Jobs

We love to take in the local culture whenever possible on our business trips, and recently we got to explore the Yu Garden (Yuyuan) in Shanghai. Located in the Old City, this area includes a beautiful garden and a massive, stimulating bazaar.  It’s an absolute must when visiting Shanghai, and we want to share nine recommendations for what to do when you visit: 1. Read About the History: Yu Garden was built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty. 2. Skip the American Franchises: Do yourself a favor and don’t visit the US franchises. They’re on every corner here, but there are more unique places to try. 3. Eat Soup Dumplings: Such a delicious treat —drink it, then eat it! 4. Buy Souvenirs: Everywhere you look, you’ll see all sorts of interesting souvenirs to purchase. 5. Walk the Pond Bridge: It’s crowded, but it’s a cool experience! 6. Visit the City of God Temple: Whether you’re religious or not, this temple is very interesting. Swing by, show respect and take in the sights. 7. See the Black Market: While we value originality, it’s still interesting to see all the fake products for sale here. 8. Drink Tea: There’s so much great tea for sale here, and it’s good for you too! 9. Try All the Food Stand Stands: Tucked between the franchises like McDonald’s and Burger King are the tastiest food stands. Yu Garden can be a stimulus overload, but with this handy guide, you’ll be able to enjoy this exciting area!

If you know us, you know we love to indulge in local cuisine when traveling for work, and one of the best places to do that is in Singapore. This bustling Southeast Asian city-state has fabulous hawker centers, which are essentially food courts or street markets full of food and drink that incorporate flavors from all over Southeast Asia and India. Our CEO and Co-Founder George Stroumboulis recently had a couple hours to kill after a meeting in Singapore before heading back to the airport, so he checked out the Market Street Hawker Centre, a staple in the center of Singapore’s business district. With over 300 vendors to choose from and so many tasty dishes at affordable prices, you can’t go wrong. George tried a little bit from several vendors to try to get a full sampling of the cuisine, and it was all delicious! Singapore has incredible food markets that display the vibrancy of the country’s cuisine, and we highly recommend you check one out if you find yourself in Singapore. 

The amazing city-state of Singapore is not only a financial hub and an important market for ideoli’s business; it’s also a foodie’s paradise! This Southeast Asian island may be small in square footage, but it has some of the best food and drink in the world that invigorate us when we travel there for work. With its history as a trading port and British colony and its many cultural influences such as Chinese, Malay and Indian, Singapore has a unique food scene, and you can get amazing meals at its famous hawker markets where small vendors churn out big flavors.  Five of our favorite dishes or drinks to indulge in include: 1. Chili Crab:Calling all seafood lovers! You must try Singaporean chili crab, one of the most famous dishes in the country. This dish usually uses mud crabs stir-fried in a sweet, savory and slightly spicy tomato and chili sauce. 2. Hainanese Chicken Rice: Another one of Singapore’s most famous dishes is Hainanese chicken rice, which comes from immigrants from the Hainan province in China. This dish centers around chicken and rice, where the rice is cooked using some of the stock the chicken was poached in, giving it a delicious flavor. The chicken and rice are then served together with a chili and garlic dipping sauce, as well as usually soy sauce and fresh ginger. 3. Bak Kut Teh: If you’re looking for a hearty meal, dive into a bowl of Bak Kut Teh, which translates to meat bone tea. Although there’s no tea in this dish, you’ll enjoy pork ribs cooked in a complex, herb-infused broth. 4. Kopi O: In addition to food, Singapore has many famous drinks, with Kopi O being one of our favorites. It’s a simple drink—just coffee with sugar—but it’s invigorating, and Singapore has a great coffee culture that you don’t want to miss out on. 5. Bandung: As a company that focuses on design, we appreciate beautiful products, and bandung is one of the prettiest drinks you’ll find in Singapore. This beverage, which is also popular in neighboring countries, consists of either evaporated or condensed milk with rose cordial syrup, giving it a beautiful pink color that’s totally Instagram-worthy. Next time you’re in Singapore, try one of these amazing dishes or drinks, and let us know what you think!