About a year ago, the only remotely interesting thing about Marsiling was SV Guitars, a music store that sells, yes, guitars and other instruments to budding and seasoned musicians. Unfortunately, much to the dismay of audiophiles, it quietly closed down and focused on its main branch at Peninsula Shopping Centre.
Granted, the unsophisticated town hasn’t taken its next step towards being cool, but the food, coastal park and eclectic stores still have something to bring to the table: its rustic charm. As if to say, “Yes, I’m an oldie. But I’m a goldie too.”
Yan Ji Seafood Soup
Picture it. Full-flavoured, tender fish slices that are as white as a sunlit snowdrift. A rich, hearty bowl of soup, that upon the first sip, makes you feel like you just had a religious experience. Yan Ji is one of the few stalls in Singapore that has won many praises from both regular and new customers.
Even local variety show Where the Queue Starts is a fan. If you manage to sweet talk the owner into giving you more soup, you’re my new hero.
Address: Block 4A Woodlands Centre Road #02-11, Singapore 730004
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Woodlands Waterfront Park
Woodlands Waterfront Park is right around the corner if you’d like to do a little bit of walking to burn those extra calories. Forget about going there during the afternoon. You might end up sweating bullets. Opt to go on windy or cloudy days.
The park tends to get quiet during the evenings (perfect opportunity to attempt the playground!), but if you walk down the jetty, you’d see that there’s quite a number of people. The reason? There’s a restaurant. Yeah, I can’t get over that, either.
Address: Admiralty Road West, Singapore 759956
Ahsia Food Stall
This roti prata is scrumptious even when it’s cold. Pair that with sardine sauce and you have got yourself an unforgettable dining experience. Ahsia’s roti prata is a perfect example of a common dish done uncommonly well.
The only downside about the stall is that there’s always, always a long queue. One time, my dad went there around 8 a.m. and found out that there’s no more prata left!
Address: Block 4A Woodlands Centre Road #02-76, Singapore 731004
Opening hours: Closes at 10 a.m.
Ah Keat Pig’s Organ Soup and Kway Chap
Ah Keat’s bowl of kway (rice sheets) may not hold a candle to Guang Liang Cooked Food’s at Bedok Reservoir, but its pig offal is a worthy contender. Order this dish with your friends, and I’ll guarantee (or not) you lot will wrestle for it.
If pork dishes aren’t your cup of tea, then you might want to turn your attention to the western food stall. Its chicken chop is fresh and generous. Note that the western food stall usually starts its operations during the early evenings.
Address: Block 211 Marsiling Crescent Singapore 730211
Opening hours: unpredictable opening and closing times
Old Woodlands Town Centre is slated for redevelopment works in 2016. If you want to try the dishes (Yan Ji Seafood Soup and Ahsia Food Stall), get your skates on.
Also read: 7 Insanely Cool Places To Chill At In Yishun That You’ve Not Heard Of!
