joo chiat road

popiah

this road has admittedly become a little overrun with lots of men and girls who look like their daughters, but are not. despite this, a walk along joo chiat road is great fun. there’s puteri mas, of durian puff fame. obolo of cheesecake fame, there’s a great otah place further down, and kway guan huat, which makes popiah skins fresh and also serves up popiah and pie tee. this is an old world sort of place, and the decor on the inside looks like it hasn’t been changed for a bit. there’s a cute little lady who will run over to you and surreptitously whisper if you’d like some mango pudding made by this friend of hers. it’s quite funny. egg3, a lifestyle clothes and homeware store sits in a non-descript white shophouse space, while artholic gallery boasts a humble little cafe round the back and changing photo exhibitions round the front. the black earth art museum is also a great space for changing art exhibitions. it’s a large, airy space that has been whitewashed so it gives any of the works maximum set-off. there are also bicycle and birdcage stores, old provision shops, vietnamese food (for the “daughters”), etc. all housed in lovely old shophouse spaces.

- Joo Chiat Road