UB3 Bistro
Photograph: UB3 Bistro
Photograph: UB3 Bistro

The ultimate guide to Ubi

Known for its automobile shops, Kampong Ubi is now home to some amiable craft beers, rare cuisine, and offbeat activities. By Hazel Tang

Cheryl Sekkappan
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On the map, Kampong Ubi is an asymmetrical four-sided figure ensconced by two expressways. Historically, the verdant oasis was once a Malay village, thriving with tapioca plantations and a cornucopia of vegetation.

It's no coincidence that the area bears the name "Ubi," which translates to tapioca in Malay with the neighbouring lanes and byways being named after various greens, like jalan kobis (cabbage) and jalan bayam (spinach) before its redevelopment in the 1980s.

Today, Kampong Ubi is a bustling hub of light industry, with sleek HDB blocks orbiting the Ubi MRT station. While the area remains rife with automobile showrooms and workshops, don't be fooled - it's teeming with little-explored treasures just waiting to be unearthed.

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DO

  • Art
  • Geylang

The first and only art gallery in Singapore that allows visitors to rent fine paintings, Artualize is the brainchild of former accountant Low Sok Leng, who inherited her late father’s life collection of more than a thousand paintings. To continue his legacy and two decades of artistic dream, Sok Leng decided to democratise the assemblage by making them available to everyone.

With prices starting at just $96 per month, anyone can indulge in the beauty of over 60 scenic oil-on-paper works, all of which come with a cover and a guarantee of awe-inspiring ambience. On top of rental, Artualize helps cultivate budding collectors by providing access to a wide range of artists and mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolour, Chinese ink, and even NFTs. With the support of her late father’s artistic friends, Sok Leng also hosts regular exhibitions and art appreciation workshops to teach others to care, curate, frame, and display their personal collections. 

  • Things to do
  • Classes and workshops
  • Geylang

10 years ago, a ragtag group of do-gooders decided to gather to do their part to protect the environment and promote good health. Their weapon of choice? Cold press soaps and skincare products that are handcrafted using natural, plant-based ingredients, free of palm oil, harmful chemicals, and animal testing. The group share their knowledge through workshops, where participants not only learn to make bar and/or liquid soap from scratch. They can also shop for raw ingredients, mould, and use DIY kits to make special skin-care and bathing products they can call their own. A two-hour-long introductory soap-making lesson starts at $120. 

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  • Things to do
  • Classes and workshops
  • Geylang

If you are tired of the same old routine, Build-A-Brick Studio has the answer to the age-old question of “what should we do this weekend?” And it’s not another trip to the shopping mall. The largest experiential pouring art space in Singapore wants your creativity to run wild. With options like building your own Bearskin, resin coaster, and more, you’ll be sure to bring home a unique masterpiece that will make your friends jealous.

Participants are offered a choice of either a 23cm (starting from $70) or a 33cm Bearskin (starting from $80) which they can freely decorate in 1.5 hours and bring home thereafter. There is also a Bearskin and Coster combo, starting at $88, that makes you wonder, “Why settle for a boring weekend when you can make some memories that will last a lifetime?" 

EAT

  • Cafés
  • Geylang

Nestled in the chic lobby of Aspial One, Parched is set up to tame your craving for a cup of specialty coffee to kick start the day. Brought to you by the same team behind the pet-friendly Sun Ray café in Serangoon Gardens, they roast their coffee beans in-house for an aromatic taste. The best part? A hot cuppa starts at just $3. 

Meanwhile, non-coffee drinkers can opt to savour a selection of Oolong, black, and green teas, as well as heavenly chocolate and matcha or hojicha lattes. To satisfy your hunger pangs, try Parched’s range of delicious sandwiches, artisanal tarts, and Swiss rolls. Take a seat by large, panoramic windows for the perfect atmosphere to enjoy quality tea, light bites, and a bit of people-watching too.

  • Geylang

The family-owned and operated Lee Do Restaurant has been a bastion of Fuzhou (Hockchew) cuisine since 1964, a rarity in Singapore's bustling food scene. Initially tucked away in a (now demolished) HDB coffeeshop off Bendemeer Road, it has upgraded to a restaurant found in a swanky automobile shop in the heart of Ubi.

Lee Do was born out of the late Mr. Tan Seng Eng’s culinary passion and is famed as the pioneer of cold crab, a Fuzhou delicacy. The restaurant’s other signature dishes include red wine chicken soup, a savoury and warming concoction made from fermented rice and red lees; fried pig's liver, and fish ball with meat fillings soup typically reserved for special occasions.

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  • Geylang

With its contemporary ambience and cool vibe, UB3 caters to culinary whims with a hankering for bold and flavorful fare. Specialising in Creole and Cajun cuisines, suffused with the elements of French, African, Chinese, and Indian food, plus a vast selection of fresh Asian craft beers on tap, it’s hard to imagine such a hip bistro is nestled off the beaten track.

Be prepared to excite the palate with some grilled pimentos ($14), the gloriously fried Colossal Blooming Onion ($13), and mouth-watering baked pies. UB3’s tagline “You Be Free” cheers guests on to let their spirit soar, dance to their content, and of course, join in a culinary journey like no other. 

  • Vietnamese
  • Geylang

Miss Bò Né may appear unremarkable at first glance but take a closer look and one will discover a hidden gem in an everyday neighbourhood coffeeshop that fuses the best of Western cuisine with a Vietnamese flair.

Its specialty - Bò Né – a tantalisingly rare dish in Singapore - pairs succulent slices of beef with chicken liver pâté atop a sizzling hot plate alongside a sunny-side-up, crusty French baguette, and some tangy pickle garnish ($10.90). The stall also offers a tempting array of other Western favourites, from juicy rib-eye steaks to savoury pasta dishes and crispy chicken chops, all lovingly prepared to order. 

DRINK

  • Geylang

It all began with its founder Hong Han, a former accountant who was “intoxicated” by the boundless creativity and unique flavours of the American craft beer scene. The discovery soon turned into a love affair that consumed his weekends, leading him to explore over 100 breweries of various styles across the US. Eventually, Hong Han decided to ditch his corporate life, come back to Singapore, and build Pink Blossoms from scratch.

The microbrewery has several flagship beers and other seasonal flavours. The more notable ones include “Lean On Me”, a citrusy New England Pale Ale, and “Hundred Years”, a milky stout with an unmistakable scent of rich cocoa. For those who can’t make it all the way here, the Pink Blossoms beer truck occasionally rolls into town to bring its brews closer to the people. By Hazel Tang

  • Sushi
  • Geylang
  • price 2 of 4

This is a sprawling oasis in the industrial heartland of Ubi. It has three dining concepts – Man Man Unagi, Ramen Hitoyoshi, and Tora Tora – all in the same location, serving Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand grilled eel bento, tangy noodles served in an unusually creamy tonkotsu broth, and izakaya dishes and sashimi that pair perfectly with its extensive selection of sake and beer.

For those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, the alfresco area offers a more relaxed atmosphere with ample space to stretch your legs. If air-conditioned comfort is more your style, be warned that it may get a bit noisy indoors. Nonetheless, one will be treated to a mesmerising view of the food being prepared in the semi-open kitchen, with the unagi grilling station being a particular highlight.

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  • Geylang

Named after the supposed “best day of the week”, Saturday House used to be a popular brunch spot tucked in one of the shophouses along Upper Paya Lebar Road. Today, it’s a perfect hangout spot that exudes a relaxed and inviting vibe the moment you enter. 

Those in search of a drink can choose from its Sapporo on tap or selection of beers, wines, cocktails and liquors. Pair with something crispy and indulgent, like the bacon cheese mushrooms ($10). These lightly battered morsels of mushroom are stuffed to the brim with bacon bits, delivering a satisfying crunch with every bite. 

SHOP

  • Tea rooms
  • Geylang

A brand that's all about celebrating the ancient and artistic practice of tea-making, The Tea Crafters offers custom blends for any occasion – be it a wedding, everyday pantry refill, or just a thoughtful gift for a loved one. Its team of certified tea blenders promise that each sip of its artisanal and oriental blends is a true pleasure for the senses as they source only the finest, hand-picked tea leaves from reputable farms in India, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, South Africa, and Taiwan.

Whether you're a tea connoisseur or just someone who appreciates a good cuppa, The Tea Crafters has a way for you to enjoy an exquisite and enriching tea experience. A classic gift set starts at $30. An artisanal tea blending workshop for one pax starts at $45. 

  • Shopping
  • Geylang

Purveyor of the finest quality kick scooters in town, Decks & Scooters takes pride in hand-picking every item in their inventory – kick scooters, skateboards, gear, and accessories - based on the team’s own extensive experience as riders and their unyielding commitment to design and quality.

Whether you're a novice or seasoned on the road, the staff here will gladly regale you with their wealth of knowledge and help you select the perfect match for your needs. While this may not be a place for a bargain, its value is definitely assured, as the store pledges not to put up something for sale that they are not proud to use themselves. 

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  • Shopping
  • Home decor
  • Geylang

In the quest to make her child’s room a little bit more special, Singaporean mother Stacey Png stumbled upon a shocking revelation: the children's furniture market in the region was severely lacking in style and quality. Undeterred, she set out to fill this void by founding Piccolo House - a haven of elegant and sturdy furnishings that cater to the discerning tastes of both the young and young at heart.

The flagship store in Ubi Technopark is a treasure trove of children's furniture that is sourced from all corners of the world, coming in top-notch craftsmanship, comfort, and style, all available at affordable prices. From intricately crafted solid wood pieces to playful peel-off wall decals and cosy cushions, even the most demanding children (or parents) will find the accoutrements necessary to transform their humdrum rooms into magical retreats. 

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