Industrial Secrets: Hidden Gems in Singapore’s Gritty Industrial Neighbourhoods
PUBLISHED August 1st, 2017 06:00 am | UPDATED July 23rd, 2024 12:29 am
Think of industrial districts in Singapore and pictures of grey, drab buildings with hordes of office folk likely come to mind. As we all know, though, the best secrets reside in the most unexpected places. From a restaurant by a Michelin-starred chef to furniture finds, these 10 spots are stepping up the game in their industrial ‘hoods.
The Boneless Kitchen
If you’re not someone who rolls with the vegetarian lifestyle, a hearty meal at The Boneless Kitchen might soon change your mind. Korean cuisine is typically pretty meat-heavy, but this affordable restaurant has found a way to go meat-free while keeping the umami punch of traditional Korean dishes.
The Boneless Kitchen is located at 1 Irving Place, #01-31, Singapore 369546. Open Tue-Fri 12pm to 9pm.
Red Point Record Warehouse
It’s not every day you come across a store with a collection of over 6,000 vintage vinyl records from contemporary indie to classic ‘80s disco. Red Record Point Warehouse, a 2000 sq. ft. store on the sixth floor of the Kapo Factory building, is a favourite among music enthusiasts for its rare collectables and ‘80s 12-inch singles.
Red Point Record Warehouse is located at #06-11, Block B Kapo Factory Building, 80 Playfair Rd, Singapore 367998. Open Thu-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm.
Peranakan Khek
Located along a row of Jalan Besar shophouses, this chef-owned store is all about traditional Nyonya kueh. Its Kueh Salat ($2 per slice) and Gula Melaka Chiffon Cake ($2 per slice) have received rave reviews and it’s not hard to understand why — every piece of kueh is painstakingly made by hand with freshly-squeezed coconut milk (santan) and pure palm sugar (gula melaka).
Peranakan Khek is located at 11 Cavan Road, #01-03 Cavan Suites, Singapore 209848. Open Wed-Sun 11am-5pm.
PickJunction
Pop by the PickJunction Experiential Centre for an up-close look at well-designed furniture and lifestyle goods by independent designers. Whether it’s a sustainably-made dining table from Ethnicraft Online or a Scandinavian-inspired, indoor/outdoor rug from For The Common Goods, craftsmanship is the name of the game here, which means you’re always assured of quality.
PickJunction is located at 72 Eunos Ave 7, Singapore 409570. Open Tue-Sun 10am-7pm.
Underground Wines
Tan Boon Liat may be known for its furniture finds, but it’s also home to Underground Wines, a supplier of affordable, quality vinos that works directly with family-run and owned vineyards in NZ. If you like a glass on the regular, buy your wine in cases for the best deals. Bottles start from $25.
Underground Wines is located at #07-04 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074. Open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 12pm-4pm.
Tsuta Ramen
Indulge in a Michelin-starred bowl of soba noodles at Tsuta, located on the first level of the newly built 18 Tai Seng. The restaurant’s signature recommendation is the Shoyu Soba ($15), which consists of a truffle-infused broth and noodles made from four types of whole wheat flour and grain.
Tsuta Ramen 18 Tai Seng Street #01-01 Singapore 539775. Opens 11am to 10pm daily.
Emporium of Modern Man
From stationery to dining ware, this lifestyle retail store curates a collection of artisanal goods from independent designers from all around the world. Cult favourites include Henrik Vibskov, LOQ, and Building Block.
Emporium of Modern Man is located at 60 Somme Road, #01-03, Singapore 207876. Open Wed-Sun 12pm-5pm.
Möbler
Run by two sisters, Möbler puts Scandinavian vintage and antique furniture front and centre in its flagship studio at Jalan Ampas. You can shop online at your own convenience, but half the fun of shopping for vintage pieces lies in the hunt, and there’s plenty more to be found at the 2,200 sq. ft. showroom.
Möbler is located at 10C Jalan Ampas, Singapore 329513. Open Wed-Sun 12pm-7pm.
Tiger Brewery
This one’s a bit of a hike but well worth your trouble if you enjoy Tiger Beer. Take a guided tour of the brewery (about 90 minutes long), which involves learning more about the brewing process and the German-made malt mills. The highlight, of course, is the Tiger Tavern, a secret drinking hole open only to tour guests, where you can sample different beers by Asia Pacific Breweries, such as Heineken, ABC, and Anchor Beer.
Tiger Brewery is located at 459 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, Singapore 639934. Open Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm.
