Where to eat in Joo Chiat and Katong: WYLD local food guide
We just can’t get enough of Joo Chiat and Katong right now – the vibrant area that The WYLD Shop calls home is turning into one amazing hot spot for shopping, dining and heritage architecture that inspires incredible local art. But, of the many reasons we’re obsessed with our neighbourhood, food tops the list. Are you really surprised?
Here we let you in on some of our favourite places to indulge in where we get local dishes and traditional Singaporean treats – no matter how much the neighbourhood evolves, we hope it never loses all the local flavour and heritage touches that give this amazing pocket of the city so much life.
Let’s start the local food tour — styled in fab outfits from The WYLD Shop, of course…
If you’re still Thunder Tea Rice curious and haven’t tried out this intriguing dish yet, now’s the time to dive in. Inspired by the Hakka dish lei cha fan, Thunder Tea Rice has become a bit of a local institution and certainly a Joo Chiat fixture.
There are two ways to enjoy this healthy combo of rice, mixed vegetables and tofu, which is served with a bowl of aromatic ‘thunder’ tea, a curious green and thick with crushed herbs such as basil, coriander and mint. Enjoy it dry, with your rice and ingredients tossed together while taking sips (or spoonfuls) of tea on the side, or with the tea poured over your rice for a soupier version.
 Thunder Tea Rice is hailed as a health food. Photography: Selina Altomonte |
The dish is said to lower cholesterol, and aid digestion and detoxification – the highly herbaceous tea, which is a rich green, certainly feels like a health tonic. It’s an interesting dish that ‘s either love it or hate it.
Our tip? Don’t pour all your soup over your rice in one hit – it can get a bit much – and start with spoonfuls until you get the texture you want. Level up the health factor by going for brown rice or chickpeas; and if you’re extra peckish, the basil chicken is a tasty little add-on.
328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01- 04, Singapore 427585
 Satisfy your cravings at 328 Katong Laksa |
328 KATONG LAKSA
This Michelin Guide and Gordon Ramsay-approved laksa joint has been a fave with locals and international visitors for over 20 years – there’s a wall plastered with pics of founder Nancy Koh with celebs you may or may not recognise – and it was at the centre of the famous Katong laksa wars that peaked in the early 2000s.
 The number one rule for Katong-style laksa: no chopsticks |
We come here to satisfy our cravings for the rich gravy with a good chilli kick, scattered with fragrant laksa leaves. Don’t be a wimp and skip the cockles, and absolutely don’t make the mistake of asking for chopsticks here – your noodles are snipped for a reason.
51 East Coast Road, S4289770
 Bak kut teh for brunch? Why not? |
If you ever have an intense craving for bak kut teh and it’s kinda early or kinda late, now you know where to go: Sin Heng Claypot Bak Koot Teh serves up crazy-tender pork ribs in both peppery and herbal versions, from 10 in the morning to 11.30 at night. Back in the day you could get your BKT fix here from 7.30 am to 4am!
 BKT fans, Joo Chiat Road is calling you. |
Full disclosure: we prefer ours peppery and punchy – but the team here knows what they’re doing no matter how you like it; the restaurant has been around for over 40 years, after all.
Bonus points for this bak kut teh joint: it's right across from The WYLD Shop and especially on rainy days you’ll find us here enjoying claypot comfort food.
439 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427652
 Word to the wise: don’t turn up to Dickson Nasi Lemak on a Wednesday; and you might want to order ahead. This nasi lemak is in demand! |
DICKSON NASI LEMAK
Now this is trouble: a new little hotspot serving amazing nasi lemak – apparently using a recipe from one of KL’s renowned specialists in this iconic dish, Village Park Restaurant – has opened its doors on Joo Chiat Road. We see a serious habit coming on. Dickson Nasi Lemak is takeaway-only and is already attracting crowds that warrant a 30-minute wait – and it’s worth it. Marinated in turmeric and loads of lemongrass, The Ayam Goreng Berempah is hyper-delicious, with a generous scattering of crunchy spiced crumbs.
 Dickson Nasi Lemak is worth the wait |
The sambal is a flavour bomb: made with 18 ingredients, it’s seriously addictive, and it will give you the sweats. Just FYI, as you can order craft beers to go here, Dickson Nasi Lemak isn’t halal certified, but the chicken is halal sourced.
Order ahead, make a special trip to Joo Chiat (because delivery isn’t available), or do whatever you need to – just get your hands on some of this. Trust us.
320 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427571
 We’d take all the kueh at Kim Choo if we could |
Kim Choo is an East Coast icon – and you can find branches on East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Place, which FYI is the original location. Madam Lee Kim Choo set up her stall under a Banyan Tree in this spot in the 1940s, and is still going strong with its CNY goodies, signature nyonya rice dumplings (which are in high demand during Dragon Boat Festival season) and colourful kueh (which we demand all year round). We have to admit, the ondeh ondeh here is our weakness.
Rumah Kim Choo adjacent to the East Coast branch is also worth a peek – amongst the batik accessories and beautiful kebayas, the pretty Peranakan porcelain plates are just the thing you need for dishing up your local treats.
111 East Coast Road ,428801 and 60 Joo Chiat Place
Suddenly feel the need to head to our neighbourhood? Check out our guide to dining, shopping and must-sees in Joo Chiat and Katong. And of course, drop by to say hi to the crew at The WYLD Shop while you’re around!
WORDS: SELINA ALTOMONTE