get the ball in two cups you get a second small gift like a tote bag or fan. If you get the ball in all three cups you get an RMB 100 coupon!

CAMP4

CAMP4 will have a burger-eating competition where if you can finish one of their burgers within 90 seconds then you get a free burger and two free beers!

Mustard Canteen Bistro

Mustard Canteen Bistro is keeping things simple with their game: If you can finish one of their beers in 20 seconds then it’s free!

Unicorn Shark

Unicorn Shark will be doing a selfie competition where if you buy any of their Unicorn Shark craft beers then take one to three selfies with it at the fest you will win a designer coaster.

Slowboat

Each day of the festival, Slowboat will hold two installments of a beer drinking competition. Six participants will compete to drink a 1L stein of Drink Like a Fish Pilsner through a long straw. The first to finish is the winner!

Famous

Famous will be bringing a wheel of fortune to the fest. Give it a spin, and be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.

Overtone Taproom

Overtone Taproom will have a Discgolf Putting Challenge at the fest. Competitors pay RMB 20 for five discs and have to try and get them in the basket. If you get all five in you get a free beer. Get three in and you get a RMB 10 coupon.

Burges

Burges will be doing a Burger Eating Challenge each day of the festival, where competitors will compete to finish a burger the quickest – you may remember that they did a similar hot dog eating contest at Sausage Fest.

FunYoung

FunYoung will be giving out some prizes for those who can finish a beer in a certain time frame. Rewards include things like a mini burger or a bottle of their Night’s Watch North Old Ale.

Jing-A

Jing-A will be bringing a beanbag game to the fest. In order to play, you can either follow Jing-A on RED or Douyin to get two chances to toss a beanbag or make any purchase from Jing-A and get three chances to toss a beanbag. Prizes up for grabs are Jing-A merch, discount coupons and free beer.

Tsingdao 

Tsingdao will be bringing back their bottoms-up challenge where if you finish a 500ml beer within eight seconds you win a free beer. If you finish within six seconds you win two free beers!

Lipton

Lipton will also be bringing corn hole to the fest. If you manage to throw a beanbag in the hole then you can win a Lipton summer folding fan.

Don’t forget that along with Juicy Burger Fest our Juicy Burger Cup is also in full swing, with the opening round running until noon, Fri, Jun 7. So, if you want to make sure your favorite burger place makes it through to the next round, get voting now by scanning the QR code below!

We’re also still recruiting teen burger aficionados to join our panel of Burger Experts who will pick this year’s Juicy Burger Cup winner. If you think you’ve got what it takes, follow this link.

A Note From Our Sponsor

This year’s Juicy Burger Fest is brought to you by Heinz Selection, and here are a few words from them:

“Heinz Selection was created as an initiative to connect the best local and independent burger houses to consumers worldwide. As of 2023, it has spread to 22 countries around the world, enabling burger restaurants to tempt more fans through their doors. 

Since entering the Chinese market in 2022, it has cooperated with many well-known burger restaurants like Fat Cow, Johnny Moo, Mr. Rocky and others, launching several limited-time-offered burgers like the Christmas Tree Burger, Rainbow Burger or Western Legend Beef Burger. 

As an official brand, Heinz Selection works to benefit a multitude of burger restaurants while also exposing people to the world’s favorite burger sauce. By collaborating with burger restaurants to bring novel and special Western food experiences to them, it also enables customers to learn more about Heinz’s portfolio and their capacity for innovation.”

Juicy Burger Fest 2024 is happening Jun 8-10 from 11am until 9pm at XIDIANJIYI FunsTown. Early bird tickets are RMB 25, VIP tickets are RMB 168 and standard tickets (available at the door) are RMB 30. You can purchase tickets by scanning the QR code in the poster above. 

XIDIANJIYI FunsTown 西店记忆funstown
18 Fangjiacun, Gaobeidian, Chaoyang District
朝阳区高碑店乡方家村甲18号

If you’d like to stay up to date with everything burger-related in the capital, join one of our dedicated Burger Lovers group chats! Simply add TBJHelper on WeChat by scanning the QR code below and request to become a member.

Images: Uni You, the Beijingers