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. Cherry Lane Records

What to expect: Vinyl collectors and music lovers, this one’s for you. Tucked along Joo Chiat Road, Cherry Lane Records is a cosy, home-like record store specialising in music from the ’70s to ’90s. Take your shoes off at the door and settle in to browse its wide selection of records, whether you’re hunting down a particular artist or simply seeing what catches your eye. Unlike a typical record shop where you’re in and out, Cherry Lane encourages you to slow down and linger. You can even bring your own records along to listen to in-store, making it a particularly handy haunt if you’ve started collecting vinyl but haven’t invested in a turntable yet.

Look out for: Beyond digging through its record collection, the store also offers vinyl cleaning services, so you can give older finds and well-loved records a little TLC.

Cherry Lane Records is located at 387 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore

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. Heartware Store and Gallery

What to expect: Hidden on the third floor of a Joo Chiat shophouse, Heartware Store & Gallery is the kind of place you could easily walk past without realising it’s there. Founded by the team behind local creative agency Kinetic Singapore, the part-gallery, part-design store is filled with an eclectic mix of art, vintage toys, homeware and quirky knick-knacks from local and international creatives. The best part is that there’s always something new to discover, with rotating exhibitions and merchandise that range from affordable stickers and postcards to larger art prints and collectibles.

Look out for: The rotating exhibitions spotlighting independent artists from Singapore and beyond. Don't skip the store section either, where you can pick up everything from art prints and zines to stickers, vintage finds and other wonderfully random trinkets.

Heartware Store & Gallery is located at 350B Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427598.

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. Choice Cuts Pizza and Record

What to expect: Pizza and vinyl might not be the most obvious pairing, but at Choice Cuts Pizza & Records, it just works. Part record store, part pizzeria, this laid-back Joo Chiat spot lets you dig through crates of vinyl while grabbing a slice of New York-style pizza. Music is a big part of the experience here, with a selection spanning genres such as hip-hop, soul, funk and jazz, making it a fun stop whether you’re a serious collector or simply looking for somewhere different to hang out in the neighbourhood.

Look out for: The pepperoni pizza, served on a thin, crisp crust that makes it an easy bite to grab before settling in for a leisurely browse through the records. The space also regularly plays host to DJ sets and music-centric events, so it’s worth keeping an eye on what’s happening before you visit.

Choice Cuts Pizza & Records is located at 446 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427659. Visit its website 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.