Guide to the Geylang 'hood: Hip things to see, eat and do in this boisterous area

Get your portrait done, old-school-style, at Hip Xiong Photo Studio, Singapore’s only wet plate tintype photo studio. Wondering what on earth this is? It’s an antique photography technique which involves forming images by using real silver on blackened metal plates!

If you’re interested in knowing more about this unique process, you can even book a private workshop to learn more and try your hand at making your own wet plate tintype photos.

480 Geylang Road, Singapore 389439, +65 8892 0799

High quality yakiniku at hawker prices? Yes please! At Yakiniku Warrior, located along Geylang East Central, you’ll get just that. This stall attracts patrons from all over Singapore, and it’s easy to understand why. Their menu includes exquisite A5 Miyazaki wagyu steak and premium melty short ribs at shockingly affordable prices.

Take your pick from various beef cuts like the skirt plate, short plate, short ribs and gyu tan (beef tongue). Feeling indecisive? Try the Warrior set that consists of three cuts. Beef may by far be the most popular option here, but their chicken and pork sets are worth trying too — get the best of all three worlds with the Beatbox set.

121 Geylang East Central, Singapore 380121

Thrift for a cause at SSVP Shop, a humble thrift shop, operated by volunteers from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The shop opens from Tuesday to Sunday, selling apparel, household items, knick knacks and more. The proceeds from every item purchased at SSVP Shop go towards helping the less fortunate.

501 Geylang Road, Singapore 389459

They call themselves Geylang’s dopest coffee bar, and they aren’t wrong. The hip-hop inspired Geylang Drip City, situated at the edge of Geylang, is a sleek black café that does a really decent white. We’ve heard their pour over coffee is a favourite amongst coffee connoisseurs too.

The noms on the menu comprise both sweet and savoury options, depending on what you’re looking for. Order the Geylang Takeavo for an interesting spin on avocado toast, or the No Figgity, a mouthwatering fig and candied orange cheesecake.

184 Geylang Road, Singapore 389253, +65 9189 4948

Primp yourself at De Avenail, a cosy nail salon in Agrow Building, just across the street from Aljunied MRT station. Their talented nail artists can create almost any design, specialising in delicate abstracts and meticulously hand-drawn designs. Keep a lookout for their attractive monthly promotions!

90 Lorong 23 Geylang, #01-02, Singapore 388393

Specialising in Teochew cuisine, this intimate space along Geylang Road is helmed by ex-chefs from the famed Teochew restaurant Chui Huay Lim. True to its name, the restaurant only has about six tables and private rooms that are available with a minimum spend. Reservations well in advance are recommended, as the waitlist for a table can be up to two months long!

All the dishes are cooked in a homely style, making you feel as if you’re in someone’s home, enjoying a feast cooked with love. Specifically, the pan-fried Spanish Kurobuta pork fillet and wok-fried ‘cai pu’ kway teow with homemade XO sauce are must-tries each time we are there.

If you’re slightly more adventurous, the Teochew cold yellow roe crab is worth a try. Oozing with bright orange roe and marinated in Shaoxing wine, this crowd-favourite raw dish has to be ordered three days in advance.

135 Geylang Road, #01-01, Singapore 389226, +65 6741 0344

This studio specialises in ceramic art, holding hands-on pottery courses suitable for beginners. In the course, you’ll learn how to create wabi sabi mugs, vases, plates and more, while being carefully supervised by The 8th Floor’s nurturing instructors.

37 Lorong 23 Geylang, #08-03, Singapore 388371

Minus Degree, a cute gelato café tucked away in Sims Place, is the place to go if you’re looking to try gelato in unusual flavours. Serving up scoops of matcha mochi, Korean strawberry chamomile, Teochew orh nee gelato and more, you’ll have a hard time choosing which flavour to get.

46 Sims Place, #01-197, Singapore 380046