The ultimate guide to Jurong

Not to be confused with Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, this beloved food centre offers a huge variety of local favourites with perpetual queues testifying to their quality. Start the morning right at popular porridge stall Xiang Ji Cooked Food, or go for a classic Singaporean lunch at Hup Hong Chicken Rice. There’s also Heng Heng Cooked Food Laksa for a more fiery meal, and Taste Min Jiang Kueh for a perfect late afternoon snack.

Do not be fooled by the interior of this zen-like Japanese teahouse. The menu at this café is, in fact, largely dedicated to espresso-based brews. After all, this tranquil hideout, located in an industrial building at Jurong, is opened by Suzuki Gourmet Coffee, one of the oldest roastery on the island that has been around since 1979.

The expansive compound is a temple to the bean: Mural-splashed buildings house a factory and warehouse that roast, grind, pack, and store coffee from around the world. While Suzuki Gourmet Coffee supplies to other commercial businesses and retails a selection of its exclusive brands online, those hoping to sample a freshly pulled cuppa can make the pilgrimage to its on-site café.

Climb up to the second storey, push open a latticed sliding door, and enter a wood-clad space reminiscent of a chashitsu or traditional tearoom. Adding to its quiet allure are soothing details of bonsai plants and shishi-odoshi, a bamboo water fixture commonly found in Japanese gardens.

Come thirsty but not hungry; the drinks-only menu features a lean selection that shines the spotlight on aromatic brews. The pager on filter coffee might see options of a medium-roast blend from Costa Rica Aquiares Estate ($7.50) or light-roasted Yemen Mocha Matari ($9.50).

More approachable options are also available, including flat white ($8) and cappuccino ($8). Also worth a try: the seasonal yuzu summer fizz ($8), a refreshing, bittersweet blend of citrus and espresso.

Non-coffee drinks can also enjoy a beverage here; the waitstaff explains that tea-based drinks are equally popular. Of the four to choose from, get the creamy hojicha Hokkaido anmitsu latte ($10), suffused with toasty notes in every sip. Another sweet perk: while Hokkaido milk is the default option used in all the drinks, Suzuki Gourmet Coffee provides the option of switching to Japanese soy milk at no extra cost.

Built in 1971, Taman Jurong Market & Hawker Centre is believed to be the pioneering hawker centre in Singapore. This West-side gem is an oldie but a goodie, with must-try options including De Ji Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle for one of the tastiest soy sauce chicken dishes you can get in Singapore; Tien Lai Rice Stall for amazing char siew; Sikkander’s Briyani for affordable and fuss-free hawker pleasure; and ButterNut for a more modern, healthy option.  

Come to Block 303 in Jurong East for some satisfying bowls of Peranakan-style curry. The Bukit Merah outlet clinched the Michelin Bib Gourmand award, and the one in Jurong is just as good. This fuss-free joint has typical options like curry fish head ($36), curry chicken drumstick ($6) and curry mutton ($6.50). The meat is always tender and the gravy is spicier than usual - perfect for those who crave more of a kick.

Contrary to its name, Zai Shun Curry Fish Head is actually more popular for its steamed fish and Teochew porridge. Pick from a wide selection of farmed and wild-caught fish, including red grouper and pomfret as well as rarer species like the empurau. The fish is steamed for you in Teochew or Cantonese style in a secret sauce that perfectly complements the delicate flesh of the fish. To complement your porridge, don’t miss out on standout dishes like bittergourd with eggs, braised pork belly, salted egg minced meat and fish cake.

Those craving for Western fare should check out The Carving Board, an affordable grill restaurant in the heart of Jurong East’s residential estates. You can expect to find relatively upmarket and well-executed menu items here, including striploin steak ($23), pork steak ($16), mushroom risotto ($15) and a slew of pasta options. For a little treat, check out their small selection of craft beers and ciders going at $10 a pop.

Dessert fiends who delight in discovering new and innovative creations should definitely check out MadlyGood at JCube. This cosy spot serves up a selection of sweet and savoury waffles, crepes, artisanal gelato, and other baked goods which taste just as good as they look. We were pleasantly surprised by some of their creations such as the Pistachio Cream Croffles ($16.50 for 4), made with homemade pistachio cream, pistachio meal and pistachio kernels. For the uninitiated, a croffle is a genius mash-up of a croissant and a waffle, offering the a crisp exterior and a light and airy interior. Other flavours to try include the Biscoff Croffles ($13.50 for 4), topped with speculoos sauce and generously dusted with biscoff crumbs. Order some gelato to go with your waffles or croffles, the Dark Chocolate with Oat Milk and Nutella Bomb are perfect for chocolate lovers, while the Mixed Berries sorbet is bright and refreshing, great for beating the afternoon heat. 

Free-flow water, power points under the tables and stable Internet – this neighbourhood café has all you need for a quiet study session or a lazy afternoon. Hot mains are easy on the wallet too, with pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and sides going for less than $15. To satisfy a sweet tooth, opt for the café’s Instagram-worthy rainbow cake or lemon meringue tart.

Save on that Euro trip and dine closer to home. Tuck into a mosaic of European street food at this Halal-certified resto set in a cosy, industrial setting. Meat lovers will enjoy the juicy Lamb Rib Confit with Honey BBQ Glaze ($29.50), and the 250g USDA Black Angus Ribeye ($34) For those who prefer seafood options, the signature seafood cataplana linguine ($17.80) is a must-try. Pro tip: order your pasta with chilli padi like a true Singaporean for that extra kick.  

Easily spotted by its snaking long queues, this nasi lemak stall is a strong contender for the best in the country and it’s worth the wait. From $5, you get a power-packed plate with your choice of meat – fried chicken, fish, otah and more – and a generous mound of fragrant coconut rice as well as a dollop of sambal that’s both sweet and spicy. It’s also one of the few stalls in the area that’s open till late – 3.30am to be exact.

If you're looking for a place where you can shop gourmet groceries, pick up fresh flowers and then settle down for coffee and brunch – and also bring your dog – well, you have to make your way to Jurong to the idyllic lifestyle destination Surrey Hills Grocer. The name of the place is an ode to two places in Australia – the leafy Eastern suburb in Melbourne and the vibrant inner-city suburb of Surry Hills in Sydney which is known for its hip café culture. And this spot in Jurong is also very much inspired by those two places in Australia. You'll see this in the rustic and warm decor and atmosphere in the store from the moment you enter.

Grocery shopping is not just a chore here as the space invites you to slow down, enjoy and relax in the experience. Most of the produce and products you will find are Australian-made and grown. Shop the likes of Rich Glen Olive Oil, a family-owned business that produces olive-oil-based food and also has its own skincare range and Koko Black, a popular Australian chocolate brand.  

Over at the bistro, you are encouraged to honour every farmer that has worked hard to contribute to your dish. Find pasta dishes, sandwiches, burgers and also croffles – grub that is family friendly. Coffee snobs, you'll be glad to know that they serve Proud Mary coffee here – a well-regarded name in the excellent Melbourne café scene.

If you’ve never bought fresh produce from a wholesale market, a visit to Jurong Fishery Port will be quite an experience. The best time to visit to get hold of some of the freshest fish and seafood like prawns and crabs,would be just after midnight on a Friday (wee hours of Saturday morning). Don’t expect cheap prices unless you are buying in bulk. Also, most of the fish would be snapped up after 4am, so try to visit early. Take note to wear non slippery footwear as the floors can get really wet. 

Easily one of the largest regional shopping malls in Jurong, boasting over 450 retail, food and beverage outlets, Jurong Point has possibly everything you’ll need and more under one roof. Some of the tenants include popular F&B outlets like Din Tai Fung and Starbucks, and leading electronics department stores such as Courts and Harvey Norman. There is also a supermarket, gym, cinema, bank and childcare housed within the mall, making it an ideal one-stop destination for residents living in the area. 

Go crazy at Singapore’s largest outlet mall, where you can find more than 90 outlet stores offering up to 80 percent discounts all year round. Take the link bridge from JEM and Westgate to get to IMM, and shop up a storm without breaking the bank at outlet stores like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Onitsuka Tiger and Timberland. 

Rivalling the malls along Orchard Road, JEM is the third largest suburban shopping centre in the city. It houses various stores from fashion and beauty to tech and homeware across six levels. Today, it boasts the largest Don Don Donki in Singapore, with two whole levels offering hot Japanese food, plenty of fresh produce, snacks and lifestyle and beauty products. With retail options like H&M, Uniqlo, Love Bonito, Muji and even Fairprice Xtra for last-minute grocery shopping, there’s no need to go anywhere else.

Westgate completes the trio of mega malls in Jurong, with a character all of its own. This naturally ventilated space is lush, tropical and laidback, with hip retail stores like The Editor’s Market, Freda’D and Aesop. Of course, the food options at Westgate will also leave you spoilt for choice ­– standouts include Ippudo, Honolulu Café, Lady M and at least four major bubble tea chains.

Brotzeit at Westgate is a charming spot for casual drinks, sporting a breezy, open-air concept with widely-spaced seating and a welcoming bar. Start off with some pork skin cracklings ($6), fried to crispy perfection, or some air-dried pork sausage and Emmental cheese platter ($10), or dive right into the drinks menu to sample their wide variety of wheat beers and lagers. We love the Radeberger Pilsner for its crisp and balanced taste. Happy hour runs on weekdays until 6pm.

Situated off Yuan Ching Road is a mini lifestyle destination complete with bowling alleys, karaoke bars, and a MacDonald’s drive-through within walking distance of each other. Devil’s Hideout is holed away here, and its laid-back vibe is great for an unpretentious nightcap in the neighbourhood. Jurong residents frequent this place for its darts machines and affordable drinks – there’s Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc, Sapporo and Carlsberg on the menu, available in pints or towers.