Great World
Photograph: Great World
Photograph: Great World

The ultimate guide to the new Great World Singapore

Previously known as Great World City, the revamped mall offers exciting new shops and restaurants for the whole family to enjoy

Fabian Loo
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You might know this mall by its former name: Great World City. But the six-storey lifestyle destination, which opened some 20 years ago, has recently undergone a facelift. Now, Great World is, well, a whole new world after its renovation. The swanky mall welcomes over 70 new tenants to its mix, including Japanese supermarket Meidi-Ya, a picturesque PS.Cafe, and two eco-friendly lifestyle stores. Plus there's the added convenience of a new MRT station slated to be completed in 2021. Planning a trip down to check out this new space? Here’s what you can look forward to.

RECOMMENDED: Guide to Meidi-Ya supermarket in Great World and the ultimate guide to Funan

Eat

  • River Valley

Brought to you by Juan Amador of one-Michelin-starred Alma by Juan Mador fame, dessert chef Hüseyin Turan, and Berlin-based food lab The Science Kitchen, House On The Moon is a novel concept that marries fine-dining with the sweet world of desserts. It brings you beautifully plated desserts ($25) paired with drinks selected by a qualified Sri Lankan tea taster.

  • Korean
  • River Valley

Popular Korean chicken joint, Goobne, opens its very first Singapore outlet in Great World. And despite not using any oil, its chicken still retains the same satisfying crunch you'd expect. It comes coated in sauces like the soy garlic (from $15); Deep Cheese (from $16) with cheddar, cream, and blue cheese powder; or spicy galbi (from $15). If dining in a group with two or more people, opt for the Goobne UFO Fondue ($39) that comes with a melty cheese dip that can coat your crispy chicken.

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  • Peranakan
  • River Valley

After being around for 25 years, homegrown Peranakan restaurant The Blue Ginger is ready for change. It opens a brand new outlet, led by second-generation owner Teo Shi Kai. And he brings with him a modern touch: the space is minimalistic, with whispers of Peranakan decor only noticeable to a keen eye. The menu sees some changes as well. Beyond classics of Babi Pong Tay ($16) and Ayam Buah Keluak ($24), you can also find updated creations like sotong with black nut paste ($22) and one-dish meals of Nonya Noodles ($15) and Kerabu Laksa ($15).

  • River Valley

Explore exclusive spice-scented creations at PS.Cafe at Great World. New dishes at this outlet include a Spice Biryani Salad ($26) tossed with basmati rice, whipped goat’s curd, spiced pumpkin, cauliflower, spinach, and cashews in a honey masala vinaigrette; or the Masala Roast Chicken ($33) with sous-vide chicken with sides of spinach saag and whipped potato. Don't leave without trying the Cinnamon Dipping Fingers ($7) with warm chocolate, or sample the special Burnt Rum & Raisin Cheesecake ($12). 

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  • River Valley

Boutique food store Ryan’s Grocery, which is known for its quality meats and produce, has opened its first café concept in its flagship store here. Diners can now pick from its extensive range of premium meats and freshly made sausages from the retail section, and have the kitchen whip it up for immediate enjoyment. Highlights include the impressive Five Founders Carbon Neutral Certified Beef OP Rib ($148) and Borrowdale Free Range Pork Collar ($28) – both needing only a simple sprinkling of salt and pepper and some time on the grill. Other dishes on the menu include the crispy pork belly nuggets ($12) coated in a gluten-free breading, and the Aussie ‘The Lot’ Burger ($28) made with Ryan Grocery’s inch-thick beef patty, sandwiched between ciabatta buns.

  • Chinese
  • Raffles Place
Ho Fook Hei
Ho Fook Hei

Ho Fook Hei is a casual quick-service eatery serving up plates of soy sauce chicken and other Cantonese delights. Its speciality rose wine soy sauce chicken ($19/half, $35/whole) is brined overnight before it's poached in a braising liquid of soy sauce, herbs and spices with a touch of rose wine added after. It's best paired with a plate of Hong Kong-style egg noodles ($3.80) made especially for the restaurant by a local supplier – piled with plenty of its dry chilli sauce.

Shop

  • Shopping
  • Supermarkets
  • River Valley
Meidi-Ya
Meidi-Ya

Fans of Meidi-Ya need not fret with the impending closure of its Liang Court’s store. It opens a second, albeit smaller, outlet in the basement of Great World. Beyond your favourite Japanese-imported products and produce, you can also drop by the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza, a space dedicated to all things fresh from Hokkaido. Supported by the trade association of the Hokkaido Government, look forward to a range of sweets, yoghurt beverages, and milk flown in directly from the prefecture. It also has food plaza that sells gyoza imported directly from Sapporo, authentic Hokkaido ramen, and rice bento sets.

  • Shopping
  • Supermarkets
  • River Valley
It’s not just Great World that goes by a new name. Anchor tenant Cold Storage has a cool new moniker as well: CS Fresh. And with it, the expansive space – with neat rows of groceries and household products – will also come fitted with a dine-in oyster bar, fresh bakery, and even a curry bar with beef rendang ($9.80) and channa masala ($6.80) to give you more delicious variety.
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  • Shopping
  • River Valley

Australia’s largest zero-waste retailer opens a second outlet in the basement of Great World. Bring your own containers and get in on the green movement as you purchase unpackaged everyday items like flour, grains, detergent, and kombucha on tap. Feeling parched after all that shopping? Bring your own bottle and refill it for free at the water tap in-store.

  • Shopping
  • River Valley

Local specialty food store Ryan’s Grocery opens a flagship outlet in the basement of the mall. Shop choice cuts of meats and eco-friendly produce, which features house-made, nitrate-free hams and sausages, the carbon-neutral Five Founders Natural Australian Beef, and other organic and gluten-free groceries. You can also spot a dry-ageing chamber where you pop in a lump of purchased meat if you so fancy. Hungry? Try the Pick & Grill service at the adjacent Ryan’s Kitchen and have the kitchen whip up the meats you’ve picked straight from the fridge. 

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  • Shopping
  • River Valley

Browse the neat rows of raw and organic whole foods at the flagship outlet of Scoop Wholefoods. Most products are sourced from ethical and sustainable sources, which include nuts, dried fruits, spices, rice, pasta, and tea. Churn your own nut butter in the store, or grab a healthy, freshly baked goodie from its first in-house bakery.

  • Shopping
  • Home decor
  • River Valley

Borrowing from the Danish concept of 'hygge' which encompasses all things cosy and content, Hooga's products aim to bring this warmth into your homes. Find all you need to make your personal space more meaningful and intimate. Shop fuzzy throw blankets, scented candles, pastel-coloured dinner sets, fairy lights, bed linen and more at the new outlet in Great World City. 

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  • Shopping
  • Fashion
  • River Valley

Moving from an online store to having its own offline space, homegrown label Weekend Sundries sets up shop at Great World. Its pieces focus on using weather-appropriate textiles to create stylish pieces that are suitable for our humid climate. Lightweight fabrics are favoured and used to create shift dresses, kimono tops, and other garment pieces. 

Do

  • Things to do
  • River Valley
Exclusive to this GV Grand outlet are ultra-wide luxurious Grand Seats that allows you to recline and watch in comfort. Only 14 of these special seats are available at Hall 6.
  • Health and beauty
  • River Valley

Unwind and relax at local beauty emporium Spa Esprit. Look forward to classic soothing treatments like the express 30-minute Fastdraw Back massage ($80) and delicious Strawberry Butter Meltdown ($220) that’ll leave you smooth all over, to new-age methods like the Super Vibrator ($250) that begins with a personal energy mapping and ends with calming sound healing experience to heal and recharge you from within.

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  • Kids
  • River Valley

The main attraction of this 10,000 square feet jungle-themed indoor playground (from $13) is the 8-metre-high wave slide. There are also obstacle courses and a trampoline area for adventures that will keep the young ones busy. Take a plunge in the Snow Ball Fountain that’s filled with over 25,000 balls, or have fun at the video interactive wall with games and dance videos.

Go mall hopping

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