the goreng pisang (local version) do not have caramel/sugar. the sweetness will come from the banana. my favorite is by Lim Kee (Orchard) Banana Fritters. They are located at Maxwell Rd, Stall 61, Maxwell Food Centre.
as mentioned in my previous post you will find lots of good food at Maxwell.

For ingredients and spices you can visit Tekka market and little India. Most supermarkets do stock spices pre-packed.
You can find pre-packed ingredients for soup. Try the bak kut teh ones. Literal translation pork bone tea. They are eating places selling this throughout the day. It's eaten with rice and dough fritters. Tea is the preferred drink.

For cookbooks they are available at most bookstores. Recommend 'the New Mrs' Lee Cookbooks'. Written by our former Prime Minister's late mother who was famed for her cooking.

Don't miss the chilli crab and curry fish head!

Skip Malay and Ming Village - head to Botanic Gardens or Night Safari.

I would still do Holland Village for shopping. Definately go to Lims Arts and Crafts on the second floor.

As others said, you should eat in a hawker stall once. Try Lau Pu Sat or Newton circus. Better yet, if you enjoy seafood, you MUST go to East Coast Seafood center - they have the best seafood at affordable prices. Try Singapore's specialities - Chilli Crab or Pepper Crab.

I would also recommend some walking tours if you are intersted.
Original Singapore walks:
http://www.singaporewalks.com/fun.htm

Lots of good suggestions!!! Singapore's basically a place to eat and shop. And if you are truly bored in the middle of the night and want to shop, head to Mustafa (at Serangoon Road) as it's open for shopping 24 hours! You can get anything and everything that you need from there, especially now that they have extended the place!

I'm in Bangkok at the present and was just back in Singapore before coming up here. Go over to the Katong area and try a Paranakan restaurant...for lunch... called," True Blue" at 117(?) East Coast and check out the little Paranakan shop next door to it called Rumme Bebe(sp?). The restaurant is also open for dinner, but a dinner reservation is an absolute must since this restaurant was voted best new restaurant in Singapore.The whole block is filled with shophouses and it's a very interesting block. Not a tourist area. If you don't know what Paranakans are then go on www.paranakan.org.sg I think the website is or go to the, "Boston GTG" thread here in the forum where I'm reporting my trip findings. Go down to the bottom of the thread and you can read all the stuff I've written since I've been here in S.E.Asia. Got to go. Internet is VERY expensive here at the Four Seasons Hotel, but I hope this info has helped. Happy Travels!

Guenmai

What hotel did you use in Singapore?

Hi, just in case you can't get into the website, it should be www.peranakan.org.sg. It's spelt as "Peranakan", not Paranakan.

Elaine

I just read thru this thread as I am travelling to SIN in April for the 50th anniversary. Thanks for all the good tips. I am in a wheelchair so access is an issue. I am deciding between the Ritz or the Hyatt. Any thoughts? Thanks Mr.Bill

Oh, it's too late for me to suggest anything !!!!!!

bbecker,

If you are in a wheelchair, I think Ritz is better. Both are great shopping areas but Hyatt is along the crowded Orchard road, Ritz has a few large connected shopping centres which you can find enough shops and restaurants and you don't need to come out much to the main road outside.

Hope I helped.

thanks for the tip chinesefan. I will send a report.

Wow, I just found this info treasure! I'm taking a print out of this thread to Singapore next week.

Anyone heard of "Nosignboard" next to a stadium ? It's recommended to me by a local for the best chili crab, is it? What else is good there besides the crab?

I was also told of Boon Tong Kee for chicken rice. It's supposed to be where the locals go but tourists may get grossed out by the place. How bad is it? I've only been to Singapore once (a long time ago) and had chicken rice on top of the Mandarin hotel, so naturally I'm searching for the best chicken rice.

when i last went to SP (my best friend lives there) she told me to meet her at the Black pepper crab place??? i'm like where is it and she said the cab driver will know. Sure enough he did and there were QUEUES down the street at 6.30pm GORGEOUS. Try it, its cheap fab and packed VERY basic (plastic chairs etc) but lots of locals and expats.
Am going next friday, will write in my journal the exact place and let you all know.

Jane

Nosignboard is the name of a seafood restaurant. When it first opened for business there isn't a sign board to indicate the name of the restaurant.
They have several branches. There is one located next to the Indoor Stadium. There is airconditioned seating and alfresco seating available. One of their signature dishes is the chilli crab. Ask the waiter/waitress for recommendation or you could checkout what your neighbouring tables have ordered. Try the bamboo clams!

There's quite a number of seafood restaurants located at the East Coast Parkway. Just tell the taxi driver and they will know where to bring you. Recommend Red House or Jumbo. Both are long established.

For chicken rice there's many that claims to be the best. Boon Tong Kee is one of them. They are fine but not the best IMHO but worth a try. Chicken rice at the Mandarin Hotel is OK but not worth the price. You could get a whole chicken for the same price at Boon Tong Kee. You could go to Katong at East Coast Road there's a chicken rice war going on. There's several places selling chicken rice. Just go to the most crowded one! After that go to the Chin Mee Chin coffee shop for a nice cuppa coffee or tea. Try the kaya buns! Highly recommended.

Tourists grossed out by Boon Tong Kee? Don't see any reason why. Care to explain? You mean by the innards being served?

For the black pepper crab with long queues? Is it the one located at an old coffeeshop at junction Joo Chiat Terrace and Still Road? The placed is packed with long queues.


Checkout:
http://www.sbestfood.com/

Thanks KMLoke. I appreciate your help. We're staying at the Hyatt and are told to go to Tasikamaya and Paragon buildings. Is there any outstanding cuisine on Orchard ? I was only 9 years old the last time (and first time) I visited Singapore, now I'm taking my twelve and fourteen year old teenagers for their first time.

Dax, I'm sure you'll find Singapore has changed dramatically since then.

some recommendations posted previously
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...mai&fid=27

A few of my favourite places at Orchard.

Island Cafe - refreshing interpretations of Asian favourites. Located at 5th floor or Tangs department stall located at Marriotts Hotel. Take the escalator all the way to the top.

Lei Garden - Cantonese cuisine, they have several outlets with 2 at Orchard Road. One is at Orchard Shopping Center and the other at Singapore Shopping Center (next to Somerset MRT exit). Ask the captain for recommendations. If you are brave enough you could give a budget and ask for a menu to be put together.

There's a new restaurant which I haven't tried yet but sounds interesting.
Crystal Jade Golden Palace at Paragon.

http://food.asia1.com.sg/gdfd/res_20051024_001.shtml

If you do eat there you must try the sweetened mashed taro with gingko (called 'Or Nee' in Teowchew dialect) It's something not easy to find even in Teochew restaurants.

There's another Crystal Jade outlet at Takashimaya which serves dim sum.

For something different you could try
mezza9 at the Grand Hyatt itself. It consists of 9 different dining experiences in ONE restaurant. You can mix and match whatever YOU want for the meal. Haven't tried that myself TBH I prefer the food found at the local hawker centres*.

the grill: western grill & rotisserie
sushi: traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi bar
yakitori: yakitori grill
the steam basket: traditional Chinese seafood
the deli: European deli, Thai deli & crustacean bar
the shop: gourmet boutique
the patisserie: desserts
the wine cellar: walk-in wine cellars
the bar: martini & cigar bar

http://restaurants.singapore.hyatt.c...a_cuisine.html

If you love desserts you must try the HongKong desserts found in the building next to Shaw House. Shaw House (where Isetan department store is located) is just across the road from Grand Hyatt. The dessert place is next to it but before the Thai Embassy. Located on the ground level, just walk past Isetan and you should be able to see it.

A useful guide:
http://food.asia1.com.sg/

*My favourites hawker food centers.
1. Food center at Chinatown complex.
2. Maxwell Road Food Center
3. Old Airport Road Food Center.
4. Tiong Bahru Temporary Market And Food Centre (at Kim Pong Road)

Have a great time.

Thanks KMLoke !!
Hopefully you can indulge me with one last question.
What's the cheapest place to buy a Nano Ipod in Singapore? I need to buy a 220 volts (not available in the US) for a gift.

The Nano is in great demand here so the discount won't be very much.

You could check out, their prices are
quite competitive:

http://www.parisilk.com/

You could also check out Mustafa at Little India.

I believe Mustafa or Parisilk can advise if you can get a GST refund when you leave the country.

you could reference for prices (without tax for Bargaincity)

http://www.bargaincity.com.sg/

The Apple site for Singapore. They have a store at Orchard Road.

http://www.apple.com.sg/

The GST refund only applies if you bring the item along when you leave the country.

Thanks again. Just 2 days away from our trip departure. Looking forward to some warm weather.

It's too late now but next time you are in Singapore it is worth it to visit a new French restaurant "Le Pont de Vie" on Waterloo Street 42. The food is great and it's very reasonably priced. Also the ambience and service is great.