The ultimate guide to Bedok

For some seriously good heartlands grub, make for Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre. It houses famous shacks like Song Zhou Fried Carrot Cake’s stall (#01-37). Order the white version of the dish (from $3) – it’s fluffy, comes in a generous portion and has just enough chilli for a decent kick of spice. Hit up Inspirasi (#01-11) for a plate of mee rebus loaded with thick gravy, or Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee Hong Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle's (#01-58) signature curry chicken bee hoon mee (from $4).

Mr Quek Sio Tee has been selling carrot cake since the 1950s. He began frying it back in the kampong with his brother before moving into a hawker centre at Bedok. There, he continues to dish out his signature black and white carrot cake ($4), but his old age and weak knees make it difficult for him to stand behind a stove all day. Luckily, he has a protégé. His daughter, Elenda Quek, left her job as a teacher to continue the family business. And together with her mother and cousins, the family now runs six different hawker stalls, all selling the same carrot cake that the elder Quek used to prepare. 

This humble family-run sweet shop churns out trays of traditional kuehs the old-school way: handmade and crafted with love. Lek Lim started out as a home kitchen in the 60s and has since become famous for its Peranakan delicacies like the ang ku kueh, which are $0.50 a piece. Sink your teeth into the kueh’s sticky, chewy skin that’s loaded with either a mung bean paste or peanut-filled centre.

This Thai joint has outlets across the island, making it a favourite spot for the heartland crowd. Don't expect bells and whistles here – the restaurant interior is simple with its plastic chairs and lack of air conditioning. The menu is extensive and provides delicious dishes that start from $5. Some star dishes include the clear tom yum soup ($6), pad thai ($5), basil chicken rice ($6), and red ruby ($3).

No list of supper haunts in town is completed without this popular alfresco resto. There’s every comfort food you can imagine on the menu that will keep you satisfied till the A.M. – from maggi goreng pattaya ($7.50) to burgers and fries (from $8.90) to Sriracha and honey-glazed chicken wings ($9.50). The Mama Mia Murtabak ($12.90) hits the spot as it oozes an unusual combination of keema, mushroom and cheese. 

Located along Bedok Road is Badoque Café, a restaurant that serves up Asian fusion, Greek and Mediterranean fare. To try on its menu is the beef ribs ($36) that come in generous portions and are served with homemade barbecue sauce. Other dish highlights include the pan-fried salmon with mashed potatoes ($24) and spaghetti with chunks of salmon belly ($22).

Specialising in yakitoris, or grilled meat on skewers, The Burning Oak is a recent addition to Simpang Bedok. Classic skewers such as the Negima (chicken thigh with leeks, $2) and pork shoulder ($2), are claimed to be grilled using Japanese binchotan coals to cook their meats. They also offer specialties such as the curry risotto croquettes ($6.50), Wagyu beef rump cap MBS5 ($12) and Iberico pork cheeks ($12), as well as a rotational menu of premium skewers such as the slow-cooked pork belly ($6) and Wagyu beef short ribs ($6). The Burning Oak also offers lunch options with their bentos sets (from $8).

At Fatcat ice cream bar, all scoops are made from scratch through the use of modern techniques. Choose from its standard, premium and signature flavours like strawberry cheesecake, butterbeer, white peach sangria and watermelon soju. If you're slightly more daring, let the guys at Fatcat surprise you with a mysterious flavour. The menu also includes a selection of waffles, plated desserts and cakes.  

Using Papa Palheta’s beans and Australian Grounded Pleasures’ chocolate syrup, Percolate opened to much less fanfare in the heartland of Bedok brewing coffees (from $3.80) mainly using the Terra Firma blend. But this low-key café is great for caffeine fix beyond kopi. And you don't have it alone. Pair your cuppa with the curry egg mayo croissant ($7) or salted caramel cake ($6) – cakes and pastries are supplied from Jalan Besar French bakery B.A.O (Bakery Artisan Original).

Whether it's an artisan coffee, tea, juice, or cider (we won't judge) you need to start your morning, this new café in Bedok Restaurant will sort you out. Couple your refreshing hand-crafted drink with uncomplicated fare such as savoury waffles ($13.90) and barbecued ribs ($14.90), all served in a light-filled, contemporary space.

If it's cheap bevs you're after, Burp's the place to go. The kitchen and bar has beers like Asahi and Kronenbourg Blanc (from $11) on tap, as well as bottled ones (from $6.50) ready to be cracked open. Wine lovers can unwind with a glass of vino (from $8), or a cocktail (from $9.50) for something fancier. And if you're feeling peckish, order up some bar grub like bangers and mash, pasta, and tacos (from $9). No doubt, a trip to this watering hole in the east will leave you burping.

Sip on some bubbly under a blanket of foliage at this romantic bistro in the east. It doesn't have to be champagne either – One Bistro Wine Bar boasts an extensive boozy menu, ranging from red wine, white wine, house wine, and even promotional wine which sets you back $39 for a bottle of Pierre Jean Merlot or Pierre Jean Colombard Chardonnay. If you're not a vino lover, choose your poison from a selection of beers (from $7) and cocktails (from $14). 

Penny boards, camping gear, inflatable kayaks – with more than 95,000 sports products on display, you’re bound to find something at Decathlon that’ll cater to your fitness needs. The store even lets you test out the equipment. So have a go at swinging (read: gently) some golf clubs or practice your best Steph Curry b-ball moves. Got a bike that needs fixing? The outlet also has a bicycle repair workshop where you can get your two-wheelers sorted.

Crate-diggers, expand your vinyl collection with offerings from this hole-in-the-wall record store in Simpang Bedok. It's been deemed as a music paradise for avid vinyl collectors due to its extensive list of titles – old and new. If you're new to the game, the pros manning the till will help you select your first vintage turntable and throwback records to complete your starter pack. 

Part shopping mall, part housing estate – there’s more to East Village than meets the eye, despite its minuscule scale. Apart from being a hotspot for Halal eateries such as takeaway dessert bar Chulop, this mall is also a goldmine for hijab-wearing fashionistas. It offers a range of trendy Muslimah fashionwear, including scarves, accessories and clothes from local blogshops like Cloud 9 Studio.