Joo Chiat Makan Tour

Am organizing a tour around Joo Chiat next Saturday (8 May).  Going to explore the whole area, and look for food and history ;)

Don't know how much it has changed from this original report, but maybe will check it out first before the 8th.

Anyone interested?


Taken from Makansutra:

In our first of a series of jalan-jalan (jalan means walk in Malay) food tours, Makansutra brings you to East Coast.

Click here to load up a map of the area. If you have two to three hours to spare one Saturday morning, why not try out this short tour and discover some interesting gems located in the three parallel roads of Onan-Joo Chiat-Tembeling. Our advice--bring a camera to capture nostalgic scenes that you'll come across. Begin your tour with breakfast at 64 Joo Chiat Place, Xin Hua coffeeshop.Fei Fei Wantan Noodles dishes out small servings of excellent homemade noodles coated with just the right amount of chilli and gravy sauce. Served in traditional rooster bowls, you can finish it in four to five mouthfuls. You can choose to sit in the coffeeshop or go al fresco under the trees and enjoy the morning sun. Tempted as you may be to order another bowl, remember--you're on a food tour now, don't eat too much first, there're lots more to fill your stomach!

Situated next door is the famous Kim Choo Nonya Bak Chang (rice dumplings prepared Nonya style). You can buy some home or alternatively, just order a drink at the coffeeshop and have the bak chang for breakfast too. Across the road is the Changi Junk Store. Here's the place to browse and to see how old furniture can be restored to their former glory,. Continue your walk towards Joo Chiat Road and turn left at the junction of Joo Chiat Place and Lorong 101 Changi. As you stroll along, you'll see a 1970s barber shop sitting right at the corner of Lorong 101 Changi and Joo Chiat Terrace. Grab your camera and strike a pose. In the midst of classy hair salons and dwindling number of customers, such shops are a fast vanishing sight.

Head towards Joo Chiat Road and turn left. Here, watch how popiah skins are made the way they should be--the traditional method and not by some high-tech machinery. The skins are made the old-fashioned way. Four to five busy workers are constantly cooking the thin batter on a small, rounded flat and heated pan. Kway Guan Huat at 95 Joo Chiat Road is popular with East Coast residents as well as popiah sellers because the popiah skins are made thin, soft and fresh, still warm when you buy them. With a shop like this, why bother to get thick, hard and cold popiah skins from supermarkets? Walk along Joo Chiat Road towards East Coast Road. When you see Joo Chiat Lane on the left, turn and you'll be greeted by the aroma of freshly-baked bread. Follow your nose and you'll come to Hup Hin/ Aik Yew Bakery on the right of the road. The friendly baker normally allows you to take a peep and even photograph the baking process. You'll be overwhelmed by the sight of the primitive and gigantic stone ovens which are fuelled by diesel (used to be wood) that has to be pumped constantly. This is a "die, die must take" photo! Sure regret if you don't! If any freshly baked bread or pastries are ready, you can even pick up some and eat them straightaway. A fresh bun is always shiok to the bite!

Go straight towards Tembeling Road and turn right. Just a few metres away away, you'll see an old and quaint provision shop at the corner of Tembeling and Koon Seng roads. Time seems to have stood still in this dimly-lit shop--biscuits are still sold in big containers with red cha-kia (Chinese clogs) hanging on the wall for sale. Nowadays where got shopowners still let you put your hands in the biscuit containers and choose what you like to buy? As for the cha-kia, I can guarantee that it'll definitely be cheaper than those sold at the touristy shops in Chinatown. Just a few steps ahead, you'll see a signboard in blue, red, yellow and white telling you that "The Shophouse" is on the right. Tucked away in a quiet corner at the end of the lane is actually a shop selling Indonesian (especially Javanese) furniture. If you like Indonesian wooden furniture, you'll find some interesting pieces resting in this airy shophouse. Exit via the carpark and walk towards Joo Chiat Road, in the direction of East Coast Road. Turn right when you see Onan Road and turn right again. Move along till you reach near the end of the road, and you'll see Hoon Bee coffeeshop. After all that walking, it's time for Joo Chiat Prawn Mee! A $3 serving will give you three medium-sized prawns with two pieces of tender pork ribs, garnished with a generous sprinkling of fried shallots. If you want big prawns, just pay more lah!

Ready to move on? Back track towards Joo Chiat Road again. Pick up cookies at Kimzara, 452 Joo Chiat Road or durian puffs at Puteri Mas, unit number 475. As you come to the crossroads of Joo Chiat and East Coast roads, turn right. If you're still feeling greedy for more food, the Tau Kwa Pau (beancurd with stuffings) at Hock Ann Eating house is a must-try. A rare find these days, you get a combination of minced meat with cucumber and coriander stuffed in a fried beancurd skin, served with a special sauce. To end the tour, just walk straight ahead and you'll see the famous red house confectionery. Want to experience what high tea was like in the 60s? Just try it out here! Order your coffee/tea, get the sponge cakes or Swiss rolls, soak in the atmosphere and rest your tired legs. Even the people manning the shop look like they've been working here since the sixties. Enjoy this last stop, because once it's closed in the near future (due to the lifting of rent control), you'll regret for life that you had never visited this popular landmark. Pictures by Wesley Loh