We continue our journey on Bus 143, after HabourFront and all the way to Toa Payoh interchange. The second half of this excursion includes an appreciation of traditional hawker food, visits to an independent cafe, an ice cream establishment, and a jeweler.

Yong Xiang Xin Dou Fu (Bus Stop 05013, People’s PK CPLX)

People’s Park Food Centre, #01-1084

They have been around for so long that their customers range from young adults to old grandparents. The wait can be as long as half-an-hour, but their customers don’t seem to mind at all. There is a limited range of ingredients but most of them are handmade at the shop.

Papa Palheta (Bus Stop 40181, Newton STN)

140 Bukit Timah Road

Literally a hole-in-the-wall, you would not have known this specialty coffee boutique existed unless somebody brought you there. The coffee beans are roasted and sold on-site, but customers can order a cup to sample for free. Most people would, however, drop a note or two in the tip jarto show appreciation. With customers sitting around in the quaint sitting room and outdoor courtyard, it looks more like a private home party.

Carrie K (Bus Stop 40181, Newton STN)

136 Bukit Timah Road

Opened by local silversmith and jewelry designer Carolyn Kan. The ex-managing director of international advertising agency quit her job in 2008 and flew to Florence to learn silversmith. In 2009, she launched her first line of jewelry collection under the brand of Carrie K. You’ll find artisan jewelry like rings, necklaces, bracelets and ear rings made of sterling silver and semi-precious gems.

Square 2 (Bus Stop 50031, Opp Novena CH)

10 Sinaran Drive

There is no Korean expat or study-mama who doesn’t know this place. It has Korean restaurants, a supermarket that sells groceries such as Korean rice cakes, and even a boutique that sells hanbok, traditional Korean dress, for kids!

Udders (Bus Stop 50061, Opp Hotel Royal)

155 Thomson Road, Goldhill Centre

It serves a wide range of alcoholic ice cream such as Rum Rum Raisin, Lychee Martini, and our personal favourite – the Orange Choc Bitters, made of dark and better Belgium chocolate generously spiced with Triple Sec. Of course, there are also strait-laced flavours like Strawberry Fields and Coffee. You can also scribble your suggestion of flavours on their blackboard, and if enough peers agree with you (by ticking on it), they may just introduce it, as they have in the past.

Toa Payoh Lucky Pisang Raja (Bus Stop 52009, Toa Payoh INT)

Blk 177 Toa Payoh Central, #01-176

It’s a small stall at the corner of a coffee shop but you can see them from afar with all the bananas hanging from the ceiling. The banana is tangy and sweet while the batter is crunchy like a piece of krupuk.