Home of the original laksa. Even Martha Stewart has featured laksa (a spicy noodle dish) on her cooking show. For the authentic article, head to 328 East Coast Road.(Tip to visitor: You might want to take a detour to the lane, Ceylon Rd, right beside the laksa coffeeshop to see a South Indian style temple, the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, built in the mid-19th century by the Ceylonese Tamils from Sri Lanka and the second oldest Hindu Temple in Singapore. Its gateway is dominated by a 21 metre five tier structure and its roof topped by a dragon and images of deities.)
Another authentic tradition, Kim Choo's nonya dumplings.
Charming Peranakan tiles leading to the second floor dining space at Kim Choo Restaurant (109 East Coast Rd). This is a good place for visitors to head to for a taste of Straits Chinese cuisine. We ate there last weekend and had a really appetising meal - ikan pedas (assam fish), ngoh hiang (meat spring roll), chap chye (assorted cabbage and vegetables), ayam buah keluak (chicken spiced curry with black nut), prawn fritters (really good), and had chendol as dessert/drink. You can get iced water too for 30 cents.
Red House bakery, a traditional confectionery with the trademark red facade, is boarded up. I wonder what's going to reemerge here.
Established in 1925 at 75 East Coast Road, deemed unsafe and closed in 2003. A Jewish man, Jim Baker, started the bakery shop and a Hainanese seaman, Tan Siang Fuan, took over the operations in 1931. The building is owned by the Alsogoff family, put in trust to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
The vintage bakery served traditional cakes and pastries of the East, like spicy dried shrimp bun, creamy custard puffs and swiss rolls, and was a hangout for local bands in the 1960s.
That's my World
What an interesting place. I LOVE those tiles!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting, fun post, Irene! Love your photos! The stairway is really beautiful! Love your tour!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Sylvia
Such a very beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Sri Senpaga Temple twice and I must say, its gate is really beautiful and interesting. I would love to try those foods you mentioned here in this post:) It's too bad that that old bakeshop was closed. I hope a similar one would replace it.
ReplyDeletegreat tip. singapore is one of the best foodie town. i don't remember if i ordered laksa when we went there last year.
ReplyDeletemy entry is at www.ewok1993.wordpress.com
After reading the notes, i felt hungry...c",) great photos by the way.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photo's. I like those stairs
ReplyDeleteAs I've told others, I really enjoy That's My World because I get to learn about so many cool places. I especially like the photo of the ateps. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and photos, Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteSome of the food offered in the restaurant have close similarities with ours. Maybe because of the Chinese cultural influence in our country. Very nice show of your world and an excellent tour guide you are.
ReplyDeleteGreat stairs, we have pretty good authentic Laksa here too.
ReplyDelete