Tag: Tanjong pagar

Need A Quick Workout? This Bouldering Gym In The CBD Lets You Sweat It Out From $30/Entry

My arms are sore and my ankle is about to give way. Yet I can’t let go. Not unless I want to free fall three metres or so on to the, admittedly, cushy crash pad below – but I’m too much of a wimp to do that.

I’m halfway through a bouldering problem in Boulder Movement and despite the aches, I can already see the appeal of this sport. Bouldering is very much like rock climbing, except the former is stripped down to its bare essentials –  no ropes and no harness to break your fall. All you need is a good pair of climbing shoes, a bag of chalk and a whole lot of guts to take on the bouldering problem.

For someone who is deathly afraid of heights, I thought, “this is not going to end well.”

Climb To A Better You

Climbing has hit new heights in Singapore as more people are getting into the physically challenging sport, thanks to a growing number of commercial climbing facilities sprouting up across the island.

Initially thought of as ‘dangerous’ and only for the adrenaline junkies, it’s quickly catching on as the activity of choice for the regular folk looking for an exciting alternative to getting that much sought after full body workout.

Conveniently located 5 minutes from Tanjong Pagar MRT, Boulder Movement is the one and only climbing gym that is located in the CBD. Founded by a group of friends who are climbing enthusiasts, the gym positions itself as a beginner-friendly (we tested it!) bouldering facility with over 30 metres of wall lengthwise with 100 square metres of climbing surface.

The walls are no higher than 4 metres which sounds short, but trust us, it’s certainly high enough to experience the thrill of climbing without any safety gears.

The bouldering problems are categorised by different climbing abilities: White tags 1-6 are for beginners, Blue tags 7-15 for intermediates and Pink tags 16-27+ are for the advanced. They refresh the climbs every week (at least 14 new problems) so you’ll always find new challenges waiting for you!

For first timers, you can sign up for the Basics of Bouldering class which is a 60 minute crash course to get you acquainted with the sport. There are also foundational classes for those with prior climbing experience looking to refine their upper and lower body techniques before moving on to the intermediate classes.

As the name suggests, Boulder Movement is about more than just bouldering; it’s about the lifestyle and the ‘movement’ that comes with it. The vibe and overall atmosphere of the gym embodies their spirit of being a fun and inclusive space. Not to mention, they have excellent shower facilities and changing rooms so you can wash up comfortably before heading back out in the CBD area.

Entry to the Boulder Movement starts from $30 and $250 for 10 entry passes. However if you’re new to the bouldering scene, sign up for the Class passes as the Boulder Movement instructors will guide you through the basics and fundamentals of bouldering. You can also check out their rates here.

For someone who has never done bouldering before due to preconceptions that it was too tough and scary, I was proven completely wrong. After guidance from the instructors, I was able to progress a few levels over the course of the evening. If you’re looking for a quick workout after work, Boulder Movement is a great place to start your bouldering journey and get your sweat on!

Boulder Movement
Address: 6A Shenton Way #B1-03, OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815
Opening Hours: Mon: 5pm – 10pm | Tues – Fri: 11am – 10pm | Sat & Public Hols: 9am – 9pm | Sun: 9am – 5pm
Contact No.: 6817 8341
Tiong Bahru Bakery Takes A Walk On The Wild Side With A Safari-Themed Cafe In Dempsey

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

Downtown Gallery Is Giving Other Malls A Run For Their Money With Fresh Store Concepts

One thing Singaporeans never get sick of is shopping, and I attest to this 100%.

Singapore is a shopaholics dream destination, with over 200 shopping malls spread over our tiny island. Downtown Gallery is the latest addition to the list. Located in the heart of the Cental Business District, walking distance away from Tanjong Pagar MRT, Downtown Gallery is no ordinary shopping mall.

A Tech Geek’s Dream

The jewel of Downtown Gallery has to be the Wayfinder. Consisting of 12 55-inch monitors, it is Singapore’s largest interactive mall directory. Wayfinder even has a weather feature that accurately depicts lightning and storms on the screen in real time!

Socialise While Cooking Up A Storm

One feature that hopes to bring Singaporeans together is the “social kitchen”. Fitted with 10 cooking stations, complete with kitchen equipment, crockery and condiments, Singaporeans can book a station online or via an app. You can then bring your own raw ingredients and cook up a storm with friends and family.

Measuring 4,000sq ft, this “social kitchen” includes a dining space so you can set up an intimate birthday celebration or family get-together with your loved ones!

Food, Glorious Food!

What’s a mall without food? Downtown Gallery offers up a wide array of eats for every occasion.

Looking for a spot to indulge? Head to Venue by Sebastian. Serving up contemporary European fare, with both communal tables and bar counter seats available, Venue by Sebastian is perfect for a lunch meeting.

Have a casual and filling lunch at Sama Curry & Cafe, a Hokkaido soup curry shop that offers a unique twist on the classic Asian dish, served with pork belly, hamburg patty, eggs, chicken or seafood. There’s nothing like tucking into a bowl of curry on a rainy afternoon.

And Everything Else In Between!

Choo Choo! JR East To Open Very First Overseas Japan Rail Cafe In SG

Train enthusiasts, cafe hopper, or lover of all things Japanese, we have great news for you! East Japan Railway Company (JR EAST) has just announced that they will be opening their very first out-of-Japan, tourism-themed cafe this November. And the best part of all, this ‘train’ will be arriving in Singapore!

Get your Japan rail passes at the cafe

Set to open their doors on the ground floor of Tanjong Pagar Centre, the Japan Rail Cafe will be a one-stop Japanese-experience for fans of the country. Besides dishing out yummy gourmet food and displaying kawaii items, prospective Japan tourists can also find information about lesser known regions of Japan and even purchase their Japan rail passes here. Now that sure is convenient!

Monthly menu and display updates

If you think this is just another ‘one visit and you’re done’ themed cafe, you’re missing out the fun here. The kawaii display items imported from Japan will be changed EVERY MONTH. The menu, which adopts the latest recipes developed by JR EAST’s F&B outlets in Tokyo, will also be updated on a monthly basis.

Workshops, pop-up booths, and seminars

On top of that, Japan Rail Cafe will also be hosting monthly workshops, and pop-up booths selling items from shopping malls inside JR EAST’s train stations. If you’re too broke to make a trip to the land of rising sun, you can experience Japanese culture at the seminars and get your Japanese (gift or souvenirs) here!

Get advice for your Japan itinerary

Planning the itinerary of an overseas trip can be a bit of a pain but we have a feeling that this cafe will be the perfect place to work on your Japan trip’s rundown. What’s better than having a local help you with your travel plans? At the Japan Rail Cafe, there will be Japanese service staff (fluent in English) who will introduce their home country to you.

2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore-Japan Diplomatic Relations and having a cultural exchange in a casual setting sure is a great way to celebrate the relationship. #relationshipgoals

Japan Rail Cafe
Address: 5 Wallich Street, #01-20/21, Tanjong Pagar Centre, Singapore
Estimated opening date: November 2016

(Header image source: Wikimedia, words by writer)

Also read: Popular Nightspots – Unwind To Recommended Izakayas in Singapore

10 Best Food Places At Tanjong Pagar Under $15

Often finding yourself scrolling through random listicles for the best food deals? Or simply referring to the same food articles you’ve bookmarked since January when it comes to picking out eateries?

Yeap, we totally feel your pain. So instead of the endless scrolling/swiping, we are proud to announce that we’ll be bringing forth a series of articles on best food places under $15 at a selected area.

We’ve put together a list of eateries, ranging from restaurants to hawker centres, in the CBD that offer decent meals for under $15. You’re very welcome.

1. Pho Stop

The spiritual rival of the more mainstream NamNam Noodle Bar, Summer Fresh Rolls ($6)
Stuffed with whole prawns, chunks of chicken and rice noodles-all wrapped in a Vietnamese rice paper, this is an appetiser that does more than just whet one’s appetite. Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7443" align="alignnone" width="640"] Vietnamese Coffee ($3.60)
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Pho Stop
Address: 72 Tanjong Pagar Road, S 088493
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Tel: 6534 8178

2. Selfish Gene

An unpretentious hipster café, this eatery is a favourite because of its consistently good comfort food. Boasting a minimalist style with carefully plated dishes, Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7446" align="alignnone" width="640"] Beef Sandwich $13 
Upon one’s first bite, one can taste a sharp wake up sting, thanks to the dijon mustard. The beef sandwich is roasted to perfection. Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7447" align="alignnone" width="640"] Smoked Salmon & Eggs ($15)
With creamy, fluffy scrambled eggs, buttery sautéed mushrooms & generous portions of smoked salmon, this dish will make the perfect brunch. Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Selfish Gene
Address: 40 Craig Road, S (089678)
Opening Hours: Mon: 10am – 3pm, Wed – Fri: 10am – 5pm, Sat – Sun: 9.30am – 5pm
Tel: 6423 1324

3. Drury Lane

Yet another hipster café, Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7449" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7450" align="alignnone" width="640"] Eggs Benedict ($12)
Honey cured turkey bacon, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce on toast – a medley of flavours. 
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Drury Lane
Location: 94 Tanjong Pagar Road, S (088515)
Opening Hours: Mon – Tues: 8am – 6pm, Wed – Fri: 8am – 10pm, Sat – Sun: 9am – 6pm
Tel: 6222 6698

4. Two Blur Guys

In contrast to its name, founders Max and Anthony are anything but blur. Inspired by American style diners, Prime Beef ($13.95)
The sinful combination: prime beef, streaky bacon & truffle mayonnaise. Absolutely worth the calories!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7452" align="alignnone" width="612"] Pulled Pork ($11.50)  
A combination of marinated pork, gruyere cheese & honey mustard is simply superb. Every mouthful filled with meaty goodness. Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Two Blur Guys
Address: 1 Tras Link, S (078867)
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm
Tel: 6636 4183

5. Two Men Bagel House

As the pioneer of all the bagel houses in Singapore, there’s a lot weighing on Babe Bagelwich ($10.90)
Cheesy soft scrambled egg, Montreal bacon, fresh tomatoes and spring onion with a cinnamon raisin bagel. The sweet and savory combination is quite a trip.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7454" align="alignnone" width="640"] Lox Bagelwich ($11.90)
A classic combination of cured salmon, cream cheese, red onions, beets, dill and capers, atop crisp yet chewy bagel halves. Brunch time goodness!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7455" align="alignnone" width="640"] Porky ($8.90)
Mushrooms coupled with bagel sandwiched between perfect scrambled eggs, scallions, bacon, tomatoes. An all-day breakfast choice!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Two Men Bagel House
Address: #01-12, Icon Village Altez, 16 Enggor Street, S079717
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 7pm, Sat – Sun: 9am – 6pm
Tel: 6509 4125

6. Hokkaido Izakaya

Serving some of Hokkaido’s best produce, the Kakiage Tempura Soba ($14)
Soba prepared fresh made with buckwheat flour and stock cooked using Hokkaido soba powder with a mixed vegetable strip tempura.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Hokkaido Izakaya
Address: 95 Tanjong Pagar Road, S 088516
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 12mn; Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Tel: 6221 7118

7. The Lawn

A fully customisable Salad café, Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7460" align="alignnone" width="640"] Salad Bowl ($9.90)
Who says salads can’t be delicious? A salad with 5 toppings and 1 dressing – a treat for the mind and soul.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7461" align="alignnone" width="640"] Olive Rice ($10.90)
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

The Lawn
Address: #B1-11, AXA Tower, 8 Shenton Way, S 068811
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 10.30am – 9pm
Tel: 6534 8749

8. Moi Lum

A traditional Cantonese restaurant serving a wide variety of dishes “zi-char” style, Minced Pork & Salted Fish Rice ($8.90)
These wholesome sets include a bowl of homecooked soup and fresh fruit!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7463" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7464" align="alignnone" width="640"] Sweet & Sour Pork Hor Fun ($7.90)
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Moi Lum
Address: #01-01, Airview Building, 38 Maxwell Road, S069116
Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Tel: 6226 2283

9. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

Probably the most famous chicken rice stall in Singapore, Tian Tian is both renowned amongst locals and tourists alike. Many flock here to get a taste of the Anthony Bourdain-endorsed fragrant rice that is so good you’ll have seconds. There’s also a guaranteed queue at any time and at any day.

[caption id="attachment_7465" align="alignnone" width="649"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7466" align="alignnone" width="648"] Chicken Rice ($3.50)
Ain’t no chicken rice like a Tian Tian chicken rice. Nuff said.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, S (069184)
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 10am – 8pm
Tel: 6448 0120

10. A Noodle Story

It’s wanton mee! No, it’s ramen! No, it’s, it’s…both? A Noodle Story offers gourmet noodles at hawker prices. For a bowl, you get an A+ presentation as well as a culinary medley of noodles, onsen egg, char siew, potato-wrapped prawn, and wanton. Ohhhh yes.

[caption id="attachment_7467" align="alignnone" width="642"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7468" align="alignnone" width="640"] Singapore-Style Ramen ($5.50)
The synergy between these ingredients has formed another unique experience worthy enough to claim as our own local rendition of ramen.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]

A Noodle Story
Address: #01-39, Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, S069111
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11.15am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 7.30pm;
Sat: 10.30am – 1.30pm
Tel: 9027 6289

So buckle down and loosen those belt straps the next time you’re in the CBD! With these eateries, you’ll never look at lunch hour the same again.

Are there other eateries you think we should have included in the list? Let us know!

Also read: 6 Oozing Lava Desserts You’ll Definitely Have A Soft Spot For!