Celebrating history and heritage while embracing change. And no, this time we're not just talking about the MINI brand.
It's our fourth iteration of our Sgcarmart Explores series (catch all the previous articles here), and this time, we spend a full day nosing into what's what along the stretch of East Coast Road that cuts into Katong (we'll leave Joo Chiat for another Explores).
The district used to sit right along Singapore's eastern shoreline (before land reclamation pushed the coast further out with the creation of what we know as Marine Parade today), making it a favoured location amongst many of the wealthy Europeans and the Peranakan community during the colonial era and beyond to site their seaside homes (one of which you can still see at 521 Joo Chiat Road).
This influx also saw the development of the iconic shophouses that many still flock to today in a bid to raise their Instagram game. Those of a greater vintage will also remember how this Peranakan influence threw Katong into the international spotlight after one Laksa store located at 328 Katong Road won in a cook-off against Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsey.
Word of advice: Road conditions to take note of in Katong
But before you grab those car keys and head down to catch some grub for yourself, there's a few things you'll want to note about the roads around Katong.
The majority of East Coast Road is free-flowing with two lanes for either side of traffic. However, once you're within the Katong area, much of this road space is taken up by roadside parking - a contributing factor to Katong's frequently congested roads.
For those late for their lunch appointments, you'll want to stick to the inner lane when driving along East Coast Road, as besides cars parked along road-side lots, cars will frequently stop along the side of the road to let passengers alight, or even to wait as their tau pau order gets prepared.
Those that can't parallel park should also be prepared to walk a fair bit - there's no basement or multi-storey carpark in the area for those approaching from the east until you reach i12 Katong.
Finally, there's one other thing to note when driving along Katong: The junction of East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road is a frequent pain point. If you're making a right turn into East Coast Road from Joo Chiat Road (facing north), don't assume that all oncoming traffic is also making a left turn to get into East Coast Road.
We also advise additional vigilance here as drivers are frequently tempted to accelerate through the junction after having been kept in the congestion that builds up along the more northerly stretch of Joo Chiat Road.
But trudging through all this should be worth it as there's plenty to see in Katong…
1) Chin Mee Chin
Kicking things off during our daytrip is, of course, breakfast. And those that want to start their day with a touch of the old-school will certainly do well to pay Chin Mee Chin a visit. First opened as far back as 1925, the store was closed in 2018 owing to a lack of succession and manpower issues. However, the current store was revived in September 2021, after the food and beverage brand Ebb and Flow Group reached an agreement with the coffee shop's owners.
We recommend you take on the whole Kaya Toast Set - which comes with two soft-boiled eggs and a hot drink - for the full classic coffee shop experience.
Where to park: Lorong Stangee or Stangee Place
Ease of parking: 4/5. You'll need to parallel park, however, the space here is free. But the best part about parking your car here is that you will be able to take all the time you need manouvering your vehicle. Parking along East Coast Road can be a stressful affair as you'll be holding up traffic.
Parking rates: Parking along Lorong Stangee or Stangee Place is free. Parking along East Coast Road comes in at $0.60 per half-hour, charged by the minute (HDB rate).
2) Mei Yuen Restaurant
For those looking for a truly old-timey dining experience, Mei Yuen Restaurant is a must-visit. Located at 233 East Coast Road, this duck noodle store is housed within a traditional shophouse that comes complete with an air well that lights its inner sections.
The noodles here aren't exactly cheap (we paid a total of $9.70 for a plate that included extra char siew alongside a drink), and is a touch on the greasy side, but the noodles themselves are always perfectly cooked, making them a sheer delight to chew on. Get yours with chili and they will come with quite a bit of heat as well.
Where to park: (Same as above)
Ease of parking: (Same as above)
Parking rates: (Same as above)
3) Katong Square Vintage Flea Market
Whether you're shopping for a conversation piece for your home, or simply cannot resist that vintage aesthetic (that's why you're driving a MINI right?), this flea market is a must visit.
Visitors to the flea will be able to catch deals on not just vintage clothing and accessories, but will also be able to snag classic pieces of furniture, vinyl records, and possibly even a succulent or two to decorate their homes. The flea has also recently started playing host to a booth by The Digicam Depository that sells digicams, so you can fill your Instagram page with all sorts of shots with that 90s aesthetic.
Look out for the weekend that the flea will be present by following @theretrofactorysg on Instagram.
Where to park: Katong Square
Ease of parking: Most will head over to i12 park up when they are visiting the area. But if the basement car park is full, consider parking at Katong Square itself instead.
Parking rates: Rates at Katong Square during Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 10:01 am to 9:00pm come in at $2.00 for the first hour, after which you'll pay $0.50 for every additional 15 minutes. Parking during Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays after 9:01pm is charged at $2.50 per entry.
4) Warhammer - Red House
After having had our fill of vintage goods and dining experiences, we head over to the Red House, where a store with an eye-catching display of models just a few units down stirs our curiosity.
For the uninitiated, Warhammer is a miniature wargame that sees players taking turns to move miniature models across a table-top battlefield, resolving battles against an opponent's models via dice rolls.
If you're looking for new models to add to you army, this store is definitely worth checking out - its rear shelves are filled from top to bottom with all boxes of all sorts of new models. And even if you're not but are in the market for a new hobby to sink your teeth into, be forewarned: Collecting models is often half-jokingly said to be as addictive and expensive as a drug habit.
Where to park: Katong Square is within walking distance, but if you're coming from Mountbatten Road, you might also want to consider parking along Marshall Road or Ean Kiam Place.
Ease of parking: 3.5/5. It's parallel parking here as well. Available lots become harder to find the closer you get to i12 Katong.
Parking rates: Parking along Marshall Road or Ean Kiam Place comes in at $0.60 per half-hour, charged by the minute (HDB rate).
5) Kim Choo Kueh Chang
If you've already had your fill but want to take home a bit of Katong home with you, then do consider stopping by at Kim Choo Kueh Chang.
You'll not only be able to catch rice dumplings at this store, but will also be able to pair them with various Nonya Kuehs (perfect for the sweet-toothed), on top of a host of traditional Nonya cutlery. And for those that want a little more immersion into Nonya and Peranakan culture, consider joining in on their various workshops or tours that the store frequently hosts here.
*Extra tip: Look for for this yellow alley as you're walking towards Kim Choo Kueh Chang from The Red House at Katong. At the end of the alley sits a mural titled Medleyalley that is comprised of an assortment of Peranakan tiles - set your phone over to its wide-angle lens and you'll be able to catch some interesting full-body portraits!
Where to park: (same as above)
Ease of parking: (same as above)
Parking rates: (same as above)
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