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Looking to give the kids a lesson in Singapore’s living history with some gorgeous Peranakan architecture? Or are you dying to try the famous Katong Laksa?
Katong / East Coast Road is one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Singapore. On the heels of our Joo Chiat Neighbourhood Guide, consider this the companion article that fills in the gaps around the oh-so walkable, super family-friendly heritage Katong district on the East Coast of Singapore.
For every restaurant or shop we recommend below, there are five more nearby that are probably just as good (East Coasters take their food very seriously). We’ve laid out this itinerary north to south and west to east, sort of like a giant letter “L”. Start at the top of Tanjong Katong Road and Dunman Road (not far from Dakota MRT) and work your way south, then head East along East Coast Road. You can always grab a taxi or one of the many buses that run along East Coast Road if you get tired, mama! NB: There are tons of neat mama- and child-friendly shops and businesses in the malls along this route (particularly KatongV and I12 Katong), but it’s easy enough to seek out their directories online. This is all about the local shops!
Ponggol Nasi Lemak
Queues consistently stretch around the block for the East Coast outlet of this popular Nasi Lemak joint. The menu is simple, straightforward and cheap, with heavenly coconut rice and oh-so crispy fried chicken leading the way. Full set lunches can start from as little as $4!
Ponggol Nasi Lemak, 238 Tanjong Katong, Singapore 437026, Tel: (+65) 6287 0020, www.ponggolnasilemak.com.sg
Eng’s Noodles House
We love that Eng’s heritage dates back to the wild pre-hawker centre days of the 1950s, when they used to peddle their delicious Wanton Mee around Joo Chiat with a pushcart. They eventually upgraded to a stall, and then a few years ago graduated to this, their first brick-and-mortar, standalone, air-conditioned shop. Their super-hot, house recipe chili sauce is, in local parlance, die die must try!
Eng’s Noodles House, 287 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437070, Tel: (+65) 8688 2727, www.facebook.com/ENGswantannoodle
Little Ice Cream Kafé (LICK)
A super-cute shop that earns props for their clever name, along with a nice rotating variety of over 30 yummy ice cream flavours, all made fresh daily in-house!
Little Ice Cream Kafé, 258 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437046, Tel: (+65) 6440 8526, www.lick.com.sg
Canadian International School
CIS’s smaller East Coast campus caters to kids from Early Education (age 3) through Grade 8, and provides a truly intimate, neighbourhoody feel. And mamas are spoilt for choice when it comes to a post-drop-off coffee or yummy afternoon lunch!
Canadian International School (Tanjong Katong Campus), 371 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437128, (+65) 6345 1573, www.cis.edu.sg
Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple
This is the second oldest temple in Singapore, tracing its roots all the way back to the 1850s. Although it’s been rebuilt a number of times over the years, the beautiful temple features gorgeous stone carvings, a unique “musical pillar” carved over three years by artisans in Tamil Nadu, and a special enlarged entryway modeled after ancient temples that’s large enough for a king seated atop an elephant to pass through.
Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, 19 Ceylon Road, Singapore 429613, www.heb.org.sg/srisenpagavinayagartemple
Udipi Ganesh Vilas
Conveniently just across from Sri Senpaga Vinayagar, this hole-in-the-wall spot serves up delicious vegetarian fare including Northern, Southern and Tandoori Indian cuisine. Service is friendly and the prices are pleasingly low!
Udipi Ganesh Vilas, 10 Ceylon Road, Singapore 429606, Tel: (+65) 63487708, www.udipiganeshvilas.com
328 Katong Laksa
Deemed by many to be the tastiest of all the neighbourhood’s many laksa shops, this one’s known for their thick, spicy, totally slurp-worthy coconut gravy as well as heaps of fresh seafood. There’s a sister location down the street at 216 East Coast Road (that’s right, confusingly neither is actually at number 328).
328 Katong Laksa, 51 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770, Tel: (+65) 9732 8163, www.328katonglaksa.sg
Paint Shoppe Nail Spa
Set in a bright, airy Katong shophouse, this eco-friendly, cruelty-free natural nail spa happens to do a fantastic mani-pedi. The staff is friendly and meticulous, and the natural polishes have surprising staying power.
Paint Shoppe Nail Spa, 63 East Coast Road, Singapore 428776, Tel: (+65) 6348 1008, www.facebook.com/paintshoppenailspa
Original Katong Laksa
This family’s laksa stall was founded all the way back in the 1940s, and they’re credited with pioneering the local “Nonya” style. They’re renowned for using fresh coconut milk and cutting the bee hoon noodles extra short so everything can be slurped with a spoon — no chopsticks! You’ll find lots of diehards at their stall in Roxy Square.
Original Katong Laksa, 50 East Coast Road, Roxy Square #01-64 Singapore 428769
Micro Bakery & Kitchen
If you love sourdough or sandwiches, this new addition to the neighborhood in the historic Red House is the place to head. It’s teeny tiny (hence the name), but serves up big flavors!
Micro Bakery & Kitchen, 63 East Coast Road, #01-06, Singapore 428776
Sandwich Saigon
Despite a glut of Vietnamese restaurants on Joo Chiat Road, very few offer the famous Vietnamese banh mi sandwich. This place fills the void with delicious fresh-baked bread (the key to a strong banh mi) and a nice variety of meat fillings. Perfect for a quick, healthy lunch.
Sandwich Saigon, 93 East Coast Road Singapore 428792, Tel: (+65)6345 3849, www.sandwichsaigon.com
Fanny Ice Cream
This Vietnamese import is surely one of Singapore’s most glamorous ice cream shops, with French cinema posters on the walls and gorgeously constructed ice cream conglomerations like the ones above. There’s a nice range of flavours, too (we recommend chili chocolate, although they’ve even got carrot on the menu!).
Fanny Ice Cream, 99 East Coast Road, Singapore 428795, Tel: (+65) 8318 9228, www.facebook.com/fannyicecreamsingapore
Kim Choo Kueh Chang
Another of the neighbourhood’s old school stalwarts, Kim Choo does a brisk business in Nonya snack delicacies like rice dumplings and pineapple tarts. They’ve also got a nice selection of Perankan clothes and gifts.
Kim Choo Kueh Chang, 109/111 East Coast Road, Singapore 428800, Tel: (+65) 6741 2125, www.kimchoo.com
Rumah Bebe
If you’re looking for a traditional kebaya, beaded slippers, or some lovely Peranakan ceramics (among our favourite Singaporean gifts to bring friends abroad!), this gorgeous shophouse is your place.
Rumah Bebe, 113 East Coast Road, Singapore 428803, Tel: (+65) 6247 8781, www.rumahbebe.com
Zaffron Kitchen
Zaffron is a major crowd pleaser with a warm, inviting atmosphere and a delicious range of both Northern and Southern Indian dishes. Plus, get a load of their amazing kids’ play area — that’s a real house with its own little fenced off garden!
Zaffron Kitchen, 135/137 East Coast Road, Singapore 428820, Tel (+65) 6440 6786 or book online, www.zaffronkitchen.com
Feet Haven
Worn out from your trek down Tanjong Katong? Pop in for some old-school reflexology from the no-nonsense uncles. One of our local marathoner friends swears by this place for post-race relief.
Feet Haven, 136 East Coast Road, #01-01, Singapore 428821, Tel: (+65) 6344 7311, www.feethaven.com
Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice
The free-range kampung chicken is the star here, but we also just love the atmosphere of big round tables set up outside on the sidewalk under a string of lightbulbs. It kind of feels like a trip back in time.
Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice, 191/193 East Coast Road, Singapore 428897, Tel: (+65) 6344 5911, www.fivestarchickenrice.com
Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
This iconic landmark serves up heavenly buttered kaya on pillowy soft, freshly baked buns. The old school tiling and creaky chairs totally add to the ambience.
Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903, Tel: (+65) 63450419
Katong Antique House
Lovingly restored by a fourth generation Peranakan who’s included many of his own family’s heirlooms and gorgeous furniture, this historic “living museum” is a neat counterpoint to Singapore’s typical ultra-modern, condo-filled housing.
Katong Antique House, 208 East Coast Road, Singapore 428907
Oh Deli
Whether you’re looking for antibiotic free meat or organic veggies fresh from Australia, hard-to-find gourmet cheeses, or just some yummy sandwiches, swing by this spot co-owned by the four Oh sisters and you’re sure to come away satisfied.
Oh Deli, 421 East Coast Road, Singapore 429008, Tel: (+65) 6440 4409, www.ohdeli.com.sg
Are you hungry yet, mamas? If you haven’t been to the East Coast with a properly worked up appetite, then you really haven’t been at all!
