{
  "id": 10407274,
  "title": "This Singaporean is bringing back the kampung spirit with community void deck dinners",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/this-singaporean-is-bringing-back-the-kampung-spirit-with-community",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T09:09:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/kampung-spirit-community-void-deck-dinners-soup-kitchen-6415096"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Singapore, a 32-year-old man named Mr Ngoh Shian Bang has revived the concept of the kampung spirit through community void deck dinners. By organizing free meals at his Tampines home, Mr Ngoh brings together neighbours, friends, and strangers over a variety of dishes, from chicken and fish to desserts with local flavors like kaya, laksa, and sambal. Each gathering requires about a month of planning, with preparations typically beginning in May. For a recent National Day barbecue, 100 people registered, with 163 more on a waiting list. Mr Ngoh, who studied hospitality at SHATEC, believes in the power of food to bring people together, even across the island. He has since expanded his efforts to Yishun, organizing a pizza party for 90 people. Mr Ngoh's goal is to inspire others across Singapore to create similar community gatherings, emphasizing that food can unite people regardless of their backgrounds.",
  "summary": "Mr Ngoh Shian Bang started by turning his Tampines void deck into a communal dining space, bringing neighbours and strangers together over free food.",
  "key_points": [
    "32-year-old Mr Ngoh Shian Bang revives kampung spirit through void deck dinners.",
    "Organizes free meals at Tampines home, featuring local dishes like kaya and laksa.",
    "Expands efforts to Yishun, hosting pizza party for 90 people."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "This Singaporean is bringing back the kampung spirit with community void deck dinners",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/this-singaporean-is-bringing-back-the-kampung-spirit-with-community-10409196",
        "published": "2026-09-28T09:09:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}