The Thomson-East Coast Line has 20 stations up and working so we determined to be a vacationer in our personal nation — listed here are cool finds we found!
Photo credit score: Land Transport Authority
As an Eastie that doesn’t dwell alongside the Thomson-East Coast Line, the opening of Stage One and Two wasn’t thrilling. But Stage three meant that it now intersects Outram Park MRT on the inexperienced line. This was my probability to be a vacationer in my very own nation.
From the quirky Jurassic Nest Foodhall to the uncommon tropical natural world in Napier, listed here are 9 cool locations I found alongside the Thomson-East Coast Line ????
1) Jurassic Nest FoodCorridor (Gardens by The Bay MRT)
Jurassic Nest FoodCorridor is Singapore’s first dinosaur-themed meals corridor serving solely Michelin-rated meals!
Located in Supertree Grove at Gardens by The Bay, this prehistoric meals court docket has quite a lot of cuisines. Order from icons like Tsuta to Bismillah Briyani — the world’s first Michelin-starred ramen and the world’s solely Michelin-awarded briyani respectively.
Other Michelin-rated meals we tried was the Soya Chicken Hor Fun (S$9.80) from Hawker Chan and Nasi Lemak Cabe Ijo (S$12.90) from Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang for a Halal possibility.
The hor enjoyable packed a punch with its candy and umami sauce whereas the mega-saurusly portioned nasi lemak had aromatic rice, juicy rooster and cabe ijo (inexperienced chili sauce) which labored up fairly a warmth!
Fun reality: The T-rex and Brachiosaurus within the indoor part of the meals corridor involves life hourly between 12PM – 8PM whereas the Oviraptor outdoors does so hourly from 11:30AM – 7:30PM.
Cost: From S$9.80
Opening hours: 11AM – 9:30PM
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, #01-19, Singapore 018953
How to get there: Alight at Gardens by The Bay MRT Exit 1 and stroll 20 minutes to Supertree Grove
2) Market Blue (Orchard Boulevard MRT)
A Korean grocer, meals corridor and market packed into one area, Market Blue is a one-stop life-style mart for a fast Korean repair.
Previously referred to as the net retailer Blue Basket, Market Blue is the place you’ll discover direct-from-Korea gadgets with out having to attend or pay for delivery!
This bodily retailer is full of Korean snacks like Honey Butter Chips and Corn Cho (corn snacks coated in chocolate). You may discover conventional Korean homeware, attire, toiletries and trinkets out there on cabinets.
Our favorite part of the retail retailer is the Ramyeon Library the place you’ll be able to decide and blend totally different flavours of Korean ramyeon — even these not normally present in Singapore akin to Chapaghetti (black bean sauce), Baehongdong Bibim Ramen (candy pear, spicy and bitter), Ottogi Jin Jjambbong Ramen (spicy seafood soup).
Market Blue additionally has a hawker part promoting Korean-style road meals like Rose tteokbokki and baekban (Korean home-cooked-style dishes with rice, soup and aspect dishes) so you’ll be able to seize a grub after procuring.
Opening hours: 10:30AM – 5PM (meals corridor closes at 3PM, closed on Mon)
Address: 163 Tanglin Rd, Tanglin Mall, B1-122 123,124, Singapore 247933
How to get there: Alight at Orchard Boulevard MRT Exit 1 and stroll in direction of Tanglin Mall
3) Woodlands Sourdough (Maxwell MRT)
Just a 5-minute stroll away from Maxwell MRT, CBD of us can get a fast sourdough repair from Woodlands Sourdough on their strategy to work!
This second outlet is a smaller model of the Muslim-owned bakery — so that you not must journey all the way in which to Upper Thomson to get your palms on these naturally-leavened bakes!
We suggest the Mushroom or Potato Bialy (sourdough bread roll with sauteed onions and mushroom/potato, S$5) for savoury lovers and a Kardemummabullar (sourdough cardamom bun, S$4) should you’re searching for a heat spice kick.
Cost: From S$3
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 3PM (Thu – Sun)
Address: Emerald Garden, 31 Club St, #01-02, Singapore 069468
How to get there: Alight at Maxwell MRT Exit 1 and stroll 5 minutes in direction of Club Street
4) Sembcorp Coolhouse (Napier MRT)
As somebody who likes scenic walks however hates the warmth, the Sembcorp Cool House was a cold respite from the very heat Singapore Botanic Gardens.
The Sembcorp Cool House within the National Orchid Garden is a part of three show homes on the Tropical Montane Orchidetum — a set of greenhouses full of tropical natural world like begonia and several other orchid varieties.
There’s actually no must tough it out in an precise forest to see these uncommon and hybrid species.
Cost: From S$1 for entry into the National Orchid Garden (free til 2 Jan 2023)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 7PM
Address: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 259569
How to get there: Alight at Napier Station Exit 1 and stroll 15mins in direction of National Orchid Garden
5) Food Junction With Al Fresco Rooftop Dining (Great World MRT)
Stop by Great World for a chew at Food Junction. The meals court docket was lately renovated following a railway theme — a nod to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the previous Great World Amusement Park’s Ghost Train journey.
Just like another Food Junction, take pleasure in a variety of choices like Mala and Nuodle 牛嘴 一 each halal-certified.
For a change of surroundings out of your normal meals court docket eating, head out to Al Fresco Rooftop Garden for a meal within the breezy outdoor!
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #03-116, Great World, Singapore 237994
How to get there: Alight at Great World MRT Exit 1 and stroll 5 minutes in direction of Great World
6) Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (Shenton Way MRT)
Get cultured on the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
The second ground at present homes SINGAPO人 (pronounced Singapo-ren) — an exhibition exploring the Singaporean Chinese id. The exhibition is extremely interactive with video games, movies and polls. Results are recorded via an RFID bracelet registered to your title earlier than coming into the exhibition!
Overall, it’s a digestible introduction to understanding native Chinese tradition akin to habits, dialects and ancestry.
Don’t simply cease at only one exhibition, although. Explore the opposite ranges of the centre for extra exhibitions like 兔gether (pronounced Tu-gether) — a rabbit-themed artwork set up on the rooftop backyard, to welcome the Year of the Rabbit!
Entrance price: Free
Opening hours: 10AM – 8PM (opens 2PM on Mon)
Address: 1 Straits Blvd, Singapore 018906
How to get there: Alight at Shenton Way MRT Exit 2 and stroll 4 minutes on Park Street in direction of Shenton Lane to get to Union Street
7) Keong Saik Bakery (Outram Park MRT)
An ideal mix of old-school kopi tradition and modern-day boulangeries, Keong Saik Bakery affords an elevated espresso store expertise.
You’ll discover traditional viennoiseries (laminated pastries) and people with conventional flavours right here. We tried the Kouign-amann ($3.90) which was flaky and candy from the caramelised sugar crust and the Otak Danish (S$4.80) — they have been very beneficiant with the otak-otak!
Keong Saik Bakery additionally serves up your normal Kaya Toast and Soft Boiled Eggs should you’re searching for a traditional Singaporean breakfast.
Cost: From $3.50
Opening hours: 8AM – 8:30PM
Address: 33 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089140
How to get there: Alight at Outram Park MRT Exit 4 and stroll 5mins in direction of Keong Saik Road
8) Gyūnion (Shenton Way MRT)
Gyūnion is a well-liked Muslim-owned lunch spot within the coronary heart of the CBD promoting inexpensive Japanese-inspired donburi and ramen.
Tucked within the nook of Oxley Tower’s second ground, the institution’s tiny — however the meal is hearty.
Photo credit score: Gyūnion through Facebook
We had the Spicy Gyu-men (S$9.90) and Gyu-don (S$7.90), however our favorite was the Cheesy Gyu-don (S$8.90). The fluffy rice, melty cheese and sweet-tasting tender beef actually hit the spot.
Dine-ins are restricted to solely eight seats. It’s a one-man-show — actually one singular man cashiering and prepping the meals — however don’t fear, it strikes quick. If you’re dashing for time, go for takeaway.
Cost: From S$7.90
Opening hours: 12PM – 6:30PM (closes 8PM on Thu and Fri, closed on Sat and Sun)
Address: Oxley Tower, 138 Robinson Rd, #02-03 Oxley Tower, Singapore 068906
How to get there: Alight at Shenton Way MRT Exit 6, take the elevator to degree 2 of OUE Downtown and stroll straight following the bridge to Oxley Tower
9) Sustainable Singapore Gallery (Gardens by The Bay MRT)
Prior to the opening of the Thomson-East Coast line, attending to Marina Barrage concerned a 30-minute stroll from Bayfront MRT. It’s now only a 5-minute stroll from Gardens By The Bay MRT!
Other than having picnics and flying kites at Marina Barrage, the Sustainable Singapore Gallery is price a go to.
Photo credit score: Sustainable Singapore Gallery
Walk via the totally different zones to study local weather change in Singapore. We had enjoyable understanding Singapore’s sustainability efforts in interactive methods akin to doing quizzes on carbon footprint, pedalling on stationary bikes to study car-lite roads and utilizing contact screens to check which varieties of waste can or can’t be recycled.
Entrance price: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM (closed on Tues)
Address: Level 2, Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018951
How to get there: Alight at Gardens By The Bay MRT Exit 2 and stroll 5 minutes
Explore new experiences alongside the Thomson-East Coast Line
As an area, it’s straightforward to overlook that there are nonetheless new experiences and sights but to be found in Singapore. I’m one to restrict myself to acquainted locations so I used to be giddy with pleasure once I noticed a T-rex in a meals court docket and an entire wall of ramyeon.
Despite being a small nation, plainly Singapore at all times comes up with new issues for us to discover. It was good to expertise this — as soon as thought-about — ulu aspect of Singapore with recent eyes.
These areas of Singapore have been beforehand inconvenient for me to get to — nevertheless it’s now a lot simpler with the brand new stations alongside the Thomson-East Coast line.
Though it’ll nonetheless take a while for the Thomson-East Coast line to open totally, there are already 20 stations up and working!
Know another cool locations alongside the Thomson-East Coast Line? Let us know within the feedback under!
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