Discovering Insights Beyond the Plate
Mark Wiens, like many content creators, embodies a blend of roles. His website features an extensive narrative about his culinary journey, but I’ll distill it down to one sentence: he’s a gentle, nomadic foodie with millions of YouTube subscribers.
In his videos, there’s a unique rhythm that sets him apart from typical lifestyle YouTubers. While many food vloggers rely on flashy edits, drone footage, and smooth transitions, Mark, based in Thailand, follows a more down-to-earth approach reminiscent of Jamie Oliver. He possesses a quiet charisma that doesn’t crave constant attention from viewers.
It’s evident from his videos that Mark has a genuine passion for food. He enjoys discussing it, sharing meals with both old and new friends, and giving dishes the attention they deserve. He can embark on a full-day food tour without missing a beat. If you watch enough of his content, you’ll quickly pick up on whether he truly enjoys the food, which proves valuable as you navigate his recent culinary adventures in Singapore.
Not Spicy, Not Eating
As one of the leading food travel YouTubers globally, this isn’t Mark’s first exploration of Singapore’s cuisine. He’s almost become a local, though he doesn’t seem particularly fond of Tian Tian Chicken Rice.
As Singaporeans, we appreciate when someone with international recognition highlights our cherished food culture. While he may not possess the poetic touch of Anthony Bourdain—who celebrated the cultural significance of dishes—Mark’s focus lies elsewhere.
His straightforward method consists of finding a dining spot, ordering various dishes, and capturing his reactions on camera. This wholesome formula has garnered him over 9 million YouTube subscribers.
What insights does he offer about our food? While he doesn’t present anything particularly groundbreaking, his genuine effort to embrace multiculturalism shines through as he showcases Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines.
Perhaps food reviews on YouTube don’t need to be profound or intense; sometimes, viewers just want to consume content or experience the joys of eating vicariously. Yet, beneath his enthusiastic reactions and closed-eye savoring of first bites, there are unexpected lessons to glean from Mark’s videos on Singaporean cuisine.
Reflect on Your Food Choices
“I really love tendons,” Mark expresses multiple times while enjoying a $4 bowl of beef brisket egg noodles at Chinatown Complex. In a wide shot, he playfully lifts and drops the “springy” egg noodles, thoughtfully discussing what makes this meal one of his favorites. Throughout the meal, he highlights what brings joy to the dish.
His approach echoes the principles of ‘mindful eating,’ a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) tool designed to reconnect the mind and body regarding food. The guidelines are simple yet essential for cultivating presence in daily life: eat attentively, check in with your hunger levels, slow down, and appreciate your food.
Disconnect from Devices
In his video exploring “the best chili crab in Singapore,” Mark dives into our iconic dish with the help of a local guide. His friend, Ray Tan from Daisy’s Dream Kitchen, emphasizes that enjoying chili crab is a communal experience, a “feasting occasion.” This insight indirectly advocates for putting your phone on airplane mode during meals.
Chili crab requires hands-on engagement—cracking shells, peeling tender meat, and soaking up sauce—making it challenging to navigate while distracted by your phone, which often demands constant attention.
Resist the urge to use your phone during meals; it detracts from the joy of good food enjoyed in great company.
Discover New Delights in the Familiar
Singapore is compact, and at times it feels as though you know every corner of the island. During the pandemic, many of us experienced a sense of confinement, feeling as if we had exhausted all options within a few months.
Mark’s video on ‘street food in Singapore’ serves as a reminder that there’s always more to uncover. Even in familiar places like your go-to hawker center, there’s often a hidden stall waiting to be explored. Why not give it a chance?
On one of his culinary adventures, Mark visited Hong Seng Curry Rice in Redhill, enjoyed fried Hokkien prawn mee in Geylang, and snacked at Original Vadai in Joo Chiat.
Mark Wiens’ culinary journeys subtly encourage us to slow down and reflect. There are countless delightful experiences awaiting us if we take the time to look for them. Even if the food isn’t spicy, just savor the experience.
