The Latest Destination for Bagels Isn’t New York. It’s Singapore

There aren’t many foods more synonymous with New York City than bagels. The chewy, dense texture — of authentic, well-made ones — and plethora of schmears and fillings are powering some of the Big Apple’s longest lines these days. It’s an obsession that’s spread from Los Angeles to London and back to Wall Street.

Now, bagels have found a new, loyal fan base a half a world away in Singapore, where they’ve gone from curiosity to a fast-growing business model, drawing crowds, commanding premium prices and spawning a wave of locally adapted versions.

Two Men Bagel House, a local chain that opened in 2014, was among the first to test ...