Tiong Bahru: The trendy district of Singapore

If you want to get to know a different side of Singapore, then I can highly recommend a walk through Tiong Bahru. I had already chosen accommodation in Tiong Bahru in advance for part of my trip to Singapore and didn’t regret spending two days a little off the beaten track.

Tiong Bahru in Singapore: a district for insiders

Singapore is a melting pot of diverse cultures. A bit like Hong Kong, only Singapore seemed to me even more diverse, even more crowded in the smallest space. Indians, Chinese, Malays, British, every culture has left something here and created this multicultural place that I still find difficult to categorize.
The few days I spent in Singapore were probably not enough, I didn’t just visit the usual sights such as Chinatown and Marina Bay with its Gardens by the Bay, but also more unusual corners such as Tiong Bahru.

Tiong Bahru: residential district in Singapore with history

Strictly speaking, there are no real sights in Tiong Bahru, it’s just too residential for that. But a very special one. Tiong Bahru is the first social housing project in Singapore and was built back in the 1930s. As buildings in Singapore are often demolished to make way for new, better and taller skyscrapers due to a lack of space, Tiong Bahru is now the oldest residential area in the city.

Formerly a cemetery, then a purely residential area and now one of the trendiest districts in Singapore. Incidentally, social housing has a long tradition in Singapore. I was very surprised, because when you think of Singapore, you usually only think of big banks in tall skyscrapers and spectacular architecture such as the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the Gardens by the Bay.

Without social housing, many Singaporeans would not be able to afford a home: Singapore has been very far-sighted in the past. The entire Tiong Bahru district with its residential buildings is now a listed building. And rightly so, because the Art Deco-style houses are truly special: rounded shapes characterize the design of the buildings and are reminiscent of Bauhaus or Miami South Beach.

More info & tips about Singapore

The Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail also leads through Tiong Bahru and tells a little about the history of this special district with information boards. Here you will also pass the Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter , the last remaining bunker in Singapore from the Second World War. However, you can only get inside on a guided tour.

The new hipster district in Singapore

In recent years, hipsters have conquered the previously sleepy Tiong Bahru and breathed new life into the district. In any case, I was very surprised at the contrast to the other parts of Singapore that I had visited up to that point.

The atmosphere in Tiong Bahru is simply special. In the evening, for example, you can sit in one of the cozy bars or restaurants in sultry temperatures, half outside under arcades, with the ceiling fan humming peacefully above you. There is also good food or the best cocktails, all in a tropical ambience with lots of green plants and the bright houses all around: Tiong Bahru is a real insider tip.

During the day, we recommend a visit to the Tiong Bahru Market. Recently renovated, it is one of the most popular hawker centers in Singapore. And as you know, you can never go wrong in Singapore if you are looking for good, reasonably priced food.

Hawker centers are food courts in indoor shopping malls. You can find real culinary highlights there. There is even a stall in Singapore that is so good that it even has a Michelin star.

Tips for Tiong Bahru: shopping, cafés and restaurants

Tiong Bahru Bakery One of THE institutions in Tiong Bahru. Bakery with kitchen, for coffee or a snack in between.

Plain Vanilla Bakery Famous for its fantastic cupcakes, located in a small street with some other lovely cafés and stores such as Books Actually.

Café Pandan – Simple ambience, but very neat and reasonably priced. The Char Siew Rice (Cantonese-style barbecue marinated pork on rice) is divine. A specialty that you must have tried in Singapore!

Hotel Tip | Tiong Bahru

I stayed at the COO Boutique Hostel* for two nights. Pretty hip, clean rooms, but unfortunately small and cramped – but that’s Singapore. However, I can still highly recommend it, especially if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation. The price level in Singapore is very high, especially for accommodation.

➜ Prices & availability COO Boutique Hostel*