The Grandstand – Singapore’s Hidden Melting Pot of International Cuisines

The Grandstand can be counted as one of Singapore’s lesser-known jewels. Located along Turf Club Road, this shopping complex that’s off-the-beaten-track houses many scrumptious delights. But no worries on how to get here, as The Grandstand offers daily shuttle bus services to and from different MRT stations.

Apart from being home to a large supermarket and a playground cum entertainment centre for kids, The Grandstand is also home to a variety of international cuisines. There are so many dining options available at The Grandstand, but we have sieved out 8 restaurants where you can have a wonderful meal with friends and family.

Nam Kee JB Handmade Pau

Step back into a time long gone at Nam Kee JB Handmade Pau – the outlet looks like it was taken straight out of a 60’s coffee shop.

The eatery sells traditional steamed goods. On top of the regular varieties such as the Big Pau ($1.80), Char Siew Bao ($0.90), Siew Mai ($0.80) and Glutinous Rice ($2), Nam Kee Pau sells the Amy Yip Pau ($4), which is so big that it is a meal on its own. The hearty pau is filled with half a hard-boiled egg, meat and sliced Chinese sausage.

Besides the likes of steamed buns, Nam Kee also sells filling meals, such as Mee Hoon Kuay ($3.50), Tasty Noodles ($3.50), Crispy Noodles ($3.50) and Pork Porridge ($3.50). What’s interesting about the mee hoon kuay is that every piece is all torn by hand, so you really get that rustic olden-day feel to that bowl of hearty soup. It reminds us of the good old days when grandma would cook us a piping bowl of hot soup or porridge to help cure a cold, or just to cheer us up.

Most of the time when we order noodle or porridge dishes, the hawkers add a raw egg into the soup porridge and let it cook. This sometimes results in overcooked eggs with no flowy yolks. Here at Nam Kee Pau, the eggs are all soft boiled separately so each and every egg added to the dish is guaranteed a runny yolk, which adds so much flavour when broken and stirred in.

On1 Sports Bistro

Opened in October, On1 Sports Bistro is a great place for diners to unwind and chill with loved ones after a long day. The bistro has snooker tables, pool tables and electronic dart machines. The prices for the games range from $2/game for electronic darts to $28 for a 3-hour VIP pool table game during peak hours.

The one-stop entertainment centre offers dining options such as Chicken Chop ($6) and Nan Ru Zha Rou Fan ($4.30), which is pork belly marinated with fermented beancurd before being deep fried. For a healthier option, opt for the Braised Pork Rice ($4.30), which uses lean meat instead of pork belly.

If you live in the vicinity, On1 is also a great place to get supper as the kitchen is opened till 3am from Sundays to Thursdays, and till 5am on Fridays and Saturdays. No more rumbling tummies in the wee hours!

During soccer season, the bistro will broadcast live soccer matches too. On top of that, the bistro is also in the process of getting their license for karaoke services. This space truly has everything!

Curry Gardenn

Yes, we did not misspell Gardenn. Curry Gardenn is named with two N’s at the back for good Vastu Shastra, also known as Indian Feng Shui.

This restaurant prides itself on being free of MSG, artificial flavourings and colourings. Curry Gardenn serves up authentic Northern and Southern Indian cuisine. They have an extensive menu, and even have their own tandoori oven.

Some offerings on the menu include Mangalore Mutton ($14), which sees mutton cooked in a dry Mangalorean style, Aloo Gobhi ($5.50) which consists of potatoes and cauliflower cooked with spices in a thick gravy, as well as Garlic Naan ($2.50), a good staple to soak up the delicious gravy.

The Masala Chicken Special ($9.40), one of their signature dishes, is described succinctly as “Secret Recipe. Guaranteed Taste.” on the menu. The tender chicken meat is cooked in a milky, creamy and spicy masala gravy, which goes well with basmati rice or naan.

For drinks, the restaurant serves freshly tarik-ed Tea ($1.50) with a beautiful layer of foam bubbling on top. Another one of their signature drinks would be the Lime Juice ($2), which is a blend of lime juice and ice. The restaurant uses Indian lime, which is known for its thinner skin and aroma. If you want a unique spicy hint in your drink, try the Pepper Lime Juice ($2.50) which has ground black pepper added for a little kick.

Canteen

Don’t be surprised to see bicycles and scooters being displayed at Canteen. This no-frills restaurant specialises in value-for-money local fare, and also has bicycles and scooters for sale. Because of the décor, it’s aims to be a regular haunt for cycling enthusiasts and group to meet up and discuss about the latest bike models while enjoying a good meal.

Whether you’re coming for the kopitiam-style breakfasts or a quick, fuss-free lunch, Canteen has got you covered with a wide menu that offers a taste of local flavours.

We had the Bryan’s Hainanese Curry Chicken ($8.90), which features a large, fresh chicken thigh cooked in a thick and creamy curry sauce, a sunny side up, as well as a pickled vegetable medley. Owner, Bryan Chew, shared with us that the curry is thickened using potatoes, which also makes the curry much more flavourful. What’s more, the curry is made in small batches to ensure that it is fresh.

Another local delight would be the Horfun with Egg Gravy (Wat Tan Hor) ($6.90). The flat noodles had a strong wok hei flavour, which could only be derived from intense heat and the skills of an experienced chef. The noodles are then drenched with a sweet and savoury egg gravy, filled with fresh prawns, squid, and pork.

Canteen also customizes their own blend of coffee beans, and tea leaves, so don’t forget to give their coffee ($1.50/ hot, $1.80/cold) and tea ($1.50/ hot, $1.80/cold) a go.

MARKT

MARKT isn’t anything like a noisy and rowdy wet market. Diners can look forward to all-day breakfast and sandwiches at this cosy café.

We tried the Papi Cubano ($13.90) sandwich, which features paprika pork belly which has been marinated for 12 hours, slices of honey baked ham, Swiss cheese, jalapenos and a good serving of chipotle mayonnaise.

The French Dip Roast Beef ($13.90) is another great option if you’re craving something beefy. Pair the sandwich, which has layers of caramelised onions, Swiss cheese and sliced roast beef, and the accompanying potato wedges, with the dip on the side.

Kudos to MARKT for wrapping their sandwiches in food-grade wrapping paper. This prevents the sandwich filling from slipping out and making a mess while you bite into it.

If lunch isn’t your thing and you’re coming during tea time, go for the delectable tea time snacks, such as the Pink Lemonade ($8.90) cake and the Honey Milk Tea ($8.90) cake. Pair it with your favourite cuppa – a variety of flavoured lattes ($5.50), as well as hot teas by the Gryphon Tea Company ($5.50).

Keith Crackling Roast

Located in PasarBella@TheGrandstand, Keith Crackling Roast offers a variety of roasted meats for the hungry pork lover.

Although he doesn’t have a culinary degree, Keith has a passion for cooking and roasting. He mastered his roast recipes from many years of travelling, and tasting the different cracklings of the world. He finally managed to find the perfect recipe that was well received by his friends and family, and decided to set up Keith Crackling Roast at PasarBella@TheGrandstand.

Crispy and crunchy skin, a layer of melt-in-the mouth fat, and sweet, tender and juicy meat – what’s not to love?

Being a pioneer tenant in the building, he has built a good number of regular customers that sometimes order his roasts by the slab – great for potlucks or home parties. The crackling slabs ($130/10 pax, $240/25 pax) and honey roast strips ($60/6 pax) have to be ordered 3 days in advance, and can be picked up at the PasarBella@TheGrandstand outlet, or at their central kitchen in Geylang.

Thinking of dining in? The Set 1 Mini Combo ($10.90) is great for solo diners who need a quick lunch. It comes with half a serving of Keith’s signature crackling and honey roast, fragrant rice, and a drink of your choice. To share, or to sate one’s famished tummy, go for the Set 2 Sharing ($18.50), which comes with a serving of crackling, a serving of honey roast, 2 sides (fragrant rice and garlic mash) and a drink.

E-Sarn Thai

There is always something about food that’s cooked by the older generation. At E-Sarn Thai Cuisine, the recipes are all formulated by 63-year old Khun Neng, the chef-owner of the restaurant.

Hailing from Bangkok, Khun Neng has lived in Singapore for over 40 years. She started out as a hawker over 20 years ago at Empress Market selling authentic Thai cuisine. Her signature dish was the Thai beef noodle, which is still on E-Sarn’s menu.

The self-taught chef said that her recipes were not passed down from her family. They were the result of her experimentation after extensive reading of cookbooks.

We tried the Tang Hoon Claypot Prawns ($17.50 or $24.50). The prawns were seasoned with pepper and coriander root, which gave them a unique flavour, and the tang hoon was flavourful, smoky and full of wok hei.

No Thai meal is complete without Tom Yum ($9.50 or $15.50) soup. There are three versions available – chicken, prawn or seafood (for prawn and seafood, add $1).

At E-Sarn, everything is made to order, hence it is possible to request for healthier options – less salt, sugar or more vegetables.

Kuro Kin Japanese Dining

Apart from your regular sushi and sashimi, Kuro Kin Japanese Dining specialises in beef. They have beef from different Japanese prefectures. Diners can select the beef variety they desire and have it cooked just the way they like it.

The A4 Tochigi Wagyu Striploin ($6.80/10g), cooked in yaki style, looks as amazing as it sounds. Succulent and tender pieces of beef are placed on a dried hoba leaf, which laps on a grill atop a charcoal hot plate. The leaf adds its own charred fragrance to the beef which helps to enhance its flavourt. Served with a side of red miso and beef crackling, this dish spells luxury and grandeur for anyone.

Although the Uni Ikura Don ($28/small, $48/regular) isn’t on the menu yet, guests can get a taste of it when they order the Omakase set. Psst, you can also get it if you ask for special recommendations from the chef! The dish comprises creamy uni and salmon roe sitting on top of a bed of Japanese sushi rice that is mixed with furikage and truffle oil. Other than tasting exceptional, the dish looks the part of an edible art piece.

Kuro Kin Japanese Dining also has affordable Japanese set lunches for everyone’s much needed Japanese cuisine fix. Prices range from $16.90 for the Tori Teriyaki to $45.90 for the Uni Ikura Don. All set lunches come with a serving of rice, miso soup, and additional side dishes that may vary.

The Grandstand is a melting pot of international flavours. There are so many restaurants, cafes and bistros here. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal, a venue to host a family gathering, or simply a place to hang out with loved ones, The Grandstand has you covered.

Remember that The Grandstand offers free shuttle services for the convenience of guests. The pickup points are conveniently located near MRT stations (Botanic Gardens, Sixth Avenue and Clementi), and even pass by schools (UniSIM). Time to visit? We think so!

How to Get To The Grandstand:

By Public Transport:
Bus Stops: B42019 Opposite Sixth Avenue Station or B42029 After Swiss Club Rd
Public Buses: 66, 67, 74, 151, 154, 156, 157, 170, 171, 174, 852, 961

Directions to walk from bus stop to The Grandstand:
1) Alight at bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue Station and walk along Turf Club Road.
2) Alight at bus stop after Swiss Club Road and walk along Swiss Club Road.

MRT: Sixth Avenue Station
Directions to walk from MRT to The Grandstand: Alight at Sixth Avenue Station (Exit B) and walk along Turf Club Road

By Car:
From the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), take the Eng Neo Ave Exit (Exit 22). Turn right onto Vanda Link. If coming by Bukit Timah Road, turn right onto Turf Club Road. If coming by Dunearn Road, turn left onto Turf Club Road.

Over 3,800 FREE car park lots at The Grandstand – Main Car Park, North Car Park and South Car Park.

By Shuttle Bus:
Please visit http://thegrandstand.com.sg/getting-here/ for shuttle bus timings and pick up /drop off information.

This post was brought to you by The Grandstand.