Exploring Lavender: A Journey Through Heritage, Food, and Culture

Lavender is more than just a place to go to get your passport renewed; it’s a destination that encapsulates Singapore’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. From the Michelin-starred Tai Hwa Pork Noodles to the Chye Seng Huat Hardware café that holds an interesting history, and the bustling shopping hub Mustafa Centre, Lavender invites visitors to explore and immerse themselves in its charm.

Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or simply seeking a unique experience, Lavender offers something special for everyone.

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles

First on the list is the legendary Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles, a one-Michelin-star establishment renowned for its authentic flavours, high customisability, and generous quantity. Just a short walk from Lavender MRT station, this humble yet celebrated stall serves bowls of minced pork noodles, otherwise known as Bak Chor Mee in the Hokkien dialect, that have captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Attracting people from all over to queue for a taste of their Bak Chor Mee..

Be sure to come during off-peak hours (3pm to 4:30pm) if you want to avoid the long queue. When we finally got to eat our noodles, we all devoured them in a flash. Tai Hwa Pork Noodles has a long history, dating back to 1932, developing not only culinary skills but building rapport with its regular customers too, which has made it a one of a kind Bak Chor Mee stall.

Chye Seng Huat Hardware Café

Next up, we headed to Chye Seng Huat Hardware Café, a gem for coffee lovers. Tucked away in a restored hardware store, this café combines heritage with modern aesthetics. The interior boasts a unique industrial-chic design, paying tribute to its beginnings before it was turned into a cafe. Chye Seng Huat Hardware Cafe serves expertly brewed coffee from its coffee bar. Indulging in a cup of coffee, we could taste the freshness and enjoy the aroma you could only get from right after roasting and brewing the beans, which was done in the cafe’s dedicated roaster room. Apart from their coffee, they serve all-day mains, desserts, and snacks such as pasta, fries and chocolate tarts. 

Mustafa Centre

Our final destination was the iconic Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour shopping haven that closed due to covid-19 and only recently returned to operating 24 hours a day. Known for its extensive range of products and unbeatable prices, Mustafa is a cultural microcosm in which visitors can find an almost unlimited range of products from around the world from electronics to local spices. With so much on display in the huge mall, you should not be surprised if you find yourself lost in this maze.

So join us as we delve into the maze that is Mustafa, highlighting its humble beginnings and growth into a retail powerhouse. Adding to the vibrant and multicultural shopping experience.

Lavender may not be a stop you see yourself getting off at often, but hopefully after seeing this you might consider visiting the shops shown above. If you have the time we strongly encourage exploring and finding some of the other hidden gems in the area!

Stay tuned for more of our adventures as we venture into other different areas of Singapore and discover what they have to offer next. See you at the next stop! 

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