Joo Chiat is low key and laid back. This is where the locals shop and eat. Just walk along Joo Chiat road to appreciate the people who live and work here.
I love the architecture, I love the spread of food. I love the local grocers, shops and the ambience.
Starting from the Changi road end of Joo Chiat road, you can watch popiah wrappers being made. 5B Pte Ltd sells loads of kitchen ware. Fun just to nose around. Along 5B, there is a very popular Malay eatery.
I love the fact Joo Chiat has its own vibe. It didn't try to be cool but it is the eclectic community that makes Joo Chiat interesting for me. There are local tours available. Some even offering a tour and tea at a local home. (It's on my bucket list).
You can stop at the local bakery for curry puffs and epok epok. Fancy some simple Vietnamese fare, we have got it here too.
Half way along Joo Chiat is where Joo Chiat Road meets Koon Seng road. Lots of people pause here for a photo stop. But I stop here for a different reason - the Duck rice/kway chap stall at Dunman hawker centre. Also nearby is the Thunder tea rice cafe of which I am a huge fan.
As you make your way towards the East Coast Road end of Joo Chiat, the shops and cafes get a little more chic. Cat Socrates has a cute shop cat and a good place to search for unusual and 'Singaporean' gifts.
Need a chocolate cake fix, Awfully Chocolate's dark chocolate cake is my go to. They serve food too but I am not a fan. Don't forget to check more great shops along East Coast road. Rumah Bebe is popular and worth a quick look. They sell Peranakan clothing and beaded shoes but they have a very pretty shop. Glory catering is another place I would stop for some grub. I like their popiah.
So this is my intro to Joo Chiat. I feel bad for highlighting some places and missing out others. Truth is, I'm always revisiting in the hope of discovering something new.
Hope you will have fun exploring this little treasure. xoxo
