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. Tampines N2 Shopping Street At Block 201D at Tampines St. 21, there is a restaurant popular for its briyani, roti prata and murtabak c...

Kampong Gelam is one of the oldest settlements in Singapore, whose history dated before Raffles . This area was to become the home of Sultan Hussein Shah , whom Sir Stamford Raffles recognised as a legitimate successor to the Johor empire and, who in 1819 signed a treaty with the British East India Company, to establish a trading post in Singapore. Gazetted in 1989, Kampong Gelam is home to significant landmarks, including the Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan), which serves as a focal point for the Muslim community. Located near Bugis , the area is now a conservation area with art-deco, early, first and second transitional and late-style shophouses dotting the area. Shophouses which can be seen all around ethnic quarters including at Kampong Gelam, were built in rows and connected by sheltered walkways called the five-foot-way. Shophouses typically comprised of a shop doing business on the ground floor, with the upper floors occupied by people and families for residential purposes. Raffles...

Bugis Village also known as Bugis Street Market is a good place for tourists and locals alike to pick up a souvenir or two such as fridge magnets and keychains. It is not a flea market, but more of the street's night market concept stores with fixed price, although you can also bargain for higher value items like a luggage bag. You can find 'I love Singapore' or 'Singapore is a Fine City' T-shirts that go for three pieces for $10. But of course, it must look lame for locals to wear these T-shirts here or elsewhere. Not that we are not patriotic. I think one would look pretty hilarious too, wearing a 'no chewing gum' t-shirt. You cannot find chewing gums at Bugis Market or elsewhere in Singapore. So, do I miss chewing the sugary gum? Fortunately, not really. Entrance to Bugis Street Market If you are looking for inexpensive watches, you can get a $5 watch at Bugis Market. These are not fake branded watches like those found in some alleys in Bangkok and other...

You can find Roti John at many hawker centres and at  pasar malam (night markets). They are french bread coated with eggs and butter and and fried on hot plate and topped up with generous amount of chilli or tomato sauce and mayonaise. You can get them for around $5. The name John is English and roti is bread. So maybe during the early days this omelette sandwich is the equivalent of hamburgers or simply the french toast! You can find Roti John usually being sold at Malay stalls. At some hawker centres such as at Bedok Corner , the stall owners are getting creative. You can find Roti John Steak, Chicken or Sardine and Roti John Power! Grilling Roti John (front) and Ramly Burger Ramly Burger is that ubiquitous delicious and juicy meat local burger wrapped in egg and splashed with plenty of colourful sauces of tomato sauce, mayonnaise and mustard that you can only get at Pasar Malam. And it only cost about $4. The meat can be beef or chicken. Of course you can get value burgers at ...