you want to stay here
Although small, the city of Singapore encompasses a multitude of completely different neighborhoods, -some better known than others such as China Town or Marina Bay- that are worth visiting. known as Asian Switzerland , strolling through this city and getting lost in its thousand tiny neighborhoods does not imply any danger, and this is how you can get there walking leisurely to Yong Siak Street , a small street that combines the local essence with diverse international influence.
Do you smell Forty Hands coffee yet?
MIAMI BEACH STYLE
situated in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood , is a quiet area, very residential and away from the hustle and bustle of the center. You will recognize it by its buildings of houses and apartments with a clear style 1950's Art Deco , which evoke the exclusive South Beach area of Miami. White facades, different exterior stairs and many tropical plants at the entrance of the houses are some of the hallmarks of this neighborhood. In the center of the neighborhood is located Yong Siak Street where, despite its short length, you can spend hours and find a thousand things to do.
THE PLACE OF THE SENSES
We start with Plain Vanilla Bakery (1D), whose door is dominated by two vintage air bicycles. It is a great place that covers everything related to the world of cooking: a delicious coffee where you can taste home cooking ; a space for cookbooks , with some as curious as the one dedicated to apple recipes; a gourmet area with homemade jams, various types of coffee or world salts, together with original and curious kitchen utensils. An advice? Don't miss out on the fun "homemade" Gin kit to play at being a bartender at home. And if you want to taste one of the sweets from his cafeteria, do not overlook the muffins of different flavors ; the banana cake or its version of the chocolate gypsy arm.
long live the cupcake
PURE COFFEE
If the inhabitants of the city like something, it is to drink coffee, but not just any coffee, rather they indulge in trying different types, looking for those that awaken their senses. In this search you have to include in the coffee route ** Forty Hands ** (at number 78 of the street), a place with a lot of atmosphere at any time of the day, where you can see how they grind different types of coffee -generally organic- at the time. They can be accompanied with a wide selection of homemade sweets and cakes, made every morning . A must? Your weekend brunch; such is its success that there is no room for a pin.
In addition to delicious coffees, it also has a brunch option for vegans!
SHOPPING BY INDEPENDENT STORES
In Yong Siakn or you will see any establishment of a big chain . All the stores that inhabit it are small premises of an independent label and with a lot of charm, where you can buy original and very different objects. We emphasize, Woods in the books (at nº3), a place that you will recognize from afar by its facade with fun drawings. Its interior is a paradise for little readers, since it has picture books, stories and some wooden toys; what's more organize many workshops . At number 9 there is another bookstore, BooksActually , one hundred percent independent and specializing in fiction books. On their shelves they have a special place poems and biographies of creators . A detail? They have a small publishing house called Math Paper Press with which they promote new writers. Lastly, it should be noted Strangelets (at number 7), a shop where you can find all kinds of various curiosities, from a fun thermos of coffee in the shape of a sailor or bullfighter; some postcards with positive slogans such as "you can do it" or the notebooks of the firm Katie Leamon.
May happiness catch you in a bookstore
LUNCH TIME
And if the shopping offer is extensive, the gastronomic offer is also rich and varied. at number 5 is Ikyū , a friendly restaurant run by the chef Takuma Seki which is defined as “perfect balance between simplicity and complexity”. It offers Japanese cuisine with a different touch, and you can enjoy one of its menus or simply a variety of sushi to taste. At number 19 we came across **Open Door Policy** or PDO , a modern and rustic bistro with “tasty and contemporary food for people who want to eat sustainably”, as they explain. Its open kitchen is striking, and its "green character", with walls covered with plants, which can be used in your dishes. Two recommendations: the vegetarian pasta or his recipe for crab with saffron, corn sauce and sugar snap peas.
Challenge your senses at Ikyu
And for those who like innovate in the kitchen There are two good options. On the one hand, PoTeaTo , at 78 Calle, specializing in chips and tea at very good prices. And, although it is on a parallel street, it is also worth mentioning big mom (2, Kim Tian Road) , which has gained excellent fame in recent times thanks to its top korean cuisine , despite the fact that it almost goes unnoticed physically since it does not stand out for its decoration, but for the good work in the kitchen. Attention to your kimchi fried rice ; their pork bulgogi with rice or any of their soups.
PoTeaTo: creativity everywhere!
VISIT A TRADITIONAL MARKET
Not far from this street is the market Tiong Bahru , with the aesthetics and atmosphere of those of a lifetime, where you will find street vendors of all kinds. Stalls of fish, spices, fruit, vegetables, tea, meat... If you like the world of food, you can also buy interesting and peculiar products in crateful (at 1 de la calle), colloquially called by the natives "modern urban shopkeeper". Here you can find the shopping basket of artisanal, fresh and healthy producers, such as salts of all kinds, fruits and vegetables, herbs for cooking, artisanal granola, hand-labeled bagged teas, etc. And to finish off the healthy plan, don't leave the area without trying a yoga session in the center Move Mind , at number 11.
AND AS NIGHT FALLS...
…nothing better than Coq and Balls , on an adjacent street _(6, Kim Tian Road) _. It is the perfect place to spend a good time on the weekend, to the sound of good music, a chill-out atmosphere and a wide selection of beers. A data: offers a fast food menu such as sandwiches, hamburgers or pizzas , in case you get hungry, and want to "kill the bug".
Do we toast?