WANT ANYTHING FROM SINGAPORE? My mom’s text read. I gave it some thought before ultimately replying “Mmm, no.” Truth is, there were a hundred and one things I wanted from Singapore but nothing my mom could check-in on her flight back to Manila. It’s been over a year since I was last at the Little Red Dot and I’ve been itching to go back and try to cram every single experience that I’ve been missing in a weekend trip. Sadly, it’s mostly wishful thinking coz I’m gonna need a longer trip, a bigger stomach, or even a time machine to relive everything that I’ve been missing about Singapore. So this Friday evening, I figured I’ll ride the wave of nostalgia by posting this non-exhaustive list. Let’s go Law of Attraction!
1. My absolute favorite restaurant in Singapore, and probably the whole world – ARTICHOKE. I love the food, the vibe, and the PEOPLE (Hi Ronnie!!!). This is hands down the #1 thing I miss about Singapore.
2. Going to Changi Airport after work for Keishoken’s Black Garlic in RAMEN CHAMPION and then checking out the shops after because yay, Airport Pass discount 😀 And also, SABOTEN where we became regulars and we knew the Pinay manager and server as well as pretty much the entire staff.
3. Weekend afternoons roaming every single aisle of KINOKUNIYA NGEE ANN CITY – so much books!! – and then grabbing hot chocolate at PAUL before going home with a huge ass smile.
4. Jogging from Beach Road to the MERLION and back – realizing that hey, it’s actually close by and that I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the city’s map
5. Thai food at BALITHAI or the hawker below Blk 2 in Beach Road. For Balithai, get the set meal for 2 – so worth it! You’ll be stuffed til your neck but it’s sooo good!
6. 328 KATONG LAKSA – my favorite!! This is also my go to spot for bringing guests to try authentic Singaporean food. This is NO FAIL!
7. Japanese buffet at KUSHI, the food is good in itself, BUT! OYSTERS used to be included in the basic menu!!! Nomnomnom
8. CHINA ONE NIGHTS – free flow of alcohol plus a live alternative band that sang Kings of Leon, The Killers, etc plus a pool table and the smoky “social” room. Sadly, they closed down some time back. 🙁
9. BEACH DAYS – Sunday you will find me, haha! Good times at Sentosa / Tanjong Beach Club. The only thing more memorable than the beach parties was finding a ride after a long night, haha
10. Driving around Singapore visiting various neighbourhoods in search for cute cafes with hopefully decent food for WEEKEND BRUNCH
11. Driving along the old CHANGI COAST ROAD. They moved the road now to make way for the additional terminals, but this has always been one of my favorite roads.
12. Celebrating CHINESE NEW YEAR – xin nian kuai le! Hong bao yi ke lai!! And of course, my favourite favorite favorite – LO HEI!!!! It tastes soooo good guys!!!
13. A meal at CUT. Seriously my best meal still – scallops for starters, the perfect medium rare, and souffle for dessert. Not to mention the bread selection at the beginning. UGH. Absolute perfection!😭
14. RCS Logistics Singapore Christmas – from decorating the office and to anxiously waiting for Ikea’s live Christmas trees and to the annual dinner with the lucky draw and to singing Christmas carols, so much fun!🎅🏻
15. SUKIYA TAMPINES – my favorite steamboat restaurant where I accidentally splattered the hot cheese from the Chicken Cheese Ball at the guest at the next table who I overheard later on asking her companion “there’s cheese ball?” to which her companion replied “yeah, but I didn’t get coz messy la”. THE IRONY!!!
16. Having my hair done by NICK at LENA L, I have yet to find a trusted go-to hairstylist here in Manila.😢 I can just go, “Nick, you decide” and leave the salon happy. Find me someone as skilled as him who I can trust please!!!
17. Fish ball soup at the I12 food court followed by a movie then Gongcha and Churros midnight snack.
18.FEI FEI WANTON MEE at whatever time of day or night. Yay for 24 hour food spots!
19. FREE DRINKS! Singapore has been such a drinking enabler. From Ladies Night in Clarke Quay (ok fine, in ATTICA, hehe!) to jagerbombs at Mogambo. SO. MUCH. ALCOHOL.
20. The last, and probs the most important – EARNING IN SGD, hahaha!
Whew, that’s a lot noh? Hopefully, I get to go on a Singapore trip soon. My mom and my best girl/ex-roomie are also considering a trip back, so, fingers crossed! Althooough, truth be told, I’m feeling a pull towards NYC or Sydney for Halloween 🙈 Last Hurrahlloween before 30?? Aaaah
One thing I don’t miss about Singapore though was how fat I was. Well, Reg, with the amount of food on this list… 😝
xx