Tiong Bahru
WHERE EAST MEETS WEST
Take a self-guided tour around one of Singapore's oldest housing estate and how it comes to be known as the "new cemetery"
Quick Food & History Trips:
5 Things to Do at Tiong Bahru
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Raring to go on a quick outing where you can indulge both your tastebuds and interest in history? Tiong Bahru is one of the best places to visit for that, thanks to its many heritage sites and rich assortment of hawker stalls - some of which even boast Michelin Plates and Bib-Gourmand designation.
If you’re up for a quick trip there and want to know which sites to visit or which foods to try, we can help! Here’s a list of 5 things you definitely need to do at Tiong Bahru.
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1. Eat hokkien fried noodle at Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee
This is an unforgettable version of Hokkien mee that comes from this stall in Tiong Bahru's market. The stall even has Bib-Gourmand designation in the red book.
The noodles are extremely savoury and the taste of prawn is wonderfully dominant, full of all the umami goodness of seafood. The sambal chilli only adds to the mixture, which also boasts slices of fish and pork.
You usually have to queue up for a meal here, though, so keep that in mind!
2. Check out the old colonial flats built in the 30s
A lot of people don't know it, but Tiong Bahru actually has the first colonial flats on the island. The government built them because they were struggling with Chinatown being overcrowded back then.
The flats are still there now and have actually been marked for conservation. We think they're pretty good examples of the architecture in that time, so check them out!
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3. Try lor mee at Tiong Bahru Lor Mee
If you like lor mee, you have to try this stuff. It’s starchy, gooey, and really indulgent - which means it’s a foodie’s dream!
Mildly sweet and savoury with chilli, garlic, coriander, and black vinegar, this dish comes with some very nice ingredients like crispy fried wontons and stewed pork. There are sweet, light fish nuggets as well.
But the best bit has to be the noodles, which are flat and very satisfying to chew.
4. Photograph the murals in the area
There are a fair number of street meals here, particularly along Eng Watt Street and Seng Poh Road.
Some are exquisite works - definitely worthy of an Instagram post! Be sure to capture as many as you can with your camera.
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Photo Credit: Maureen
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5. Eat the wanton noodles at Zhong You Yuan Wei
Love fatty pork bits? Well, Zhong You Yuan Wei has the perfect noodle dish for you, then.
Here, they offer an interesting wanton mee that often sells out quickly at lunchtime. It’s basically made with pig’s armpit, which sounds odd until you realise that there’s a lot of fat in that part of a pig.
What makes this so worthwhile is really the way they cook the char siew here. Believe us when we say the charring is perfect. That’s actually why it sells out so often and so quickly!
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Want More Suggestions for Exploring Tiong Bahru?
While those make up the 5 things we think you should try when in the area, there are definitely a lot of others you should look into too!
For more ideas on how to explore Tiong Bahru and make the most of your trip, check out our ultimate guide to exploring Tiong Bahru. You’ll be sure to find amazing things about the place that you never knew before!
Download our Tiong Bahru Guide now!
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