{"id":1822,"date":"2015-07-23T00:00:10","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T00:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/singapore-homecoming-checklist-nostalgic-places\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T17:39:42","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T17:39:42","slug":"singapore-homecoming-checklist-nostalgic-places","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/destinations\/singapore-homecoming-checklist-nostalgic-places\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Singapore Homecoming Checklist for Singaporeans Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Karen Tee and Rebecca –<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n

As Singapore marks its Golden Jubilee this year, there is plenty to celebrate in this ultra-modern, clean and efficient country. If you\u2019ve been away from home for a while, enjoy your native soil as an enthralled tourist would, by taking in the fantastic offerings of the city. From the glitzy integrated resorts to the celebrity chef restaurants and endless shopping, to the lovingly preserved nostalgic sites you grew up with. Here are our favourite nostalgic must-visits for all Singaporeans abroad to experience an authentic walk down memory lane whenever they’re back home in Singapore.<\/p>\n

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What to See<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Tiong Bahru<\/h4>\n

As one of the oldest housing estates in Singapore, Tiong Bahru is a charming neighbourhood with walk-up apartment blocks and tiny alleyways to explore. In recent years, this area has experienced a hipster revival, with many ground-floor units being converted into indie bookshops, boutiques and cafes. But the old-school way of life is still alive and well here\u00a0\u00a0there are provision shops and sundries stores to explore, where you can pick up traditional homewares such as enamel bowls and woven mats, as well as plenty of traditional coffee shops where you can get your fill of local food.<\/p>\n

Bring Your Sand Buckets and Supersoakers<\/h4>\n

For the young, or young at heart, make a trip to one of Singapore\u2019s\u00a0locally designed playgrounds<\/a>\u00a0which are nothing like the plastic behemoths of modern-day playgrounds. Commissioned by the Housing Development Board (HDB) in the late 1970s, the aim of these playgrounds was to convey a sense of Singapore\u2019s identity. Some surviving ones include the famous Dragon Playground at Toa Payoh<\/strong> and BumBoat playground at Pasir Ris<\/strong>. Get ready to have a swinging good time!<\/p>\n

Lomantic Date Nights<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re in the mood for some good old-fashioned romance, head over to the newly refurbished\u00a0Capitol Theatre<\/a>, which was a popular date spot for couples in the 1960s. It reopened its doors to the public in May and is now a venue for red carpet movie premieres as well as theatre and dance performances.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also\u00a0Rex Cinemas<\/a>\u00a0in Little India, one of the last remaining traditional cinemas in Singapore that still offers a line-up of Tamil and Hindi movies.<\/p>\n

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From “those days”<\/em>
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More Nostalgic Places in Singapore<\/h3>\n

Katong\u00a0Red House Bakery<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Now a conserved heritage building, the former Katong Bakery & Confectionary was much loved for traditional snacks and baked goods. Freshly baked bread, cuffy puffs, swiss rolls… And regulars who come in for kopi and toast. There’s no bakery operating there at the moment but the iconic red-coloured building remains among the shophouses of Katong, where Peranakan and Eurasian cultures live.<\/p>\n

If you’re truly craving for old snacks, go to Chin Mee Chin Confectionery<\/strong> along East Coast Road (204 East Coast Road) or\u00a0Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry<\/strong> (55 Tiong Bahru Road #01-39).<\/p>\n

Beach Road Army Market<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I’m not sure how excited the guys would be about revisiting this place, but if you’re around Beach Road for some food, might be fun to pop in to this place known for their military supplies for N.S. men. Also good for camping gear.<\/p>\n

The Mama Shop Cafe<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Not quite old, but very much nostalgic. This new cafe brings back all that nostalgia with a mama-shop theme, offering snacks in those large golden tins. (195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #01-54 Old Police Operational Headquarters)<\/p>\n

Geylang Serai Market<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In the old days, a lot flourished around the wet markets. Geylang Serai Market stands today with a fresher look but retains some of the essence of the kampong flavour. This area used to be full of kampong houses. Today, it has a wet market on the first floor and delicious food, including Malay favourites, on the second. Sambal stingray, mee rebus, chicken briyani… Sedapnya!<\/p>\n

Go to the Barber for a Haircut<\/strong><\/h4>\n

No fancy nothings. Just a friendly neighbourhood barber, a classic cut and shave. And Pak Ciks entertaining you with a whole bunch of nonsense. The good old days \ud83d\ude42 \u00a0Still a few of these in HDB estates.<\/p>\n

Buy 4D and Toto<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Because why not?<\/p>\n

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Makan\u00a0Places\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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I Miss My Prata & Char Kway Teow!<\/h3>\n

Every Singaporean worth his or her salt will have at least one \u2013 if not 20 \u2013 local dishes that they crave while abroad. So of course a favourite thing to do whenever you’re back in Singapore, is to hit up those local favourites that you can’t get anywhere else. Queue for kueh pie tie? Kaya toast and eggs for breakfast? Midnight prata and curry? A hot bowl of bak kut teh? That’s home.<\/p>\n

\"Roti<\/p>\n

One Stop Makan<\/h4>\n

For a food tour of Singapore that is sure to evoke memories of your blissful childhood days, here are some of the most enduring hawkers on the island. To savour an efficient and yummy feast without having to traverse the country, head to<\/p>\n