There is more to Singapore
than most people think
Food, pretty views, rooftop bars, luxury, Chinese, and no chewing gum. The stereotypes about Singapore are many. While stereotypes often are on to something, there is much more to Singapore than what most people think.
I used to live in Singapore for 2,5+ years and there is no place like it. To show of a different side, I asked my close Singaporean friend Khai to share what her hometown is really like, from a local point of view.
Enjoy this local Singapore guide.
Let’s start with some info about you.
I enjoy my work in producing television and telling stories through different mediums. As a Singaporean, I am also obsessed with food.
How would you describe the culture in Singapore?
More diverse and eclectic than people realize. Every corner and pocket of Singapore that you go to, you’ll find a different vibe.
How would you describe Singapore?
Home. Singapore is not just what is shown on travelogues and tv shows. It has a lot of culture and history that needs to be experienced for yourself and that can be done by going to more local spots than touristy ones.
What do you like most about Singapore?
Aside from my friends and family – I enjoy Singlish and our weird sense of humor. The work style is also very different from some places and can be quite unexpected.
I love that we are efficient and that things move fast in the city. Also great that the generation today is working hard to preserve aspects of Singapore’s identity and highlight the forgotten pockets in society.
What are the downsides (if any)?
What makes us efficient, unfortunately, comes at a cost. People are overworked and stressed a lot. For the middle class, it’s still a struggle to keep up. There are also obvious distances between different sections of society which can be sad. It’s also sad that there are not that many historical landmarks tying the city back to history before the colonial times.
What are the most common stereotypes about Singapore and what do you think about them?
Three things people keep assuming about me because I’m Singaporean:
- That I am Chinese
- That I am rich
- That I can’t speak English
I think it’s a pity and I’d like to change that perspective. There’s not much about the real Singapore that’s being shared internationally.
Reasons to visit and daily life in Singapore
Why visit Singapore?
To meet the locals and try the dizzying array of really good and affordable food. The cheapest Michelin star restaurant can be found here, for example. There’s also everything for everyone – for business, friends, families… from high to low budget.
What time of the year do you prefer in Singapore?
August-September is a nice period because it’s right after the school holidays and right before the monsoon season.
What’s the best way to get to know the locals?
Try Couchsurfing, which has meetups at least once a week.
What’s the best way to get around?
Ride hail apps are really cheap – use Grab or GoJek. Or else the bus and trains are really dependable and affordable.
What’s dating like in Singapore?
An interesting mix of modern and traditional expectations. Not far from the usual as other big cities like New York or London, with many international people. This also means using apps is now one of the norms, not out of the ordinary. That said, you can still meet people in bars and clubs. But it might be unusual to say hi to someone at Starbucks.
Local dates can be as cheap and easy as you want – hawker centers and walks on the East Coast or as swanky as you want – rent a yacht for a day to sail around the island.
What’s daily life like?
Like every other big city life, but more hectic and sweaty. That said because Singapore is so small it’s really easy to get from work to play. Every day of the week can be a different type of fun – if you manage to balance it.
Life is full in Singapore if you can afford it.
Can you name one thing about your city, that most people who are not from there don’t know?
My favorite place to bring travelers is Haw Par Villa – a kitschy place that used to be the estate of a tycoon’s family turned museum about hell turned theme park turned abandoned spot for urban adventurers. Now it’s about to re-open again and allowed it to be used for weddings. It’s insane and very not on-brand for Singapore. I love it.
Where to hang out, eat, and have a good time
What are your favorite neighborhoods in Singapore (and why)?
The Arab street has a special place in my heart. It’s somewhere I feel most truly home and there is something for everyone. The mosque is the heart of the area, it is majestic, beautiful and has lots of stories to tell. It is where I spent lots of my formative years and it’s still where art and history remain robust and organic – not the manufactured feel that you can get from some parts of Singapore.
There is a crazy mix of food – Malay, Middle eastern, and even Mexican. It is quiet and quaint by day and goes into full-blown technicolor at night. The bars in Haji Lane is the one place you’ll find in Singapore where people dance on the streets.
If you only had one day in Singapore, what would you do?
OK, a two-part answer!
If it was my first time in Singapore, and I wanted to experience city life…
Morning
Breakfast at one of the many many cafes.eg Tiong Bahru Bakery
Head to Sentosa for a quick swim at Tanjong Beach
Afternoon
Take the train and explore City Hall – for museums etc
High tea buffet at Brasserie Les Saveurs
Night
Catch an event at Esplanade (theatre, musical etc)
Dinner at Marina Bay Sands
Drinks at rooftop bar Level 33
Continue the party and wind down at Ann Siang Hill
2. If I’ve been to Singapore many times….
Morning
Have Prata for breakfast with hot tea
Hike one of the few nature reserves. Either Bukit Timah or Coney Island
Afternoon
Relax at one of the local massage places in neighborhood areas
Lunch in a hawker center either Little India or Chinatown
Explore Haw Par Villa
Night
Head to Boat Quay for chill drinks
What to eat in Singapore
What is the must-try food in Singapore?
Hahaha. Everything? Prata, Chilli crab, indian rojak, chinese rojak, nasi lemak, mee goreng, epok-epok, chendol, asam pedas, mee soto, chee cheong fun, kway chap, chicken rice… the list is endless.
What are your favorite restaurants?
For cheap affordable good food, you can never go wrong with any hawker center. For new travellers a good sampling of this is Lau Pa Sat.
For swanky romantic dining, Black Swan and White Rabbit (same owner) are quite nice.
Favorite places for a drink and/or dancing?
Going Om, Haji Lane
Get out from town
What other places close to Singapore do you like?
Bali is a nice three-hour flight away that is a fan favorite, but Lombok is a good option if you are more adventurous and want to get away from the maddening crowd.
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