Rain or shine, the eating must continue. Eatbox, a popular street festival in Singapore, has returned this year as a permanent indoor concept – a massive food hall that spans across two storeys. Come hungry, and look forward to filling the belly with unique grub from some 18 different stores.
While the new address comes conspicuously lacking in buzzy vibes from the older editions of similar outdoor events we’ve been to Art Box, Shilin Night Market), it comes replaced with convenience and comfort instead: the place is located adjacent to Rochor MRT station, with air-conditioning and most importantly, neon-lit wall decors that act as fodder for Instagram content.
The food remains the highlight at Eatbox; novel concepts range from mookata for one to jazzed up local desserts. Join the queues at Satay Ummi, opened by local actress Lydia Izzati. The brand first gained a following for its signature pan-fried satay (from $8), which comes with juicier, heartier bites of meat. As part of its first offline store at Eatbox, Satay Ummi has also introduced a version of homemade nasi lemak ($5), complete with fix-ins of fluffy coconut rice, freshly fried chicken, and sweet sambal. Or swing by the popular Haengbok Cakeyo storefront to pick up adorably decorated Korean-inspired desserts: character macarons on a stick ($12.80), over-stuffed ‘fatcarons’ ($19.80), or delightfully dainty floral bento cakes (18.80).
Missing the night markets in Thailand? Sample a taste of their street food at Thachang Shaker Bar, a DIY noodle concept that loads all the ingredients and tom yum sauce into a plastic cup (from $3.50). To enjoy, give everything a vigorous shake and slurp up the piquant, spice-tinged mixture. Enjoy a solo mookata set at Chickata ($10.90), served in an adorable mini-sized grill, then beat the heat with Thai-style drinks and dessert of Thai milk tea shaved ice ($5.80) from Ice On You.
Or sample regional flavours from Hui Mama Kitchen, which specialises in Vietnamese-style sticky rice topped with pork and chicken ($8). Sink your teeth into some freshly made banh mi ($6.90) from B Ly’s, and get massive rice sandwiches, filled with tempura, egg, and spam ($5.90), from Okinawa Onigiri.
For those with a sweet tooth, grab a bottled brew from Ethos, with special finds of orange cold brew ($7) and rose-scented latte ($7) packed in sleek glass bottles. Tenft stuffs the usual crispy dough fritters, or you tiao, with a middle of chewy muah chee, topped with Biscoff spread and crumbs ($6.90) for a fun-to-eat snack. Come evenings, Happy Hops will also serve up freshly pulled pints of beer and finger food.