Singapore's TidbiTs

For people staying in the east, particularly at or near Tampines east, Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats Block 201 also known as Tampines N2 Shopping Street is impressive with its varied offerings. especially food. While not visually stunning, it is after all a typical housing estate, it is a bustling neighbourhood with blocks and the blocks stretching from Block 201C to Block 201E, is a feast to behold with its eateries. Starting with Afghanistan Restaurant located along Tampines Street 23 at Block 201E and just across Tampines East Community Centre (CC), this busy coffeeshop style restaurant with 10 stalls attract morning breakfast goers with its delicious local offerings such as kacang phool , mee soto , nasi lemak and the many kueh or snacks. The kacang phool shown below complete with baguette and a cup coffee is $7. Perfect for breakfast before doing some marketing at the wet market, also within this shopping street. Tampines N2 Shopping Street At Block 201D at Tampines S...

Budget Stores in Singapore: Daiso, Miniso & Beyond If you're hunting for affordable household essentials, beauty products, or quirky knick-knacks in Singapore, Japanese-inspired budget stores are a treasure trove. While the iconic "$2 store" era has evolved, these shops remain unbeatable for bargain hunters. 🏬 The Daiso Story: From $2 to $2.18+ Daiso Japan put the "$2 store" concept on the map in Singapore. For years, every item in the store was a flat $2 — from clothes hangers and drinking glasses to cleaning products, kitchen accessories, flashlights, stationery, travel gear, gardening tools, arts and crafts supplies, beauty products, socks, and phone cables. Even reading glasses were just two dollars. Current pricing (2026): Daiso Singapore now uses a tiered pricing system. Most items range from $2.18 to $5.30 , with premium products going higher. Whi...

Beyond the popular Swedish beef balls well-known all over the world just like its ubiquitous blue carrier bag, many people head to IKEA store for its affordable household items. While most items like furniture certainly cost much more than $5, there are many useful household accessories that cost less than $5. Big plastic chopping board for only $2.90, glass bottle jar with lid for $3.90, stainless steel cutleries holder for $4.90, wall clock for only $1.90 (battery is extra of course but you will only need one AA battery), a set of four clothes hangers for only a dollar, a cushion for $4.90, cups or mugs for $2.90, plant pot for $3.90, simple self-assembled shelves for $12, and many more. They do sell potted plants, well, like a nursery. A small potted plant sells for about $5. You can get the pandan, a common plant , in IKEA. Beyond that, furnitures will sell in the hundreds, but if you are looking for quality and would not mind paying a bit more, do shop around elsewhere too. Someti...

Bugis Street Market — also known as Bugis Village — is Singapore's largest and most vibrant street market. With over 600 stalls packed across three levels, it is the go-to spot for tourists and locals alike to pick up souvenirs, cheap fashion, accessories, knick-knacks and street snacks. It is not a flea market in the traditional sense, but rather a permanent bazaar of narrow lanes and tightly packed stalls with fixed prices — though you can still bargain for higher-value items like luggage or bulk purchases. 📋 Quick Facts Address 261 Victoria Street, Singapore 189876 Opening hours Daily, 11am – 10pm (weekends until 11pm) Nearest MRT Bugis (EW12/DT14), Exit C Entry fee Free Best time Weekday mornings for calm browsing; weekends for lively atmosphere Payment Cash preferred; some stalls accept PayNow / credit cards 📖 A Bit of History The Bugis area is historically linked to the Rochor-Kallang River basin trade in the 19th to mid-20...