Singapore has a bunch of different places with dangerously similar sounding names. We’re talking Farrer Road vs Farrer Park, Shaw Centre vs Shaw Plaza, and Far East Plaza vs Far East Shopping Centre – the latter being the decidedly more overshadowed version which most wouldn’t think of when it comes to things to do along Orchard Road.
While Far East Plaza is lauded for its many budget-friendly eateries, nail salons, and tattoo and piercing studios, Far East Shopping Centre is like the forgotten cousin most town-goers only stroll past to get from Wheelock Place to Forum The Shopping Mall. We paid it a visit to uncover hidden gems ranging from scrumptious vegetarian hawker fare to cheap video games.
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Image credit: Mel via Google Maps
A certified gamer hack that has locals’ stamp of approval, Qisahn.com is where you can score games across different consoles at prices below market rate. If you don’t mind skipping the unboxing of a brand new game, you can get pre-owned titles at heavily slashed prices. We spotted a second-hand copy of Moving Out for Nintendo Switch priced 59% cheaper than online retailers.
Besides games and consoles, you can expect to find appliances and gaming equipment from TV screens to gaming mice and keyboards. Truly a one-stop shop, they also offer repairs for various consoles. Prices range from $15-$230 depending on whether you’re just fixing a faulty controller or rewiring your entire PlayStation motherboard.
Location: #05-11
Opening hours: 12pm-8pm, Daily
Contact: 65 3159 3099 | shop@qisahn.com | qisahn.com website
You can pay in 3-, 6-, or 12-month 0% interest instalment plans.
Image credit: @the_attic_place via Instagram
The Attic Place carries a wide range of preloved branded goods mostly priced around 30%-40% cheaper than retail, having rehomed thousands of pieces to date. They follow a stringent appraisal process to ensure the authenticity and quality of each piece, carefully checking every last detail from the stitching and stamping to hardware and signs of tarnish.
Because they offer worldwide shipping, they’ve amassed many international customers. But the perk of being a local customer is that you get to swing by and browse the wares in person, chope-ing your treasure finds before they get swooped up online.
Location: #04-08
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11.30am-6.30pm | Sat 12pm-5pm (Closed on Fridays & Sundays)
Contact: 6733 6564 | The Attic Place website
Image adapted from: Anlynn Le & Xin Ru Toh via Google Maps
Satisfy your hawker food cravings even if you’re on a meat-free diet. Kang Su Vegetarian is popular among Buddhists who practise vegetarianism on the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, as well as vegetarians and vegans looking for an affordable dining spot in town.
Choose from a variety of rice and noodle dishes that’ll fill you right up. Hot-sellers include the ban mian ($5.50 for regular, $6 for tom yam soup), kolo mee ($5 for dry or soup), and Thai style chicken cutlet rice ($6) – using mock chicken, of course. Wash it all down with unique homemade drinks like golden plum juice ($2.2) and almond tea ($2.50).
Location: #01-180
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 7am-3pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 9735 8082 | Kang Su Vegetarian Facebook
Image credit: Inkvasion Tattoo Studio via Facebook
If you want a tattoo but need to hide it, for reasons ranging from parents’ disapproval of tattoos to stringent grooming guidelines at work, Inkvasion Tattoo Studio does UV black light tattoos that are barely visible when healed. But under UV blacklight, they emit an otherworldly glow.
Image adapted from: @inkvasionsg via Instagram
You can also get regular tattoos here, from dainty watercolour designs or ornamental linework to realistic portraits of your beloved pets. The studio was voted #1 in Singapore for 2018 and 2021 by online communities, so rest assured that you’re in good hands.
Price: From $100 for regular tattoos, from $150 for UV blacklight tattoos
Location: #05-60
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm (Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Contact: 8846 4444 (WhatsApp) | inkvasionSG@gmail.com | Inkvasion Tattoo Studio website
Image credit: @alitarotmagick via Instagram
For those who have ever been curious as to what their destiny holds, a trip to Tarot Magick might grant you some clarity. It’s run by Ali Akbar, a local tarot reader with several years of experience under his belt.
Have a gander at both his Google Reviews and Instagram testimonials and you’ll see that his services are highly rated, and he also uses crystals and candles to aid in his process. Besides tarot readings, you can opt for a spiritual cleansing session to rid yourself of bad juju.
Price: $75 for 25-min tarot reading or negativity cleansing session
Location: #03-28
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 2pm-9pm | Fri-Sun 12pm-9pm
Contact: 8893 8872 | Tarot Magick website
Besides being self-proclaimed audiophiles who are eager to offer guidance, the staff here also practice pressure-free customer service.
Image adapted from: @e1pasg via Instagram
Opened in 2013, E1 Personal Audio is a specialty audio equipment boutique. Up your music experience and add a dose of self-expression with their custom earphones, available in various finishes from faux wood to sparkling glitter. There are also edgy earphone “shell” exteriors like geometric designs and embossed patterns, all of which come with an ergonomic in-ear fit.
These don’t come cheap, at about $899 to several thousand, depending on the model and design. But if you’re just in the market for a regular pair of audio equipment, they’ve also got basic but nonetheless high quality earphones priced from less than $100.
Location: #05-10A
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: 9789 6899 | e1pasg@gmail.com | E1 Personal Audio website
Image adapted from: @larkandpeony via Instagram
For those who want some huat in their everyday attire, check out Lark & Peony‘s extensive catalogue of dresses, tops, skirts, and outerwear. From the silhouettes and tailoring to the colourful patterns, the designs are unmistakably cheongsam-esque without having you rock up to the office in a full-on qipao.
Do note that the prices are a little steep, from around $100+ per piece to over $300 for more elaborate dresses. This is because the pieces are produced in small batches to ensure quality as well as safe and ethical working conditions for the manufacturers. Plus, all the intricate fabrics are also custom designed and printed, so you won’t find duplicates from mass retailers.
Location: #03-23
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm | Sat 11am-3pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 8855 4639 | Lark & Peony website
Image adapted from: @sunnyxintong & @coco.ate.dis via Instagram
Our Little Red Dot is home to innumerable cuisines, but Russian-Hainanese fusion offerings aren’t something you’d chance upon every day. Shashlik Restaurant serves authentic Russian fare, with their Borsch ($12) – a national staple of rich beef brisket broth topped with sour cream – being a must-try.
There are also Hainanese dishes with a touch of European influences. The popular choice is Shashlik’s Hainanese Pork Chop ($21.80), where crispy battered pork loin is served alongside fried Hainanese chicken rice balls. Now that’s a new way to enjoy good ol’ chicken rice!
Location: #06-19
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-3pm & 6pm-10pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6732 6401 | Shashlik Restaurant website
Image adapted from: Feia Co. via Google Maps, @feia.co via Instagram
In a cosy and aesthetic environment with pastel shades and island gyal murals, Feia.Co offers both lash lifts ($90 for lift and tint) for those who prefer a more natural look, as well as eyelash extensions if you want more va va voom.
Choose from the Classic ($90) extensions which are the wispiest and most subtle, all the way to 6D volume ($140) which packs maximum flair and drama. And if you find your brows a bit sparse or light in colour, they also offer brow embroidery services (from $348) so you can skip the eyebrow pencil step in your morning routine entirely, for months on end.
Price: From $68 for Classic extensions (First-time customers only)
Location: #01-09
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-9pm | Sat 11am-6pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 8779 9608 | Feia.Co Instagram
Image credit: Street Directory
Besides the above finds, the 6 floors of retail units at Far East Shopping Centre are occupied mostly by tuition centres, maid agencies, and curiously – golf equipment stores. Seriously, if you’re meaning to pick up golfing, you’ll have plenty of options to get your gear here.
The next time you’re planning a town outing and want some variety amidst the usual suspects like ION, 313@Somerset, and Plaza Singapura, you know where to go. Far East Shopping Centre is located just 5 minutes away from Orchard MRT on foot, and you can zip there via the ION Basement 2 walkway, through the Wheelock Place exit.
Check out our other mall guides:
Cover image adapted from: Anlynn Le & Mel via Google Maps, @sushisushisoshi via Instagram
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