The ultimate guide to Aljunied

History buffs who are keen on learning more about Singapore's history should make a trip down to the former Queen's Theatre. Officially opened in 1930, the building was known before as Wembley Cinema and then Ritz Cinema, only taking on its current name in 1930. The Queen's Theatre was converted to stage traditional Malay operas during World War II when movies were banned and resumed screening top films after the war. In the early 1980s, the movie business dwindled drastically due to stiff competition from TV and videotapes – leading to the theatre closing its doors in 1982. Today, the front facade of the Former Queen's Theater is preserved as a standing testament to history. 

If you are into culture and heritage, you have to organise a visit to Foo Hai Ch’an Monastery, touted as one of the most stunning Buddhist monasteries in Singapore. It was founded in 1935 by Taiwan-born and Japan-ordained venerable Hong Zong who popularised Buddhism in Singapore. The monastery is truly an architectural marvel to behold, home to statues, Bodhi trees and Buddha relics that are of religious significance. Some notable structures to look out for include the two vajra warriors also known as General Heng and Ha, situated at the main entrance; and the spectacular 9.9m tall statue of bodhisattva Guanyin (a deity who has attained the highest level of enlightenment). Don’t miss the five-story pagoda, featuring decorated statues of Buddha in various styles.

After your visit to Foo Hai Chi’an Monastery, make a pit stop at Sri Shivan Temple, located just a stone’s throw away. A place of worship for the god Shiva (a deity known as the master of fertility, poison and medicine), the 173-year-old temple was originally located in Potong Pasir from where it was moved three more times before settling in its present location in front of Paya Lebar MRT station. Designed by a group of renowned North and South Indian architects, the temple is built from thousands of pieces of hand-carved marble and limestone and features intricate hand-carved details on its dome-like ceiling. Apart from its magnificent architecture, there is plenty more to see and discover within the temple – you’ll find ancient wisdom of Hinduism represented through an array of paintings and traditional artworks.

Traditional bakers are few and far between in Singapore, so Hung Huat Cakes and Pastries is a real gem. Tucked away in Sims Vista Hawker Centre, the shop offers handcrafted treats like tau sar piah, sun cake, lao po bing (wife cake), and more. Notable favourites include the tau sa piar, featuring generous portions of either sweet or salted mung bean filling; as well as the Teochew crispy yam mooncake, featuring smooth and fragrant yam paste made from scratch wrapped in a layered and flaky crust. 

If you’re craving a hearty seafood feast, Penang Seafood Restaurant is the place to be. Conveniently located opposite Aljunied MRT station, it offers an extensive selection of fresh seafood at pocket-friendly prices. Crabs are a must-have when you are here, available in a selection of flavours including chilli, white pepper and salted egg. We love the establishment’s classic chilli crab, featuring a good balance of sweet and tangy flavours coupled with a spicy kick. Another crowd favourite is the drunken sauna live prawns, comprising jumbo tiger prawns cooked using hot stones and served in a wooden bucket. Fresh, succulent and sweet with a hint of herbal flavour, the prawns are always cooked to perfection. The establishment’s Penang dishes are equally impressive, especially the assam laksa, boasting a broth that has been simmered for over four hours with fish and a bunch of fresh vegetables. 

Casual, fun and delicious, The Skewer Bar is all of that and more, serving a wide selection of quality yakitori, skewers and seafood, grilled to perfection. There are over 20 types of skewers to choose from, grouped under meat, seafood and vegetable. Some popular picks include the handmade meatball, lamb, bacon-wrapped lychee, kimchi rice cake, fresh prawn, scallop, unagi and shishamo. If you enjoy innards, the chicken heart and chicken gizzard are a must-try, offering great flavours and a nice bite. When you’re ready to move on to your mains, the whole seabass with homemade chilli and the grilled Japanese squid are excellent choices that are best enjoyed with a side of plain Japanese rice. If you need more protein, we highly recommend the otah tamago ($6) and the grilled US bone-in pork tomahawk ($17) which are great for sharing. Wash it all down with some beer, sake or sochu.

Launched by duo Vincent Tay and Dale Thia, Wunderfolks started out as a home-based business after the circuit breaker in 2020, offering impeccable homemade tarts that taste as good as they look. Since then, the business has grown to include four stores islandwide and an expanded menu of pastries including viennoiseries, croissants, choux and other seasonal bakes.

All their tarts are handmade from scratch, resulting in a scrumptious golden-brown crusted tart that features a beautiful crumbly texture and buttery flavour. Try their best seller, the mixed fruit tart ($45), filled with creme patissiere and topped with peach slices, grapes, strawberries and blueberries. If you can’t decide between the chocolate or fruit tart, go for the signature duo flavour ($45), offering the best of both – half fruit and half chocolate.