10 underrated Joo Chiat spots, as recommended by a Joo Chiat resident

By now, it’s no secret that the Joo Chiat neighbourhood is synonymous with plenty of cafes boasting long queues, buzzy ice cream parlours, and a stretch of rainbow-coloured shophouses swarmed by people with cameras looking to snap their cute weekend OOTDs.

And as a resident who’s put roots down here for the past three years, I can attest to the growing number of families and tourists who make their pilgrimage to Joo Chiat to check out the lively food, lifestyle and fashion scene.

And sure, in the first six months of moving here, a lot of my time was spent on the main Joo Chiat Road, checking out the shiny, vibey cafes and shops. I joined the queues, waited patiently for an hour to get a seat, paid my dues ($45 for a salad and coffee), and would often leave with a feeling like I’d just been scammed.

Yet, Joo Chiat is so much more than pricey sandos or even pricier avocado omelettes. As I spent more time each Friday night perusing Google Maps in search of places I had yet to try in the area, I began to uncover little cute places along the way.

Disclaimer: some of these aren’t hidden in the sense that you’d have to leave the beaten track and hack away into the jungle to find a bowl of dumplings, but think of them as “IYKYK” types of places that may not immediately jump to mind when you think about your next gallivant around the area.

So without further ado, here are some hidden gems in the Joo Chiat neighbourhood that are also beloved and recommended by one Joo Chiat resident.

1. Embrace Chocolate

What to expect: Easily one of Joo Chiat’s best-kept secrets, EMBRACE Chocolate is the go-to for any chocolate lover in the area. The Singapore-based, woman-owned brand prides itself in creating gluten-free, vegan-friendly chocolate bars that eschew artificial flavourings so that the customer can enjoy the true flavours of the cacao beans. Everything is done within the cosy confines of this shop, from roasting and winnowing the beans, right down to folding the packaging for each chocolate bar. What’s also great about EMBRACE is that they take the time to bring each shopper through their product range, offering samples so that you get to taste the differential notes between each bar of chocolate offered.

Look out for: The 75% Ecuador Camino Verde bar is a particular favourite of mine, with a rich and creamy mouthfeel that brings up nutty, slightly smokey flavours.

EMBRACE Chocolate is located at 307 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427558. Visit its website for more information.

2. Tiger and Arcadia

What to expect: Walking into Tiger and Arcadia’s shop can be an intense moment for a first-timer, but get past the visual overload and you’ll find that this place is truly a haunt for niftiest, coolest things. As you step into the brightly-coloured confines, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a life-sized treasure box. The mix here ranges from an eclectic range of homeware (I once bought a hand-painted ceramic pot shaped like a dancing woman), bohemian jewellery, tastefully-curated coffee table books and so on. Trust me when I say that there are hidden gems within this hidden gem, waiting to be uncovered.

Look out for: Super cute homeware that would make for great conversation starters, or fabulous gifts for your design-loving friends.

Tiger and Arcadia is located at 317 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427568; tel: 8044 6580. Visit its website for more information.

3. East Treasure Specialty Prawn Noodle

What to expect: Most people would know of a more popular prawn noodle joint located along East Coast Road, but I will always swear by East Treasure Specialty Prawn Noodle as my go-to for a bowl that packs a punch. The menu is as straightforward as it gets, because aside from the regular combinations most prawn noodle places offer and a couple of other side dishes, there’s not much else to choose from. The star of this place is the prawn broth, which hits you with an intensively umami flavour, and you can pick out clear notes of smokiness from the fire that they use to fry the prawn shells with. It’s sweet, unctious and oh so satisfying. Service here is brisk, making this a great no-frills place for when you want a quick bite.

Look out for: Honestly, the standard fare of prawn noodle soup is a fail-safe. If it ain’t broke, why deviate?

East Treasure Specialty Prawn Noodle is located at 328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427585; tel: 6247 7545. Visit its website for more information.

4. Yumumu

What to expect: If you need a quiet respite from the bustle of Joo Chiat and you enjoy being surrounded by elegant clothing, Yumumu’s your stop. The Singapore-based fashion brand boasts a look that is characterised by its clean lines, muted colours and versatility. Pieces are designed to respect the natural movements of the wearer, so not only do you look good, you don’t have to worry about fussing about with your outfit all day.

Look out for: Its range of outerwear, all of which feel timeless and graceful, and can be worn to work or brought overseas with you.

Yumumu is located at 303 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427554; tel: 9155 1196. Visit its website for more information.

5. Dunman Road Char Siew Wan Ton Mee

What to expect: I’m a sucker for a good bowl of noodles, so I cannot overstate how often I find myself in the queue for a bowl of wanton noodles here. Truth is, I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and the recipe has remain unchanged even now. The noodles here predates the proliferation of other popular wanton noodle chains, and the star here is the chilli sauce. Noodles here are cooked moreishly al dente, and the dumplings are delicious little parcels of pork that will have you asking for seconds. The chilli sauce, however, is why we all go back religiously because it packs plenty of spicy pow-wow that guarantees to leave you sweating when you’re done.

Look out for: The chilli sauce, which if requested, will be heaped in extra-generous portions for your thrill-seeking pleasure.

Dunman Road Char Siew Wan Ton Mee is located at 271 Onan Road, #02-19 Dunman Food Centre, Singapore 424768; tel: 9631 1637.

6. Wine Mouth

What to expect: Joo Chiat has plenty of great watering holes, and one of my favourite places is the little nook called Wine Mouth. The place is a mecca of natural fine wines, and while the store is relatively unassuming with its fridges of wines and a table in the centre for imbibing and conviving, its unpretentious nature makes it a great spot for laidback nights with friends. If you’re not a wine aficionado, fret not, because the staff at Wine Mouth is always around to offer a friendly suggestion or two.

Look out for: Their Friday tasting sessions, where you get to sip on a selection of wines and chat with fellow wine appreciators.

Wine Mouth is located at 432 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427647; tel: 6974 7236. Visit its website for more information.

7. BASA

What to expect: Listen, if you stood outside BASA and thought “Wait, when did a certain Australian skincare brand open up in Joo Chiat?”, you’re not alone. From the exterior, one could easily mistake BASA as a spa, a skincare store or an upscale interior design firm. Only to realise that when you step in, they’re actually selling paint. Still, it’s not all colour swatches and cans of wall paint, because BASA also stocks a range of lifestyle goods ranging from incense burners to home decor for the discerning. Marble candle holders, anyone?

Look out for: Funnily, I suppose they’ve received enough questions about their likeness to said Aussie skincare brand, that BASA is also now an official stockist of Aesop products.

BASA is located at 171 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427442. Visit its website for more information.

8. 808 Eating House

What to expect: I’ve often said this to friends: 808 Eating House does not get enough love. I’m not gatekeeping this gem because I think that what they’re doing in terms of food is fun, inventive and most importantly, yummy. Focusing on Asian fusion dishes, the menu offers enough range that you’ll find something for everyone in your dinner party. Things that I’ve loved each time I visit include the Mouth-Watering Chicken ($23), which is a spicy, refreshing main that I often order alongside the ebi-topped Cold Bee Hoon ($7). The Calamansi Herb Salad ($13) is also a great sharing plate, as is the Flower Crab Chip And Dip ($23). For a sweet finish, order the Pandan Panna Cotta ($13) for a dessert that’s perfectly balanced.

Look out for: Interesting collabs that they do with local breweries, as well as specially-themed dinners for festive celebrations.

808 Eating House is located at 153 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427431; tel: 8946 8089. Visit its website for more information.

9. Walaku

What to expect: Joo Chiat is known as a haven for brunchy places serving up the same open-faced sandwiches and truffle fries, which makes Walaku a real standout. Hit up this hip and halal-certified joint for some seriously good nasi lemak, which comes with rice wrapped in coconut leaves and grilled for an extra-smoky twist and spicy house-made sambal. The Beef Rendang is also a must-try, with melt-in-your-mouth chunks of beef fried and stewed in a mouthwatering rempah sauce, and those looking for a fiery kick will love the Sambal Sotong. Before leaving, end off your meal with a serving of their Banella Martabak, which comes smothered in a rich, nutella drizzle with fleshy chunks of sliced bananas.

Look out for: Their version of the popular seafood buckets, which include a variety of Asian favourites like pearl conches and muddy sea snails.

Walaku is located at 102 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427396; tel: 6284 2420. Visit its Instagram for more information.

10. BoundbyWine

What to expect: Tucked away around the bend from the colourful stretch of shophouses is BoundbyWine. While the selection may be a little bit intimidating for most wine newbies (such as this author), it’s really the service here that sparkles. They take time to ask you some questions on the occasion, budget and so on before recommending you a few to consider. The wines here are a little more under-the-radar, so don’t expect to see marquee brand names here. Instead, you’ll find plenty of new and interesting brands for your next wine and cheese night.

Look out for: Seasonal events including wine pairing dining experiences that are held in conjunction with their restaurant partners.

Boundbywine is located at 120 Tembeling Road, Singapore 423619; tel: 8891 2321. Visit its website for more information.

This article was originally published in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.