SingaporeTraveller.info

Singapore City Guide

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:19:48 +0000

Above everything else, Singapore is a haven for food lovers. Singapore’s multicultural background has given rise to an endless array of exotic dishes that are certain to convert even the most staunch.

Singapore as a nation consists of the “Main” island of Singapore and around sixty smaller islands of which just over twenty are inhabited. Singapore is located just off the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula to which it is linked by a causeway. Sentosa island is the southernmost point in continental Asia.

Singapore’s population is mostly comprised of Chinese, Malays and Indians; however, the culture has become mostly homogenous: Singapore has a unique culture which they call ‘Kiasu-ness’ and tourists will ogle at Singaporeans’ favourite sport: standing in line.

There is not just an ecletic mix of ethnicities in Singapore, but an ecletic mix of the old and the new. Old colonial buildings, which make up the foundation of the city, can still be found alongside new and shiny skyscrapers.

Singapore has no natural resources other than its people; as such, its sucess as a nation is quite a feat. And, there is no where else in the world where you can break five laws by spitting a piece of chewing gum out of the window. A ‘fine’ city!

Shaw House

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:23:43 +0000

The main floors of Shaw House are taken up by Isetan, a large Japanese department store with designer boutiques for men’s and women’s fashions, accessories, and cosmetics. On the fifth level, the Lido Theatre screens new releases from Hollywood and around the world.

Marina Square

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:22:59 +0000

Marina Square is a huge complex that, in addition to a wide variety of shops, has a cinema, fast-food outlets and cafes, pharmacies, and convenience stores.

Lucky Plaza

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:16:23 +0000

The map of this place will take hours to decipher, as more than 400 stores are here (no kidding). It’s basically known for sportswear, camera equipment, watches, and luggage. If you buy electronics, please make sure you get an international warranty with your purchase. Also, like Far East Plaza, Lucky Plaza is a notorious rip-off problem for travelers. Make sure you come here prepared to fend off slick sales techniques. It may also help to take the government’s advice and avoid touts and offers that sound too good to be true.

Far East Plaza

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:15:59 +0000

At this crowded mall, the bustle of little shops will sell everything from CDs to punk fashions, luggage to camera equipment, eyewear to souvenirs. Mind yourself here: Most of these shops do not display prices, but rather gauge the price depending on how wealthy the customer appears. If you must shop here, use your shrewdest bargaining powers. It may pay off to wear an outfit that has seen better days.

Centrepoint

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:15:36 +0000

Centrepoint is home to Robinson’s department store, which first opened in Singapore in 1858. Here you’ll find about 150 other shops, plus fast-food outlets, and a Times bookstore.

Imperial Herbal

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:13:32 +0000

People come again and again for the healing powers of the food served here, enriched with herbs and other secret ingredients prescribed by a resident Chinese herbalist. Upon entering, you’ll be ushered to the herb counter. The herbalist, who is also trained in Western medicine, will ask for the symptoms of what ails you and take your pulse. While you sit and order (from an extensive menu of meats, seafood, and vegetable dishes that are delicious in their own right), he’ll prepare a packet of ingredients and ship them off to the kitchen, where they’ll be added to the food in preparation. Surprisingly, dishes turn out tasty, without the anticipated medicinal aftertaste.

IndoChine Waterfront

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:13:00 +0000

IndoChine Waterfront shares the stately Empress Place Building with the Asian Civilisations Museum, enhancing the sophistication of its chic Oriental decor. The views over the water make for true romance. The menu combines the best dishes from the Indochinese region, many with hints of the French cuisine that was added into regional palates during colonial days. Their two most popular dishes are the house specialty beef stew ragout and the pepper beef with sweet-and-sour sauce. More traditional Vietnamese favorites, like spring rolls and prawns grilled on sugar cane, are fresh starters. After dinner, don’t miss the Vietnamese coffee; it’s mindblowingly delicious. IndoChine has two sister restaurants, one in a quaint Chinatown shophouse and another in Wisma Atria on Orchard Road.

Genki Sushi

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:12:21 +0000

I ducked into Genki Sushi for lunch. I sat at the counter, where a tiny conveyor belt snaked along in front of me carrying colored plates full of glistening sushi, rolls, sashimi, and other treats. Just pick and eat — and pay per plate. So the goofy Japanese guy next to me got chatty. We discussed the conveyor-belt sushi bar concept and how much we both loved it, then he poked some buttons on his electronic translator and showed me the screen. “This name in Japan.” The translator spelled revolution. Makes sense, the “revolution” sushi bar, but now I’ll never shake the image of Che Guevara sitting there plucking sushi off the belt.

Blue Ginger

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:11:58 +0000

The standard belief is that Peranakan cooking is reserved for home-cooked meals, and therefore restaurants are not as plentiful — and where they do exist, are very informal. Not so at Blue Ginger, where traditional and modern mix beautifully in a style so fitting for Singapore. Snuggled in a shophouse, the decor combines clean and neat lines of contemporary styling with paintings by local artists and touches of Peranakan flair like carved wooden screens. The cuisine is Peranakan from traditional recipes, making for some very authentic food — definitely something you can’t get back home.

A good appetizer is the kueh pie tee: bite-size “top hats” filled with turnip, egg, and prawn with sweet chili sauce. A wonderful entree is the ayam panggang “Blue Ginger,” really tender grilled, boneless, chicken thigh and drumstick with a mild coconut-milk sauce. One of the most popular dishes is the ayam buah keluak (my favorite), a traditional chicken dish made with a hard black Indonesian nut with sweetmeat inside. The favorite dessert here is durian chendol, red beans and pandan jelly in coconut milk with durian purée. Served with shaved ice on top, it smells strong.