Shop and eat to your heart's content without flying to Thailand at Artbox Singapore.
To the fans of this much-loved food festival – you won’t have to pack your bags and jet set to Bangkok because Artbox Singapore returns next year! For the uninitiated, think of Artbox as a pasar malam, except the number of stalls is scaled way up. Hosted over the course of two weekends (26 to 28 January and 2 to 4 February), you’ll want to set aside your whole day to explore this event. Street food stalls, shops selling vintage fare, artisanal crafts, and more will entertain you for hours!
Artbox Singapore 2024: Explore, dine, and shop
The 2024 details at a glance
The night market will take over the entirety of Singapore Expo Hall 2, transporting a taste of the wonderful world of Bangkok onto our little island. This time, every “street” will feature a different culture. Expect lanes focusing on the US, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand. Roving activities, cultural performances, dances, and dedicated activity zones will also be around to keep you entertained.
Let’s not forget the food. We hear that there’ll be over 100 F&B stalls around the hall serving up an array of cuisines from all over the world. It’s also worth noting that Artbox is a ticketed event, so be sure to purchase them before heading down.
Bring on The Beam of Sia Lah Damn Pain
Who remembers the slew of people making their way towards the stage where an unsuspecting beam awaited? The public, celebrities, and influencers alike felt the burn of the notorious Beam of Pain from Artbox’s 2023 event. Covered in acupuncture mats, contestants ran in desperation to clear the 15-metre-long obstacle in the fastest time possible. Now, the team’s brought in a new challenger – the Beam of Sia Lah Damn Pain. We’re looking forward to the new obstacle – bet it’s no easy feat! On the plus side, there’s a cash prize of $888 for the fastest contestant.
Artbox 2024: Food stalls you must visit
1. Kobashi
As we predicted, Kobashi is making its triumphant return to Artbox. The team will be bringing in troves of freshly baked pastries all available on site. Baked in batches, breads and other bakes from Kobashi are high quality and oh-so delicious. We can’t wait to grab boxes of its signature sourdo’nuts that come rolled in sugar or filled with chocolate.
Kobashi
2. Perghchicks
Perghchicks specialises in all things ayam percik. What’s that, you might ask? It’s a roasted chicken dish that gets doused in a rich and savoury sauce that goes perfectly with a bowl of rice. Now, it’s bringing its signature recipe from Kelantan to Artbox. Our recommendation is to prepare tons of tissues because it’ll be a potentially messy affair. But it’s so worth it.
Perghchicks
3. Bao Da Your Ex
A name like that certainly catches your attention, cause it caught ours. If you need to have your thirst quenched, seek out this stall for cups full of smashed ice lemon Thai tea. We hear that the queues last year were insanely long, a testament to how good this iced tea must be. Get there early to grab yourself a cup and bring it around with you to make sure you stay hydrated while you shop.
Bao Da Your Ex
4. Carv Butchery
This artisanal butchery is known for its selection of cured meats, hams, sausages, cheeses, and even handcrafted butter. It’s now venturing out of Toa Payoh to bring us its delicious offerings in the east! Based on the team’s last few pop-ups, we’re expecting steaks, ribs, fries, coleslaw, and wings to be on the menu.
Carv Butchery
5. Gyushi
Flavourful and nutritious donburis await you at Gyushi’s stall. Fluffy rice is topped with premium wagyu beef, fresh seafood, and other savoury add ons like mentaiko and truffle sauce. It’s sweet, salty, and umami all in one mouthful. Remember to order the onsen egg for a wonderfully runny yolk to coat those pieces of meat.
Gyushi
6. Bishoku
If this brand seems familiar to you, it’s probably for a good reason. Bishoku is best known for its truffle aioli and mentaiko mayo, sauces that are formulated in-house and made fresh every week. We love the mentaiko mayo torched on top of a fried chicken cutlet. Our fingers are crossed that bottles of these divine sauces will be on sale cause we’re gonna buy it all in bulk.
Bishoku
7. No Time Hot Pot
Who says you can’t enjoy some hotpot while browsing the stores at this year’s Artbox? No Time is known for its mini hotpot cups that are as convenient as they are delicious. And you don’t have to worry about decision paralysis when picking ingredients! Simply pick a size and it’ll get doused in delicious hot broth.
No Time Hot Pot
8. Sugar Belly Sg
Sweet treats are abundant when Sugar Belly Sg is around. You’ll find a number of innovative bakes here, including the signature brownie sable which is a brownie wrapped in a buttery cookie. We hear that the newly launched pon de ring mochi donuts will be making an appearance at the booth. Grab them in flavours like strawberry, chocolate, and speculoos.
Sugar Belly Sg
9. Chai O Clock Sg
Everyone knows that a good chai is hard to find but lucky for us, Chai O Clock Sg is here to save the day. The masala tea is delicious and pairs perfectly with any of the treats you’ll find at the stall. The team is best known for their pani puri, which is a must try in our books.
Chai O Clock Sg
10. Picanhas Steakhouse
Picanhas Steakhouse may have opened during the peak of the pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped it from taking Singapore by storm. The signature Picanha steak attracts many diners to its location at Club Street. It’s not just about the food, but the service and hospitality. Despite not having a full service kitchen, you can still expect mouth-watering steaks at an affordable price point.
Picanhas Steakhouse
Artbox 2024: Shop clothes, art, and fun souvenirs
11. Jelly Caricature
If you want to commemorate your time at Artbox, we can think of no better way than getting a caricature done. Jelly Caricature’s team of artists will be onsite to provide live drawings of you in their classic manga style. Feeling a little shy? Don’t worry, because you can walk away with keychains, pins, and coasters instead.
Jelly Caricature
12. Kueh Clouds
Started by couple PQ and Stella, Kueh Clouds is a treasure trove of custom items. What started as digital illustrations soon turned into a growing collection of beaded accessories. You’ll find colourful and charming phone straps, bracelets, and even a selection of t-shirts.
Kueh Clouds
13. Mistgold
Nothing classes up an outfit more than a little hint of gold. If you’re missing a key statement piece for your next outfit, look no further than Mistgold. This brand started in 1990 in Yishun run by a tightly-knit family. Now, it takes a classy and modern take to gold jewellery with aesthetically pleasing designs and silhouettes.
Mistgold
14. Bask in the Glow
Handcrafted and hand-poured candles created in small batches? Count us in. Sometimes all it takes is an uplifting scent to put you in a better mood, and it’s even better with diffusers and candles as pretty as this. We’re in love with the diffusers carved into intricate flowers, so pretty. Psst: if you can’t drop by, you can always order a few on the website. There’s even customisation available!
Bask in the Glow
15. Oatcrafts
To satiate her urge to create, Crystal started Oatcrafts during the peak of the pandemic in 2020. While she’s an illustrator full time, she uses Oatcrafts to explore art in other mediums. Think the likes of polymer clay earrings, shrink plastic keychains, and ceramics, all with adorable characters.
Oatcrafts
16. Hey Happy Puff
For anyone in need of some new funky decor to jazz your home up for the new year, Hey Happy Puff is the perfect place to visit. This lifestyle concept store is a one-stop shop for your home, little ones, plants, and self-care. For Artbox, it’s bringing down some of its best-selling items like the Noodoll ricemonsters, hair accessories, and other things perfect for Chinese New Year.
Hey Happy Puff
17. Salipuma
In another life, we feel like we’d be a chubby black cat. If you feel the same way, then you’ll probably love all the merch from Salipuma. Inspired by the artist’s very own furbaby, you’ll find a black cat featured in quirky stickers, charms, and keychains.
Salipuma
18. Artomaii
Digital, minimalist, acrylic, and textured paintings are the name of the game for Artomaii. These stylish and unique pieces of decor are sure to become your favourite statement piece. Whether in your home or office, these paintings are gorgeous in every space.
Artomaii
19. Babi
If you’re missing a taste of South Korea, we’re happy to report that Babi will be onsite at Artbox this year. Hailing from Korea, this brand sells pre-packed Jeju-based convenience food. We hear that the ready-to-heat pork cutlets are a dream.
Babi
20. Octopus Studio
You can’t have too many shirts with adorable animals on them, we say. Thankfully, Octopus Studio is here to provide us with exactly that. Flying in straight from Bangkok, you’ll get to add button-ups, t-shirts, caps, and bucket hats with adorable critters embroidered on them.
Octopus Studio
Artbox Singapore, 26 – 28 January and 2 – 4 February 2024, 12pm – 11pm, $6 per ticket on Fridays & $7 per ticket on Saturdays and Sundays, Singapore Expo Hall 2, 1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150
