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...

A Quick Retail Escape to Malaysia using Cross-Border Bus Crossing the Causeway to Johor Bahru is a weekend ritual for many Singaporeans. With the favourable exchange rate (1 SGD ≈ 3.2 MYR), a day in JB means cheaper meals, affordable massages, and stocking up on groceries and toiletries — all within an hour of home. I frequently made the trip via the Transtar TS1 cross-border bus. Here's what to expect, how to get there, and how to plan your own JB day trip. 📋 Quick Facts Best time to cross Weekday mornings, 9–11am Avoid Friday evenings, Sunday evenings, public holidays Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) Passport validity Minimum 6 months Travel time 30–90 minutes one-way (depends on queues) RTS Link opens End of 2026 (4 km, 5-minute ride, 10,000 passengers/hour) 🚌 How to Get to JB: Transport Options The options to cross into JB are wide. Here's a comparison to help you choose: Option From Cost ...

With options almost negligible to travel overseas for holidays during the pandemic, there is no stopping us from travelling or holidaying domestically, well, minus the airplane. Using the Singapore Rediscover voucher to offset some of a staycation cost, a holiday in an airport mall may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But then Changi Airport and Jewel is unlike any other airport or shopping mall. One can get apprehensive staying in an international airport, albeit landside area, coming into contact with travellers, but the airport terminals were closed. Plus, it was during a heightened alert where dining-in was not allowed and so we thought it was going to be kind of dull. We were wrong! So, let’s start with the check-in into Yotelair. It was a breeze. After filling-up a simple health declaration form, we were given our room keycard. The cabin room is kind of small, but has almost everything that you may need, but then staying indoors in a hotel room for the whole stay was not the idea ...

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...

Pasar malam — the Malay term for "night market" — is a quintessential Singaporean experience. These temporary, open-air bazaars pop up in neighbourhoods across the island, filling the evening air with the sizzle of deep-fried snacks, the aroma of grilled meats, and the buzz of bargain hunters. Whether you are after a quick dinner, a late-night sugar fix, or a cheap phone cable, the pasar malam delivers. 📋 Quick Facts Meaning Pasar = market, malam = night (Malay) Type Temporary / pop-up outdoor market Typical hours 12pm – 10pm (varies by location) Entry fee Free Payment Cash preferred; some stalls accept PayNow Best time to go Weekday evenings (6–8pm) to avoid crowds 📖 What Is a Pasar Malam? Pasar malam literally means "night market" in Malay — pasar being market and malam being night. In the old days, these markets operated only in the evenings when the tropical heat had subsided. Today, many open as early as mi...