Hawker Stalls, Hidden Gems & A City That Blew My Mind
A two-week Southeast Asia adventure begins in one of the world's most dazzling city-states.
Where Dreams Meet Departure Gates
Singapore had been on my list since 2018, ever since Crazy Rich Asians made me stop mid-scene and whisper to myself: one day. That day finally arrived and with it, a 16.5-hour flight, a battle with jet lag, and the start of the furthest solo trip I have ever taken.
This wasn't just a vacation. It was the first stop of a two-week Southeast Asia journey, with Thailand waiting just around the corner. But first: Singapore. Vibrant, immaculate, humid, and utterly unforgettable.
First Stop: Jewel Changi Airport
Most people rush through airports. I lingered. Changi Airport connects directly to Jewel — an enormous indoor mall that is home to the world's tallest indoor waterfall, known as the HSBC Rain Vortex. Standing beneath it after a 16-hour flight felt genuinely surreal, like the city was already showing off.
After marveling at the waterfall, I wandered down to the basement food court and discovered Sugar Belly, where I grabbed a matcha on tap, no less alongside a mochi donut. On-brand doesn't even begin to cover it. Jewel is enormous; you could genuinely spend an entire day here if you wanted to.
Settling In: Life Funan Hotel
My hotel, Life Funan, turned out to be fully embedded inside a mall something I hadn't quite caught from the photos when booking. Honestly? It was kind of cool. After a quick power nap (the jet lag was absolutely trying to consume me), I got freshened up and headed back out. The skies were clear, and I wasn't about to let the city go unexplored.
Night One: Satay, Sugar Cane & Sweating Through My Shirt
Let me be honest about Singapore in November: it is hot. Like, walked three blocks and my entire shirt was soaked hot. That's expected, and I'm not complaining — but plan accordingly.
For my first evening, I made my way to one of Singapore's most beloved hawker spots for satay skewers. I ended up at Best Satay #8 — I went to the busiest stall, which I figured was a good sign, and I was right. Chicken and beef skewers, peanut sauce that was absolutely the star of the show, and a fresh-pressed sugar cane juice to wash it all down. Perfect for a humid evening.
Day Two: Kaya Toast, Little India & Haji Lane
Breakfast: Kaya Toast
Kaya toast is one of Singapore's most iconic breakfasts, and luckily there was a chain right inside the mall. I opted for the peanut butter version — slightly unconventional, but delicious — served with a soft-boiled egg for dipping. I skipped the soy sauce in the egg, given the peanut butter situation. It's simple, satisfying, and the perfect fuel for a full day of exploring.
Little India
One bus ride later and I was immersed in Little India — a neighbourhood that hits every sense at once. Colour, spice, music, and an energy that just doesn't exist the same way back in North America. Someone once told me they didn't see the point in visiting Little India when you could just go to India itself. I get the logic, but I disagree: the fact that so many distinct cultures exist side by side is exactly what makes Singapore special.
Haji Lane: My Favourite Street in Singapore
From Little India, I made my way to Haji Lane — and honestly, this ended up being one of my absolute favourite areas of the entire trip. The street is narrow, colourful, packed with independent boutiques, street art, and charming cafés. I could have wandered here all day.
One thing I was gutted about: the vintage camera shop was closed on Mondays. They carry all kinds of hard-to-find film cameras and I had been looking forward to it. I came back the following day and picked up a Lumix FX30 digital compact — and I'm obsessed with how the photos turned out.
Haji Lane is also known for its quirky photo booths. I went solo but still ducked into Solo Studio — a booth with a cool elevator theme because why not?
The Arab Quarter & Coconut Club
Just a short walk from Haji Lane sits the Arab Quarter, with its own distinct atmosphere and stunning mosque architecture. I popped into the Coconut Club for what I'd been told were legendary coconut shakes and the rumours were true. I added coffee to mine, and it was deeply refreshing. I also panic-ordered a crispy shell dish with cuttlefish, shrimps, and baby lobster when I saw the kitchen was closing. No regrets.
Chinatown & Hainanese Chicken Rice
No Singapore trip is complete without Hainanese chicken rice. My first choice was closed (Mondays again — a recurring theme), but I found A-Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice, reportedly run by a former chef of the famous Tian Tian. It was incredible. The kind of simple dish that you think about for weeks afterward.
| 📷 [ INSERT PHOTO: Chinatown hawker stalls & Hainanese chicken rice ] |
Day Three: Supertrees, Cloud Forest & Gardens by the Bay
Morning: Tong Bahru Bakery in Fort Canning Park
I started the day at Tong Bahru Bakery, tucked inside Fort Canning Park — just a 9-minute walk from my hotel. A salmon croissant, a salted egg cruffin (yes, that's a thing and yes, it's as good as it sounds), and a pistachio matcha latte. I only found it by searching for places near my hotel, which is honestly my favourite way to discover spots. 10 out of 10.
Gardens by the Bay: Supertrees & Cloud Forest
Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore's crown jewels, and it more than lives up to the hype. I found an off-the-beaten-path Instagram spot that gives a perfect angle on the Supertrees — definitely worth seeking out before you walk the ticketed elevated walkway between them.
Inside the Cloud Forest, I wandered through lush greenery and, somewhat unexpectedly, a Jurassic Park-themed event — complete with dinosaur sound effects echoing through every corner. Strange, but kind of delightful. I also visited the Flower Dome next door. Note: if you start to feel unwell from the heat and humidity (as I did), a pandan shake from Shake Shack nearby is apparently medicinal.
Day Four: Choosing Your Own Adventure
My last full day in Singapore, and I made an important solo travel decision: I skipped Universal Studios and Sentosa Island. They'd been on my list because people told me I should go — but I realised I wasn't actually that drawn to them. This is my trip. That's allowed.
Instead, I kept things relaxed and wandered through the neighbourhoods I actually wanted to see.
Pineapple Buns & Chinatown Streets
I started with a pineapple bun — called bolo bao in Cantonese. Named for the pineapple-like pattern on top (not the fruit itself), these are soft, slightly sweet buns that I grew up eating and love deeply. I got a limited edition version with a sweet pork filling. Perfect.
Duxton Hill & Keong Saik Road
From there, I wandered through Duxton Hill — full of character, boutique shops, and cute independent bookstores — before stumbling onto Keong Saik Road, one of Singapore's most iconic streets. I could smell durian wafting through the air (a scent that divides opinions, but I grew up eating it and consider it a delicacy), and I also stumbled into a coffee shop with a line out the door. Rule of solo travel: if there's a line, join it. I did, and the coffee was one of the best I've had in a long time.
Farewell Dinner: Maxwell Hawker Centre & Sago House
I returned to Maxwell Food Centre for what I wished I could eat every day — the hawker centre format, where you can pick and choose from dozens of stalls, is genuinely one of the best dining experiences in the world. If I had more time, I'd have explored every hawker centre in the city.
My last evening ended at Sago House, an award-winning cocktail bar in Chinatown with a rotating menu that changes every week. Low-key vibe, warm staff, and genuinely creative drinks. I even left with a little souvenir. It was the perfect send-off.
Practical Tips for Solo Travelers in Singapore
🌡️ Heat & Humidity: November is rainy season — expect on-and-off showers and intense humidity. Plan indoor activities (malls, museums, Cloud Forest) during peak afternoon heat.
🚌 Getting Around: Public transit is excellent and very easy to navigate. Buses and MRT will get you almost anywhere.
📅 Avoid Mondays: Several popular hawker stalls and shops are closed on Mondays. Plan around this if you can.
🍜 Eat at Hawker Centres: Affordable, delicious, and an essential Singapore experience. Maxwell Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat are great starting points.
🗺️ Wander the Neighbourhoods: Haji Lane, Chinatown, Little India, Duxton Hill, and Keong Saik Road are all walkable, distinct, and deeply rewarding.
✈️ Don't Skip Jewel: Even if you're just passing through Changi, carve out time to see the Rain Vortex. It sets the tone for the whole trip.
Singapore blew me away. It's modern and ancient, multicultural and meticulously clean, and full of food worth traveling across the world for. I didn't check everything off the list — and I've never been happier about that.