Have you guys ever seen the murals in Tiong Bahru? These are beautiful and colourful artworks painted on the walls of the housing estates by local artists. Last Saturday, I brought my wife and Kayden out for a photography trail in Tiong Bahru. This trail is also part of the Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail. My bag is packed with a bottle of water, cameras fully charge, an umbrella and caps to block our eyes off the glaring morning sun. We are now ready to set off!
Took a train to Tiong Bahru, we walked along the Tiong Bahru Road and pass the Central Green Condominium and Kim Tian Road. Our stroll took us about 10 minutes to reach our first wall mural sighting, which is located at Block 28 where the Singapore Post Tiong Bahru is. Here we saw the painted giant goldfish, awaiting for it’s fish pellets. It looks hungry, isn’t it?
When Kayden saw the goldfish, he exclaimed, “Aiyo, what a big fish! Please wait. I want to take picture.” Walking straight into the walkway of Block 28, we caught a cat enjoying it’s peaceful morning. For us, it was a quiet and relaxed Saturday morning walk.
Tiong Bahru Murals By Yip Yew Chong
The following three murals we are going to visit are painted by Yip Yew Chong, an accountant who is passionate about art. Calling this mural “Home” located at Block 73, this artwork is well hidden away from any passerby. We walked around Block 73 and finally, we found it! This painting depicts the interior furnishing of the olden days, probably back in the 1970s to 1980s. I used to have the round shaped sofa, made of rattan, back in my younger days.
During the middle of our photography trail adventure, Kayden showed us his expression of “Can you carry me please?” Here comes my duty.
At the back of Block 73 of Eng Watt Street and Block 72 of Seng Poh Road, there is a lovely wall mural named “Streets”. This mural describes the lifestyle of our grandparents, the lives of the road side food hawkers and fortune tellers back in the 1970s. Tasty Ang Ku Kueh anyone?
The last mural we visited in Tiong Bahru is called “Birds“. This wall painting describes the lives of uncles sitting down and enjoying the sounds of chirping birds. I almost forgot about their favorite kopi and kaya toasts.
Tiong Bahru Food Center
The day was hot and humid with glaring sun. To refresh ourselves and fill up our energy levels, we headed down to Tiong Bahru Food Center, located at level 2. Level 1 is the Tiong Bahru fresh market. Here is where we can get tasty local food and refreshing drinks. Upon reaching the food center, my first mission was to look for fresh sugarcane juice with squeezed lemons. Once I found the drink stall, my request was, “Uncle, two large cups of cold sugarcane juice with lemons.” It was totally rejuvenating.
Have you tried the Tau Kwa Pok in this food center? Grilled over charcoal till crispy, these fried beancurds are stuffed with cucumber and bean sprouts. After that, these stuffed firm tofu are sliced and topped with finely grinded peanuts. You can get a plate of Tau Kwa Pok ($3.50) from Tow Kwar Pop food stall #02-06.
When grass jelly is poured into a cup of soya bean milk, you will get a cup of Yuan Yang ($2.00) at Long Ji Soya Bean Bean Curd stall (#02-63). Did you know that the owner of this drink stall, Mr Phua, was a National Wu Shu coach?
Finally, Kayden got his favorite bak chang, or dumplings, from Joo Chiat Kim Choo at #02-49. The dumplings are priced $1.40 to $1.80 for mini dumplings and $2.70 to $3.50 for usual sized dumplings. We had our Salted Dumplings with Salted Egg ($3.50) and Salted Dumpling ($2.70). Remember to have them steamy hot!
We ended our day tired but fun. Those mesmerizing murals reflects a lot about our Singapore community and the hawker food we had are simply delicious. If you have yet to visit Tiong Bahru, do drop by this town and enjoy the beauty of it.
Address of my review
Tiong Bahru Market
30 Seng Poh Road
Singapore 168898
