The street food guide book Makansutra (makan is Bahasa for eating and sutra is Pali for guide or lessons), was born in July 1998. It was the brainchild (one big and hungry child still), of professional photographer KF Seetoh. After 15 years of pounding the world's streets on all sorts of assignments, it became no secret to him that the route to every human or huwoman's heart was via the stomach. Any day's worth of assignment was, by unconscious default, a great excuse to an hour's worth of eating adventure. Be it bak kut teh (pork ribs tea) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or grilled mud crabs in Yaowarat, Bangkok, it was always a joy. And after more than a decade of eating with the fussiest and working with the hungriest ( and sometimes cheapo-est ), he sat down by his then brand new Pentium PC and collected and collated, on dbase files no less, all the priceless little information of who, what, where, why and when's of eating out economically and in style in Singapore. Makansutra became a popular guide for great hawker fare and excellent fair priced restaurants. Food can be found by alphabetical order or by geography in the guide.

Here at Makansutra, our philosophy to makan is primeval - it should be worth every cent paid, taste good or fantastic and the experience should be memorable. Your health is your baby so you should take care of it but don't deprive yourself or abstain from enjoying good food. In our community site here at Makansutra, we will give you a healthy dose of well-being stories and information.

Our Makanmatas (Food Police, if you will), are essentially the backbone of our culture. These folks come from all walks of life around the world to answer this call when Makansutra was initiated by Seetoh in 1995. They have similar philosophies to good eating. Wherever they go…whenever they are lost, the landmark of a great eating spot nearby always spring to mind as a lost soul beacon that beckons. Some he never knew before and some are basically yaokwees (hungry aliens) but they have now become great kakis (buddies) sharing a great phenomenon called …Food! Well, this phenomenon is our culture, which stems from the passion and love of our food culture. Their enthusiasm of sharing this vice is addictive. Be it the enjoyment of al fresco satay at East Coast or decadence at Shrooms Restaurant. They now basically eat for free for Makansutra.

The selection process of every listing and recommendation in Makansutra is one fussy process as well. EVERY DISH RECOMMENDED IS VOTED IN AND CONFIRMED BY AT LEAST 3 OTHER MAKANMATAS, before it can see the light of day.

Of course disagreements rule almost every comment, and taste is subjective, but that is a part of what the Makansutra culture is all about. Come be a part of this culture.