Location: Central

This Shop In Outram Sells Customised ‘Kim Zua’ Handmade By A 65-Year-Old Uncle

It’s that time of the year again. The strong smell of smoke fills the air which indicates the beginning of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

We’re quite the superstitious lot. From lucky numbers and urban legends to sticking to a few rules for Hungry Ghost month, we love indulging in the unexplained.

For the unacquainted, the Hungry Ghost Festival (also known as 7th month) is in full force, which is also the time when getai and kim zua companies enjoy their peak sales.

But just like many traditions, the practice of burning kim zua is slowly fading away and no longer practiced by the younger generation unless reminded by their older relatives.

However, this hasn’t stopped 65-year old Li Yao An who has been making and selling religious paper offerings at his shop for almost 40 years.

A Dying Trade

Nestled within a housing estate in Jalan Minyak, Li Yao An runs Yew Chye Religious Goods Trading. In this old neighbourhood, the only notable sign of activity is a small coffee shop beside it – its yellowed walls and chipped paint stand as a testament to its age.

He prides himself on making his own paper offerings by hand, unlike others who’d import the kim zua instead. Having being in the business since the 1970s, Li is a master craftsman in this traditional trade.

As I walked to the entrance, Mr Li looked up at me as he sat on on a stool working and flashed me his widest smile. He welcomed me with a question: “Were you the one that called me yesterday?”

Humble Beginnings

Prior to joining this business, Mr Li previously worked a multitude of odd jobs, ranging from a plumber to an electrician.

“I started doing this not out of choice. But because I’m not educated. It’s a skill I picked up from a guy in Chinatown”, he exclaimed as he moved about his workspace, stripping and bending bamboo which I then realised was used to make the skeleton for a paper effigy.

Mr Li starts his day as early as 4/5am and knocks off at 9pm everyday.

“I have a responsibility to my customers. I open everyday, 7 days a week. Because I agreed to take the business, so I open everyday to work”, he added.

Despite the long hours at work, one can tell how happy and passionate he is when it comes to crafting his own paper offerings by hand. He complained that it was back-breaking work but also added that he could not imagine doing anything else besides what he’s doing now.

As we began talking about his works from the past, his eyes widened and immediately got out of his seat to reach out for an old photo album that was stored within his stack of paper and brochures – an organised mess they say.

Just like a proud father, he said: “These are some of my favourite works!”

He flipped through the album and told us more about each photo.

“The most expensive one I’ve made was 13 golf club replicas. This man brought 13 golf clubs to me, and asked me to make replicas of all 13.”

Mr Li typically takes a few weeks to a month to finish each order as it involves a lot of thought for the creation process . However, if the end product isn’t satisfactory, he will redo the entire process because he believes that it’s his responsibility to deliver proper kimzuas to honor the dead.

Traditional Materials And Methods

40 years have passed but Mr Li still uses traditional method and materials from when he first learnt the trade. For instance, he has kept the type of paper consistent over the years. He also makes his own glue from rice flour as it is cheaper and saves him time from going out to buy whenever he runs out.

Mr Li also recycles the flyers he receives to make shoes for the dolls.

“Come I show you how to make. Very easy one!”

A 40 Year Old Journey

Much has changed over the years. Traditional kim zua includes houses and servants, while the more modern offerings include iPads, laptops, Rolex watches, and even treadmills.

“Uncle ah, then after this, who taking over your business?”

He paused momentarily and chuckled, “Not everybody can do what I do.”

“Nobody to pass it down to because nobody else knows or wants to learn how to do what I do.

Despite the rise of online stores that sells kim zua such as PO-PI.com.sg and STORE.KIMZUA.com.sg, Mr Li shared that he still has plenty of customers coming to him requesting for his service as “nobody else does what I do”.

Making paper offerings is not just a livelihood to him. It’s an art that he believes will die with him someday.

“I will do this for as long as I am able to walk and work, until the day it’s time for me to sleep”, he smiled to himself.

Yew Chye Religious Goods Trading
Address: 5 Jalan Minyak, #01-330, Singapore 161005
Contact No.: 6734 3389

Also Read Take A Break From Crowds At The Singapore Night Festival At This Indie Pop-Up Market At SOTA

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

Take A Break From Crowds At The Singapore Night Festival At This Indie Pop-Up Market At SOTA

It seems to be the season of flea markets and bazaars, with many popping up around Singapore.

Happening over 2 weekends, 17 to 19 August and 24 to 25 August 2018, the MOX Parade will be taking over the space at SOTA level 1!

[caption id="attachment_36586" align="aligncenter" width="1018"] Image Credit: Image Credit: Momotataki, Twocuriously, Lovelystrokes, Lunaliliputian, and even our favourite Kettle Gourmet will be there selling popcorn in locally-inspired flavours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmbP8hDHsrb/?taken-by=momotataki

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmdWSqen_V8/?taken-by=twocuriously

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl9-yCng-Ii/?taken-by=lovelystrokes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmOHODqj8HA/?taken-by=lunaliliputian

That’s not all, there will also be mini workshops by Lyn from Yumumu and Vanessa from 3oddducks, who will be teaching how to make a wooden photo frame without using glue, and how to paint your own concrete tealight candle holder!

If you pay using OCBC PayAnyone at the MOX Parade, you’ll get $2 cashback, limited to the first 10,000 transactions.

So why not pop by the MOX Parade this weekend and the next? Who knows, you might find something you like.

MOX Parade
Venue: SOTA, School of the Arts, Level 1, 1 Zubir Said Drive, 227968
Date: 17 – 19 Aug, 24 – 25 Aug 2018
Admission: Free
Clash Of The Thai-tans: Top 5 Dishes To Try At This Upcoming Thai Food Festival

(Header Image Source: Fleawhere)

Genki Sushi Opening New Bishan Outlet On Aug 17 – And They’re Giving Away 100 Sushi Sets!

There’s never a bad time for some sushi, and when it comes to an affordable, no-frills option few do it better than the folks at Genki Sushi (if the massive lines outside their stores are any indication, we aren’t the only ones who think so too).

With four of their five outlets situated in central Singapore, however, getting to one for a casual meal can be a tad inconvenient for those who don’t live in town, which is about…90% of the population?

Thankfully for us low SES neighbourhood folk, the brand has some “aggressive expansion plans” to triple the number of stores in Singapore by 2023, and they’re definitely starting off on the right foot with the opening of their sixth outlet at Junction 8 this Friday.

North-Side, Best Side

Apart from the (relatively) more accessible location, the opening of this new outlet couldn’t have come at a better time, with Genki Sushi having revamped their menu earlier this week.

The updated version includes the second edition of their Dai Man Zoku signature collection (fittingly called Dai Man Zoku Vol. 2) — which claims to be 1.5 times larger than the average sushi and features new offerings such as jumbo crab stick mentaiyaki and jumbo ebi fry.

And what would a grand opening be without some freebies?

To celebrate the occasion, 100 five-piece sushi sets will be given out for free on a first-come-first-served basis — the giveaway is scheduled to take place from 11am to 11:30am, (we doubt that it’ll last that long, though), with the store officially opening immediately afterwards.

https://www.facebook.com/GenkiSushiSg/photos/a.187246777978019.34181.177506368952060/1838205722882108/?type=3&theater

With outlets in the North and East (Waterway Point) of Singapore, here’s hoping that Genki Sushi shows some love to the west siders in the near future too.

Genki Sushi Junction 8
9 Bishan Place, #01-22/30
Singapore 579837

Website | Facebook

(Header Image Credit: Genki Sushi)

Clash Of The Thai-tans: Top 5 Dishes To Try At This Upcoming Thai Food Festival

While Singapore is burning up, no thanks to this accursed weather, I still find the appetite for Thai food.

If you’re a big fan of Thai cuisine, then you’ll be happy to know that the Chang Sensory Trails Food Festival is back for its third edition at The Lawn @ Marina Bay!

Organised by Thai beer brand, Chang, the food festival spans 3 cities in 3 continents and features our 3 favourite things – food, art and music.

This year’s festival will showcase 24 dishes from 8 Thai restaurants in Singapore – Aroy Dee, Bangkok Jam, Baan Ying, Gin Khao, Little Elephant, Long Chim, Tamarind Hill, and Un-Yang-Kor-Dai.

But in a sea of 24 signature Thai dishes, I’ve singled out the ones that you NEED to go for because OH MY GOD they’re good.

Let’s get to it.

1. Aroy Dee – Thai-Style Prime Ribs

You know when you order premium Bak Kut Teh, and they serve a HUGE rib bone in a tiny bowl?

This is that, but instead of it cooked in a peppery broth, the prime rib here is simply fried enough to keep it juicy and served with Aroy Dee’s signature sauce.

2. Gin Khao – Watermelon Fried Rice

When we saw this, I was VERY confused, to say the least. I mean, Pineapple Fried Rice took a while for my tastebuds to grapple with.

Then Gin Khao decides to take things to another level with their Watermelon Fried Rice. And it’s quite loaded – it comes with salted egg fish skin, nuts, floss, and watermelon cubes (of course).

If you’re looking to expand your food horizons, then you need to try this.

3. Tamarind Hill – Deep Fried Prawns With Crispy Noodles

This dish is almost like a deconstructed dragon beard roll that’s traditionally found in dim sum menus. Prawns and a crispy fried strands of carb. This combination has proven to work, and this is no exception.

4. Little Elephant – Grilled Pork Neck

While this dish sounds simple, it’s packing a lot of flavour. Pork neck is a cut of meat that’s evenly marbled and is never dry.

Grilling is one of the more common cooking methods for pork neck and it’s a simple way to bring out the flavour and texture of the cut of meat.

If you want something easy to eat, this is it. Don’t forget to dip it with their chilli sauce!

5. Un-Yang-Kor-Dai – Grilled Chicken

This dish is a classic recipe from the city of Khao Yai in Thailand. Half a chicken is marinated with coriander and white peppercorns before being grilled to perfection.

So simple yet so good. Plus, it’s healthier if the chicken isn’t fried, right? *wink* Now excuse me while I enjoy my healthy grilled chicken.

A Multi-Sensory Festival

Of course, other than the food, you can expect entertainment in the form of musical performances by cover bands, O.K Ready! and 53A.

Watch 53A perform at the National Day Parade 2016 below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSCQoYtJZjU

The food festival spans 2 days, 31 August to 1 September 2018, at The Lawn @ Marina Bay and most importantly, ENTRY IS FREE!

So if you’re in the mood for some authentic Thai food, there’s no need to travel all the way to Bangkok.

See you at the Chang Sensory Trails Food Festival!

Chang Sensory Trails Food Festival
Venue: The Lawn @ Marina Bay
Date: 31 Aug – 1 Sep 2018
Time: 4pm – 10pm
Website

Also read Foodpanda Pops Up At Amoy St This September With Food, Booze, Music And Workouts

(Header Image Source: Chang Sensory Trails)

From Quiz Nights To Pop-Up Cinemas, Funzing Lets You Enjoy Unlimited Activities For $16/Mth

It’s no secret that going out in Singapore can be a rather expensive affair — a good meal at pretty much anywhere will cost you upwards of $10, and unless you’re willing to call it a night there you’ll can count on forking out at least another 20 on something else.

Then there’s the issue of actually finding something interesting to do. Sure, you could head down to Orchard Road again, but window shopping at Uniqlo kind of loses its lustre after doing it for the fifth time this month.

If these are some of the problems plaguing your social life, then the good folks at Funzing might have a solution with their Unlimited Pass.

Not Your Average Date Night

It almost sounds too good to be true, but for a mere $16 you’ll be entitled to a host of events that the “community marketplace” has curated.

These events aren’t your typical weekend fare either — this month’s selection include Harry Potter and Rick and Morty quiz nights that’ll put your respective fandoms to the test, as well as pop up cinema screenings for critically acclaimed films like Lady Bird and I Am Not Your Negro.

The quiz nights will take place at Tree Lizard (Dempsey Road) and The Armoury (Beach Road) respectively, while the movies will be shown at the always-cozy Blu Jaz Cafe. At the very least, you can say that you spent your night somewhere new, which could be considered a victory in itself.

Considering that individual tickets for these events hover around around $8-$9 range, it makes sense to get the Unlimited Pass at its promotional price if more than one of these events are up your alley.

Demand is also surprisingly high (tickets for the classic Japanese animated film Princess Mononoke are already sold out), so head on over to Funzing’s website to secure your slot now.

Funzing
Website | Facebook

Also read Foodpanda Pops Up At Amoy St This September With Food, Booze, Music And Workouts

(Header Image Source: Funzing Blog)

Foodpanda Pops Up At Amoy St This September With Food, Booze, Music And Workouts

There’s always something for Singaporeans to do every weekend.

And this coming September, foodpanda, in partnership with Sunshine Nation, will be hosting bites & vibes, a pop-up block party at Amoy Street!

Don’t worry, the event is open to public with free admission. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, on to the vendors!

The Bites

Dine from 10 different food stalls at bites & vibes.

Taste the best of Greek food from ALATI, dumplings from Dumpling Darlings, delightful sandwiches and burgers from Park Bench Deli and Burger Joint, empanadas and more from BoCHINche, asian fusion dishes from Ding Dong and cool down with Ben & Jerry’s!

Vatos Urban Tacos will also have a booth at bites & vibes, serving up their signature Korean-Mexican fusion dishes! Don’t miss out on their Galbi Short Rib Taco! (It’s REALLY good.)

Of course with all this food, you need some drinks to wash it all down and the mixologists from Proof & Co. have got you covered with their refreshing cocktails. PengWine will also be there serving glass after glass of wine and sangria and hosting wine tastings.

If that’s a little too fancy, how about just getting a nice cold mug of beer from Tiger?

The event will also be plastic-free – all packaging will be made from biodegradable sugar cane pulp.

Cash, NETS, Credit Card and DBS PayLah are all accepted payment methods at bites & vibes.

The Vibes

No block party is complete without the activities! Though there’s no retail market here, there are a few activities that you can take part in!

Take part in a workout session by F45 Training or WeBarre, or relax and stretch in a yoga session with Pure Yoga. Ohmmmm….

These sessions are all free and you can sign up here.

That’s not all, you can expect performances by local artists such as Sam Rui, Sobs, Maricelle, and DJ Sivanesh Pillai!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAYJHgY-QvY

There will also be international artists such as DJ Mack Hampson, Toppings, and Bari Rumbles Brass!

With so much to eat, drink, do and listen to, the bites & vibes pop-up block party looks set to be a great way to spend Sunday!

bites & vibes
Venue: Amoy Street
Date: 9 Sep 2018
Admission: Free
Website

Also read Continue The National Day Celebrations With Good Makan, Music, And Movies This Weekend

(Header Image Source:

Sprucing Up Your BTO? Here Are 6 Affordable Furniture Stores That Are Not IKEA

You’ve got the keys to your BTO, so what’s next?

When it comes to sprucing up your new home, IKEA is typically the first place that pops into mind. There’s no doubt that it offers cheap furniture at decent quality.

However, this option is sometimes not ideal, because you’ve got to put the furniture together yourself (which can go terrible). Also, when friends and family start spotting the same furniture as you, it gets a little too predictable.

From online to brick-and-mortar (or both), these shops will be your new go-tos, serving up an array of stylish furnishings that won’t break the bank because who says you have to be rich for your home to look like a million bucks.

1. Second Charm

Going for a vintage or retro-style for your living space? Look no further with Second Charm!

Carrying vintage-retro furniture including antiques and collectibles, this is the perfect place to source for one-of-a-kind pieces that is bound to induce envy amongst your home visitors. Additionally, Second Charm also carries customised furniture and has even ventured into Scandinavian and Danish-inspired furniture.

With antique chairs looking like these, you will almost get a nod of approval from the old folks! These chairs will certainly create a tinge of nostalgia and homely feel to your living space – which is exactly how a home should be!

Alternatively, incorporate some quirkiness into your bedrooms with these century bedside cabinets. Only available in this particular mixed blue and white colour, these bedside cabinets definitely scream quirky, eccentric, and retro!

Do note that you will have to drop Second Charm an email on the specific measurements for your furniture in order to receive a quotation from them. Though it might seem troublesome, perhaps the thought of knowing that most of your furniture pieces are exclusively customised for YOUR home might make you think otherwise!

Second Charm
Address: Blk 21 Kallang Avenue, #05-165 Mapletree Industrial Building, Singapore 339412
Operating hours:  Tue – Fri: 11:30am – 5.30pm; Sat: 11:00am – 5:30pm,  Sun: 12pm – 5pm (Closed on Mondays)