A taste of home: Utt's picks of Thailand in Singapore

Singapore loves Bangkok -- it's near, yet so different from anything we have to offer here, which is no surprise why Bangkok is Singapore's top tourist destination. We wanted to relive that quintessential experience of street markets, roadside hawkers and vendor cries of "cheap, cheap!" so badly that we turned to Thai-born TV personality Greg Uttsada Panichkul (or just 'Utt' as he prefers to go by) for help.

The Thai-Chinese TV host and actor has a serious case of wanderlust having lived in Thailand, America, and Singapore. In each country, he’ll search for traces of Krueng Thep (aka Bangkok) in a foreign land. Now that Utt has lived in Singapore for almost ten years, he has unearthed nooks and crannies of Thai culture and life in this little red dot.

Lemongrass salad at A-roy Thai

A-roy Thai

Utt says: "It’s good food with a homely vibe. The auntie makes you feel like you’re at a friend’s house for dinner. For homesick Thais, there's a TV with Thai channels. And I like the random snacks that lie around the restaurant."

Patrons love this place because of its quality Thai food. It’s supposedly closer to Thai-Chinese food than actual Thai food. Recommended dishes include the Otak in coconut, lemongrass salad, and green curries. Learn this phrase: "Aroy Mak" which means “very delicious” in Thai. Say that often enough, and you might just get a free meal.

#04-06 Funan Centre, 109 North Bridge Road Singapore. tel +65 6338 3880. Opens daily 11.30am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm.

BXG Boxing and Fitness

BXG Boxing and Fitness

Utt says: "I'm taking Muay Thai (Thailand’s national sport) at this gym. And two of the trainers are Thai so you’ll know that you’ll get a great workout. Even better, it’s close to where I live."

This Muay Thai gym also offers Brazilian Jujitsu classes to round off your fighting styles. To us one gym’s the same as another, but it’s the instructors who make or break the experience. This gym has Kim Khan Zaki a professional Muay Thai fighter whom we’ve profiled in our Singapore’s greatest sporting heroes.

324 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore. tel +65 6348 8380. Opens Monday to Friday from 10am to 10pm, and Saturday from 9am to 6pm. www.bxgfitness.com.

Burmese Buddhist Temple

Burmese Buddhist Temple

Utt says: "This temple is peaceful. It doesn’t matter if it’s Thai, Burmese, or Chinese. What’s important is that it feels comfortable. This is the one temple that I frequent most often."

Oddly enough, we’d thought that Utt would have chosen a Thai temple. But he’s got a point – temples should be peaceful. And this one is as peaceful as it can get even if it is just a stone’s throw from a major highway. Other sightseeing options include Sun Yat Sen’s house that’s just next door.

14 Tai Gin Road, Singapore. tel +65 6251 1717. Opens daily from 6:30am to 9pm. www.bbt.org.sg.

24-hour shopping at Mustafa

Mustafa Centre

Utt says: "I like the flea markets in Thailand. They carry everything and anything you can think of. In fact Mustafa Centre especially resembles Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok."

The grand dame of all-night shopping before it became popular is still going strong with goods from obscure locations and plenty of human traffic -- even in the dead of the night. More in our Mustafa Centre listing.

145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore. tel +65 6295 5855. Opens 24 hours. www.mustafa.com.sg.

Crab bee hoon at Tuk Tuk Thai

Tuk Tuk Thai

Utt says: "It feels authentic because of the hawker style noodle section in front. I don't know if that feeling contributes to the taste, but it’s as good as it gets. Oh and the noodle soup is nice."

This little restaurant has locals and Thais raving over their value-for-money comfort food replete with smiling service. In fact, the franchise (with other outlets in Golden Mile Complex and Suntec City) has received awards from foodie magazines such as Wine & Dine and Singapore Tatler. We recommend the Fried Prawn Cakes and Claypot Crab Tang Hoon.

221 Geylang Road (beside Lorong 7) Singapore. tel +65 6742 8664. Opens daily from noon to midnight.

Agree or disagree with his choices? Tell us about it in the comments.