The unofficial NParks Coast-to-Coast food trail guide
Update: Whatthefish!, Galettes, Legend, Say Chiizu, Guschlbauer, and Just The Place, are permanently closed. Yap’s Noodles is temporarily closed.
My Instagram feed was flooded with Coast-to-Coast stories and posts as soon as the trail got launched late March. I love trekking and I love food, so naturally, this one-day foot tour also became a food tour for me! If completing the trail is also top on your Singapore bucket list, check out this comprehensive Coast-to-Coast food guide which starts off at the first checkpoint at Jurong.
Checkpoint 1: Jurong Lake Gardens
The 36km Coast-to-Coast trail starts at the spanking new Jurong Lake Gardens, which also happens to be at my hood. Since I’ve stayed here all my life, I can easily think of a list of good food to make a short detour for.
Image credit: @wishuponatart
Start the trail early in the morning and head to the nearby Yuhua Market and Hawker Centre for breakfast. It is a short five-minute detour between Checkpoint (CP) 1 and CP2.
Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh is the store to make a beeline for as they make excellent Teochew kueh that sells out by the afternoon. There is a simple menu of Rice Kueh, Soon Kueh, Chives Kueh, and Cabbage Kueh, all priced between $0.70 and $1 depending on whether you order it steamed or pan-fried.
Those looking for a fuller meal can also check out Joo Siah Bak Kut Teh for their peppery pork rib soup. It comes with free refills – a great excuse to hydrate yourself before continuing on with the trail.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth or a second stomach for desserts, drop by Lee’s Confectionery. The cafe stands out like a sore thumb in the humble neighbourhood, but in a positive way! Beautiful cakes and pastries such as Beri ($8) and Jiāo ($8) are painstakingly made from scratch by a young man with an impressive resume.
Check out our full review of Lee’s Confectionery!
Yuhua Market and Hawker Centre
Address: Blk 347 Jurong East Avenue 1, Yuhua Market and Hawker Centre, Singapore 600347
Lee’s Confectionery
Address: 343 Jurong East Street 31, #01-59, Singapore 600343
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 9183 8447
Website
Checkpoint 2: Bukit Batok Nature Park
This leg of the journey is pretty scenic after a long stretch of HDB estates. You will be led to CP2, which is located at the entrance of Bukit Batok Nature Park—not to be confused with Bukit Batok Town Park or Little Guilin. Before arriving at this abandoned quarry site, be sure to take a breather and feast out at these places as well!
The Bread Gang at Aiman Cafe serves an eye-catching and mouth-watering cheese-drenched Roti John Cheeseburger ($6.90). Soaked in yellow nacho cheese, this roll of bread, omelette, and tender minced beef begs to be tasted. Warning to all cheese lovers: be prepared to be spoiled for choice with other cheesy dishes, including the Beef Quesadilla ($7.90).
Check out our full review of The Bread Gang!
The West has even more to offer with Whathefish!’s Mentaiko Salmon Rice Bowl ($12.90), Crispy Seabass Rice Bowl ($7.50), and Cod Fish & Chips ($9.90). Previously located at Tanjong Pagar, this eatery was popular amongst office workers for its good value and great taste.
Check out our full review of Whathefish!
The Bread Gang
Address: 235 Jurong East Street 21, Aiman Cafe, Singapore 600235
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: 8280 0084
Website
The Bread Gang is a Muslim-owned stall.
Whathefish!
Address: 2 Venture Drive, #02-42, Vision Exchange, Singapore 608526
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 8:30pm, Sat 12pm to 3pm, 5pm to 8:30pm
Tel: 8644 8652
Website
Checkpoint 3: Hindhede Drive
The walk from CP2 to CP3 (Hindhede Drive) is just a relatively short 25-minute one, as compared to other longer stretches namely CP3 to CP4 and CP4 to CP5. Right on the Coast-to-Coast trail, you will be greeted by a treasure trove of hawker food near CP3, and cafes dotted along the way towards CP4.
Bukit Timah Food Centre is one of those hawker centres filled with many famous stalls instead of just one or two. Both students and adults alike flock here for dishes including He Zhong Carrot Cake (from $2.50), Xie Kee Hokkien Mee (from $3), and Sin Chew Satay Bee Hoon ($4).
Check out this list of stalls to visit at Bukit Timah Food Centre!
Image credit: @bobaramenpie
If you’re low on sugar at this point, stop by Kindred Folk for their interestingly good ice-cream flavours such as Cereal Milk, Watermelon-Calamansi, Roasted Rice Milk Tea and more, at $3.80 a scoop. We recommend pairing your ice-cream either with Fried Mantou ($1) or Deep Fried Cookie Dough ($3.50)!
Bukit Timah Food Centre
Address: 116 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588172
Kindred Folk
Address: 9 King Albert Park, #01-09, KAP Residences Mall, Singapore 598332
Opening hours: Tue-Thur 12pm to 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 11pm, Sun 12pm to 10pm
Tel: 6928 3043
Website
Checkpoint 4: Adam Road
Arm yourself with a fun group of friends to take on this trail, as the 75-minute walk to CP4 at Adam Road can be a boring one. The walk merely involves strolling along Bukit Timah Road, and taking a straight bus or MRT ride down might be a better idea.
Serene Centre is just a stone’s throw away from the pit stop at Adam Road, and Micro Bakery & Kitchen sits at the edge of this quiet, little mall. Generously giving up aromatic essences of freshly baked bread, hungry souls will automatically be drawn to house-baked goodies found in the humble shop. Have a taste of the sourdough used in their House Ricotta Tartine ($12), which is an open-faced sandwich.
Check out our full review of Micro Bakery & Kitchen!
Go slightly off the trail into Singapore Botanic Gardens for some ice-cold treats at JUJU. These 100% plant-based, refined sugar-free JUJU Bowls come in two sizes, regular ($8.50) or large ($12). Flavours are rotational and range from classic acai to uncommon ones such as red dragonfruit and black sesame.
12 Botanic Gardens Food To Fuel Up At After Exploring The UNESCO Site
Micro Bakery & Kitchen
Address: 10 Jalan Serene, #01-05, Serene Centre, Singapore 258748
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8:30am to 5pm
Tel: 8339 4133
Website
JUJU
Address: 1 Cluny Road, #01-K1, Bukit Timah Visitor’s Services Kiosk, Singapore 259569
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 8pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 8pm
Website
Menu
Checkpoint 5: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Despite being the longest, the walk to CP5 (Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park) could also be the most interesting for some. The trail takes you past Bukit Brown Cemetery and MacRitchie Reservoir. History and fitness buffs with time on their hands can opt to explore the two areas a little more, while foodies can tread on for more unique eats.
You can actually find colourful mee hoon kueh and ban mian near CP5. Yue Lai Xiang Delights uses natural ingredients to dye their noodles. Priced from $4.50, do not pass the bowls of noodles off as something gimmicky as the store-owner Joy puts in tons of effort for each strand of hand-kneaded noodle, and lots of preparation for each ladle of MSG-free broth.
Check out our full review of Yue Lai Xiang Delights!
All avid ma la fans should check out The Workbench Bistro’s Ma La Pasta ($16.90) which comes in the usual spice levels of xiao la (not so spicy), zhong la (medium spicy), and da la (very spicy). Prepared like aglio olio, the pasta was rich and flavourful as if it was sautéed in the remnants of a ma la xiang guo dish.
Check out our full review of The Workbench Bistro!
Yue Lai Xiang Delights
Address: 160 Sin Ming Drive, #01-20, Singapore 575722
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 5:30pm, Sat 7:30am to 3:30pm
Tel: 8218 5879
Website
The Workbench Bistro
Address: Blk 332 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, #01-1881, Singapore 560332
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 12pm to 10pm, Fri 12pm to 11pm, Sat 10am to 11pm, Sun 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6452 0810
Website
Checkpoint 6: Luxus Hills Park
Luxus Hills Park is an hour away from Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. Enjoy the relatively new industrial and housing estate as you walk off the extra food you’ve had thus far. There isn’t much to check out around CP6, but here are two places to head to on the way from Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park—in case you find your legs weak.
Trust ice-cream to be the treat that spurs you on to complete the 36km walk. Obsessive Chocolat Desire Cafe is a must-stop for fanatics of the alluring dark brown treat. There’s a selection of chocolate ice-cream made in-house, namely Africa 85% Dark, Brazil 72% Dark, Belgium 60% Dark, Ecuador 40% Milk, and Madagascar 30% Milk. Have them at $3.60 a scoop, or add $4 for their Sesame Waffles.
Check out our full review of OCD Cafe!
Galettes will charm you with their minimal, exposed concrete kind of aesthetics. Don’t let this HDB cafe fool you with its simple decor, as they boast an impressive menu of flambéed dessert crepes, mille crepe cakes, savoury crepes and more. Order the Crepe Suzette ($12.50) for a mini fire show and Funghi & Cheese ($10) for a burst of buttery and nutty flavours.
Check out our full review of Galettes!
Obsessive Chocolat Desire Cafe
Address: 529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2353, Singapore 560529
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 12pm to 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 1am, Sun 2pm to 10pm
Website
Galettes
Address: 529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2365, Singapore 560529
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm to 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 11pm
Website
Checkpoint 7: Sengkang Floating Wetland
Those who started the Coast-to-Coast trail early in the morning would probably arrive at CP7 just as the sun is setting. The Sengkang Floating Wetland is a beautiful sight to behold. Enjoy the light breeze and wind down as you watch water ripples reflect the warm sunset glow.
Legend is located along the waterway after CP7. Enjoy your scenic alfresco dining with an extensive menu to boot. Ranging from zi char dishes such as Stir-Fried Kang Kong with Sambal ($8.80/$12.80) and Salted Egg Chicken ($10.80/ $$15.80), to Western dishes such as Truffle Fries ($7.80) and Cajun Chicken ($11.80), there’s something for everyone. Prices are nett, so you do not have to worry about the bill as you fuel your tired bodies up with food.
Image credit: @happinesswithstranger
O’ My Kampong is a ‘60s inspired kampong-themed cafe opened by the people behind Old Chang Kee. The interior design was a job well done; entering the shop is like a satisfying, nostalgic experience. Must-orders include the O’ My Kampong Chicken Family Platter ($20.90), which is great for a party of four, and the Kampong Curry Chicken ($7.90), which is served in a fragrant bread bowl.
Legend
Address: 59 Anchorvale Road, #01-06, Anchorvale Community Club, Singapore 544965
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 10am to 2am, Sat 10am to 3am
Tel: 6702 1359
Website
O’ My Kampong
Address: 50 Anchorvale Street, #01-02, Sengkang Riverside Park, Singapore 544834
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 12pm to 9pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 9pm
Tel: 9710 4280
Website
Checkpoint 8: Punggol Waterway Park
The 30-minute stretch between CP7 and CP8 is a simple one which leads you along the water, ending at Punggol Waterway Park. This park is also a great place to stop for views. It has six IG-worthy points of interest in the area! My favourite spots are the wooden Adventure Bridge and the orange and white Old Punggol Road Bus Stop.
Head to Waterway Point Mall for some after-dinner snack or bubble tea as you make your way towards Punggol Waterway Park. If you’re missing BKK or still a big fan of cheese pulls, Say Chiizu has an outlet here as well. This gorgeous lovechild of bread and cheese comes in three flavours, Original, Chocolate, and Charcoal at $3.80 a pop.
Check out our full review of Say Chiizu!
Then, pick up an oozy cream cheese bun or croissant-donut from the Austrian bakery, Guschlbauer. Their Cheese Buns Original ($5.80) are the most popular across outlets in Toronto, Seoul, and Hong Kong. Soft as clouds and filled with rich cream cheese in the middle, each bun is great on its own, but even better when heated up in the microwave.
Check out our full review of Guschlbauer!
Say Chiizu
Address: 83 Punggol Central, #B1-K1, Waterway Point Mall, Singapore 828761
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Website
Guschlbauer
Address: 83 Punggol Central, #01-K16, Waterway Point, Singapore 828761
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Checkpoint 9: Coney Island Park
CP9 at Coney Island Park was our last pit stop. C2C tip: rent a bike along The Punggol Settlement to pick up the pace, lest you want to miss the opening hours of Coney Island Park. Opened daily from 7am to 7pm, it will be tough to get there in time unless you start your Coast-to-Coast journey early at 6am!
Image credit: @buibuieats
Other than bike rental shops, The Punggol Settlement is also lined with eateries. Just The Place is somewhere casual and spacious to end the long day with your group of Coast-to-Coast kakis. Load up on carbs with their extensive menu of pizzas and pastas, or fuel up with mains such as the Lava Stone Ribeye ($27.90++) which features a 200g slab of grass-fed beef.
Image credit: @xeuniceyeex
From grilled skewers to Japanese claypot dishes, there will be something for everyone at Izakaya 95. If you’re here with a group of four or more, order the Chicken Set ($18++) to share. It comes with chicken thigh, chicken wing, chicken loin, chicken minced meat, and my favourite–chicken skin. A must-order is the Niniku Fried Rice ($6++), which is pearly white rice fried with aromatic garlic bits.
Just The Place
Address: 3 Punggol Point Road, #02-07/08, The Punggol Settlement, Singapore 828694
Opening hours: Tue-Thur 4pm to 1am, Fri-Sat 4pm to 2am, Sun 12pm to 11pm
Tel: 6702 7370
Website
Izakaya 95
Address: 3 Punggol Point, #02-05, The Punggol Settlement, Singapore 828694
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 5pm to 12am, Fri 5pm to 1am, Sat 1pm to 1am, Sun 1pm to 12am
Tel: 6384 1132
Website
Checkpoint 10: Lower Seletar Reservoir Park
I suggest giving CP10 a pass like we did as it was a detour between CP6 and CP7, located on the edge of Lower Seletar Reservoir Park. However, if for some reason trekking to this CP is your choice of route, there are also good food to be found at Yishun Park Hawker Centre after a short bus ride.
Jiao Cai Hotplate BBQ is the answer for small portions of sambal seafood at reasonable prices. Have a taste of the piquant and fork-tender barbecued stingray in the Sambal Stingray Rice Set ($7.80). It also comes with a side of sambal kang kong and sunny side up to quell the heat from the chilli paste.
Check out our full review of Jiao Cai Hotplate BBQ!
Yap’s Noodles’ curry mee is delicious till its last drop. I can vouch for it as I have ordered their Curry Seafood Roasted Pork Noodles ($6.50) for myself. The broth was a whole new flavour, which didn’t taste like laksa or yellow curry. It tasted slightly sweet and aromatic, with flavours coming from spices such as dried shrimp, shallots, lemongrass and more. For an added buttery texture and tinge of saltiness, order your noodles with extra cheese ($1).
Check out our full review of Yap’s Noodles!
Jiao Cai Hotplate BBQ
Address: 51 Yishun Avenue 11, #01-39, Yishun Park Hawker Centre, Singapore 768867
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 8201 4400
Website
Yap’s Noodles
Address: 51 Yishun Avenue 11, #01-36, Yishun Park Hawker Centre, Singapore 768867
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 9pm
Tel: 9670 4328
Website
Coast-to-Coast food tour
We have provided you with a full list of food to try at every checkpoint on the Coast-to-Coast food trail. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to try them all. There will definitely be a lack of time! Before embarking on the journey, arm yourself with this food guide to plan which CP you and your friends will be fueling up with food at.
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