Eat, See and Do Singapore In 24 Hours
y intense, albeit short adventure to the global city of Singapore was everything one would imagine from the luxurious film set of “Crazy Rich Asians.”
Touching down into the “Lion City” awaited an exciting modern oasis balancing impressive futuristic architecture against the stunning tropical landscape. Its unique history and fusion of Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Arab and English cultures echos everywhere you walk. Though the humidity might melt your face off, the vibrant street colours, glitzy multi-complexes and culturally rich enclaves are exciting exploring grounds to discover on foot.
This 24-hour itinerary will give you the best of the touristy essentials mixed with some local finds to entice you back for another visit. Oh, and satisfy your fatty foodie soul with the tastiest grub in town!
efore leaving the airport, kick start the first of your many food adventures with a traditional Singapore breakfast staple at Ya Kun Kaya Toast.
Kaya toast is toasted bread filled with butter and a jam called, kaya. Kaya is made from eggs, sugar, coconut milk and pandan leaves. The dish is dipped in and eaten with a soft boiled egg and either hot coffee or tea is served together.
At first, the idea of a cold butter sandwich dipped in egg sounded quite bizarre and admittedly heart attack inducing but the combination is surprisingly delicious.
An alternative is a bowl of good old Cantonese comfort food – wonton noodle soup. At the famous Chee Kei noodle shop grab some noodles with a serving of radish or, if you have two stomachs, the Braised Beef Tendon and Brisket with Rice is not to be missed.
Above: Ya Kun Kaya Toast Family Café’s Set A – Kaya Butter Toast with a Soft Boiled Egg, Kaya Butter Toast and Coffee or Tea.
Right: Chee Kei’s Shrimp Noodle Soup, Braised Beef Tendon and Brisket with Rice and Radish (side dish).
ingapore has arguably the most well maintained public gardens I have ever been in any country. Rightly so, given its reputation and committed vision to being a “City in a Garden.”
It is the site for the beautiful Supertree Grove that scenically towers over the surrounding botanical gardens and is a very popular tourist spot.
If you plan to walk along the OCBC Skybridge, I suggest getting there as early as possible to enjoy a somewhat uncrowded vantage point to overlook the beautiful botanical gardens below and local area.
Within the Gardens by the Bay are a number of other attractions with the two most popular being the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
estled inside the gorgeous CHIJMES building, The Glasshouse brings us the delights of specialty coffee and artisan sourdough bread surrounded by giant leafy houseplants as if a greenhouse and coffee shop had merged.
Out of all their open sandwiches I tried, the Classic Salmon Sandwich was the winner with it’s salty salmon slices and tart pickled radish on herby cream cheese spread. The Hummus and Bread Bowl was worth it to try out their delicious homemade hummus but maybe their Avocado and Dukkah Sandwich would have been the better choice to change up the taste experience while eating.
For coffee, I chose the interesting White Coffee since it is a popular local coffee style plus I added oat milk just to be a little extra.
After brunch, it’s also worth exploring the CHIJMES building itself. It’s a beautiful reconverted old Catholic convent with open hallways and cloistered courtyards.
The beautiful Neo-Classical style makes it a showstopper for wedding photos and the gorgeous interiors of the other diners are perfect for Instagram-worthy outings.
Left: The Hummus and Bread Bowl and White Coffee.
Right: Classic Salmon Sandwich with Avocado Slices (Extra).
f you like eccentric art and a place that is bustling with activity both day and night, you will no doubt enjoy a stop over to this charismatic neighborhood.
Haji Street is a trendy joint full of independent shop houses and eateries. You can find an exciting mix of interesting hobby and fashion stores matched with tasty international food and quirky bars – all sandwiched next to each other in perfect harmony.
istorically the area where Chinese immigrants settled during British ruled Singapore, the red and gold coloured streets of Chinatown is a vital cultural enclave for visitors to experience Chinese culture and heritage.
Though a longer stay would include a thorough visit to the famous Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and NUS Baba House, here is a sample of Chinatown’s famous eateries and sights.
Follow the Mural Art Trail
Dotted around various locations within small back alleys or between shopfronts on the main road, the street art created by Singapore’s creative artists will take your breath away with their depictions of the past to more modern inspirations.
The murals painted by artist Yip Yew Chong are my particular favourite for their detailed scenes of times gone by in old Chinatown. Try to pose just right for that perfect shot and turn those stills into living artwork. Check out here for street art locations.
Dine at the World’s Cheapest Michelin-starred Restaurant
Hawker Chan Chinatown Restaurant
78 Smith St, Singapore 058972
Hawker Chan Chinatown Complex Branch
335 #02-126 Smith St, Complex Market & Food Centre, Singapore 050335
Start your Michelin-starred studded food trek with a visit to the first Hawker to be awarded one star, Hawker Chan Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle.
For those unfamiliar with Cantonese food, soy sauce chicken is a popular dish in Hong Kong that requires meat to be braised and marinated multiple times while roasting in an oven or open fire. The result is a mouth watering caramelized outer layer with a juicy and moist inside that’s so tender you’ll wonder how it could only cost under SGD$4 at Hawker Chan.
If the original Hawker store is too crowded or you arrive later in the day (the stall closes at 3:30PM and Sundays), the restaurant version located a few steps away is a more comfortable alternative with air conditioning and longer operating hours. Though, this restaurant establishment version only received a Bib Gourmand award, the large tables and ample seating make this alternative worth visiting for a taste.
Soya Sauce Chicken Rice
Char Siew Noodle
Find the Best Cheap Grub at Maxwell Road
Maxwell Road Hawker Centre
1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184
Hawker Centres are large food courts housing many individual food vendors dishing out no-frills meals with maximum flavour for dirt cheap.
Singapore’s Chinatown is abundant in hawker centres but the clear stand out the local’s swear by is Maxwell Road Hawker Centre.
Maxwell Road Hawker Centre has been featured on many television programs and is home to the nation’s most famous chicken rice hawker stall Tian Tian and their rival Ah Tai.
No visit to Singapore would be complete without a taste of Tian Tian’s Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Tian Tian has a high reputation within Singapore and around the world, having been awarded the Bib Gourmand award by The Michelin Guide, praised by Anthony Bourdain whose poster hangs proudly in their store and even winning against Gordon Ramsey in a culinary showdown on Singtel’s Hawker Heroes Challenge.
A few stalls down is another well-to-do establishment called Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice. The owner, who also shares the same name, actually is a former staff of Tian Tian. From storefront design to food menu options Ah Tai shares some dare I say “similarities” to their famous neighbour’s chicken rice. However, one taste and you’ll soon realise that there’s something deeper going on in its flavour that makes it it’s own.
So, which is better?
It might sound like a cop-out but they are both so identical in quality it’s hard to tell. They are both really good. What is different is the slight taste experience happening in your mouth when tasting both.
I guess one can argue that it simply comes down to the dining experience. Ah Tai offers complimentary soup and a shorter wait while Tian Tian offers that yummy stock rice that just can’t be beaten.
If you are keen to know more I suggest visiting hungrygowhere for a deep dive into what you can expect from both places.
Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice.
hile in Chinatown, a stop at the Tea Chapter is a must. It has an impressive reputation within Singapore and was even visited by Queen Elizabeth II!
The tea shop on street level is a great place for buying high-quality tea but climb the wooden stairs to reach the tea salon above you’ll find a fascinating place for some traditional refreshments.
Upon arrival, you can choose your favourite tea room setting before sitting down and glancing through their hand bond menus.
As to expect, there were many black, white, green and red teas on offer but we chose the recommended Queen’s tea called “Imperial Golden Cassia.” We also asked the staff for a tea serving demonstration before attempting the steps ourselves.
The experience at Tea Chapter was a great eye-opener to the appreciation of Chinese tea culture. It was one of the highlights of my trip! I loved the authentic and educational insight the staff provided while being able to relax and enjoy chatting with company.
“Imperial Golden Cassia” is the same tea Queen Elizabeth II was served on her visit here.
here’s nothing quite like a romantic nightly stroll along the waterfront to soak up the city lights and at the Marina Bay area, there are three places that look amazing light up under the dark sky: the SuperTree Grove (again, haha), Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion.
If you are following this 24 hour guide in order, I would recommend to visit the SuperTree Grove first, than take the footbridge that connects to the Marina Bay Sands resort complex to see the nightly free SPECTRA – Light & Water Show at the Marina Bay Sands waterfront before walking along the harbour to see the Merlion on the other end.
This will make for shorter travel time to the next activity, eating chilli crab at JUMBO Seafood!
The SPECTRA – Light & Water Show at the Marina Bay Sands waterfront is at 8PM and 9PM on Sundays to Thursdays while on Fridays and Saturdays it will be changed to 9PM and 10PM.
There is also a light and sound show called Garden Rhapsody at the SuperTree Grove held at 7:45pm and 8:45pm daily.
The SuperTree Groves lit up during the night.
The Marina Bay Sands on the opposite side of the waterfront.
The Merlion lit up at night.
nother signature dish to try in Singapore before leaving is, of course, the infamous chilli crab.
Singaporean chilli crab is so good it was listed 35 on the World’s 50 most delicious foods list by CNN Go. Its a deliciously cooked crab in a sweet-savoury tomato chilli based sauce.
If I could recommend a place, JUMBO Seafood is a great chain restaurant and the Riverside Point location makes for a modern and stylish dining experience. Although chilli crab isn’t supposed to a spicy dish despite its name, the spice level at JUMBO Seafood seems to have been made spicier when I visited in October this year (2019).
I would confirm with the waiter if they can make the sauce milder if you are not the best with spicy food.
They also offer packets of their special chilli crab sauce for sale should you want to buy one as a souvenir.
As it is one of their most popular locations, I suggest booking in advance if you are lusting to get your mud crab fix without waiting forever in line.
Singapore Chilli Crab
Ginger and Spring Onion Crab
f time permits before flying out of Singapore, a stop at the newly opened Jewel is another must-do.
Jewel located in Terminal 1 is a nature-themed entertainment area in Changi Airport where you can see the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, Rain Vortex and enjoy recreational activities on the higher levels of the canopy garden.
Even if you are only able to enjoy the Rain Vortex’s light show, it’s a great way to close off your trip.
HSBC RAIN VORTEX
- Open daily: 9AM to 11:30PM
- Light & Sound Showtimes: 7:30PM – 11:30PM daily, at hourly intervals
The colours are amazingly vibrant against the blue sky!
Some of the local treats you can eat during the Momiji Festival.
