SG Magazine, Jul 17 by SG Magazine

w w w. s g n o w. s g | 2 0 1 5 M PA S W e b s i t e o f t h e Ye a r

Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks

Happy Hari Raya!

S G M A G A Z I N E | I S S U E # 6 8 2 | J U LY 1 7, 2 0 1 5 since 1995

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

what’s on what’s new what matters

Going live this month, The Play Project surveys 100 playgrounds in Singapore and invites users to leave their comments and memories. Turn to PHOTOGRAPHY , page 6 for an interview with the creators.

INTERVIEW

FOOD

FITNESS

TRAVEL

Singapore History in Comics

Hip and Halal

New Ways to Work Out

Thailand’s Underrated Isle

FIRST AND EXCLUSIVE

PREMIERES AUG 3 WEEKNIGHTS 11:45PM

AUG 17

SEPT 3

CARPOOL KARAOKE

D&J UNDERWEAR

WITH

DAVID BECKHAM

JUSTIN

BEIBER

WITH

AUG 11

GOOFING OFF WITH

ONE

DIRECTION

Ch 318

Ch 509

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

page 3

A Field Guide 17 trends

The Next Big Workout Crazes 10 Ways You Know it’s Saturday in Tiong Bahru 6 interview

8 neighborhood

Drone Photography

Head Back to Changi

8h films

11 fashion

Japanese Film Festival

Normcore Nation

1. The line at 40 Hands resembles the Battle of Blackwater in Game of Thrones. 2. The organic produce stall in Tiong Bahru Market is flooded with expats. 3. While upstairs, the busker uncle is lip-syncing in his wheelchair.

16 dining

17 new restaurant

Where to Go for Hari Raya

Mediterranean Flavors at Maca

4. The holier-than-thou cat at BooksActually is holding court for a crowd of supplicants (who have never read a book in their lives). 5. Drunk girls in sundresses are spilling out after attempting the brunchtime Champagne challenge at Open Door Policy. 6. The atmospheric bicycles outside Plain Vanilla are surrounded by non-customers posing for #OOTD shots.

20 travel

22 interview

Koh Kood’s Hidden Gems

The Artist and The State

7. All the best dishes have run out at Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice. 8. You’re having a cuteness-induced panic attack over a $70 teacup at Strangelets.

Who's in charge? Publisher & General Manager Ric Stockfis countrymanager@asia-city.com.sg

Content Sales & Custom Media Content Director Clara Lim customcontent@asia-city.com.sg

Editorial Managing Editor Mrigaa Sethi editor@asia-city.com.sg

Advertising Director, Business Development Intan Agustina advertising@asia-city.com.sg

Features Editor Chelsia Tan Dining Editor Letitia Tandean Editorial Intern Madeleine Pang Design Associate Art Director Carmen Louise Ho Senior Designer Fishy Toh Designer Celeste Chooi Design Intern Josephine Tan

Senior Manager, Media & Marketing Shernan Plameras

Marketing & Admin Assistant Geraldine Tan Contributor Terry Ong Finance Finance Manager Victorina Ocado finance@asia-city.com.sg

Executives, Media & Marketing Lee Wee Keong, Swathi Raj

Group Directors Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth gworth@asia‑city.co.th

Marketing Marketing Manager Silver Adrienna Ng marketing@asia-city.com.sg

Group Digital Director Greg Duncan gduncan@asia‑city.com.sg On the cover Choa Chu Kang playground by Stefen Chow

Where to find us! Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd 22/F, Silom Center 2 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02‑624‑9696 Fax: 02‑237‑5656 bkmagazine@asia‑city.co.th Shanghai shonline@asia‑city.com.cn

10. Your Instagram feed is clogged with images of the following: Art Deco low-rise HDBs, goldfish murals on aforementioned Art Deco low-rise HDBs, coffee and croissant tableaux (from Tiong Bahru Bakery, obvs) and the stray kitties of Moh Guan Terrace.

Who are we?

Published every two weeks (with daily updates at sgnow.sg), SG (previously I-S) delivers honest, independent and irreverent coverage of the Singapore lifestyle scene. We’ve been recommending what to do and where to go here for 20 years—and we’ve never been more excited about the city than we are right now.

The Asia City Media Group

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Awesome events, cool new places, the very best of the next two weeks

High-end, hawker and everything inbetween: news on the drink and dining scene

Hot topics, local initiatives and ideas for making Singapore even better

Because Singapore is only so big: the best deals and destinations around Asia

Fashion, fitness, tech and more

SG Magazine is published 24 times a year by Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd., 211 Henderson Road, #07‑02, Singapore 159552. Tel: 65‑6323‑2512 • Fax: 65‑6323‑2779. Copyright ©2015 Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. The titles “SG Magazine”, “I-S Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of SG Magazine and I-S Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. SG Magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Contact the Publisher for ad rates and specifications. All advertising in SG Magazine must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte. Ltd., 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968. ISSN 0218‑8872 MCI (P) 174/12/2014

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9. The table next to you at brunch is occupied by moms in their fancy yoga gear.

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last word Irreverent interviews with people who make Singapore great

We hope you like what you see: email us at editorial@asia-city.com.sg to let us know how we’re doing.

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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

up front

Singapore’s latest news, numbers and dramas at a glance

Our biweekly study of the city’s burgeoning (and dying) trends

OB INDEX Charting the ups and downs of Singapore's openness, tolerance and freedom of expression

Comrade Foot

HOT OR NOT

Hot: Cycling

JUL

The much talked-about Amos Yee trial came to a head when the 16 year-old was sentenced to four weeks’ jail, with his term backdated to Jun 2. The teen blogger walked free from the State Courts on Jul 6 after being remanded for 50 days. He was convicted of making offensive or wounding remarks against Christianity and for circulating obscene imagery and the third charge, for making statements on the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yee in a YouTube video, was dropped. Yee was reportedly hospitalized the day before his sentencing as he “has not been eating well”. According to his lawyer, Alfred Dodwell, Yee plans to appeal against the conviction and has agreed to go for counseling.

Not: Taking the MRT

Chris Lexow

Hot on the heels of the Punggol bicycle network, The Straits Times announced on Jul 1 that the URA could be looking at ways to plan a seamless route linking Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park to Gardens by the Bay and the Central Business District. With the recent apocalyptic MRT breakdown, this is a very good thing.

Hot: Craft Beers

Get this issue to go. Free eBook download from issuu.com/sg_magazine (or sign up at sgnow.sg/newsletters to never miss an issue)

Not: Commercial Drafts

Artisanal pints have never really been out of style, but the recent launch of microbrewery Little Island Brewing Co. got us excited about all things niche and malty again. They are still finalizing their setup, but once completed, you can look forward to wheat beers, Scottish, pale and golden ales.

BE GOOD

Give Back with Gelato

Casa Velas Hotel

Taste eight gelato concoctions by Marina Bay Sands’ celebrity chef restaurants and help contribute to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which benefits children from low-income families. Some notable flavors include coconut with white miso by Waku Ghin and masala teh tarik by Adrift. The gelatos are priced at $4.50 for a single scoop, $8 for a double scoop and $12 for a triple scoop and all proceeds will go to charity. Visit the Scoops of Hope pop-up station at The Shoppes Canal Level B2 from Jul 31 to Aug 9 between 11am to 9pm. More info at www.marinabaysands.com/sandsforsingapore.

Hot: Fitness Passes

Not: Gym Memberships

NEWS FROM SGNOW.SG

In less than three months, three online fitness passes—K Fit, Passport Asia and GuavaPass—have launched in Singapore, offering us access to a variety of group workout classes across the island for a subscription fee. Who’s gonna buy expensive memberships now? For more on Singapore’s newest fitness trends, see page 10.

MRT Downtown Line 2 will finally open this December Making the Bukit Timah area a lot more accessible is the opening of Downtown Line 2 (DTL2), slated to be ready by December this year. The 16.6km journey has one depot and 12 stations, which also comprises of four interchanges at Little India, Newton, Botanic Gardens and Bukit Panjang. And here’s the best part—it runs along Bukit Timah so those heading towards Sixth Avenue and Beauty World Centre can expect a faster, Downtown Line 2 more convenient trip. Website of the Year MPAS 2015 Hopefully, this will mean more hassle-free travel options and an ease in congestion while taking the train. Land Transport Authority

This week you will mainly love your city for its...

First-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site On Jul 4, a 21-member UNESCO committee named the 156 year-old, 74-hectare Botanic Gardens a World Heritage Site. The committee was reportedly so impressed with Singapore’s submission that the entire group voiced their support and even congratulated the Singapore delegation before results were announced.

S I N G A P O R E ’ S H OTT E ST L I F E ST Y L E N E W S

You can now pick up SG Magazine at these cool venues

Club Meatballs

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Spruce

China Square Central #01-35, www.clubmeatballs.com

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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

now

The essential guide to what’s on in Singapore Send your events news to art@asia-city.com.sg, nightlife@asia-city.com.sg, stage@asia-city.com.sg

THROUGH

ART The Kingdom of Splendour

Aug 9

A rapturous collection of works by emerging Chinese contemporary artist Wan Tai Feng can be found here, depicting various rare animals set in alternate fantasy worlds. Jul 10-Aug 9. MAD Museum of Art & Design, #01/02-01 10 Tanglin Rd., 6734-5688. Free.

SAT

Jul 18

NIGHTLIFE Off The Rails Again!

This funky urban party has an unexpected location—The Rail Corridor. It’s all about jungle and reggae sounds courtesy of Wobology and KIAT, plus street art by Tuyuloveme, Cath Love and Facter. There are also workshops on t-shirt customizations. Jul 18, 4pm. The Rail Corridor, Commonwealth Ave. Viaduct, www.facebook.com/railcorridorart. Free. FRI

FRI

SALES & FAIRS Pop Market

Jul 24

Jul 17

In collaboration with Pasarbella, Pop Market features curated and handpicked goods from local brands such as 2 Peas In A Pot (lifestyle products), Jot A Blotter (office supplies) and Funny Museum (arts and craft), among many others. Jul 17-19, 10am. Pasarbella, The Grandstand, Turf City, 200 Turf Club Rd., 6887-0077. Free.

FILM 7 Letters

One of the most anticipated local releases, 7 Letters features seven of Singapore’s most acclaimed directors including Royston Tan, Tan Pin Pin and Eric Khoo producing, writing and directing a segment each, reflecting on our social and cultural milieu. Jul 24-26. Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building, 11 Stamford Rd. Win free tickets from www.facebook.com/7letters.sg.

TUE

Jul 21

THU

MUSIC Johnny Marr

Jul 30

Former Smiths guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr is here touring in support of his latest album, Playland. Expect to hear songs from his solo albums as well as selected hits by The Smiths. Jul 30, 8pm. University Cultural Centre Hall, NUS, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, 6516-2492. $88-148 from Sistic.

MUSICAL The LKY Musical

Veteran actor Adrian Pang plays the younger Lee Kuan Yew in this historical musical. Directed by London director Steven Dexter (Forbidden City) and with music written by Dick Lee, it tells the story of MM Lee’s early days leading Singapore to its independence in 1965. Jul 21-Aug 2. MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands, B1/F The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 8533-4652. $78-150 from Sistic.

MUSIC

concerts Braids Montreal-based three-piece experimental pop band brings their roomy acoustic tracks and tasteful electronica soundscapes for the first time. Jul 18, 8pm. Kilo, #02-01, 66 Kampong Bugis, 6467-3987. $40-55 from Peatix. Continuum—Album Launch & Concert Hosted by local band The Observatory, this concert celebrates the launch of their album Continuum, which features Southeast Asian instruments layered with their dark electronica influences. Jul 23-24, 7pm. Timbre @ The Substation, 45 Armenian St., 6338-8030. $18-20 from Peatix. Musicians Unite! A night of soundbites from various genres, featuring some familiar faces from the Singapore music scene, including Oli

Hughes, Yazeid Rahman and Justin Bannister. Jul 31, 7:30pm. Blu Jaz, 11 Bali Ln., 62923800. Free. Sing50 The official SG50 concert gathers over 70 local artists who have shaped the local music scene in the last five decades. Everyone from Mandopop stars JJ Lin and Stephanie Sun to jazz legend Jeremy Monteiro are performing alongside international acts like Apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas and superstar pianist Lang Lang. Aug 7-6, 7:30pm. National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub, 15 Stadium Rd., 6344-2660, www.sing50concert.sg. $20. Cody Simpson Yet another YouTube sensation in the vein of Justin Bieber, but this time in the form of Australian pop-singer Cody Simpson, who performs pop ditties from his albums Paradise and Surfer’s Paradise. Aug 10, 8pm. Kallang Theatre, 1 Stadium Walk, 6348-7907. $68-118 from Sistic.

Echosmith The Los Angeles alt-pop band are in town for their inaugural concert, bringing their colorful blend of carefree pop and hit anthem “Cool Kids”, among many others. Aug 11, 8pm. The Coliseum, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 6577-8888. $78 from Sistic. Passion Pit This indie-electronica band returns with new album Kindred. Be prepared to be awed by singer-songwriter Michael Angelakos’ trademark falsetto and jiving tunes. Aug 11, 8pm. *SCAPE The Ground Theatre, 2 Orchard Link. $90-140 from Peatix. The Maine The raucous American pop-rock band from Phoenix returns to town to perform tunes from their latest album American Candy as well as earlier hits like “Happy” and “These Four Words”. Aug 15, 7pm. TAB, #02-29, 442 Orchard Rd., 6493-6952. $58-68 from Peatix. Braids

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

now PHOTOGRAPHY Stefen Chow and The Play Project

Singin’ In The Rain

STAGE

musicals Singin’ In The Rain The critically acclaimed West End musical about a silent film actor facing the birth of talkies has tons of romance, comedy, high-energy choreography and an amazing set design (with 12,000 liters of water). Jul 9-26. MasterCard Theaters, B1/F The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868. $65195 from Sistic. Nanyang The Musical This coming-of-age story, inspired by the tumultuous lives and times

Stefen Chow and Hui Yi Lin

Globe-trotting photographer Stefen Chow has taken pictures of billionaires, Ai Weiwei and the world’s poorest people (the latter through his ongoing work with economist Hui Yi Lin at www.thepovertyline.net). But his latest project in Singapore is about something quite different: playgrounds. In collaboration with local company Avetics (www.avetics.com) and Void Works (www. voidworks.co), Chow shot 100 playgrounds across the island using drone photography. The result is The Play Project, an interactive website inviting users to share their memories, partially financed by the SG50 fund. Drones are politically loaded, and in Singapore have a mixed reputation, even recreationally. Were you thinking about this as you started your project? Actually, no. My angle about drones shows how much the photographic climate has changed in a short period of two or three years. I used to photograph for assignments from helicopters, and budgets of this nature would cost the client an arm and a leg. Today, drones have pretty much eliminated the need for an aerial photographer, and it has also opened up a lot of possibilities, including photoshoots that were not possible from a helicopter point of view, regardless of budget. Playgrounds are not just our past, but possibly the past, as kids spend more time with screens. What do you think?

You’ve photographed billionaires as well as people living below the poverty line around the world. Any observations? Thanks for pointing this out. I think in the end, billionaires and people living at the poverty line are more similar than we think they are different. They both tend to be insecure about their immediate future, and I rarely meet people at these opposite extreme ends who are truly happy or satisfied. At the very core, they are also very human and genuine when you show earnest interest in what they do. However, my heart is with the people who live at the poverty line.

Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks

Happy Hari Raya!

S G M A G A Z I N E | I S S U E # 6 8 2 | J U LY 1 7, 2 0 1 5 since 1995

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

what’s on what’s new what matters

Cover Up SG Magazine covers celebrate local artists, photographers and illustrators and their remarkable depictions of Singapore.

Going live this month, The Play Project surveys 100 playgrounds in Singapore and invites users to leave their comments and memories. Turn to PHOTOGRAPHY , page 6 for an interview with the creators.

INTERVIEW

FOOD

FITNESS

TRAVEL

Singapore History in Comics

Hip and Halal

New Ways to Work Out

Thailand’s Underrated Isle

They look so good, we’ve even started hanging them on our walls.

To suggest someone we should feature or to partner with us on this initiative, email editor@asia-city.com.sg 6

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

comedy Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow The popular standup comedy is back, this time featuring both established and emerging names including Andy

Saunders, Dave Callan, Nick Cody, Urzila Carlson and ElbowSkin. Jul 23, 8pm. Kallang Theatre, 1 Stadium Walk, 6348-7907. $45-88 from Sistic. Kumar’s Living Together The irreverent Kumar takes it up at various community spaces in his new standup series. He explores topical local issues such as generational gaps and racial harmony, with support from friends like actors Shane Mardjuki and Koh Chieng Mun. Aug 6, 8, 13, 15, 7:30pm. Various venues. www.sifa.sg. Free from Sistic.

Disagree! They appear nostalgic to us because many of us who look at playgrounds tend to be adults, and I realize things like these become invisible once we are past that stage. I did an interview with a local radio station, and just before I went into the interview, the DJ and I had a chat, and he mentioned, “Playgrounds have become so rare nowadays—only the Toa Payoh Dragon, and not much else right?” I found that very revealing of adults. Playgrounds in Singapore aren’t rare, there are nearly 1,500 of them in this small nation. This would rank Singapore with perhaps the most playgrounds per square area in the world.

Check out The Play Project at www.theplayproject.sg. MRIGAA SETHI

w w w. s g n o w. s g | 2 0 1 5 M PA S W e b s i t e o f t h e Ye a r

of Singapore’s first-generation artists, depicts an up-and-coming painter from Xiamen moving to Shanghai to advance his artistic career. The musical is directed by Alec Tok and music is by lyricist Xiaohan and composer Eric Ng. Aug 6-8, 8pm. Drama Centre Theatre, 3/F National Library, 100 Victoria St., 6837-8400. $25-75 from Sistic.

Being There

Khadim Ali

ART

Eat U Up This installation features emerging young artist Jennifer Mehigan’s digital art works combined with drawing, painting and sculpture, exploring the complexities of the digital and material world. Jul 18-30. The Substation, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535. Free.

Paper A group show featuring 11 established and upcoming Chinese artists who explore the various possibilities of works on paper, including applied pastels and installations. Featured names include Li Shan, Ding Yi, Chen Xiaoyun and Geng Jianyi. Through Jul 19. Shanghart Gallery, #02-22 Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Rd., 6734-9537. Free. Being There A group show featuring works by some of the international art scene’s biggest names, including painter-sculptor Fernando Botero, and photographers Steve McCurry and Sebastiao Salgado. Their works reinterpret the effect travels have on the artist’s psyche. Through Jul 19. Sundaram Tagore Gallery, #01-05 Gillman Barracks, 5 Lock Rd., 6694-3378. Free. Art Apart 6th Edition The sixth edition of this art fair features urban art by emerging Asian artists, including Filipino painter Ramon Orlina and contemporary Chinese artist Zou Cao. Jul 17-19. PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street, 6809-8888. $10. The Collective Young from Southeast Asia This group show features the most cutting-edge and contemporary in Southeast Asian art, with emerging names like Agung Prabowo, Anton Del Castillo and Zul Othman. Expect a wide array of works spanning etching and paintings to grafitti. Through Jul 26. Mizuma Gallery, #01-34 Gillman Barracks, 22 Lock Rd., 6570 2505. Free. Paul Husner on Bali Fans of Bali should head to this exhibition. It’s all about paintings of picturesque parts of the popular island, including Jatiluwih, known for its rice terraces. Through Jul 29. One East Art Space, #05-08/09 Thong Teck Building, 15 Scotts Rd., 6737-1819. Free.

The Art of Fissuring This retrospective exhibition of Chinese experimental Chinese ink artist Qiu Deshu features more than 20 of his “fissuring” works, which involve the application of vivid colors onto rice paper before tearing them up. Through Aug 2. Pearl Lam Galleries, #03-22 Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Rd., 6570-2284. Free. Rendez-vous This group show gathers emerging artists at the forefront of their careers, delving into fresh approaches to contemporary ideas, media and aesthetic experience. Works by 20 artists include sculptures by Nicolas Momein and Nikita Kadan, a video projection by Angelica Mesiti and a film program dedicated to the works of Sherman Ong. Through Aug 2. Lasalle College of the Arts, 1 McNally St., 6496-5075. Free. Khadim Ali Sydney-based artist’s hypnotic range of miniature paintings and rug works, are on show with images drawn from Afghan mythology dating back thousands of years are on show here. Through Sep 6. ARNDT, #01-35 Gillman Barracks, 22 Lock Rd., 6734-0775. Free. Fish Story, to be continued The exhibition showcases the late eminent American artist-photographer Allan Sekula’s most ambitious project, Fish Story, alongside video essay Lottery of the Sea and his last film The Forgotten Space. Through Sep 27. NTU Centre for Contemporary Arts Singapore, Gillman Barracks, 43 Malan Rd., 6339-6503. Free.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

now NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE 7 great reasons to head back to Changi this weekend 5

1 TELOK PA

KU RD

LO YA N

AV E

The Coastal Settlement

ASICS City Relay

Singapore Really Really Free Market 37

U PP

PI E

ER C

HAN

GI R

HAPPENINGS

M EI E AV

Little Island Brewing Co

XILIN

AVE

We’ve long loved Changi for its relaxed vibe and a veritable selection of nasi lemak (there are plenty to choose from at Changi Village Food Centre), but with the arrival of new microbrewery Little Island Brewing Co., there’s even more reason to head back for more food and drinks options, too. Bottoms Up The new 5,000 sq. ft. 1 Little Island Brewing Co (#01-01/02 6 Changi Village Rd., 8321-1372, www. littleislandbrewing.com) houses large tanks of beer, with cool, industrial-chic concrete counters and communal wood tables. It’s currently self-service, so you pay for your beers (British brews like Adnams and Beavertown, and New Zealand names like Tuatara and Stoke) and pour your own at the bar. For other beer options, don’t miss old school favorite 2 Charlie’s Corner (#01-70 Village Hawker Centre, Changi Village Rd., 6543-1754, www.charliescorner.sg). This unpretentious pub has been serving beers from around the world since the late 70s. Meanwhile 3 Five Izakaya (5 Changi Business Park Central 1, 6604-8255, www.fivebar.sg) offers $5 cocktails, pub grub and Asahi drafts, sakes and wines all day, every day. Makan Makan These F&B establishments may be located at various corners of Changi, but they are certainly worth the trek. 4 Kakis Bistro & Bar (289 Farnborough Rd., 6214-2956, www.kakis.sg) is located within a plant nursery and grow their own greens. This is also where you can go for comforting favorites with a menu of familiar plates like kampong satay. While it may be a tad inaccessible, the casual 5 The Coastal Settlement (200 Netheravon Rd., 6475-0200, www.thecoastalsettlement.com) is still worth the drive. Try their interesting items like Half & Half pizza with wagyu beef slices, caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms on one side, and pepperoni and prosciutto on the other. Meanwhile, chic 6 Table Manners (5 Changi Business Park Central 1, 6604-7669, www. tablemanners.com.sg) does customizable platters starting at $11 for lunch and $11.50 for brunch with a choice of three different items ranging from salads to carbs, meat and seafood. Dinner offers fancier options like truffle capellini with organic egg and chicken Parmigiana. Also, they get their coffee beans from Papa Palheta, so it’s pretty fail-safe. If you’re looking for good ol’ fashioned hawker food, just head back to 7 Changi Village Food Centre (2 Changi Village Rd.) especially for Weng Kee Ipoh Hor Fan for the signature dish that comes with chicken cutlets, the ever-popular nasi lemak from International Nasi Lemak and Goreng Pisang from Million Star Fried Banana. Terry Ong

wellness UrbanSCAPE The rooftop of People Park’s Complex just got busier the fringe event of SoulSCAPE—The Yoga and Mindful Movement. It features a wellness market with tons of gourmet food and alternative living products, but the highlight is a sunset yoga session organized by Yoga Movement. Oh, and local musician Alicia Pan will perform, too. Jul 18, 4pm. 6/F People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Rd., www.soulscape.sg. $12-16.

sports Barclays Asia Trophy Three Premier League teams Arsenal, Everton and Stoke battle it out with their star-studded first-team squads, including Chile’s Alexis Sanchez, Germany’s Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker and Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku. Through Jul 18, 6pm. National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub, 15 Stadium Rd., 6344-2660. $25145 from Sportshubtix. Singapore International Triathlon To celebrate SG50, the triathlon introduces entry-level races that are suitable for both enthusiasts and casual exercisers. There are standard races, junior races and supersprint relays to participate in. Jul 25, 6am. East Coast Park, East Coast Parkway, 6440-0046, www. singaporetriathlon.sg. $31-297. MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 Action Asia is back with more races and this time, it’s a fast-paced and flat urban trail through Singapore’s lesser-known areas. There are 10-, 21- and 50km trails with over 90% of the course off the road. Jul 25, 5:30am. $35-79. www.actionasiaevents.com.

FOOD & DRINK The Beach Spread Feast on a wide array of seafood and meats, as well as unlimited Champagne by the beach. There is also a DJ providing live music for this weekend affair. Jul 17, 11:30am. Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, 6270-1355. $78-$178. Singapore Food Festival Themed “A Fresh Taste of Tradition”, this year’s highlights include Streat, which brings together the

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

best of Singapore’s hawkers and chefs serving unique takes of Singapore’s street food, as well as Chinatown Food Street’s Mod-Local Fest which features fusion dishes. Jul 17-Aug 2. Various venues. www. yoursingapore.com. Free. Singapore Favorite Food Village 2015 This returning food fest showcases our local hawker heritage, with a focus on Teochew dishes. Highlights include celebrity chef Eric Low preparing the Teochew Opera Porridge. Jul 24-Aug 2. Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., 6337-3292, www.singaporefavouritefood. sg. Free.

pop-up Faculty Launch The local menswear label makes its debut at this pop-up arts space. Founded by Larry Peh, who won the President’s Design Award 2014, the collection features staples like shirts, tees, chinos and denim. Also on exhibit are photographs by John Clang. Through Aug 2. K+, #03-14/15 Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Rd., www. kplus.sg. Free.

sales & fairs Singapore Really Really Free Market 37 This is the only free-for-all flea market in town, where you can donate used clothing, books, CDs and home accessories (among many other things), and take home a few things in return. Jul 19, 12pm. Void deck, Blk. 15, Toa Payoh Lorong 7. Free. Singapore Red Cross Sunday Sales The Singapore Red Cross sale has new and pre-loved fashion, recreational, electronic and household items at bargain prices. All sales proceeds from this bazaar will go towards housing and the daily care of the elderly and disabled. Through Jul 26, 11am. Singapore Red Cross, 15 Penang Ln., 6336-0269. Free.

First Take

Japanese Film Festival

FILM

Assassin. Through Jul 19. Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Rd., 6332-3659, www.jpfilmfestival.com. Free.

indie screenings Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015

ASICS City Relay Don’t worry if you can’t tackle the full 42.195km marathon because this night marathon works as a relay format involving three other teammates, which means you’ll only have to run approximately 10.5km. There are entertainment, food and drink booths, too. Aug 1. Singapore Sports Hub, 15 Stadium Rd., 6344-2660, www.cityrelay.com.sg. $200-290.

It Follows It’s a suspense-filled horror film with good old fashioned scares following the story of a young woman being pestered by an unknown supernatural force after getting involved in a sexual encounter. Directed by David Robert Mitchell and stars Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist and Daniel Zovatto. Jul 17, 9:30pm. The Projector, 5/F Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Rd. $13 from Peatix. Japanese Film Festival This year’s edition features a 27 film retrospective on Okamoto Kihachi and a few more specially curated films from past years. Not to be missed are Kihachi’s earlier classics like All About Marriage and Samurai

Yasmin Ahmad: A Movie Screening Tribute Catch three early films by the late talented Malaysian filmmaker, who is most well-known for her arthouse success Sepet. This movie marathon brings together the films Rabun, Mukhsin and Talentime back to back. Jul 25-25, 4:30pm. Auditorium, The Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate, 6391-0450. Free. First Take A showcase of the newest and most promising short films by upcoming film directors based in Singapore. Filmmakers whose works are selected will have a platform to showcase their works and participate in a Q&A following the screening. Aug 3, 8pm. The Substation, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535. Free.

now NIGHTLIFE

dj gigs Tropiclab House Night Special Melodic and funky house tunes aplenty from the trio of Jamie React, Dhakka and Haan. Jul 17, 11pm. Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 6225-6001. $320-25 from Peatix. John Dahlback The Swedish producer and DJ remixes trendy house music, supported by local act Lincey. Jul 18, 11pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $28-33. Doomwork Expect deep, melodic house and techno beats from this rising Italian duo, comprising DJ-producers Claudio and Alessandro. Jul 18, 11pm. Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 6225-6001. $30-50 from Peatix. Foundation ft. Answer Code Request Canvas continues its weekly house and techno night with special guests Answer Code Request and Fal. Jul 18-19, 10pm. Canvas, #B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd., 6538-2928. $20-30.

underground scene with their trademark sound that fuses crunk, trap and bass, aptly called “The Geylang Crunk”. Jul 24, 11pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 67382988. $28-33. TJR LA-based TJR has built a formidable catalogue of original tracks and EDM remixes since exploding onto the scene. His energetic live gig will be supported by Zouk’s resident DJ Hong. Jul 24, 11pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $28-33 (includes two drinks). Midnight Shift feat. Objekt & Puzzle Rising young DJ Objekt is known for his unpredictable mixes across music genres while Puzzle is equally playful with sets fusing dubstep and techno. Jul 25, 11pm. Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 6225-6001. $320-25 from Peatix. Wiwek Known for fusing electronic elements with tropical beats, this Dutch producer and DJ creates distinctive and refreshing sounds, supported by Zouk’s resident DJ Lincey. Jul 31, 11pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $28-33.

Owe Money Pay Money Made up of Zushan and Master Race, O$P$ (Owe Money Pay Money), has been making waves in the

NEWS FROM SGNOW.SG

The huge EDM festival from Miami, Ultra makes a pitstop in Singapore It seems like the party police have given this huge EDM festival the green light and Ultra Singapore is really happening. It was back in April when we heard the huge rave party was coming to our shores. Now that the details have been firmed up, it seems like the F1 Grand Prix weekend is set to be a doozy with the festival is happening Sep 19 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center. While the location seems slightly sterile, we’re sure the folks behind the festival will be bringing in lots of superstar DJs to play electrifying sets all night long. In the meantime, they have a very special, but Website of the Year MPAS 2015 limited, early bird tickets that went on sale Jul 7. Head to www.facebook.com/ultrasingapore for all the latest details. S I N G A P O R E ’ S H OTT E ST L I F E ST Y L E N E W S

Stay in the Loop Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at sgnow.sg/newsletters Wiwek

John Dahlback

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

island

The latest openings and hottest trends in Singapore

TREND

Fitness Fads

Mindful Mondays

6 new trends in Singapore that may just change the way you work out. By Chelsia Tan Pure Yoga

Zespri

I 1

Bodytec

Surfset

t’s been an exciting six months for wellness and fitness trends: lots of new events, new genres of classes and a few new apps that are changing the way we exercise. Here are some new fads we expect to see a lot more of.

25/26/27 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6733-8863, www.pure-yoga.com) offering Pure Air, a class involving fabric hammocks and stirrups to spice up the regular Hatha, If you’re more about the workout classes and Vinyasa, restorative and therapeutic less about the cardio machines, fitness passes classes. It looks fancy but the idea is to use K Fit, GuavaPass and Passport Asia let you try tons of classes from various studios or gyms gravity as leverage to reduce resistance in Singapore. K Fit (www.kfit.com) is a website and strengthen, tone and improve your posture. A one-year membership starts at which lets members sign up for classes at $153 a month. At Upside Motion (#02different locations across the island. Similarly, mobile app Passport Asia (www.mypassport. 03, 36 Armenian St., 6636-6859, www. upsidemotion.com), the AntiGravity Aerial asia) has functions like GPS location services classes combines different elements of that can find a class near you, the option yoga, dance and aerial acrobatics to get to sync sessions to your calendar and social your heart pumping with funky suspension media integration. Entry-level memberships methods. From $40 for a single class. start at $59 for access to workouts like Pilates and Zumba at 130 gyms and studios, capped …In More Ways than One at four sessions a month. On the other hand, GuavaPass (www.guavapass.com) gives you When hip co-working community The access to classes like yoga, CrossFit, indoor Working Capitol (1A Keong Saik Rd., cycling and Muay Thai across over 70 locations 6805-4050, www.theworkingcapitol.com) here for $139 per billing cycle. Visits are started offering free meditation sessions on capped to three sessions or classes per gym. Mindful Mondays, a weekly public wellness It also gives you exclusive invites to wellness series, we wondered: is meditation possibly events, community classes and special deals getting trendy? These mindfulness sessions with partners like juice shop The Juice Junkie are being offered by some yoga studios and raw food cafe Afterglow. here but for a more comprehensive list of

Bye-bye Gym Memberships

Yoga is Now About Levitation

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Downward dogs are so old school. This year, it’s all about the aerial yoga, which has made a comeback at Pure Yoga (#01-

workshops, head to Nirvana Mind (#0801 66 Kampong Bugis, 9796-9045, www. nirvanamind.wix.com). They have Meditation 101 classes for beginners and a range of six other self-awareness workshops. Prices vary, starting from a suggested donation of $25 for

a single session to $400 for a series of two chakra reading classes.

Workouts are Resembling Parties

Early-morning, booze-free fitness party Zespri has come and passed, but there are more opportunities for social animals to exercise in the great outdoors. Yoga festival Soulscape (www.soulscape.sg) is back on Tanjong Beach this September. And this very weekend is Urbanscape on Jul 18, held on the rooftop of uber-hip hangout Lepark. There’s live music by local musicians Alicia Pan and BittyMacBeth, and a 60-minute sunset yoga session with Yoga Movement. Soulscape tickets start at $65 for early birds while Urbanscape tickets are at $12 for entry and includes a beer or non-alcoholic drink or at $16 for entry, a yoga session and a beer or non-alcoholic drink.

Agility Beats Brawn

Lifting weights will never go out of style, but now there are two new weight-free ways to tone that dad bod too. BodyTree GST (#01-01, 100 Amoy St., www.bodytreegst.com) uses a physical conditioning technique developed by gymnastics coach Christopher Sommer for the USA Men’s National Team. Interested? Then sign up for specific classes which concentrate on different parts of your

body like GST Push, GST Legs, GST Pull, GST Handstand and GST Flexibility. If it all sounds pretty tame to you, here’s a more exotic workout. Bodytec (#0104, 3 Pickering St., 6423-1306, www. bodytec.com.sg) brings technology into the mix with EMS Training (electro muscular stimulation). It’s not as shocking as it sounds: it sends electrical impulse currents via a strap-on suit, which activate your muscle groups while you exercise. The use of EMS is said to increase the possibility of targeting problem areas. If you’re a little skeptical, try a $30 single trial first.

People are Getting on Board

There must be something in the water, because standing on a board is cool now. Paddle boarding is picking up here and at Stand Up Paddling School (www. supschool.com.sg), you can dip your toes into a variety of workouts like core training, yoga and Pilates from $60 for a class of two or more. Much like surfing, you basically challenge your core by keeping your balance on top of moving water. But if you still prefer to stay indoors, Surfset (3/F, 454B Joo Chiat Rd., 97510793, www.surfset.sg) is another activity which mimics the sport on dry land, and starts from $35 for a single class.

island STYLE

The New Normal 5 local brands to upgrade your basics. By Chelsia Tan

In Good Company

Max Tan

ormcore, a look that is all about supposedly ordinary pieces that are effortlessly on point, became a thing in Singapore not very long ago but it seems is here to stay. It is probably one of the easiest trends to dive into, so start building your understated wardrobe by checking out these not-so-regular local stores.

Max Tan

The brand champions avant-garde shapes and structured cuts, but with minimalist offerings in a zero-color palette of gray, white and black, it is the place to grab a non-too-statement piece for more dressy occasions. Look out for Tan’s Fall/Winter 15/16 collection, which plays on drapes and subtle details in contrasting fabrics. Prices start from $229 for a top to $600 for a one-off cape dress. #L2-15 Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Rd., 6702-1816, www.max-tan.com.

Sifr

Stale & Co. Group

Normcore is all about not really trying, but that doesn’t mean not trying at all. You still need a touch of bling that elevates your look and pulls a casual outfit together. Stale & Co.’s range of raw, handmade metal jewelry does the trick. You don’t have to be decked out in chains;

a simple ring (from $49) or bracelet (from $69) will do. 237C Joo Chiat Rd., 97371739, www.staleandco.com.

In Good Company

This womenswear label redesigns classics (like the white shirt) by adding in unexpected details that play on tailoring and drape. The silhouettes are all quite relaxed and you’ll find interchangeable pieces which you can mix and match for work or the weekend. Their pieces go from $99 for tops to $399 for jackets, bottoms or dresses. www.ingoodcompany.asia.

Ling Wu

Every normcore warrior needs a cool bag that isn’t an IT. Cue Ling Wu, a cult brand that is known for its soft and functional bags in gorgeous snakeskn. No loud, of-themoment designs here – the label’s aesthetic leans towards a classic sensibility which

you can carry season after season. Our favorite? The Iggy Large, which retails from $880. #03-10 National Design Centre, 111 Middle Rd., 9696-3118, www.lingwu.sg.

Sifr

Probably one of the best local menswear labels around, Sifr is all about quality. Their Essentials tee collection (from $39), in 100 percent Pima cotton, are hugely popular here but the brand’s other affordable offerings are also worth a look. They have shirts in a variety of cuts and fabrics that are all designed with comfort and craftsmanship in mind. Plus, these are produced in limited quantities so you won’t be caught dead wearing the same outfit as, say, your boss. Their button-down shirts are priced from $129 while outerwear starts at $99 for a cardigan. PACT, #02-16 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6238-6362, www.sifrsite.com.

Stale & Co. Group

NEW STORE The General Store The buzz: Already in their third year as an e-commerce site, The General Store, which stocks cool streetwear and accessories, has set up a brick-and-mortar shop at Arab Street. The space: The space is done up in minimalist, Scandinavian-style with simple white walls and plenty of unfinished wood displays, so their merchandise is the obvious highlight. There’s no fancy layout involved, which is refreshing. The goods: Currently, shoes, bags and accessories make up the bulk of their merchandise. Pestle & Mortar Clothing, Ridgebake bags, Mibo Cosits shoes and

Catsi Co. are some of the cult brands they carry, but the highlights are the watches across six labels. We like Analog Watch Co. for its wood and leather designs ($199) and Cheapo, a Swedish brand with a classic, minimalist aesthetic (from $64.90 to $74.90). Why you’ll be back: We have been told that they are working on bringing in new offerings like JUJU, STATE Bags, Drifter Bags and Normal Timepieces that are said to be available only at the boutique. To keep things exciting, there may also be mini in-store pop-ups.

38 Arab St., 6291-4606, www.instagram.com/helloplusminus. CHELSIA TAN

FRIDAY, JULY 17 2015 SG MAGAZINE

Delectable Dining at Marina Square

he Dining Edition, on the second floor of Marina Square, is a food enclave with a myriad of cuisines ranging from Asian flavors to European & Mediterranean fare to suit your mood. Kick off your culinary expedition at The Dining Edition and savor these must-try dishes!

Chinese & Japanese Hamanoya (#02-106) The place: For those who like a bit of fiery action with their Japanese food, this casual woodand-stone robatayaki lets you choose from a selection of meats and seafood before the chefs grill it up as you watch. For the ultimate comfort meal, there’s also hotpot. The food: Various cuts of meat aside, the highlight here is the decadent seafood flown in from Japan: scallops, salmon, unagi and a whole lot more.

Order this: Get the Hamanoya Yakitori Platter—a selection of their signature charcoal-grilled skewers such as Pork Belly, Beef, and Minced Chicken with Onsen Egg. SG50 Promotion: Order a set dinner for two for $50 (normally $60), which includes hotpot, yakitori and a veggie hotpot platter.

Hifumi (#02-106A-B) The place: It may be casual, but its tatamithemed decor offers a calming ambience. Their main draw is Teishoku (Japanese Set Meals)—they’ve got a variety of choices at affordable prices. It’s no surprise they have a line out the door at mealtimes. The food: All main courses come with free flow appetizers, which include seasonal items like pumpkin salad, tofu gratin and fried fish.

Hamanoya 12

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Hifumi

Win Prizes While You Eat From July 10–August 10 2015, get instant prizes for every $50 spent at any F&B outlet with the Scratch & Win promotion. More excitingly, there is also a Lucky Draw promo where five winners can get $500 worth of Marina Mandarin Singapore dining vouchers for $50 spent at any F&B outlet.

Order this: The luxurious Ishikari Miso Hotpot includes salmon, scallop and prawns in a flavorful miso broth.

ADVERTORIAL

Bangkok Jam

Suki-Ya

Southeast Asian Bangkok Jam (#02-105B-C) The place: With its modern Bangkok inspired motifs and slightly industrial décor, Bangkok Jam is an intimate bistro perfect for both lunch and dinner. The food: Thai classics are the order of the day here, from the fiery tom yum talay (Red Tom Yum with Seafood), the gai yang song krueng (Grilled Chicken Thigh with Lettuce Wrap) and of course the green papaya salad, made here with soft shell crab. Order this: Iconic dishes aside, order from the selection of Thai-inspired spaghetti stir-fries. The spaghetti with yellow curry and soft shell crab is especially good. SG50 Promotion: Enjoy 50% off every second main course you order at dinner. Valid Mon–Thu. Other terms and conditions apply.

Yechun Xiao Jiang Nan

Menzo Butao (#02-180) The place: Ramen fans will not want to miss out on this traditional Hakata tonkotsu ramen restaurant with roots going back 80 years. Menzo Butao is a fuss-free spot specializing in three main types of broth: butao (white), kuroo (black) and akao (red). The food: There are about 20 ramen dishes, across three soup bases. To bring out the flavor and essence of the broth, the butao is simmered for 14 hours with pork bones. Order this: Cooked in the original sauce, the Taro Ramen’s braised pork belly is remarkably tender and goes well with the creamy Tonkotsu broth.

Suki-Ya (#02-183B-C) The place: Everybody loves hot pot, and Suki-Ya does a great one, with the added bonus of a warm ambience, surrounded by elegant lattice screens, Japanese lanterns and lots of pine wood. The food: There are four soup bases to choose from for your hotpot: the Classic Sukiyaki, Shabu-Shabu, Touyu Miso, Butaniku and Wasabi. In addition to finely sliced meats, there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet with

a spread of sauces, vegetables, mushrooms and tofus. Order this: Look out for the Chicken Cheese Balls from the Suki-Ya Healthy Bar. At first bite, the melted cheese oozes out, creating a flavor explosion in your mouth. Beware, it’s hot!

Yechun Xiao Jiang Nan (#02-181-2) The place: It’s dumplings and noodles galore at this Chinese restaurant specializing in Huai Yang cuisine. It is also the first and only Chinese restaurant that offers healthy multi-grain food in Singapore. The food: Lamian dishes aside, there are lots of steamed dumplings like xiao long bao and purple potato vegetable dumpling. Heartier stuff includes double boiled minced pork ball soup and pork belly with stewed abalone. Order this: Start the meal with an order of the steamed minced pork & crab roe broth dumpling. The giant hearty dumpling comes with a straw so you can slurp up the broth with bits of crab and pork.

Saigon Lotus (#02-100A-B) The place: It’s a bright and cheerful vibe at this Vietnamese place, with orange walls, colorful paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling and plenty of natural light. The food: Saigon Lotus has great and pretty affordable set lunches featuring savory bowls of beef pho, fresh shrimp spring rolls and other options. But the menu also features more authentic and unusual dishes like the mi vit tiem, braised duck egg noodle soup. Order this: The hu tieu, pork noodle soup, is particularly comforting and hearty, as it comes not only with sliced pork and herbs but also quail egg and prawns.

Saigon Lotus

Menzo Butao FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

ADVERTORIAL

European & Mediterranean

Cafes & Desserts

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (#02-103A/B)

The place: Inspired by the artisanal Japanese baking trend, this new bakery uses imported flours and no preservatives to produce fresh breads and pastries every day. The food: They do all the classic breads like baguettes, boules and loafs, and pastries like croissants, eclairs and other goodies. Order this: It’s hard to go wrong with a pain au chocolat paired with a hot cup of tea.

The place: The famous coffee and tea chain is the go-to place for great house-roasted coffees and curated teas, along with a wide range of sides and sandwiches. The food: It offers a pretty sizeable, all-halal food selection of salads, burgers, pastas, all-day breakfast and sandwiches, along with its cheesecakes and other desserts. Order this: Get the seafood wrapped in cartoccio— scallops, lobster and mussels in a tomato sauce, baked in parchment paper and served with fettuccine.

Ma Mere Boulangerie (#02-184-5)

ST. MARC CAFÉ (#02-105)

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

The Manhattan FISH MARKET (#02-183) The place: Named after Lower Manhattan’s famous Fulton Street fish market, this restaurant— with over 60 outlets around the world—is all about American-style seafood served in a casual, colorful atmosphere. The food: The dishes here are usually poached, grilled, baked or fried, but the star of the show is their impressive tableside flambe. They also pride themselves on their signature sauces. Order this: Don’t miss the Manhattan Flaming Seafood Platter, their top dish on the menu, which comes with battered oysters, calamari and, with a top-up, your choice of fish fillets.

The place: The decadent dessert spot has over 300 outlets in Japan, but the bustling branch at Marina Square is one of just four in Singapore and it's a great place to cool your heels after work or go on a shopping spree. The centerpiece of the cafe has got to be the enormous glass display of all their desserts and famous Chococro. The food: They do their baking fresh daily, dishing out pastries and breads. They also fix up waffles cones and parfaits. The Little Fuji, for example, is made with a warm Butter Danish topped with cool vanilla soft serve and drizzled with caramel sauce. Order this: ST.MARC CAFÉ's famous Chococro, of course, a delicate croissant with chocolate made of cocoa beans from Ghana and Ecuador inside. SG50 Promotions are valid from July 10–August 10 2015. Other terms and conditions apply.

Ma Mere Boulangerie

ST. MARC CAFÉ

The Manhattan FISH MARKET

Pita Pan (#02-183A) The place: A much-needed, solid vegetarian place, Pita Pan is a quick-service restaurant specializing in Mediterranean standards such as (vegetarian) shawarma and falafel. The food: The highlight here has got to be the salad bar with Mediterranean favorites like sundried tomatos, olives and pickled vegetables. Order this: Few places in town do the shakshuka, poached eggs cooked in a tomato stew spiced with cumin and chilli. Wash it down with a cup of hot mint tea.

Pita Pan 14

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

SHALLOTS (#02-101) The place: Decked out to feel like a homey French bistro, Shallots has whitewashed bricks on the walls, an open kitchen and an alfresco area. The menu is all about Western comfort food paired with solid wines. The food: There are options for any time of the day, with highlights including hearty mains like Lobster Chilli Crab Pasta, Wagyu Beef Rump and Barramundi with Miso Mousse. Order this: The all-day menu is great for when you just want to snack with a glass of wine. Get the garlic prawns tapas and the Shallots chicken wings with your aperitif.

SHALLOTS

Birthday Treats

ADVERTORIAL

Marina Square's restaurants get in the party spirit with special dishes created just for Singapore's 50th birthday

The Cookie Museum (#02-280)

Sakae Sushi & Sakae Teppanyaki (#02-207)

The place: Those with a sweet tooth should try some of Singapore’s best cookies. The selection at The Cookie Museum is inspired by flavors and ingredients from around the world. The dish: It’s no surprise that for SG50, they are doing special locally inspired flavors like Nasi Lemak cookies and Laksa cookies.

The place: The Marina Sakae Sushi & Square branch of this Sakae Teppanyaki iconic, value-for-money Japanese restaurant serves up an interesting fusion of Sakae Sushi’s Seoul Yummy (#02-202) signature favorites (more than 200 varieties) The place: Inspired by the fun and energy of and Sakae Teppanyaki’s famous fresh K-pop, this casual eatery serves contemporary The Cookie seafood delights. Korean food in a vibrant atmosphere, emblazoned Museum The dish: For SG50, there's 50% off Sakae’s with colorful wall art, an industrial decor and popular Otah Battera range of dishes: thick exposed bricks. slices of delectable traditional Otah placed The dish: For SG50, they’re doing a Korean kare between fluffy sushi rice and topped off with fresh Dian Xiao Er (#02-203-4) stew which gets an added punch of Singaporean seafood delights including shrimp and salmon. sambal. The stew is $39.90 a la carte The place: Named after the comforting traveler and $48.90 as part of a threeinns of old China, Dian Xiao Er looks the part, with course combo. its wooden shed-like structures. It is famous for its open kitchen and enticing display of roasted herbal duck, Swensen’s (#01-206-7) though they also do a range The place: Most famous for its of comforting dishes like ice cream, the American dinerDong Po Pork and Hotplate inspired parlor also has a fun Beancurd with Minced Meat and casual menu of savory dishes & Pickled Vegetables. for lunch and dinner. The dish: Taking inspiration The dish: They’ve created a special from Singapore’s iconic chili locally inspired dish for Singapore’s crab, Dian Xiao Er is serving its birthday: local grey mullet is glazed with own take with soft-shell crab Seoul Yummy homemade chili kicap manis and grilled to and a sauce concocted by the preserve its freshness. Available for $15.90. chef. During SG50 from July 10–August 10, it’s 30% off (from $25.60). Dian Xiao Er

PUTIEN (#02-205) The place: All about simple, unpretentious comfort food, this 15 year-old Fujianese restaurant has signature dishes like Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon and Braised Bean Curd with Chinese Cabbage. The dish: PUTIEN’s dramatic and structural SG50 tribute dish is a nod to the Marina Bay skyline. Breaded and deep-fried fish and vegetables are arranged in the shape of the Marina Bay Sands resort, with an onion ring and curry-flavored egg pillows representing the Singapore Flyer on the same platter.

Swensen's

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594 www.marinasquare.com.sg

PUTIEN FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

eats

The inside scoop on Singapore’s drink and dining scene

DINING GUIDE 5 places for pre-theater eats at the Galleria

Angelina

SEASONAL

Hip and Heavenly Just in time for Hari Raya, here is Singapore’s latest crop of Instagram-worthy halal cafes. By Letitia Tandean

TAP Craft Beer Bar

Wilder

Dazzling Cafe

With the opening of the LKY Musical (Jul 21-Aug 2), here’s where to go eat before the show.

Lean Bento

Fix Grill

Lean Bento

Halal status: New and applying for certification

Halal status: Certified

TAP CRAFT BEER BAR (#01-K1) It’s got 20 taps of craft brews and over 80 rotating craft beer bottles. Plus, meaty bites like meatballs and sausage platters.

Fix Cafe’s new Mediterannean-inspired grill specializes in fresh flavors that evoke the sunny shores of European coasts. The cheery diner-like restaurant has an indulgent menu of dishes like smoked duck arancini ($6), Hokkaido scallops with quinoa ($11) and lamb moussaka ($6) served as skewers and Japanese-style chicken tsukune ($5). Mains include ribeye steak ($22) with sweet potato and slow-cooked beef shortrib ($32).

There’s a new bento bar in town and it’s got a zen thing going on with lots of light and linear benches. Not quite the place to spend hours at, but it’s got clean, green and delicious meals. The bento boxes are stuffed with a runny ramen egg, mushrooms, multi-grain nigiri rolls and halal-certified chicken ($11.90) which you can get in three flavors: marinara, parmesan and honey mustard. There are also shoyu and salt-grilled halal-certified salmon bentos ($13.90) for seafood lovers.

Katong Kitchen

#01-07 HomeTeam NS-JOM Club, 31 Ah Hood Rd., 6397-5662, www.fix.com.sg.

#02-02 The Arcade, 11 Collyer Quay, www. leanbento.com

Rouse

Katong Kitchen

Wilder

Halal status: Certified

Halal status: No certification, but Muslimowned with no pork/lard in kitchen

Village Hotel’s casual Asian fusion restaurant has prepped a special menu to break fast with friends and family. This time around, the modern vintage-inspired space has a buffet spread of Indonesian gado gado, chili crayfish, assorted satay, as well as tossed rice vermicelli with seafood. The buffet dinner goes for $48 from Mon-Thu and $58 from Fri-Sun. Village Hotel Katong, 25 Marine Parade Rd., 6551-2141, www.kitchenlanguage. com.sg

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

This relatively new concrete-clad cafe with obligatory industrial copper pipes and Edison bulbs serves mains like squid ink tagliatelle and beef burgers. It’s also got a special menu ($35) for Ramadan loaded with soba salad with miso tahini, lobster bisque, creamy mushroom pasta and pulled beef with cauliflower mash. 749 North Bridge Rd., 6335-1136, www.wilder.com.sg

ZAKU (#01-84) A sake bar and Japanese restaurant with former Ku De Ta chef Dan Segall in the kitchen.

ANGELINA (#01-82) This Parisian tea room is famous for its thick hot coco and the Mont Blanc dessert of sweetened chestnuts and cream.

Halal status: Certified We’ve written about this hip but unpretentious cafe for its interesting menu that deviates from boring eggs benedict and bircher muesli. The cafe has a Ramadan menu with dishes of pan-seared salmon ($17.90) with spicy lemon cream and potato mash; eggplant and beef lasagne ($15.90) with a side of garlic toast and a delicious sounding tandoori chicken linguine ($13.90) that’s been mixed in masala marinade. Even though the industrial look is done to death, it’s still relatively refreshing for Little India. 36 Dunlop St., 6292-2642, www.facebook. com/rouseondunlop

DAZZLING CAFE (#01-85) A princess and all-round cutesy cafe, it’s got fusion East-meets-West food like mentaiko pasta and Shibuya-style honey toast. 1933 (#01-83) Paying tribute to the 1930s, this restaurant has food influenced by Singaporean food back then, with dishes like Nanyang curry chicken and kampong chicken rice. The Galleria is located at the Capitol Theatre building at 15 Stamford Rd. LETITIA TANDEAN

eats NEW RESTAURANT Maca Restaurant

NEW AND NOTED with Letitia Tandean

The Sultan

Cocktail Craze

The buzz: The folks behind Swiss Butchery have opened a contemporary European restaurant in the breezy Tanglin Post Office.

Iberico pork collar ($36) and smoky lamb rump ($36) with a side of fluffy hasselback potatoes ($10).

The vibe: While the small space has a typical industrial-chic feel—exposed pipes and concrete— it’s made warmer with DIY hand-varnished chairs, origami sculptures on the walls and an outdoor terrace perfect for weekend drinks.

The drinks: There’s a list of organic wines like a Les Close Perdus l’annee blanc ($18/glass; $90/ bottle) and a tempranillo-grenache blend ($120/ bottle) from South Africa’s Ministry of Clouds. No cocktail list in this town would be complete without a variation on the Negroni: Maca has a white tea version ($22) and a lovely twist on the Pimm’s Cup ($20), which should be your replacement sangria.

The food: Unpretentious with an emphasis on wood-smoked dishes. There’s a sizable list of delicious starters including the blistered padron peppers ($9) and the prawn ceviche ($18) with kombu, which stands out for its balanced use of fresh ingredients. Save space for the slow-cooked

Why you’ll be back: It’s the perfect weekend retreat with simple dishes that let the ingredients do the talking.

#B1-01 Tanglin Post Office, 56 Tanglin Rd., 6463-8080, www.macarestaurant.com. Open Mon-Sat 5-10pm; Sun noon-4pm, 5-10pm. LETITIA TANDEAN

Explore your favorite

New bar Fresh! (#02-01 The Sultan, 101 Jalan Sultan, 8828-7084, www. facebook.com/ohsofreshsg) in The Sultan hotel is slated for an endof-month opening. Owned by veteran bartender Shawn Kishore, the airy bar has an old school vibe with a throwback 90s playlist and craft cocktails and punchbowls that pay homage to iconic 90s drinks.

Two-in-One

There’s a huge restaurant and bar taking up a heritage building in the CBD. Cato (237 South Bridge Rd., 8299-6434, www.facebook.com/ catosingapore) occupies a two-story space, a large shophouse that used to house OCBC Bank (and The Vault), and the place serves international fare and cocktails with Asian touches.

Street Fight

First, there was speakeasy-style cocktail bar 28 HongKong Street. Then came a slew of other restaurants and cafes like hip coffee shop Ronin, Spanish tapas bar FOC and Latin American bar Vasco. Now, fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar Bacchanalia (23A Coleman St., 6509-1453, www.bacchanalia.asia), led by Chef Ivan Brehm, is moving to hip HongKong Street. They’re leaving their current space in the Masonic House by midAugust and will take reservations at the Coleman Street location until Jul 18.

Neighborhoods

Brought to you by rydesharing.sg

www.sgnow.sg/neighborhoods

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

Life’s a Beach

From plenty of seaside activities to some seriously wild parties, Thailand’s southern islands have lots to offer.

Hong Island, Krabi

Railay Beach, Krabi

Santhiya Resorts & Spas, Koh Phangan

fter the frenetic craziness of Bangkok, Thailand is probably most famous for its numerous islands, each with its own unique offerings—from long, sandy beaches to walk along to crazy parties to dance the night away at.

BANGKOK-DON MUEANG

And with AirAsia’s numerous weekly flights to Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi, not only can you fly affordably to Thailand, you will also get to visit some of the country’s smaller, more remote (and undisputedly more beatuiful) islands via the seamless Island Transfer packages. In a single booking, you can sign up for flights, transfers and ferry rides that will get you to your final destination effortlessly. ROCK CLIMBING & NATURE

Krabi With gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea, Krabi is less about crazy parties and more about slow living and a bit of adventure. Enjoy the restaurants and cafes of Krabi Town, but do make time for a speedboat ride to one of the neighboring beaches. A visit to Railay Beach is a must, thanks to its towering limestone karsts that have attracted tourists from around the world. Even if you aren’t very fit, make some time to try out one of Krabi’s 700 different rock climbing routes. There are plenty of climbing schools that offer day courses with all equipment included. If you just want to take lots of pretty pictures, there’s Than Bokkhorani National Park, home to the limestone cliffs and white beaches of the Hong Islands. On the largest island, Mu Koh Hong, you’ll find a 400-meter nature trail that explorers mustn’t miss out on. Many choose to stay close to the bustling beach of Ao Nang—which is all about lots of great Thai food, massages,

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

KOH TAO KOH PHANGAN KOH SAMUI SURAT THANI PHUKET KRABI

yoga classes and sunset drinks. A short drive away is the Emerald Pool, a hot-water lagoon in nearby Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. The vivid color comes from the high quantity of calcium carbonate deposits in the 30-50-degree water. A dip in the pool is the perfect way to end the walk through the nature reserve. GETTING THERE: AirAsia flies direct to Krabi seven times a week. Prices start at $50. CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE

Phuket Party places are also abundant in Phuket, whether you’re in the mood for all-night raves or simply to chill out over drinks. Seduction Nightclub (70/3 Bangla Rd., +66 93 581-8126, www.seductiondisco.com) is Patong Beach’s biggest nightclub and is decked out in trippy freeform chandelier sculptures and blue illuminated tables. Plus, the huge complex also has an open-air terrace and a VIP area.

Direct Flight Connecting Flight Ferry Transfer

Promthep Cape, Phuket

There’s also new restaurant and bar The Avenue (46/11 Moo 5 Tambon Vichit Muang, +66 61 251-6706, www.facebook. com/theavenuephuket), a bistro serving Thai, European and American food by day and a downtempo cocktail and craft beer bar by night. The homey decor makes it a perfect place to unwind with beers from Rogue and Baird breweries and fresh cocktails. GETTING THERE: AirAsia flies direct to Phuket International Airport seven times a week. Prices start at $55.

SINGAPORE

Getting to Thailand on AirAsia

PERK ALERT The Fly-Thru at Bangkok’s Don Mueang No lines. There’s no immigration check at transit. Free hands. No baggage to collect until your final destination. Shops galore. Duty free, cosmetics and more. Plus: Thai crafts and Thai food. Life’s essentials. Also known as free Wifi.

Touriam Authority of Thailand

Travel 3Sixty°

ADVERTORIAL

PRE AND EASY 4 great add-ons when you pre-book with AirAsia MORE MEAL CHOICES. When you pre-book your meal online, not only do you get 20% off, you also get more options, including several mouth watering Thai classics (see Whet Your Appetite, below).

Na Muang Waterfall, Koh Samui

Angthong Marine Park

PARTYING AND MASSAGE

Koh Phangan

Ark Bar, Koh Samui

SWIMMING & SHOPPING

Koh Samui Slightly more upmarket than its counterparts, Koh Samui has plenty of top restaurants and five-star resorts. But look closely and you’ll find affordable options that don’t skimp on style. Koh Samui is a great jumping off point for Angthong Marine Park, one of Thailand’s most pristine marine reserves and home to over 40 islands covered with dense rainforest. Don’t miss the lovely Na Muang Waterfall, which is especially strong between the months of Sep-Mar, it’s where you can also go swimming. Koh Samui also hosts two major walking streets: the Friday Bophut Walking Street (held on the famous and busy Bophut Beach) features shophouses occupied by restaurants, cafes and shops. Street vendors sell cute beachy trinkets and souvenirs. For a more food-centric market, there’s the Maenam Walking Street, which takes place on Thursdays. Just buy your food and grab a seat at one of the simple metal folding tables. GETTING THERE: Take one of AirAsia’s 42 weekly direct flights to Bangkok, do a Fly-Thru to Surat Thani and then a ferry to Koh Samui—all seamlessly done via AirAsia’s Island Transfer package. Prices start at $109. DIVING AND SNOKELLING

Koh Tao Koh Tao ranked #10 in the world in the Best Islands in the World list in TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards 2014. It’s easy to

see why with its turquoise waters, white beaches, dramatic forest-covered hills and world-class scuba diving. Don’t miss snorkelling and scuba diving on this beautiful island, which is an important breeding ground for hawksbill and green turtles. Chumphon Pinnacle is a popular place for diving with tons of sea life. There are bull sharks, stingrays, barracudas and even whale sharks to spot if you’re lucky. There’s also Sairee Beach on the west coast of the island with a bit of everything—from yoga to massages. However, there’s a great diving school Sairee Cottage Diving (10/1 Sairee Cottage, +66 77 456-374, www.saireecottagediving. com) that specializes in PADI certification. Dive trips around the island depart four times a day. If you aren’t dive-certified, opt for snorkelling instead. Ao Thian Ok, locally known as Shark Bay, is where you’ll get to see the most sharks and fish without having to dive. Head to New Heaven Resort (+66 77 456-462, www.newheavenkohtao. com) where you can hang out, grab some food and snorkel in the pristine waters. Remember, the sharks here are pretty shy so have some patience. GETTING THERE: As with Koh Samui, fly to Bangkok, then Fly-Thru to Surat Thani and hop on a ferry (a different one this time) to get to Koh Tao. The Island Transfer package, including flights, starts at $109.

It’s similar to Koh Samui with its crazy fullmoon parties. While most beach bars have crazy all-night raves, head to Sramanora for an alternative jungle and waterfall party experience. This tech-house bar is flanked by psychedelic neon paintings and brings in tons of international DJs. Here, full moon parties, full of UV Paint, bucket cocktails and jugglers, happen twice a month. For a true beachside party, go to Drop In (154/2 Haad Rin, Baan Tai, www. dropinclubresort.com) where the full moon parties start at 8pm and can continue until the crack of dawn. The Haad Rin area is famous for its bars and this place is all about games like fire rope jumping. When it’s time for some much-needed rest and relaxation, get pampered at Santhiya Resorts & Spas (22/7 Moo 5 Bantai, +66 77 428-999, www.santhiya. com). You’ll not only find traditional Thai treatments like massages and body scrubs, but also the resort’s signature Ayurvana spa with scrubs, steams and aromatic massages, all done in pretty outdoor pavilions.

CHECK IN BAGGAGE. It’s a no-brainer. You save up to 54% when you pre-book your baggage online! What’s more, you have the option to pack anything from 20k-40kg. PRIORITY BOARDING WITH HOT SEATS. When you pick a seat, you get a head start with priority boarding! Not only that, having hot seats also means extra legroom for additional comfort. PREMIUM FLEX. Travel like a boss. Check in at the dedicated Premium Flex counter and enjoy flexibility to change your flight details two hours before departure and up to two times without extra charges. What’s more, get complimentary 20kg baggage allowance, get a delicious in-flight meal, choose where you want to sit at no cost and be the first to board.

GETTING THERE: Hop on a flight via Bangkok and do a Fly-Thru to Surat Thani. From there, it’s a short ferry ride away to Koh Phangan. Prices start at $109.

Mango sticky rice

Basil chicken

Whet Your Appetite Let’s face it: Thai food is half the thrill of visiting Thailand. And on AirAsia (www.airasia.com), you get a sneak peek at all the classics before you even touch the ground. All flights to Thailand offer a range of iconic Thai dishes, such as green curry, mango sticky rice and, everyone’s favorite, basil chicken. Meals start at $5 when you pre-book online.

Green curry

BROUGHT TO YOU BY AIRASIA (www.airasia.com) the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline by World Airline Awards 2015.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

escapes

Holidays, hotels and insider travel news

DESTINATION GUIDE

Yes, You Kood Thailand’s Koh Kood promises lots of rustic charm and unspoiled beaches. By Monruedee Jansuttipan

Klong Chao

hailand’s rainy season is soon to kick off. But head to the islands on the far east of the Gulf of Thailand and you can still find sun-drenched beaches until well into August. The country’s fourth largest island, Koh Kood, is far quieter and less developed than its better-known neighbor, Koh Chang. Roads are narrow and beaches short on facilities—the whole island doesn’t even have public electricity—but this just adds to its unspoiled charm. In fact, many have dubbed it the Maldives of Thailand thanks to its white, powdery sands, crystal-clear seas, pristine forests and inland waterfalls.

Beach Hopping

There are a bunch of beaches on the island but not all have public access or pristine sand. Your two best options are Klong Chao Beach and Klong Hin Beach, both of which have places to eat and drink. On Klong Chao, make your way to View Point Cafe (Had Klong Chao Road, +66 89 555-3598, www.facebook.com/ viewpointcafe) for Thai-Western meals like spaghetti and hor mok (steamed seafood curry cake, $4), as well as a highly recommended rich coconut ice cream with banana split ($4) and cocktails like mojito ($4)—best enjoyed with one of the most amazing sunset views on the island. Too bad that they close annually during rainy season (through Nov). When night falls and you want some live music, Tawan Eco Bar (121/1 Moo 2, +66 98 337-4223, www. facebook.com/tawankohkood) is about your only option. The owner of this earthy wooden hut, Jongkol Chompupetch, leads jam sessions every night with various visiting musicians. At Klong Hin Beach, take advantage of the long white stretch of sand during the day, then grab some drinks and a meal at Bombyx Beach Bar (Cham’s House hotel, 2 Moo 5, Klong Hin Beach, +66 82 878-2878, www. chamshouse.com), which serves international dishes and cocktails (starting at $10). They

Cham’s House

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

have a beachfront barbecue on Saturday night at $48 per person. It’s also worth taking the 20-minute drive over to Ao Phrao beach, one of the longest stretches of sand on the southern part of the island.

Diving

BB Divers (+66 82 220-6002, www.bbdiverskoh-kood.com) is one of several operators who offer everything from snorkeling trips to PADI-certification. Highlight scuba spots include Hin Loy, Ao Yai, Koh Rang National Park and Koh Raet, where you can spot stingray, moray eels and abundant coral fish species. All these islands are within 20-30 minutes of Koh Kood. Dive trips at BB Divers start from $119 while snorkeling starts from $40. PADI courses in open water start from $577 and take three to four days.

Fishermen’s Villages

There are two main fishing hubs on Koh Kood, one at Ao Yai in the south and another at Ao Salad in the northeast. The latter is also the island’s main pier, where you’ll find plenty of seafood restaurants and fishing tour operators. If you want a quieter atmosphere, Ao Yai has a beautiful bay where locals still live a traditional way of life. There’s only one restaurant, Chonticha Seafood (7 Moo 3, Ao

Ao Yai

Yai, +66 84 348-4992, www.facebook.com/ chonthichahouse), which doubles as a homestay.

Essentials

Waterfalls

WHERE TO STAY Cham’s House (+66 82 8782878, www.chamshouse.com) is a charming four-star resort with tropical-style beachfront rooms and villas ranging from B4,501 ($180) to B14,697 ($588) for a pool villa.

Though Klong Chao Waterfall is the island’s most well-known, there are two other waterfalls on the island. Klong Chao and Hua Ngu are both inland, while Klong Yai Ki is over on the west coast. Klong Chao is still the most spectacular, thanks to white rapids that flow down into a giant pool. It can be reached by car followed by a 500-meter hike. If you’re adventurous, take the 30-minute paddle from Klong Chao Beach to the pier near the waterfall. Trekking to Hua Ngu is more of a daytrip, but worth it for the giant Makka tree believed to be 500 years old.

Spa Retreats

There are a couple of beautiful spas in Koh Kood to really spoil yourself. Weave Spa at Cham’s House hotel (2 Moo 5, Klong Hin Beach, +66 82 878-2878) offers unique treatments involving silk worm cocoons, rich in the antioxidant sericin. The five-star Soneva Kiri is home to Six Senses Spa (110 Moo 4, +66 82 208-8888, www.soneva.com), where you’ll find a complete range of spa activities including Ayurvedic massage, yoga, detox and weight management programs.

View Point Cafe

HOW TO GET THERE Plane: There are no direct flights between Singapore and Koh Kood. Getting to Bangkok with AirAsia starts around $99 for a one-way fare. Bangkok to Trat, which is the nearest airport to Koh Kood, takes 45 minutes with Bangkok Airways (www. bangkokair.com). They offer three flights daily at 8:30am, 11:40am and 5:10pm. Roundtrip tickets start at $214. Do note that the transfer from Trat airport to the pier takes 45 minutes, which some hotels will arrange. The airport limo service offers private transfers at $71. Call +66 82 222-5296.

escapes Send your travel news and promotions to travel@asia-city.com.sg

ESCAPE ROUTES

Fuji Rock Festival

LUXE City Guides Mobile App

Per Aquum Niyama

NEPAL

Team Building

Trekking specialist company World Expeditions have launched six new itineraries with a cause. The Rebuild Nepal Community Projects (1300720-000, www.worldexpeditions. com) include an adventure trek at various sites along the mountainous region, as well as the rebuilding of damaged schools during the recent Nepal earthquake. The first project depart Oct 12 and is a 26-day affair with five days of community building at Lura School and 16 days of trekking around the Everest base camp. The last trip departs Jan 10, 2016 and is a 21-day trip covering 10 days of community service and six days of rafting, a safari experience and tours around Kathmandu’s Pokhara Chitwan. And don’t worry, you don’t need prior building experience to participate. SRI LANKA

Kandy Colors

Costumed elephants on parade, drum celebrations and heady incense are all a part of Esala Perahera (www. daladamaligawa.org), a ten-day festival happening Aug 20-30 in Kandy. The centuries-old festival is celebrated in honor of the Buddha’s tooth, with each night getting more raucous than the last. There are many viewing points around the city, so make sure you book your slots early. But if you’re after something more downtempo, head there on the afternoon of the final day. Viewing tickets start at $107. JAPAN

Rock On

While July may not be the best time to ski, one of Japan’s biggest ski

destinations, Naeba Ski Resort, is hosting a mountainside rock fest. Fuji Rock Festival (202 Mikuni, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun, +81 25-789-2211, www.fujirock-eng.com) happens Jul 2426 and is one of the largest outdoor music events in the country. Expect some 100,000 festival goers and a lineup that includes the Foo Fighters, Muse and Owl City. Plus, the space is home to the longest chair lift in the world, which will ferry you to the top of the mountain. Tickets start at $182. MALDIVES

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If eating well is an important part of your holiday, book a trip to the Maldives now. Per Aquum Niyama (Dhaluu Atoll, PO Box 2002, +960-6762-828, www.peraquum.com) has opened new restaurant Nest, which promises a wild culinary journey including a chilled ice sculpture draped with sashimi, teppanyaki and fresh seasonal produce. Here, the focus is on Southeast Asian dishes with inspiration from countries like Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia and Myanmar. TECH

The Luxe Life

Live the high life whenever you travel with LUXE guide’s recently launched app. LUXE City Guides Mobile App (www.luxecityguides.com) curates bars, restaurants, shops and hotels in a city. The app promises up-to-date recommendations on hot spots around town, with options to follow the “LUXE Day” itinerary, which includes the LUXE team’s recommendations on places to visit in the city. You can also build your own itinerary with detailed maps, navigate to LUXE-approved hotspots and fiddle with an augmented reality function that recommends places of interest based on your surroundings. Available for download for iOS and Android for free.

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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

last word

Sonny Liew Even without the recent controversy—where the NAC withdrew its grant saying the book “undermines the authority of the Government”—Sonny Liew’s 360page graphic novel The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is an important book, creating an imagined history of Singaporean comics against the real history of Singapore. Here, the Malaysian-born artist tells Mrigaa Sethi about why he became a Singapore citizen and drawing for DC comics. It turned out to be the best thing for the book. We were first worried about finances, because the publisher had already spent the money. But given the reaction that we’ve gotten, the finances are less of a concern now. The wider issue is whether the NAC should be an organization that looks at art as art—based on its merit— or whether it should be constrained by political concerns. I worry schools might be less willing to take [the comic] up because of the controversy. I would love for students to read it, for it to be a part of a classroom or extracurricular discussion. The government still sees the arts as a communitybuilding thing. A lot of money still goes into traditional arts, traditional dance, SSO and stuff like that. They’re important but art is not a means to that one end. My main motivation for becoming a Singapore citizen was to be more involved in things here. At the last elections, my friends volunteered as ballot counters, and that’s something you can only do as a Singaporean. When I started thinking about this book, I was conscious of the fact that the government has always said that you have to be a stakeholder to be involved in politics here. I remember there was an SQ pilot who was Malaysian who got involved in union politics and had his PR revoked. I don’t know how realistic my fears of a similar fate were. There are all these concerns and fears that might not be real, but they’re internalized in the people here. Singapore feels like home. I’ve been here since I was in kindergarten. My parents sent me and my sister here when we were really young. I feel quite Singaporean, even though I didn’t do NS and I used to travel back and forth during holidays.

When I was young, Malaysia and Singapore didn’t feel that far apart. I remember the days when the ringgit and the Singapore dollar were one for one. I started working on the book in 2012, so it’s been three years. The first two years were a lot of research, reading, interviews and doing the thumbnails in between other projects. First, I was going to create a whole generation of comic book artists, a comprehensive history of Singapore comics. I thought of that five or six years ago and tried to explain it to friends. At the time there didn’t seem to be a publisher. Those that were around didn’t pay much money. And it didn’t seem like US publishers would be interested in this sort of thing. So I put it on the backburner for a while until Epigram approached a bunch of us to do local comics. It was supposed to be 120 pages when it was first conceived. We were supposed to produce it in six months. I thought I would do 120 pages with a lot of essays and drawings and squeeze it out. But when I started doing it, it took a life of its own. I realized it needed to be a different form.

Superhero comics are more of a technical challenge: people flying about, powers being shown, all that special effects stuff. It’s a bit tricky to handle technically. You’re not so much involved in the story process because that’s the writer’s job. It definitely pays a lot better. I read a lot of Calvin and Hobbes growing up. Early on, I read 2000 AD, the British comic with Judge Dredd. Of course I read Tintin, Asterix, Archie, Mad Magazine, Lao Fu Zhi and all that. The shift from conventional to indie comics happened when I discovered Chester Brown, a cartoonist from Canada. I’m distracted by Facebook a lot because after the NAC saga, I get a lot of friend requests and lots of updates and notifications I didn’t have before. You feel a responsibility to talk to people on Facebook and that takes time. I suppose it’s a good problem to have and it’ll die down soon enough.

The wider issue is whether the NAC should be constrained by political concerns.

It was easier fabricating a comic book lineage because of the vacuum in Singapore. If there was a rich history of comics and you created a fake person, you’d have problems connecting him to the real world—what would his connections be to real artists, publishers or critics? In Japan or US, if you tried something like this, you’d have a much harder time. The local comic scene has improved. All creative industries have grown because we have a more mature economy now. Back in the ‘60s everyone was being pushed to do engineering, manufacturing and other industries that were more practical. Nowadays the economy can sustain creative careers—advertising, design and illustration more so than comic books. You still have to break out overseas to make a proper living.

Every time you publish something, you feel successful. When I first started publishing in The New Paper, I felt it. But that feeling fades pretty quickly. You realize there’s another step to climb. As an artist, you want to get better—in terms of drawing, storytelling, financial planning.

There’s some fear whether I’ll have another idea as interesting as this one, or whether I’ll be repeating the same methods I’ve used in this book. I have a couple of books in mind next. One of them involves meshing together an adventure story with an examination of capitalism in the 21st century, the power structures and how we fit as individuals in this machine. I try to find time for people. I read that when Bill Waterson was working on Calvin and Hobbes, he would turn down almost every dinner engagement because he was drawing all the time. That was partly why he retired early, to have a proper life.

This week, win a weekend staycation at Park Regis Singapore worth $626 It’s our 20th anniversary, but we’re giving you the presents! Follow us on Facebook (our calendar is packed full of awesome giveaways!) and expect loads of amazing treats including a grand suite hotel stay in Hong Kong coming your way. To get clues on how to win, like us at

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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

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