Japanese Carnival This Weekend – Food, Games, And More!
If you love Japanese culture like we do, mark your calendar! Super Japan Matsuri will be held from 20 to 22 May 2016 at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay from 5pm to 10pm daily.
Food
Like every other Matsuri (festival), you can look forward to a weekend of traditional Japanese festival food such as Takoyaki (octopus balls), Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes), soft serve ice cream, and of course, Japanese beer.
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Yummy Takoyakis up for grabs at the Super Japan Matsuri. Credit: Wikipedia[/caption]
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Food stall at a typical Matsuri. Credit: antoniotajuelo.com[/caption]
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Food stall at a typical Matsuri. Credit: antoniotajuelo.com[/caption]
Games
Those who want to try your hand at Japanese games, you might want to start practising your Yo-yo tsuri (water balloon fishing), Senbonbiki (lucky strings game), Katanuki (candy moulding), Shateki (shoot prizes down), and many more.
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Shateki – Shooting at prizes with a rubber band gun. Credit: Yo-yo Tsuri – Fish water balloons up to win prizes. Credit: Children trying their luck at the Senbonbiki game. Credit: Pinterest (Dejiki)[/caption]
Senbonbiki is a game where treats or prizes are attached to long strings. The game player will pull on a string, not knowing which treat is attached to it. Apparently, this is usually a ‘sure-win’ game.
Dress up
On top of that, if you dress to match their nightly theme (see image below), you’ll receive one free game coupon to be used at the festival.
[caption id="attachment_5794" align="alignnone" width="960"]This sure sounds like a great opportunity to dress up, cosplay, or put on a yukata (summer kimono)!
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Ladies dressed in yukatas at a Matsuri. Credit: dannychoo.com[/caption]
Details
Super Japan Matsuri
Date: 20 – 22 May 2016 (Fri – Sun)
Time: 5pm – 10pm (Fri), 3pm – 10pm (Sat & Sun)
Address: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Entry fee: Free admission, coupons required for games
Event page: Super Japan Matsuri
A Matsuri is all about having fun with friends and family. Call your friends, bring your family, get dressed for the theme, and play some games! Fun and laughter guaranteed.
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(Header image credit: antoniotajuelo.com, words by editor)
Also read: 5 Free Events & Shows All Lovers Of Japanese Culture Must Attend!
https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/1993552710870421
10 Unconventional Things You Do In SG That Show You’re A Local
This is not your typical list. Conventional activities are all hipster and cool. Which is why here at Discover SG, I’m introducing you to the slightly bizarre things. Are you ready? Let’s find out where you stand on the true blue Singaporean scale.
1. Shop at a local pasar malam
[caption id="attachment_4849" align="alignnone" width="700"]Our local pasar malam is a fashion world, food paradise, game zone, and antique auction all rolled into one. I mean, where else can you get an ear pick, Chinese wooden drum stool, and a giant bunny plush toy all at the same place?
Has it been a long time since you’ve stepped into a street market? If you’re feeling a tiny bit lost, well, fret not. I recommend you to follow Twitter account Pasar Malam Updates for the latest deets.
2. Play chess with ah gong
[caption id="attachment_4899" align="alignnone" width="700"]It’s the battle of the brains. These retirees are so absorbed in their chess games that they probably don’t even know if you’re stealing a peek over their shoulder. If you think you can handle the pressure and the strong possibility of them kicking your little monkey butt — go for it.
Address
Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street
3. Try your hand at 4D & TOTO
The culture of 4D and TOTO in Singapore is flourishing. If you’ve seen the long queue at the Singapore Pools stores — especially if you live in Chong Pang — you’ll nod in agreement. Maybe you’ve got a set of numbers in a fortune cookie, or a recurring dream? Better buy 4D or TOTO.
4. Get your personal care & toiletries fix at lesser known stores
[caption id="attachment_4745" align="alignnone" width="700"]Most of us amateurs replenish our personal care products in Watsons, Guardian, and Unity. Bargain experts know better — they shop at lesser-known stores like Swanston. I once bought a Simple Gentle Care Shampoo at this kind of stores and it costs me less than S$5. Most retail stores sell it S$9.90. I felt like a fool.
Swanston’s
Address: People’s Park Food Centre Level 2, 32 New Market Road
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 9pm
Cash only
5. Quad cycle at East Coast Park
[caption id="attachment_4848" align="alignnone" width="700"]In terms of team building activities, quad cycling — hands down — beats kite flying and rollerblading. It requires a group of people to join forces and support each other to combine their individual strengths.
If you’re not much of an athlete, I suggest you sit at the back. The pedals at the front require you to exert more leg power, and good lord, you will not feel your thighs for at least three days. Bring along a cap, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.
Address: East Coast Park Service Road,
6. Visit old shopping centres
[caption id="attachment_4755" align="alignnone" width="700"]Let’s face it, most shopping malls aren’t built like the old ones anymore.
To give you a head start, check out Beauty World Centre. My favourite hang out place is the bookstore and open-air hawker centre. The Feng Ji Shu Shi Char Kway Teow is one of its main highlights.
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road,
7. Buy secondhand books at Bras Basah Complex
[caption id="attachment_4847" align="alignnone" width="700"]Forget Kinokuniya and Popular. Bras Basah Complex is the ultimate destination for bibliophiles. (It also houses Cats Socrates, Image credit: That Balloons[/caption]
It used to be really easy to find a kachang puteh kiosk. Now? They’re as rare as a chance to kiss the Pope’s ring. I did a quick Google search and found that there’s one kiosk at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard. I’ll definitely miss eating nuts out of a paper cone.
9. Go shopping at OG
[caption id="attachment_4751" align="alignnone" width="700"]OG may not be as posh as Robinsons, but it’s got its own charm. The vast variety of fashion apparels is the sundae, while the shopping vouchers and pearls are the cherry on top. OG treats their customers right. They have a habit of shelling out freebies whenever their customers hit a minimum purchase.
Address: 60 Albert Street, OG Albert Complex
Tip: If you find that OG is not your cup of tea, you can hop on over to Bugis Junction, which is right around the corner!
10. Have ice cream from a cart
[caption id="attachment_4846" align="aligncenter" width="550"]Here’s a back story. My father’s a Buddhist and I frequently tag along with him to visit the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple at Waterloo Street. Because of the cheaper parking rates, he would often park his car at the car park next to Sim Lim Tower.
And I’ve discovered something along the countless journeys. Rain or shine, this ice cream cart uncle is always there. For as long as I can remember, he’s been selling ice-cream at the exact spot since I was a primary school kid. He works fast and he’s not much of a talker.
This is an unpopular opinion, but the mixed ice-cream from ice cream carts are better than ice cream from some cafes — and they’re cheaper, to boot!
Aside from this uncle at Sim Lim Tower, you may find ice cream carts along Orchard Road.
(Header image credit: 8 Delish Meals Under $10 In Orchard That Will Leave You Satisfied! – Part 2
Karaoke Manekineko Promo: Sing Your Heart Out For 2 Hours At Only $10!
Whenever it comes to this time of the year, I always find the Duracell Bunny in me running out battery. Swamped with work, no holiday in sight, too tired and stressed. A retail therapy would be great but the Great Singapore Sale is not anytime soon. If you’re like me, Karaoke Manekineko‘s grand opening promotion will be a silver lining.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/61dX85H169/[/embed]To celebrate the grand opening of the karaoke joint at Marina Square and SAFRA Punggol, Karaoke Manekineko is having a special promotion for the patrons of the two new outlets. Until 29 April 2016, karaoke-goers will only need to pay $10 nett for 2 hours of singing.
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Image source: Image source: Reddit[/caption]
Do note that this promotion is only valid at two outlets: Marina Square and SAFRA Punggol. It is also only applicable for all sessions from the Sunday Night session until Friday Day session. Slots are subjected to availability so please do call and reserve ahead to avoid disappointment.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/_1NG8Ywr8V/?taken-at=975815659&hl=en[/embed] [caption id="attachment_5488" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]Karaoke Manekineko
Marina Square Outlet
Address: 6, Raffles Boulevard,#03-208/209 (S) 039594
Tel: +65 6562 3113
SAFRA Punggol Outlet
Address: 9 Sentul Crescent, #05-02 (S) 828654
Contact number: +65 6387 3113
Now call your mates, set the date, make the reservation and have your own concert! Trust me, it will be the best destress session.
What type of karaoke singer are you? The upbeat-set-the-atmosphere-right singer? The emo or the out of tune I-make-my-own-music performer? Drop us a comment and let us know!
(Header image credit: Karaoke Manekineko)
Also read: An Underground Bar Event With Complimentary Drinks? Basement Seah Damn Happening Sia!
3 Spooky Places In Singapore So Scary That Ghosts Also Scared – Part 2
This is Part 2 of the haunted places in Singapore series. For part 1: Ask any Singaporean guy about ghost stories during his time in the army and he’ll gladly (hur hur) sit you down and recount the infamous tales surround Tekong. One of these tales is the renown story of the death of a recruit from Charlie Company. He was found dead during a route march on a Thursday night, hanging from a tree with his organs neatly positioned next to his corpse. Eventually, his platoon mates reported sightings of the dead recruit around the bunk, with beds being shaken and doors being slammed. A medium was brought in, who suggested a third door to be built in the bunk for the dead soldier’s spirit to leave the place peacefully. The same story was also rumoured to be the reason why no training is conducted during Thursday nights. Originally named as Mount Pleasant by George Henry Brown, a ship owner who bought the land to grow coffee beans, the land later fell into the hands of Hokkien clans and was converted into a burial ground. The cemetery was opened to the public in 1922 but was closed in 1973. With the moon or your flashlights as the only sources of light, just the trip to Bukit Brown itself is unnerving. If these spooky tales aren’t enough to deter you from venturing into these haunted places, we’d say to go ahead and make the thrilling visits. But embark on these adventures at your own risk and remember, we did warn you. Do you know other spooky Singapore haunts that we should know about? This is Part 2 of the haunted places in Singapore series. For part 1:
Springleaf Prata Place is known among Singaporean foodies for having an extensive menu featuring a smorgasbord of Indian eats. With a menu boasting more than 50 flavours of pratas, it’s no wonder Springleaf Prata Place is a favourite among late night supper eaters! This Halal-certified Indian food chain has a menu that would blow the competition out of the water. At first glance, it would be a daunting task for newcomers to decide what exactly to eat with the number of prata variants available for choosing. But never fret, we have you covered on where exactly to begin your journey for some greasy goodness! For those wishing to start thing slow, perhaps browsing through the list of specialty pratas would be a good idea. Many people swear by Portobello Mozzarella prata, which goes at an affordable price of $5, expressing delight at the delectable combination of melted cheese with mushrooms. Just remember to put the cameras down and tuck in before it gets cold under the air-conditioner though! (Yes, there is air-conditioning, rejoice!) For those who prefer a more simple gastronomical experience, perhaps the plain prata would be more to your liking. At a price of $1.10 for a piece, it’s hard to resist. Don’t be turned off by the lack of toppings, the crispy texture that it boasts should be the set standard of prata kosongs around the island. Each bite just gets way better when dipped into their delicious curry. If you’re feeling a little braver, why not dive into their Ultimate Hawkerfest tab? These are their signature dishes created for the Annual Hawker Festival (UHF), a charity event which celebrates our diverse street food. With huge amounts of innovation in these masterpieces, we are certain you will definitely be left wanting more once you’re done with your order. For people looking for a blend of Eurasian and Indian cuisine, the $5 Prata Blaster has you covered. A wonderful dish featuring plain prata combined with scrumptious eggs benedict and two slices of turkey ham, topped off with savoury hollandaise sauce. The creation has definitely gained a lot of die-hard fans and is often recommended over the island. Others who are looking for a more filling fare should consider the $7 Murtaburger. Exactly as its name sounds, the people behind the recipe have meshed two juicy mutton patties with egg prata serving as the buns, spread with generous helpings of mayonnaise, black pepper sauce and mozzarella cheese. It’s like the Indian burger you never knew you wanted! Want a dish that can satisfy not only your prata cravings, but your friends as well? Look no further, the Ultimate Murtabak will make certain of that. At a hefty price of $12, this enormous dish of prata filled with juicy tandoori chicken, mushrooms and melted cheese will definitely leave you and your friends in a food coma for the next few hours! It’s definitely not a meal you should tackle alone, unless you pride yourself as a heavy eater. An honourable mention would be the $4 Prata Goreng, a delectable symbiosis of the traditional fried Mee Goreng with bits of crunchy prata thrown into the mix. If you ever find yourself craving for noodles and prata at the same time, this meal is specially made just for your troubles. Don’t forget to quench your thirst after all that heavy eating, I’d personally recommend their Teh Tarik. The hot one goes for $1.20, while the cold one would set you back 30 cents more, but so worth it when you consider the hot weather we’ve been having these few months! Have we convinced you yet to make Springleaf your next favourite prata spot? Tell all your friends about it and set a day when everyone’s free for a visit. And don’t worry about the address, we’ll provide it at the end. You can thank us by buying a Prata Blaster and sending it our way! (Joking, but we don’t mind if you really do.) Springleaf Prata Place @ The Rail Mall Springleaf Prata Place @ Upper Thomson Springleaf Prata Place @ Jalan Tua Kong Website: https://www.facebook.com/realspringleafprataplace Also Read: A 3 Minute Rundown Of Timbre’s Newly Launched Container & Food Truck-Style Food Court https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/1979206058971753 Image Credit: Wikipedia[/caption]
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Springleaf Prata Joint Serves Over 50 Flip-tastic Flavours – Here Are The Highlights You Cannot Miss
Address: 396 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678048
Opening Hours: 7AM – 12 Midnight, last order at 11.30 PM
Address: 1 Thong Soon Avenue, Singapore 787431
Opening Hours: 7AM – 12 Midnight, last order at 11.30 PM
Phone Number: 6459 5670
Address: 57B Jalan Tua Kong, Singapore 457251
Opening Hours: 7AM – 12 Midnight, last order at 11.30PM
Phone Number: 8693 5393
4 Haunted Places In Singapore So Spooky That Even The Ghosts Also Scared – Part 1
This is Part 1 of the haunted places in Singapore series. For part 2: Unfortunately, the popularity of the place eventually caught the notice of the authorities and security of the infrastructure has tightened. Essentially, venturing into Old Changi Hospital today will mean contending with both the living and non-living. 2. The Yellow Tower Situated at East Coast Park, the Yellow Tower (also known as the Amber Beacon Tower) may seem inconspicuous to many onlookers. At first. It’s only when one learns about the story behind it does its horror take root. A popular ghost tale surrounding Punggol MRT reached its peak during its construction. Plans were made to extend the North-East MRT line further than Punggol, but construction workers eventually encountered inexplicable difficulties such as haywire machinery and unexplained drained batteries. The breaking point was the sighting of a figure walking down from the tunnel at late night, with its severed head floating a few inches away. The workers believed that it was one of their own, who was accidentally beheaded during a tragic accident. Needless to say, the workers refused to continue the expansion and the project was abandoned. If you’ve got through these 4 scary places, congratulations! We hope you’re not too spooked. For more scary stories and pictures, stay tuned for part 2. This is Part 1 of the haunted places in Singapore series. For part 2:
Are you sick of visiting all those same old places that you see on everyone’s Instagram feed? Or roll your eyes at all mainstream activities? The fact that Singapore is small worsens the situation because there is simply nowhere cool to go anymore! (Or is it?) We have discovered 8 different secret places for everyone that even the hipsters don’t know about and even we, are really impressed with them! :O The Marsiling WWII Tunnel & Navel Base is an abandoned military tunnel built during the WWII by the British. It was used as a storage facility for fuel for the Navy but has not been used since Singapore’s independence. All those curious and adventurous explorers shouldn’t give this a miss! https://www.instagram.com/p/BA9latugzze/?taken-at=39468183 https://www.instagram.com/p/mX5ybxiLsM/?taken-at=39468183 Address: Okay, so is this another abandoned building that is rumoured to be haunted? https://www.instagram.com/p/BAruFcIHg4P/?taken-at=283853306 No, in fact, it’s a place that would transport you Narnia. Okay, we kid. Operation Dagger was named after the late 1950s movement in Singapore to rid the underground secret society in Chinatown. This creepy dark flight of stairs actually leads you to a hidden cocktail bar. This is Singapore’s new secret hipster cinema hidden within the depths of Golden Mile Tower. You no longer have to visit Japan to catch a sight of the lovely cherry blossoms blooming. You’ve heard the news, for the very first time ever, Gardens By The Bay has decided to bring in a variety of cherry and peach blossoms. Talk about having the best of both worlds! The flowers are exhibited at the Flower Dome. These flowers last for a very short time – only 1 to 2 weeks. Also, half of the sakura trees have already bloomed. Don’t wait too long to visit, you won’t want to miss the beautiful sight! There are all in all, 20 varieties of cherry blossoms on display. Special mention goes to the sakura trees with hanging branches, Prunus Fujishidare, those with striking white flowers, Prunus Yedoenis Yoshino, and those with lovely pale pink blooms, Prunus Accolade. As for peach blossoms, there’s the unusual and very special, Prunus Genpei Shidare, that has flowers of two different colours – red and white – on the very same plant. The whole Flower Dome will be styled after a traditional Japanese garden, complete with a tori gate, Japanese screens and kimono. Perfect for a photo opportunity with your date, parents, children, or anyone whom you’d want to share this special moment with. Gardens By The Bay has really outdone itself this time. This totally beats the previous hot exhibition – Tulipmania. You don’t have to go to Japan just to catch the cherry blossoms anymore! We can’t be more proud of our very best garden. Blossom Beats Floral Display We recommend buying your tickets online to avoid the queue. Click here. Game of Thrones fans, brace yourselves, winter is coming. HBO Asia is providing everyone in Singapore with an amazing opportunity to experience the fantastical world of the hit TV show. Delve into the world of the Seven Kingdoms at The Game of Thrones Experience: Worlds of Westeros. Immerse yourself with weapon prop displays, strike your best pose with photo opportunities with the life-size throne replica and Daenerys Targaryen’s dragon, Drogo, against a green screen set-up. Fans stand a chance to meet Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark) on Apr 2! The excitement doesn’t stop there. Fans will also get the opportunity to experience Game of Thrones: Ascend the Wall, an Oculus Rift virtual reality experience that lets you ride the Castle Black winch elevator to the top of the 700-foot ice wall. A remarkable experience for GOT fans, this event is a must visit! Visit the
March is set to be an awesome month with hipster street parties, great food, and plenty of booze (read on for how to score some free beer). Grab your best buds, here are the parties that you shouldn’t miss! A collaboration between the chicken-centric Thai eatery Bird Bird, and the casual Mexican snack bar, Hombre Catina, this Thai-Maxican mashup will be happening at Boat Quay for one night only on 2nd March. Look forward to mouth-watering treats like the Tarmarind Chili Margaritas, Som Tum Carnitas Tacos, and Duck Grapow Nacho Supreme that’ll only be available during that night! @Hombre Catina, from 7pm till sold out (no reservations). Vote for your favourite Jamaican-style BBQ chicken sauce at the second jerk off event happening this March. Hosted by the Singapore Dub Club, the BBQ pits will be out, and so will the sound system- expect ska, reggae, and dancehall beats livening up the street as the chicken marinade experts battle it out. @Red Baron, from 2pm onwards. Tickets here. Brought to you by Noise Singapore and LushLovesLocal, don’t miss the Rail Corridor Art Space‘s last fiesta before it temporarily closes for piping works. Food, drinks, DJs, and live street art, what’s not to like about this party? Details are scant at the moment, but keep an eye out for more updates on their Facebook events page. @Rail Corridor Art Space, free admission. Also read: The Music Run That Lets You Party, Run, And Choose The Soundtrack At The Same Time Grab a pint of Guinness and dress in something green. This year’s street festival will feature a parade by the Singapore River, and live music till late for you and your crew to party on! More importantly, here’s what you’ve been waiting for: free booze. Send an SMS with your Name<SPACE>NRIC to 8151-5555, and successful applications will receive an SMS notification to redeem your free pint of Guinness Draught. You can redeem your beer from this list of participating bars, from 1-20 March. @Singapore River, Circular Road, free admission. Which party will you be attending? Let us know in the comments below! Also Read: Image Credit:
Image Credit: Singapore Paranormal Investigators via Yahoo[/caption]
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8 Hidden Places In Singapore Even Hipsters Aren’t Aware Of
1. Marsiling WWII Tunnel & Navel Base
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Image credit: The Study‘s Facebook page or from the server at The Library’s sister restaurant, The Study, next to the bar. Shhh, don’t tell anyone we told you.
47 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 0891534. Operation Dagger
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7. The Projector
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A Peek At The Very Beautiful Cherry Blossoms In The Flower Dome, You Won’t Want To Miss This!
Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
Date: Now till 27 March
Time: 9am – 9pm (last admission 8:30pm)
Tel: 6420 6848
Location: Flower Dome, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, 018953
Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT station
Parking lots available
Admission charges for locals (flower dome only):
Adult: $12
Senior Citizen: $8
Child: $8
For ticket prices and other activities,
Game of Thrones: Worlds of Westeros Comes To Ion Orchard This April! Here’s What You Need To Know!
Food, Booze, and Chill Vibes: 4 Can’t-Miss Parties This March
1. Juan Night in Bangkok (2 March)
[embed]https://www.facebook.com/birdbirdsg/photos/gm.585059691644077/1679210925666165/?type=3&theater[/embed]
2. The Great Singapore Jerk Off Part 2 (19 March)
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jAHjZieLaY[/embed]
3. Rail Collidoscope (19 March)
[embed]https://www.facebook.com/noisesingapore/photos/gm.1679021129022625/10153941850513470/?type=3&theater[/embed]
4. St. Patrick’s Day Parade (19-20 March)
[caption id="attachment_2695" align="alignnone" width="700"] Image credit: singapore-river.com[/caption]
