You always remember your first time, especially in Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is where you’ll find the mainstays of Arabic and Malay culture. Food, attitudes, all colorful, rich, and laid back. Passers-by drift in for a spot of shish kebab, cous cous, biriyani, and tea poured from cup to cup until a foamy head appears.

Off-the-shelf guidebooks are more than adequate at informing you about the area -- from the bottles used in Sultan Mosque’s minarets to what’s in the Malay Heritage Centre and cafés suitable for your palate.

And like any new place that leaves its mark, its the first visit, the first taste, the first smells and sounds that remain with you longest. These are my 'first times' in this wondrous, exotic area, that hopefully will inspire you to explore the place yourself. If you have already, why not leave some comments about your own first times in Kampong Glam?

The first time I...

1. …took a Malaysian cab

When: 2008
What: We didn’t want to waste time stuck on the Causeway. So we piled into a yellow Malaysian cab during the wee hours, and made our way into Johor Bahru (JB) for a relaxing (and cheap) weekend. There are buses running to Malaysia from this terminal as well, although they take the scenic route.
Where: Queen Street Bus Terminal
Costs: S$40 for a cab
Opening Hours: 24 hours

2. …bought Sequins

When: 2001
What: Sequins are a dancer’s best friend. They’re glittery, and easy to work with. They’re also hard to find. But not in Arab Street, which sells all kinds of silk, cotton, and sequins by the meter. Nothing has really changed since then. Slinky silks and glittery sequins are still sold by the meter, and you can haggle prices!
Where: Ashok Textiles, 106 Arab Street Singapore 199802
Tel: +65 6296 3875
Costs: S$2.50 for 1 meter

3. …realized there’s more to fashion than Prada

When: 2007
What: Haji Lane was a collection of oddball boutiques run by fashionistas and designers who brought in niche fashion. The shops might have changed hands and the rents gone sky high, but it’s still the place to grab unusual clothes, puff on Shisha, and grab an earful of jazz at the Blu Jaz Café.
Where: Haji Lane

4. …met fixed-gear bicyclists from Crank Arm Steady

When: 2009
What: Who says that there aren’t subcultures in Singapore? Crank Arm Steady, a group of fixed-gear bicyclists, meet up every Friday at 8pm at sup clothing for their fix of mashing through roads and bombing hills. They’re unassuming, friendly, and welcome anyone who has a bicycle to ride with them. Read our interview with them.
Where: sup clothing 34 Haji Lane, Singapore 189227
Tel: +65 6297 9384

5. …tried Shisha (Arabian water pipe)

When: 2003
What: Arab Street was a quiet, rundown spot where everything went dark when night fell. At that time, Café Le Caire was the only place that was open at night. It was great because it was the only place to offer Shisha: Arabian water pipes with flavored tobacco. While Shisha’s widely available now, Café Le Caire still rocks diners with its food offerings and friendly service.
Where: Café Le Caire, 39 Arab Street Singapore 199736
Tel: +65 6292 0979
Cost: S$14 Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 10am-3:30am, Friday & Saturday: 10am-5:30am

6. …got a body scrub of wine

When: 2010
What: Spa Sauvignon has been around since 2005, which makes it one of the longer-lived spas in the area. What’s even cooler is that they use wine extracts in their body scrubs and baths to help skin heal faster; much faster than taking vitamin C. Their massages are just the right blend of strength, long strokes, and Accupressure.
Where: Spa Sauvignon, 71 Bussorah Street Singapore 199484
Tel: +65 6296 0980
Costs: Cabernet Body Buff & Signature Sauvignon Massage would cost S$200 for 75 minutes. Check their website for promotions.

7. …saw an oversized panda head

When: 2008
What: At this costume shop, anyone can rent costumes to dress up as big furry animals, or act out Sailor Moon fantasies. They’ve been around for 10 years, and largely cater to the performing arts community and Cosplayers. The number of costumes available in this tiny space is mind boggling, and if it’s not enough, there’s more in their satellite shops just down the road.
Where: Costumes & Mascots, 779 North Bridge Road #01-01, Singapore 198747
Tel: +65 6299 0882
Cost: S$50 for three days of rental

8. …ate dark, not-peppery bak kut teh

When: 2009
What: In Singapore, most bak kut teh (aka pork rib tea) is peppery and garlicky. However this Klang-styled bak kut teh takes after its cousins in Malaysia with a broth that’s dark and powered with Chinese herbs. And just like in Malaysia, you’ll eat next to the roadside.
Photos by Justeatla.blogspot.com
Where: Leong Kee (Klang) Bak Kut Teh, 321 Beach Road Singapore 199588
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12-9pm
Costs: S$5 onwards.

9. …replaced my Army knife

When: 1997
What: This is the place to resupply missing or damaged army equipment such as L-torches, carabiners, hiking boots, whatever a National Serviceman needed. It’s also popular with low-budget camping enthusiasts. Recently we’ve seen more shops focusing on cult-label fashions and customized t-shirt printing services. Perhaps the Army’s finally getting its supply act together?
Where: 3rd flr Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road Singapore 199583

10. …went to a Thai Disco

When: 2004
What: Old Ah-Bengs would pick up Thai women and quaff Singha beer, while listening to Thai bands banter and perform in Thai. Now it’s somewhat gentrified by the white-collar crowd, although you can still get Singha beers with a good Thai performance on the side.
Where: Thai Disco, #02-85/92 Golden Mile Complex, 5001 Beach Road Singapore 199588
Tel: +65 6295 1611
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8pm-3am, Saturday: 8pm-4am, Sunday: 6pm-3am






If you fancy exploring these and other things to do in the area, check out this Kampong Glam map with route.