Chinatown might be home to your favourite bar or that hot new restaurant you’ve been eyeing. But most of the time, the neighbourhood is kitschy tourist chic, and one most of us tend to avoid – except for the month leading up to Chinese New Year. The festivities are already in full swing, so here’s our gift to you this holiday – a guide to everything awesome in Chinatown. Happy exploring!
Food
We just have to start with our favourite type of Chinese food, dim sum. We like ours traditional at Red Star Restaurant, dated décor and pushcarts included. The old-school dim sum (we enjoyed the Crispy Yam Dumplings tremendously) amidst a more modern setting can be found at Tak Po (42 Smith Street). Taratata Bistrot dishes out one of the most succulent beef bourguignon and meanest French onion soup in Singapore. For you corporates on the fly, their Express Lunch is served within a speedy 40 minutes. You’ll be surprised to find that even in Chinatown, you can get a taste of proper English pub grub at Oxwell & Co. Nestled in a three-storey heritage shophouse, this British-inspired gastropub was founded by three Englishmen yearning for a taste of home. Expect traditional Brit-styled dishes and some tasty tipples to boot. Burnt Ends specialises in grilled items (as you’d expect) and Chef Dave agonises over the menu daily, so only the best and tastiest is served. The same thing goes on at Restaurant Andre, AKA number 38 of the world’s best restaurants. This Honeycomber has more than a few happy memories of chowing down on awesome zi char (Chinese homestyle cuisine) at the nostalgic golden oldie, Tong Ah Eating House (35 Keong Saik Road). Porridge aficionados (and supper club members), Tiong Shian Porridge (265 New Bridge Road) does excellent Cantonese-style congee and Chinese-styled fish carpaccio. People’s Park Cooked Food Centre (32 New Market Road) is chock full of local food, but Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo Mee (#01-1114) is our favourite (noodles with tofu stuffed with fish paste).
Bars
If you’re looking for a place with chic cocktails for impressing on a first date, hit up The Library (just remember to get the password from Keong Saik Snacks next door). Spend your Wednesday nights at Lime House – Singapore’s only Caribbean restaurant and bar is totally sublime with its 1-for-3 rum punch deals (which actually do pack a punch). But if it’s a night out with the guys, The Good Beer Company in Chinatown Complex Food Centre has more than 15 different types of craft beer, and even Singapore-brewed Jungle Beer Easy English on tap – ’nuff said. Big fan of ramen? Head to izakaya Mariko’s on Jiak Chuan Road for a bowl of goodness and order a couple of great cocktails to go with your ramen. At the People’s Park Complex’s rooftop carpark you’ll find Lepark, one of the latest additions to the Chinatown bar scene. Don’t let the peculiar venue fool you, this hip industrial chic tapas bar serves up some killer Asian-inspired dishes and a plethora of craft beers. Must tries include the salted egg yolk soft crab sliders.
Cafes
Have a craving for waffles? The Loft Café will solve your problems. Get your coffee and brunch fix sorted out at Free The Robot and you’ll get to meet their resident pup, Bailey (such a cutie!). Coffee lovers who’d rather more traditional coffee can grab a fortifying cup of kopi at Nanyang Old Coffee at South Bridge Road. If you’re looking for another way to sweeten your day, Mei Heong Yuen has good traditional Chinese desserts and a range of shaved ice sweet treats to cool down. Rather a spot of tea? Get your Chinese tea leaves from Pek Sin Choon, one of the most established tea merchants in Singapore.
Shopping
If you’re looking for textiles, buttons, costume jewellery and the like, check out People’s Park Complex (level 2) – this place is DIY heaven. Up (or down) the road is Rose Citron if you intend to get new togs for the littlies or new furnishings for the house. Want to doll up for your Lunar New Year celebrations but don’t want to get into a cheongsam? Pick out a gorgeous cocktail dress from MYthology‘s curated selection of women’s clothes and accessories from independent Asian labels. And of course, you can’t miss Yue Hwa Chinese Products on Eu Tong Sen Road; it’s your go-to emporium for all things Chinese – handicrafts, porcelain, furniture, herbs, and loads more. Lastly for the kitchen buffs, Sia Huat occupies three shop spaces along Temple Street, and supplies top-grade kitchen tools to restaurants and hotels. Everything from Cole and Mason to KitchenAid can be found here.
Beauty
We can’t think of an occasion in life where nails don’t matter, so get your digits done at the cozy Nail Alcove. We love the Organic Wild Thyme Foot Scrub and the whimsical nail art they came up with (on the spot) that was perfect with the rest of the ensemble! If a foot scrub ain’t enough, the trained foot reflexologists at Bath Culture Foot Therapy specialize in ancient kneading techniques that are used in combination with herbal remedies. Looking for some pampering down time with your partner? AFOND Spa is the place to go.
Museums
Once the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore, Fu Tak Chi Museum now displays over 200 artefacts donated by former residents of Chinatown. The building is one of the area’s finest examples of restored architecture. A hop away is the Chinatown Heritage Centre, filled with recreations from the late-19th century and early-20th century. This authentic slice of Singapore history is all the more fascinating due to the presence of glinting skyscrapers just a few blocks away.
Recreation
Chinatown has more than its fill of sleazy karaoke joints. Family-friendly and incredible value for money, 10 Dollar Club kinda sticks out like a sore thumb. But $10 for 3 hours to sing your heart out and free flow (non-boozy) drinks? We’re so there. Reality room escape games are all the rage right now, and one of the most popular in Singapore, Exit Plan, is in Chinatown. We’re no Houdini, but the different rooms they have – Zombie Apocalypse, The Mad Scientist, and Dizzy Me – sound pretty enticing.