With this comprehensive things-to-do itinerary in Tiong Bahru’s top attractions and hidden gems, you may explore the hidden alleyways and bustling streets on foot while taking in its heritage and cultural sights. Have fun exploring!

1. MURALS HUNT. These carefully crafted murals echo the familiar stories of life in HDB estates, sending a wave of nostalgia that is sure to strike a chord with many Singaporeans. The street art in Tiong Bahru is an artistic way to explore Singapore’s past across the last four decades. Local artist Yip Yew Chong designed several murals here to capture glimpses of the nation’s bygone days, some even making use of his personal family items. Some murals are the “Bird Corner” mural at Seng Poh Road, which tells the tale of bird singing competitions that were one held every week at Tiong Bahru. Other installations you can find are “Home”, where you can ‘check in’ on a local’s home and “Provision Shop”. To find out more about the backstory of these murals, click here: https://yipyc.com/blog/2016/11/11/the-story-of-ycs-tiong-bahru-murals/

2. EMBARK ON QUAINT LITTLE SHOPS @ TIONG BAHRU TOUR. Seek inspiration by exploring one of Singapore’s oldest housing district with an intriguing mix of old and new. From quaint little shops to hipster cafes and iconic murals, Tiong Bahru is a treasure trove of inspiration. In one of Singapore’s oldest housing district, the charming way where traditional merges with the new makes this an interesting place to spend your time. Let Tribe help you to discover Singapore the artsy way where we visit shops with absolute local flair.

Float into this art trail and understand the Singapore art scene. Appreciate the art deco architecture while learning about Singapore’s housing story. Go mural hunting and visit traditional businesses to discover what life was like in the 1970s. Immerse into dainty books and words of local writers, poets and artists who help uncover more of local lifestyles and mannerisms through the beauty of literature. Do a local food crawl to discover Singaporean’s favourite passion and local flavours. Let this 2.5 hours tour be filled with endless beautiful little things and memories! https://tribe-tours.com/product/quaint-little-shops-tiong-bahru/

3. MONKEY GOD TEMPLE. The Tiong Bahru Qi Tian Gong (齐天宫), more popularly known as the Tiong Bahru Monkey God Temple, was founded in 1920 in a small attap hut located within a taro garden just across Eng Hoon Street. At this temple, you can see more than ten statues of the Monkey God, the oldest of which is almost a century old. The trustees of this Temple claim that this was the very first temple in Singapore dedicated to the worship of the Monkey God. Look out for Uncle Lim, the chatty temple caretaker who’ll tell you all about the Monkey God and its many different incarnations. Visit this unique temple and learn more about its history!

4. PRE-WAR AIR RAID SHELTER. The air raid shelter at Blk 78 Guan Chuan Street occupies an area of 1,500 sqm and it could accommodate up to an estimated 1,600 persons. It is also believed to be the site for the Air Raid Precaution Wardens’ depot. It is is significant because it is the only public housing building by the Singapore Improvement Trust to have been built with an air raid shelter as part of its design and is the last remaining pre-war civilian air raid shelter still in existence today. Visit this iconic location and snap some pictures for memory!

Lastly, end off your exploration in this quaint neighbourhood with 3 must-eats!

1. TIONG BAHRU BAKERY. Couldn’t resist scrumptious viennoiseries and pastries? Be sure to check out Tiong Bahru Bakery –  A Stylish French Bakery in Singapore. Local cafe aficionados will be familiar with this beloved bakery brand, which started as a single bustling cafe in the hip neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru in 2012, and now has several outlets. Its kouign amann pastries are legendary, and its coffee and artisanal breads are hand-crafted with French flour and butter, while boasting local flair and quirky flavours. Head down now to grab some of these French pastries or decent Australian-style brunch!

2. LOO’S HAINANESE CURRY RICE. Operating since 1946, Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice at Tiong Bahru has become an all-time favourite of families generations after generations. The key to Loo’s is their moreish curry which takes three days to prepare.  The first day is spent preparing fresh herbs like blue ginger, tumeric, shallots and lemongrass which have to be peeled and ground into a paste.  The next day, these are then slowly fried to make the rempah which is then used to make the curry sauce on day three. Head down early to choose from dishes such as Dark Soy Sauce Stewed Pork, Crispy Pork Chop, Sambal Sotong, Sambal Prawns, Curry Chicken, Chap Chye (cabbage) and more as many of the popular food items generally get sold out by 1pm or so.

3. JIAN BO SHUI KUEH. Talk about Tiong Bahru Food Centre, and one of the must-visit stalls would be Jian Bo Shui Kueh. For tourists, the “Shui Kueh” or more commonly known as “Chwee Kueh” is a hawker dish of steamed rice cakes topped with chye poh (preserved radish) and accompanying chilli sauce. You can also find Jian Bo as kiosks in malls such as Nex, Century Square, and Seletar Mall. But it hits different to savour this at its original stall, make your way down to try this now!

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The word ‘kampong’ means “compound in Malay, while “glam” refers to the long-leaved paperbark tree, commonly found in the area and used for boat-making, medicine and even as a seasoning for food. The district has a history that dates back to Singapore’s colonial era, when Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the area to the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities. Since then, the area has evolved into a haunt for hip travellers and connoisseurs of culture alike.

With this comprehensive things-to-do itinerary in Kampong Glam’s top attractions and hidden gems, you may explore the hidden alleyways and bustling streets on foot while taking in its heritage and cultural sights. Have fun exploring!

1. HAJI LANE. Besides being a foodie paradise, Kampong Glam is home to both traditional tradesmen and trendy modern retail. Make a beeline for Haji Lane to lose yourself in a world of multi-coloured street art and hip boutiques. You’ll find uniquely Singaporean trinkets at Craft Assembly, home décor and elegant accessories at Hygge and beautifully crafted jewellery at the Silver Triangle. Visit various cool boutiques, bars, cafes and restaurants that rank high on the hip factor – and let’s not forget the street art. While you’re there, remember to take some insta worthy pictures too!

2. EMBARK ON #INSTAWALK: BUGIS, WATERLOO, KAMPONG GLAM TOUR. Get your smartphone ready and join us on Singapore’s first and only Instagram tour! Instagram-worthy shots are the rage for generating interest in new places discovered. A great Insta shot becomes a massive draw for locals and travellers alike and can transform a place, destination, food find, or street into cult status. This was the inspiration behind our #Instawalks series where our walks are carefully crafted to seek out hidden nooks and crannies and uncover gems unbeknownst to the average Joe. Join us in discovering Singapore in a novel and fun way together with our friendly influencers as they generously share tips, and unknown spots to capture the finest shots of SG now! https://tribe-tours.com/product/instagram-tour-bugis/

3. GELAM GALLERY. With new dustbins, renovated drain covers and freshly painted walls, the back lanes of Muscat Street have been rejuvenated for the first outdoor gallery in Singapore, Gelam Gallery! Using the walls at the back of the shophouses as canvases, the nondescript back lanes of Muscat Street that were once used only for delivery and refuse disposal have been given a transformational makeover. This extraordinary outdoor gallery will showcase murals and framed works of more than 30 artists from different backgrounds, newly graduated students from NAFA and LASALLE College of the Arts, and experienced local and foreign artists. Here is a guide for all the 32 wall arts around, explore them now! https://www.theadmin.sg/gelam-gallery

4. EMBARK ON INSTAHUNT @ HAJI LANE QUEST. Want to solve some puzzles while exploring the area? Up your excitement factor by embarking on this self-guided quest! Download the Questeon app and search for “Instahunt @ Haji Lane”. Discover various hidden gems like the Vintage Camera Museum, Bhai Sarbat and more, at your own pace and time! A great activity idea with your friends and partners!

With such a variety of bars, restaurants, cafes and food stops, end off your exploration with 3 must-eats!

1. ALATURKA TURKISH & MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT. Alaturka is a friendly restaurant in the heart of Bussorah Street that is renowned for its authentic Turkish cuisine. For 15 years, they have been serving high-quality interpretations of classic dishes as well as tasty new ventures into uncharted territories of Turkish food. They were also awarded the Michelin Guide Singapore Bib Gourmand in 2016 and continue to work hard to bring Singapore an authentic taste of Turkey coupled with exemplary hospitality and ambience. If you would like to try some authentic Turkish cuisine, head down now!

2. SINGAPORE ZAM ZAM. Established in 1908, Singapore Zam Zam is one of the most popular Indian-Muslim restaurants in Singapore. Opens 7 days a week, this place is famous for perfecting Nasi biryani, Murtabak, Roti prata and many other dishes for over a century! The restaurant is located right across the street from Sultan Mosque, on the corner of Arab Street and Bridge Road, just a short walk from the Bugis area of Singapore. It is one of those restaurants that looks like it’s really small from the bottom floor but go up the flight of stairs to the right, and there’s an entire upstairs with multiple dining rooms and about 30 extra tables in an air-conditioned environment.

3. BAKES BY NY. With 4 outlets islandwide, Bakes by NY has just opened its newest outlet at Sultan Gate in Kampong Glam. Besides its central location, the new outlet also sells exclusive items. You can’t head to any Bakes by NY’s outlets without trying their stuffed donuts! From nutella to salted caramel, ondeh-ondeh, Biscoff and more, their donuts are chewy with generous amounts of filling. The highlight of this new outlet is none other than their Drip Donuts! These are small morsels of donuts dripped with your choice of sauces – from dark chocolate to matcha, dulce de leche (caramelised milk), white chocolate, crushed cornflakes and more. This will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth cravings and is a great way to end your meal!

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With this comprehensive things-to-do itinerary in Little Indias’s top attractions and hidden gems, you may explore the hidden alleyways and bustling streets on foot while taking in its heritage and cultural sights. Have fun exploring!

1. SRI VEERAMAKALIAMMAN TEMPLE. Step into one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali. This distinctive landmark has fascinating stories to tell of colonial Singapore. From its earliest days, it was linked with early migrant workers from India, who would have worshipped the goddess to feel safe in a new foreign land. During the Japanese air raids in World War II, many people sought physical refuge at the temple as well as prayed for Kali’s protection. As luck—or fate—would have it, the temple and all its statues escaped the bombings unscathed. With its colourful and intricate statues and detailing, the temple remains one of the most spectacular places of worship in Singapore.

2. EMBARK ON SPICE OF LIFE TOUR. Get your taste buds going and let us learn from our Little India resident experts. We’re on a gastronomical adventure to Spice up your life in Little India’s vibrant hub of flavors. Join us on this walking food tour of Little India to demystify spices, be dazzled by the colourful ingredients that go into Indian dishes, eat to our hearts content and gain a wealth of knowledge about the amazing cuisine and culture here! https://tribe-tours.com/product/spice-of-life-little-india/

3. WALL MURALS. Stroll along streets and back alleys and your eyes will be drawn to extravagant murals showcasing Singapore’s colourful past. With murals such as ‘Working Class Hero‘, ‘A Ride through Race Course Road‘, ‘Madan Mogra, Jasmine of the City‘ and many more, a must visit is the ‘Traditional Trades of Little India’ by Psyfool. This mural depicts some of the traditional trades that were commonly practiced by Indians in the Serangoon area. Try to spot some! Hint: a parrot astrologer who used parrots to pick fortunes, a flower garland vendor who made fragrant flower chains, a dhobi (washerman), a milk delivery man and a kacang putih seller. Fun fact: Did you know that Dhoby Ghaut was actually named after the dhobis – washermen and women? Now you know!

4. FORMER HOUSE OF TAN TENG NIAH. Built in 1900, this is the last surviving Chinese villa in Little India. It embodies an often overlooked story of the days when small Chinese industries operated alongside the cattle and rattan businesses at Little India. Tan Teng Niah was a towkay (Chinese businessman of good standing) who owned several sweet-making factories along Serangoon Road that used sugarcane to produce sweets. Visit this colourful villa and take a look at the five-foot way and richly carved pintu pagar (Malay for “swinging wooden half doors”). Remember to take some pictures for the gram while you’re there too!

5. EMBARK ON THE DOLL TOUR. Are you daring enough to take on the challenge to help the Ferryman free the spirit of The Doll? A policeman from the netherworld, aka The Ferryman, needs your help to locate the scattered body parts of the Japanese doll. Only with the parts as a whole, can the spirit of the doll be freed. You must work fast by following the clues, stories and instructions given by the Ferryman as he communicates with the spirits around us. The body parts have been disguised as ingredients, food, artefacts etc, and you will need to perform tasks to get them. If you’re a brave soul, gather your squad and join us today! https://tribe-tours.com/product/the-doll-little-india/

Last but foremost, fill your tummy with these top 3 must-eats to end your exploration!

1. BANANA LEAF APOLO. This is no stranger to the Indian food scene in Singapore. A hotspot for Indian cuisine lovers, offering a mix of North and South Indian fare. They believe in serving all their dishes on banana leaves, a traditional way of serving food in India. Their signature Apolo Fish Head Curry is a must-order, served with a large fish head swimming in a pool of robust curry gravy. Plant-based diners, you don’t have to feel left out, with the Vegetable Fried Rice that makes for a substantial main.

2. INDIAN EXPRESS. Need some spice? Drop by Indian Express. It’s Michelin-starred Song of India’s second concept space. Meat eaters, go all in with the tandoori mix grill platter that’s topped with a big fat lamb chop, fish, chicken tikka, kebabs and a bowl of lip-smacking mint chutney. If you’re going with a vegetarian friend, be sure to order the masala chaat fries or the Punjabi samosas and double down on Indian street food!

3. MOGHUL SWEET SHOP. Fair warning if you have a sweet tooth! This sweet shop at Little India Arcade is probably the Indian version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. It serves a variety of authentic North Indian sweets including gulab jamun, motichoor ladoo, and dodah burfis, just to name a few. It’s a grab ‘n go kinda spot so you can take away all you want. Best to go during off-peak hours (especially before or after the lunch crowd) to avoid snaking queues.

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With this comprehensive things-to-do itinerary in Katong’s top attractions and hidden gems, you may explore the hidden alleyways and bustling streets on foot while taking in its heritage and cultural sights. Have fun exploring!

1. WALL MURALS. There are various murals scattered around the heart of Katong. Most of them are a result of the Katong Joo Chiat Art Circuit (KJC Art Circuit) organised by The Admin SG and commissioned by the Singapore Tourism Board to revitalise this area. One of the must-visit mural is High Tide by Helen Le Chatelier with poems by Christina Chia to reflect the flooding that once plagues this area. In the past, residents had to contend with flooding in their homes and schools whenever the nearby Geylang River brimmed over during high tide or the rainy season. Tanjong Katong flooded six to ten times a year, and this continued until 1993 when the river was deepened. Follow the poems along the wall to uncover the hidden story behind this fascinating mural and take some pictures!

Discover more interesting murals here! https://www.theadmin.sg/murals-for-kjc

2. EMBARK ON EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH JOO CHIAT TOUR. Are your taste buds ready for a bursting experience in Singapore’s treasure trove of great hidden food gems? Led by the one and only true blue Katong boy Peranakan Anthony, dive deep into Joo Chiat as he takes you on a wonderful journey that will have you engaging your senses, especially your taste buds! Make no mistake, this is an eating tour. So come hungry! There will be a sampling of good ol’ Joo Chiat favourites like Vadai, Laksa, Tau Kwa Pau and more. Come join Anthony as he shares his neighbourhood favourites with you now! https://tribe-tours.com/product/eat-your-way-through-joo-chiat/

3. KIM CHOO KUEH CHANG. A Peranakan treasure that has been around since 1945, Kim Choo Kueh Chang’s third-generation custodians are dedicated to preserving their grandma’s recipes and the art of wrapping the well-loved triangular rice dumplings, which remain cult favourites today. They still operate out of their original location at Joo Chiat Place and are an integral part of the neighbourhood’s identity. They are so popular with locals and tourists alike that they also manage a Singapore Visitor Centre for the precinct of Katong & Joo Chiat. The mission is to share the Peranakan culture and its rich food heritage with all who are willing. Visit now and purchase some flavourful and tasty rice dumplings.

4. SRI SENPAGA VINAYAGAR TEMPLE. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god of prosperity (also known as Vinayagar), the temple is a brilliant example of Dravidian architecture. Historically, it is said that in the 1850s, a statue of lord Ganesha was found by the side of a pond. The statue stood in the shade of a champak tree, known as Senpaga in Tamil. With the help of a group of Indian workers nearby, a modest abode was created for the Vinayagar statue which later came to be known as the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple. With a combination of religious significance, historical importance and sheer visual delight, this temple is a must-visit for any traveller.

5. EMBARK ON A MATRIARCH OF RUMAH KATONG TOUR. Discover Katong and Joo Chiat through Qing Qing, a Matriarch with a story to tell. Hear her stories about the unique Peranakan culture, get exclusive access into a Peranakan House to learn inspirations behind her own family house, the material culture of Kebaya, Kerosang and beaded shoes, and the delectable food from classics like Nyonya Zhang, Ayam Buah Keluak to Laksa. She is also excited to share with you her favourite establishments around Katong/Joo Chiat frequented with her husband and family. Interested to find out more? Book here now! https://tribe-tours.com/product/matriarch-of-rumah-katong/

Last but not least, you can’t leave the country’s best foodie destination without these top 3 must-eats!

1. 328 KATONG LASKA. What started out as a family business years back has morphed into six branches around Singapore, and four in shopping malls. The defining characteristics of Katong Laksa are the thick rice vermicelli noodles and the coconut-rich laksa gravy. Combine these with plump shrimps, fish cakes and fresh clams (or cockles), enhanced with the aroma of curry leaves, and you get a bowl of internationally renowned Katong Laksa. Head down to try out some!

2. CHIN MEE CHIN CONFECTIONERY. Tradition meets modernity. Chin Mee Chin is a beloved institution for generations of folks who grew up in Katong. This is where you can get a taste of the old-styled coffee and bakes, and take a step down memory lane. They remain committed to its founding glory of classic pastries, historic ambience and traditional comforts, with a determination to maintain a lasting legacy for the future to come. Indulge in a hearty cup of Kopi with Kaya Toast today.

3. TOK TOK INDONESIAN RESTAURANT. A fan of Indonesian cuisine? Then this is for you! A family dining concept, Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant serves an extensive range of mouth-watering authentic Indonesian cuisine. With great passion, they crafted an array of much-loved Indonesian favourites and heart-warming dishes that uses only the original family recipes to bring out a nostalgic taste of Indonesia to your home. Delight yourself with their signature dishes such as Batagor, Ayam Bakar Betutu, Dendeng Sambal Bali, Nasi Goreng Kambing, Soto Betawi and many more.

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With this comprehensive things-to-do itinerary in Chinatown’s top attractions and hidden gems, you may explore the alleyways and streets on foot while taking in its sights. Have fun exploring!

1. CHINATOWN STREET MARKET. The majority of the stalls on this street are open during the day from around 10 am until it starts to close at around 8 or 9 pm, but some stay open a bit later, especially those selling snacks and beverages. The stores and booths take up entire streets throughout Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street, and Temple Street, with hundreds of vendors offering everything from clothing to home goods, electronics to handicrafts. The hanging red lanterns and colonial architecture provide a clear glimpse of Singaporean culture and are exactly what you would anticipate from Chinatown!

2. EMBARK ON A CHINATOWN MURDERS TOUR. A serial killer is on the loose, and the whole nation is gripped with fear. Do you want to be the Sherlock Holmes of Chinatown in our immersive mystery game tour? Come join us to find the killer by solving a series of puzzles around Chinatown here! https://tribe-tours.com/product/niu-che-shui-murders-outdoor-escape-room-game-tour/

3. BARBER CHAIR 3D FLOOR STICKER MURAL. In the past, Chinatown’s alleyways were frequently occupied by street barbers, most of whom worked out of improvised shelters with wooden board walls and roofs or awnings. These traditional street barbers encountered fierce competition from hair salons as lifestyles changed. Except for a few odd stalls, there are hardly any street barbers left today. Visit this mural to relieve the past and take some pictures!

4. THIAN HOCK KENG TEMPLE. Visit Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple, built in 1839 with the support of prominent members of the Hokkien community. When there, be sure to admire the impressive building in the classic southern Chinese style and look out for the intricate carvings and sculptures of dragons, phoenixes, and deities, as well as the vibrant broken porcelain on the roof ridges, a Fujian decoration method. Fun fact! Not a single nail was used during the temple’s initial construction. Isn’t it fascinating?

5. YIP YEW CHONG MURALS. Yip Yew Chong is well known for his murals around Chinatown and other spaces that feature past scenes. He draws inspiration from his own childhood and everyday life experiences, and the neighbourhood has become his canvas on which he puts down his memories. Visit his various murals in multiple areas, such as Smith Street and Temple Street; we promise you will be wow-ed!

6. EMBARK ON A HAWKERWALK: OLD SCHOOL SNACKS TOUR. Explore off-the-beaten-path, find hidden gems and meet the locals! We will bring you up, close and personal with the last of our hawkers making these traditional snacks, where you will gain a deeper appreciation of the grit and sweat hawkers put in to deliver the everyday dishes we enjoy. Book here now! https://tribe-tours.com/product/hawker-tour-hawkerwalk/

And lastly, you can’t leave Chinatown without trying out these 3 must-eats!

1. TONG HENG. A famed bakery known for its dedication to handcrafted traditional pastries. They set out with a simple mission – to share the love for traditional pastries, such as their trademarked diamond-shaped egg tarts, with the world. Modernised yet still handmade with passion, their iconic pastries are some of the most well-loved in Singapore.

2. LIAN HE BEN JI CLAYPOT. Located within Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre lies a Michelin Bib Gourmand satisfying one-dish meal with 43 years of experience. The claypot rice comes with 3 options: Assorted, Preserved meat and Chicken. Each and every order is made from scratch, which unfortunately also results in longer waiting times. Hence, we recommend you to call and book in advance before heading down to prevent getting disappointed!

3. MEI HEONG YUEN DESSERT. Visit one of Singapore’s oldest dessert shops serving a mix of traditional and modern desserts! They have over 50 dessert selections and specialize in different varieties of pastes, steamed egg pudding, and snow ice. Perfect place for rounding up a satisfying meal!

https://snip.ly/chinatownwithtribe

Whether you have recently called Singapore home, or are a regular visitor to Singapore, or even a local, when confronted with where to go to get your Chilli Crab fix, here’s a few top restaurants to keep in mind.

We insist you not veer from too far from these favourites. Take your pick!

• Long Beach Seafood
• No Signboard Seafood
• New Ubin Seafood
• Mellben Seafood
• Roland
• Jumbo Seafood
• Hua Yu Wee
• Palm Beach

Even with a very brutal culling, our team at TRIBE has come up with a list of 15 MUST eats.

TRIBE’S TOP 15 (RANDOM, NOT RANKED):

1. CHILLI CRAB or BLACK PEPPER CRAB. You simply cannot leave Singapore without having this. Many places serve what is now considered the national dish. So we recommend you do so at Long Beach Seafood, No Signboard Seafood, New Ubin Seafood, Mellben Seafood.

2. HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE. Did I say that chilli crab is the national dish? We seem to have more than one national dish. Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice Restaurant and Tian Tian Chicken Rice are truly the front runners by a long mile.

3. CHAR KWAY TEOW is flat rice noodles stirfried with a devilish concoction of sweet dark sauce, egg, lard, cockles, Chinese sausage, fish cake. Famous one we like is at Zion Riverside Food Centre.

4. SATAY. Best stalls are reviewed under Hawker Centre Reviews and they are at East Coast Lagoon Food Centre, Old Airport Road Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat.

5. NASI LEMAK. It’s a four corner fight between Changi Village’s International Nasi Lemak and Mizzy’s Corner, Adam Road’s Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak and Ponggol Nasi Lemak.

6. CARROT CAKE. Too many to choose from but Chomp Chomp’s is hard to beat.

7. LAKSA. Gordon Ramsay went head to head in a cook-off with 328 Katong Laksa and lost. What is it? A Peranakan dish of vermicelli noodles, slices of fish cake, tau pok, shrimp and cockles with a tasty broth of coconut milk, fish sauce, lime, dried shrimp. Other masters is at Queensway Shopping Centre.

8. OYSTER CAKE. Actually we know of only one place that sells this and that’s at Maxwell. And after you’ve sunk your teeth into these bad boys, as the 80s band Survivor sings “The Search is Over…”.

Oyster Cake

9. MIN JIANG KUEH. Want to know why there is so little written about MZK? Because no one can ever agree how to spell it. Whatever the spelling, the best ones are Tanglin Halt, Granny’s Pancake Toa Payoh Lorong 7 and some place in Jurong (can someone tell me where?)

Min Jiang Kueh

10. SCISSORS RICE is my death row food. Seriously. Yes I hear you squeal at the irony there. So called, because in Singapore many of our naming of things may be a derivation of Chinese or Malay words and this dish was traditionally cut using food scissors. It’s curry rice, with flattened fried Hainanese pork chop, cabbage, pork belly (here’s the best part) D-R-E-N-C-H-E-D with curry gravy. No scissors, pure heaven. 3 places. 1. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice, 2. Beach Road Scissor-Cut Curry Rice (at 229 Jalan Besar not Beach Road), 3. Eleven Fingers Curry Rice.

11. BBQ SAMBAL STINGRAY or “hung hur” if you want to go local while ordering. I won’t even attempt to suggest best ones because everyone’s got different ones and they are all good.

12. HOKKIEN MEE. Again few places can beat the ones at Chomp Chomp. Either go with Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Mee or Chia Keng Fried Hokkien Mee.

13. ROJAK is crispy fried dough sticks mixed with bean sprouts, cucumber, pineapple, tau pok, radish, pineapple, water spinach, sugar and lime, mixed together with black fermented prawn paste. The really excellent ones you can taste the fragrant but subtle tulip bulb. Not a main dish but rather an appetiser to be shared with others. Have this at Soon Heng Rojak at Toa Payoh Lorong 6 at HDB Hub or someplace opposite Bugis +.

14. BEANCURD or “TAU HUAY” in Hokkien. Don’t let the pale white appearance fool you. This is a must try especially if you have a sweet tooth. The beancurd tofu is served with sugar syrup.

Beancurd or “Tau Huay”

This is a dessert and you can choose to eat it hot or cold. No one’s judging. The good ones are silky smooth. A bowl costs only $1. Actually the ONLY stall to try this at is Rochor Original Beancurd. This is late night food territory. Area is spilling with tables on side streets slurping this ol’ faithful. Atmosphere 10 out of 10!

15. BAK KUT TEH. There are several along a stretch of Balestier Road, the most famous (note famous may or may not equate to tastiest) being Founder Bak Kut Teh.

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You may not publicly read too much about these places because those who already know the place do not want the queue to grow longer.

1. Tim Ho Wan
   Dine on cheapest Michelin-rated dim sum. Chef Tim’s restaurant in Hong Kong is 2-star rated by Michelin in 2010. The menu was limited but patrons are happy eating the few dishes they really excel at. Because the place is not fancy, prices are cheap, starting auspiciously from $3.80

The queue at Tim Ho Wan is v-e-r-y v-e-r-y l-o-n-g. For a whole year since it opened its first Singapore outlet at Plaza Singapura on 9 April 2013, the queue would snake out of the mall’s exit doors.Die-hard fans wore face masks and stood in line braving the worse haze in Singapore’s history. Because guests are allowed in only when everyone in the party is present, you see several elderly folks in wheelchairs waiting in line.
At the time of writing this, I could get a table at 1:30pm if I queued for 20 minutes. Otherwise, use this place as a valid reason to eat at any time of the day, except during regular brunch, lunch or dinner hours. Only a week ago, new items were added – crystal dumpling with truffle sauce, duo skin prawn wonton soup, cheese roll wrapped with minced chicken and tofu with pork floss, the last addition I like the most for its contrasting texture. Your best bet is to stay with their classics of baked bun with BBQ pork (char siew pao), melt in your mouth pan fried turnip cake, steamed egg cake (lighter than a baked cake and more moist). I’m not into liver but the (rice flour) roll stuffed with pig’s liver is popular.

68 Orchard Road #01- 29A Plaza Singapura Tel: (65) 6251 2000 Nearest MRT Station: Dhoby Ghaut.

2. KOH’S GRILL & SUSHI BAR

Affordable omakase dining at his humble restaurant run by Chef Koh, who used to work in top Japanese restaurants in Singapore. It is located on the same floor as Wisma Atria food court but with its own (limited) tables and seats. Long time patrons order off the menu, giving the chef their budget, naming their favourite must-have fish and entrusting the rest all up to him, pretty much omakase dining style. If available, I would opt for kampachi (amber jack), tai (snapper), toro (tuna belly). My all-time fave iwashi (sardines) is hard to get anywhere in Singapore. Majority of the regulars haunt this place for the Shiok! Maki, which is creamy rich with Shiok is a local speak that means utmost satisfying, even orgasmic . To me, the steal item here is the carpaccio of 2 types of fish for only $18.
435 Orchard Road #04-21 Wisma Atria Singapore Tel: +65 9180 3805. Nearest MRT Station: Orchard

3. RIA Ayam Penyet

Don’t miss this one. Especially if you love crispy stuff, sambal chilli and Indonesian food. Lucky plaza has as many as five joints serving ayam penyet, but the one everyone seems to gravitate towards is RIA. It’s the biggest and most famous and the one with the widest variety of other things to order other than ayam penyet. Ayam (chicken) Penyet (to flatten) is a
deep fried chicken dish flattened or smashed with a wooden pestle, drowned in crispy batter bits, served on fragrant rice, sambal chilli and fried beancurd and tempe.

Alternatively, instead of chicken, you may opt for squid (cumi-cumi penyet) or beef (empal penyet) or catfish (lele penyet). The chicken version is the “original” and in biting it’s crispy skin an explosion of flavours. With the owner nowhere to be found, we asked die-hard fans and was told that turmeric, cumin, coriander and the faintest of lemongrass spices goes into what made this dish soooo sedap. It makes my mouth water just writing this!! Sides you absolutely must order include Bakso Sop (meatball soup),

Gado Gado (veggies in peanut sauce). End your meal with dessert like ice chendol or avocado juice.
4. MY FAVOURITE CAFE

Looking past its unsexy shop name and its obscure location (tucked in a corner at the top floor of Lucky Plaza), you will find one of the most underrated must eats selling Yong Tau Foo. Yong Tau Foo which means “stuffed bean curd” is a Chinese soup dish of a smorgasbord of tofu stuffed with a meat paste of fish and pork. Vegetables like bittergourds, ladies fingers, chillies are filled with this stuffing and eating with clear consumme soup accompanied by the crispy fried fritters of bean curd skin to give a contrast of soft texture al dente items with the crispy and crunchy variety. Yong Tau Foo can be eaten dry or soup version. If you’re there with a lunch companion, have one of each and see which you prefer. You can choose to eat this medley of goodies with rice (less common), egg noodle, bee hoon (rice vermicelli) or kuay teow or mixed. Our favourite: kuay teow bee hoon mixed and have it dry. They still serve a side bowl of soup anyways so you get the best of both worlds. What makes this the mother of all Yong Tau Foo stalls? Two items: their deep fried pork meatballs and their black mushrooms. If you don’t believe us, peer into every bowl of patrons there, everybody comes for that. These two items are seriously worth the long wait. This is a firm favourite amongst the locals as well. And the lunch crowd descend upon this joint like locusts. It is not uncommon to see a line of 20 people patiently waiting their turn by 1145 a.m. so my best advice is to be there before 1130 a.m. or during the slower hours of 3 to 5 p.m. Best part of this, the entire meal costs $5 – 6. Downside: Be prepared to share tables and bump elbows with the hungry but appreciative crowd.

My Favourite Cafe 304 Orchard Road #06 – 46/47 Lucky Plaza Operating hours: 8a.m. – 6p.m. (except Sunday). Nearest MRT Station: Orchard

5. GRANDMA’S
If only mom could cook like grandma … This is a haunt simply because of the home cooked tastes. If dining alone, go for the Nasi Buhkari, a good one dish meal with chucks of beef rendang, fried chicken thigh and assam (tamarind) prawns. It is not as common or easily found as nasi lemak. When I’m eating with friends in a group, besides beef rendang and assam prawns, we also order san bei ji (chicken dish cooked with 3 types of wine) and Grandma’s honey chicken and Ngoh Hiang (beancurd skin roll with minced pork and prawn inside). If you are adventurous, try the sambal petai, it is spicy and the bean pods have a bitter edge. Eating petai is good for your kidneys. Then leave room for a sweet finish with chendol (shaved ice with coconut milk, palm coconut sugar syrup, red beans and green jelly), or sago gula melaka as dessert or to quell the spiciness.

290 Orchard Road #B1-42/43 Paragon Singapore 238859. Nearest MRT Station: Orchard

6. Ma Maison
Atkin’s diet available here. Juicy and succulent battered deep-fried pork loin or fillet tonkatsu with refreshing shredded sweet cabbage allows me to sustain the Atkin’s diet. But I do cheat and have rice because this place uses the Kamado Japanese traditional rice cooker. On a promotional or seasonal basis, Ma Maison offers mielle-feuille tonkatsu with cheese or ume shiso. The combination of layers of pork and both ume and shiso is irresistable. The ume and shiso adds citrusy fragrance and cuts through any oiliness. In all honesty, there is none which is surprising for a deep-fried dish.

333A Orchard Road Level 2 Mandarin Gallery Singapore 238897 Nearest Station: Somerset

7. Nam Nam
Comfort food for internationalised Singapore tastebuds. There are few things I crave more than either Japanese ramen or Vietnamese pho. With 3 outlets on Orchard Road, I easily get my fix. The queues are about equally long at any of the three outlets. Even at 11am, the tables are easily all occupied and only counter seats avail. The partial self-service may make you think Nam Nam is a Viet fast food place but its part of the fine dining Les Ami Group. The restaurant’s name is derived from name of Chef Nguyen Quoc Nam. Nam Nam serves Hanoi pho, which is simply garnished with finely chopped spring onions, so don’t ask for mint or basil meant for Saigon-style pho. The robust soup needs none of the 5 bottles of sauces and seasoning on every table. Only on rare occasions, I dissolve a squirt or hoisin sauce and watery sweet chilli sauce in half a spoon of soup before stirring it all into the bowl of noodles. The lunch set is a steal at $9.90 for a piping hot bowl of generous portion of machine-sliced beef and fresh thin rice noodles plus a side dish of tangy and crunchy salad of cucumber, cabbage, carrots, 2 slices of smoked belly pork plus your choice of Vietnamese coffee or tea. The salad side dish is half the size of an ala carte serve selling at $5,90. The guys who hate veggies prefer the previous side dish of Vietnamese spring rolls with a peanut sauce dip but change is good. For a sweet finish, try the vanilla pudding with palm sugar caramel.

68 Orchard Road #01-55 Plaza Singapura Tel: 6837 2252 Nearest MRT Station: Dhoby Ghaut. Other outlets are in the basement of Wheelock Place and Raffles City.

8. PRIMA TASTE KITCHEN
Local Singaporean tastes from flour to revolving restaurant to local classics. No, it isn’t a cousin of the soup kitchen. Several local Singapore eateries have the word ‘kitchen’ in their name but the menu prices are equivalent to cafes or bistros. This place ticks all the boxes for convenience, location, taste and pricing. It is located in Centrepoint (take the basement escalator in the corner from Guardian pharmacy), which was the centre of Orchard Road until the hip action shifted closer to Orchard Station. The location is still central and it is the only one-stop place for sampling several local delights at one go. Food like satay tends to be available only at dinner time but you can have it for lunch here. I recommend the sampler, choose 3 from 5, for under S$10. I would go for the chicken rice, mee siam and laksa. The chicken is simply boiled with ginger and spring onions and chopped up, the skin is smooth and succulent because of alternating dunking in very hot, then very cold water. The rice is flavoured and cooked with some chicken oil and sweet-scenting pandan leaves. Mee Siam is rice vermicelli in a tangy and mildly spicy sauce, garnished with fried bean curd cubes. Laksa is white noodles, like spaghetti, cooked in a light curry broth using laksa chilli paste and smooth coconut milk. Cockles, prawns and shredded chicken and a garnish of slivers of aromatic laksa leaves complete the dish. This is also 1 of 2 places on Orchard Road to eat rojak (salad of cucumber, pineapple, turnip and beancurd skin dressed in black prawn paste), which is available here only as ala carte item. Buy prepared sauces in travel-proof packaging to take home and cook up what you just ate. The selection also includes the sauce for Singapore’s famous chilli crab and pepper crab. Prices range from $4.50 to $7.90 per box. Where: www.primataste.com.sg 176 Orchard Road #01-63/64 The Centrepoint Singapore 238843 Tel: +65 6887 3786 Nearest Station: Somerset

9. SHASHLIK
Old school butler service in a Russian restaurant. This place is an establishment, has been around for four or more decades. While owner chefs are common, owner waiters and waitresses are rare. The senior service staff at Shashlik OWN the restaurant, which they acquired by buying out the former Troika restaurant located in the CBD downtown at Raffles Place. Service is known to be rude; the friendliest was the captain, who was the first to pass away. The rudest owner waiter is still there, has mellowed through the years and gives you a wry smile on good days, if he recognises you as a regular from long time ago. Think of them as the last bastions of Hainanese men, who worked as butlers for the British when Singapore was colonised. They may seem brusque but at least they keep service standards in all other aspects. The food and drinks get trolleyed to my table or is served covered from kitchen to table. Crumbs on the table are swept clean before coffee, tea and dessert is served. I head for Shashlik when I crave borsch served with piping hot bread rolls. Of course there is nothing like homemade garlic bread with the grill lines on the toasts. I also eat at Shashlik when I want Western food in air-conditioning comfort for under S$15, which you can get here as a lunch set everyday except Sundays. I’m happy with the pork chop (with bone), chicken cutlet or fish and chips (Friday’s option) and pay $1 more to have borsch soup as part of the set. Where: 545 Orchard Road Singapore 238882 #06- Far East Shopping Centre Tel : +65 6732 6401 Nearest Station: Orchard

10. MARMALADE PANTRY
Consistent good food and regular haunt for steak and fries and more. You cannot go wrong eating at a place that uses quality ingredients and maintains its standard, keeping its edge, despite the many new dining options invading the Singapore shores in recent years. Prices are reasonable for what you get here, starting from $32. Familiar favourites are roasted pork belly and mashed potatoes and the steak and eggs, well worth allocating your calories quota to. You must save room for the sweets – good Old Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake or the Sea Salt and Caramel Cheesecake. Run out of ideas for where to eat on weekends? Head to Marmalade for brunch. You can have salads on hot and muggy days or order perennial favourites such as Eggs Benedict, slow-cooked oxtail soup, snapper ragout in a foil packet or steak sandwich. Complete with lemon brulee tart or red velvet cake.

2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801 #03-22 ION Orchard Tel: +65 6734 2700 Nearest MRT Station: Orchard

Where would desserts like tau suan and ice kachang feature, or little bites like curry puff. What about kuehs like kueh salat and ondeh ondeh? Where are they on Singapore’s die-die-must-eat lists. Surely this oversight and omission is considered a Food List travesty of the highest order. *Gasp*. This would be akin to awards for acting for TV and movies being lumped as one and there were only Oscars and no Emmys?

So here’s recognizing the small bites, or anything that fits in the small plastic bags and bowls. The little guys that get us through 10.30 am. hunger pangs or give us a reason to sneak out at 3.30 pm tea time. We salute you!

CURRY PUFF

♫ Oh curry puff, my curry puff, my dear ol’ friend.
You come in all shapes and sizes, skin types and fillings, but I love em all.
Chicken, beef, mutton and potato, even sardine.
Dunkable in mee siam and rebus, but best on your own.
With a teh in my hand, you’re one crusty friend♫
(clearly losing my marbles making up a song about our beloved curry puff)CHWEE KUEH

Look at the amount of oil on this bad boy. And like all baddies, they come in 3s. So take one, take ’em all!

OYSTER CAKE “UFO”

Affectionately called UFOs (imagining an uncle at a coffeeshop coming up with the name) for its flat and round likeness, oyster cakes have another thing in common: they are seldom spotted and therefore rare. A strong candidate for the Singapore food endangered species, I cannot even count more than two stalls making these. The two that come to mind are 209 Jalan Besar at Da Jie Famous Wanton Mee. The other is Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake at Maxwell Food Centre. Try it before it becomes extinct!

BUTTERFLY BUN

So named because of its shape. Is it the same uncle who came up with the name UFO?

GORENG PISANG

This another fast endangered species as less and less Goreng (means “fried”) Pisang (“banana”) stalls exist today than in the 1980s. Not sure why. Besides the main star (the banana), other great side shows not to miss include the green bean, chempedak and sweet potato versions. Best stalls to try this?

1. Million Stars Goreng Pisang #01-49 Changi Village Market and Food Centre

2. Chi Shuang Shuang #01-51 Blk 51 Old Airport Road Food Centre

3. Boon Pisang Goreng (formerly from Longhouse) #01-18 411 Balestier Market

ANG KU KUEH

Look closely at the pattern and shape of this delicacy. What does it look like? It is molded to resemble a tortoise shell. Reason: Chinese believed that eating these will bring longevity. So this tradition continues today and Ang Ku Kuehs are given out on occasions like a newborn baby’s first month and on birthdays of the elderly.

Today, thankfully for lovers of AKK, you don’t have to wait till these occasions as it is sold all year round.

KUEH TUTU

Photo by Chong Yap

These delightful snacks are as nostalgic as they come for Singaporeans missing a bite from home. Visually, they are pretty. Aroma wise, the whiff of the fragrance of pandan tempts you. And texture and taste wise, magnifique!

KUEH SALAT

Photo by Debbie Teoh. Email: debbteoh@gmail.com
So underrated this fabulous kueh kueh, it’s articles like this one that puts kueh salat on the pedestal it deserves. What is it? It’s glutinous rice topped with a soft eggy kaya and pandan custard goodness. Tip: Do not go for the super unnatural looking green ones. The paler green they are they better they are!

ONDEH-ONDEH

I’ve not met someone who doesn’t love ondeh-ondehs. There are just some foods out there that are universally loved. First, is because these little balls are bite-size and perfect to pop-in-the-mouth. Second, an explosion of gula melaka completes the fun factor. Finally, the combo of soft chewy mochi-like pandan together with coconut and the gula melaka is heavenly. They too come in 3s. But they cannot be considered baddies, can they?

TAO SAR PIAH

Unlike the Laksa wars, or other food battles like chicken rice, bak kut teh and nasi lemak where there is a legitimate battle between five kings, in the world of tao sar piah, there is only ONE king. Loong Fatt. This one is unanimous.

EGG TART 蛋挞 (PRONOUNCED “DAAN-TAAT”)

Silky smooth egg custard goodness on flaky perfect crust. The only way to eat it: Warm. The only place to eat it in Singapore: Tong Heng Confectionery.

JIAN DUI

Actually the regular less puffy ones are more common. These above are hollow inside and found only at dim sum restaurants like Imperial Treasure Restaurant.

MEAN ZHANG KUEH

These poorly taken pics certainly don’t do justice to the MZK at 121 Telok Ayer Street. This easy-to-miss stall was my weekly indulgence when I worked nearby a few years ago. The man there is super nice, super generous with his peanut filling. Best of all, it is super value going for $0.50 and taste like a million bucks! 50c. Damn it. I feel like I’m robbing the nice man each time I buy one.

“OLD SCHOOL MOTORCYCLE” ICE CREAM

On a blazing hot day, these uncles on bikes may as well be superheroes that have come to save mankind. They may as well charge $5. And lifesavers these delightful ice-cream bars. Have it between super thin wafers, colourful bread, in a cup or cone (). If you’ve grown up here, nostalgia + cool ice cream with local flavours + supporting uncles on bikes = TAKE MY $$$ any day.

PULUT HITAM

Photo by Shu Han Lee
Literally it means “black glutinous rice”. And it’s a dessert served warm. For those from the region, this is familiar territory and Pulut Hitam has different variants in Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos and the Philippines. In recent years in Singapore, some of the hip restaurants have elevated this humble dessert and incorporated pulut hitam into ice cream, cake or simply heap vanilla or better yet coconut ice cream on top of it. Most creative use of pulut hitam? As risotto in a fancy restaurant in Seattle! Wonderful!

TAU SUAN

Photo by Chong Yap
Another warm sweet dessert. Eaten with you tiao (fried dough sticks).

TAU HUAY

There are now TWO versions. The evergreen traditional tau huay is simply tofu-soft beancurd served in a sweet syrup. Usually eaten with you tiao or butterfly bun. The new curd on the block (couldn’t resist, I’m sorry) is also silky soft sans the sweet syrup. The difference is in the consistency. The new version is more like a custard pudding. Yet light and less sweet. Don’t make me choose. It’s cruel. Some day you lean more towards one child over another. What?!

BLACK SESAME/ALMOND PASTE AND AH BOLING

Ok I am cramping three desserts here. They’re all different. Ah boling is glutinous rice balls served in ginger soup or peanut soup. Like ondeh ondehs, these balls bursts upon bite with filling that oozes out, so watch where you aim.

ICE KACHANG

Another in the category of who doesn’t love this dessert. Mountain of shaved ice, ladled with colourful syrup, gula melaka, condensed milk. Buried deep in the mountain are treasures like sweet corn, red beans, jelly and attap chee.

PUTU MAYAM

This dish is having a revival of sorts judging by the number of people looking putu mayam. It is really vermicelli-like thin noodles steamed and served with grated coconut and bright orange sugar. Admittedly, this one is tough eating on the move in a plastic bag or in a bowl. But it’s becoming too much of a cult favourite to ignore.

One of my earliest memories as a child of comfort food is the fragrant bowl of Hakka Yong Tau Fu my grandma made in the kitchen. The taste, alongside the accompanying memory is priceless.

In this era of food anxiety and rapidly changing restaurant fads, it is no wonder we feel the need to tuck into foods that remind us of simpler times and homegrown staples. Comfort foods never go out of style.

The Americans have their Grilled Cheese Sandwich, the British crave for Fish and Chips with aromas of vinegar and caramelized batter, and in Hong Kong, thick toast with butter and condensed milk washed down with milk tea (奶茶) never fails. We list down eight of the Best of Singapore’s Comfort Foods.

1 – PRATA

Roti prata literally means flat bread, but more like a savoury slightly crispy pancake eaten a thousand ways. It is eaten with fish curry, mutton curry, sugar, or plain as it is (also known as ‘kosong’ in Malay). With egg, cheese, onion, mutton or beef . There are more ‘exotic’ versions over the last few years that include toppings such as ice-cream, chocolate, banana…the list goes on.

Sequels are never better than the original. And this is true too of prata, but there are always exceptions (Toy Story II, Godfather II). Versions spawned off that are better forms than the original include the plaster (kosong topped with a sunny side up egg) and bomb (condensed milk).

But for the purist, prata is kosong. And eaten with either curry or sugar.

Comfort factor: It’s the go-to food for Singaporeans. The champion of breakfasts.The hangover cure for party-goers. Its wide appeal to ALL Singaporeans is also a winner. But most of all, prata, usually enjoyed with friends after a night of partying or the ever dependable breakfast food, triggers loads of warm fuzzy and happy memories.

2 – KAYA TOAST, HALF-BOILED EGGS AND KOPI

Yes, they come in threes and usually in a set. It’s hard to beat this trio of perfect a combination – sweet and savoury with a cup of traditional coffee amidst a familiar coffee shop (kopitiam) atmosphere. Kaya is made from a recipe comprising coconut milk, sugar, eggs and fragrant pandan.

Comfort factor: From humble beginnings since forever, the kaya toast, along with its counterparts, the half-boiled egg and kopi have won many hearts. Certainly, it is difficult to dislike something so simple and comforting.

3 – WARM SOYBEAN DRINK WITH FRIED DOUGH STICKS

Everyone who’s tried this combo is nodding their heads in agreement. What’s not to love about you tiao? Crispy skin on the outside, feathery airy soft on the inside. And they come in a pair!

Comfort factor: Dunking of course. Did we say how warm soybean milk just transports you to another universe?

4 AH BOLING

Balls. They’re warm, soft and sweet, especially comforting for the emotionally wounded, the homesick, the insomniac. We’re talking about rice balls (in case you think otherwise). Glutinous rice balls that are soft and chewy, cousin of the Japanese mochi. These are stuff dreams are made of, symbolising wholeness and content. Choose from a myriad of different fillings – crushed peanut, red bean, black sesame, or sweet yam in a bowl of ginger or pandan soup.

Comfort factor: Sink your teeth into one of these off-white, slippery pillows of delight. Till then, sweet dreams.

5 – NASI LEMAK

Commonly enjoyed over breakfast but equally delectable any time of the day.Traditionally a Malay classic but is also a hit among the Chinese, Indian and even ang moh communities. There’s something about rice cooked in coconut milk and flavoured with pandan leaves along with the special sambal chilli make nasi lemak a choice option for the young and old.
Comfort factor: A truly remarkable nasi lemak is not to be taken lightly. As Barney from How I Met Your Mother would say – “it is LEGENDARY”.

6 – CARROT CAKE

Herein lies the irony; the truth is out. There is no carrot in carrot cake. The main ingredient of the dish is radish “cake” (steamed rice flour), water, and shredded white daikon. But this is a dish that delights many.

Comfort factor: For this list, the blackened version wins hands-down because nothing beats a savoury dish that is slightly sweet, full of the lovely taste of burnt caramelized sweet sauce held together by eggy goodness.

7 – HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

The first time I ate chicken rice, I was hungry and broke, on the day of my final paper in primary four. Back then I was of course, unaware of its cultural importance and certainly uninitiated in the layered charms of the world of flavours trapped within this heavenly dish. Hailing originally from the island of Hainan, China, the preparation involves the poaching of chicken and rice cooked in fragrant chicken stock. Whether on a rainy day or a sunny afternoon, this dish will make bellies dance.

Comfort factor: The fragrant rice and the wonderful chilli sauce make the difference between a great chicken rice stall and a legendary one.

8 – WALL’S ICE CREAM (OLD SCHOOL STYLE)

Sound triggers memories and the tinkling of a brass bell would bring most of us back to a time when old uncles would pedal their ice cream carts and be immediately surrounded by a throng of school children thrilled to purchase an ice cream before heading home. The vendors prepare ice cream in a very unique,localized fashion unlike any other. Who can forget the colourful, almost tie-dye slabs of bread, or thin wafers as perfect accompaniment to the ice cream?

Comfort factor: At only $1.50, you get ice cream bread wrapped with fun, laughter and nostalgia.