Food Republic @ Vivo CIty ~ food court with a taste of history

Vivo City Level 3 (next to Sentosa Express Monorail)
1 Harbour Front Walk
Singapore 098585  

The facade of Food Republic Atrium located in the level 3 of Vivo City.

I am always fascinated by the charisma of hawker stalls in Singapore. Wherever you go, expect plenty of them inside the mall, MRT and bus station, even known tourist spots and parks. What’s good about it: they are economical, tourist friendly, and convenient as you’ll not worry how much you’ll consume really. Most of our stay here, we always indulge ourselves to series of hawker stalls as we are budget friendly traveler and we need to maximize what we have, you know (ahahaha!). We spent 7 days of wandering and everyday is a hawker day as it feels like we are in the Philippines. The difference: they mostly cooked the food as you wait, while in the Philippines ‘some’ cuisine in the ‘carinderia’ were already cooked and what you have to do is pinpoint whatever you wanted. 

It feels like you are really transported straight during the old days of Singapore as fixture with modern touches is almost everywhere.

We’ve been to famous hawker stalls already like the one I featured way back about Makansutra in Gluttons Bay. The food court is set beside the infamous skyline of Singapore, just along Marina Bay. It is one of the best hawker stall we’ve been to because aside from great food you’ll enjoy the natural breeze of the sea plus enjoying different sight and delights that Singapore have during at night. They have wide variety of fare to choose from, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai, even Filipino cuisine all in one open atmosphere.

There are so many oriental cuisine to choose from like this one from Indonesia.

Another food court in our list is ‘Malaysian Food Street’ in Resort’s World Sentosa. The location is situated beside Universal Studios which is perfect to start the whole day of adventure inside the themed park. Their specialty  relies mostly on Malay cuisine as Resort World Management picked the best hawker stall in Penang and Kuala Lumpur and housed them in here. Instead of using your passport to go to Malaysia, why not try to spoil yourself here to taste their classic menu? May not be authentic enough but you have an idea what their food taste like and the ambiance will transport you straight to the colorful streets of Penang.

It's an open setting ambiance, surrounded with antique pieces.

There are so many food stalls that we’ve been too but those two are the ‘famous’ so far. Anyways, here is another one not to set aside as considered well-known to locals and international tourist as well. If you’re in Vivo City pretty sure you’ll recognize the Food Republic signage just beside the Sentosa Express Terminal Station in the Level 3. I’ve seen that sign several times as Balong and I always pass by in here during our frequent trips to Sentosa Island. At first, I just ignore the place as I thought they only sells fruits juices and concoction in there (ahahaha!). My apology for ignorance but that is what I thought as I’ve seen a fruit juice stand at the entrance of the food court. I haven’t thought that there are plenty of stall inside (well too bad, a big big mistake! Again, don’t judge the book by its cover. ~ ahahaha!).

There are some open lavatory where in you can wash your hands if you want.

Well, thanks to our BFF Lemwuel and Llowel because my impression of the place suddenly diverts as they both pamper us during our dinner in here. Personally, it is one of the hidden treasure to explore (hehehe!). The ambiance is very distinct and unique as if you’re traveling during the old days of Singapore. The concept combines local hawker flare slash mini restaurants as some stalls have its own exclusive seating in an open dining setting.

Look how unique their chairs are. It's like you're in an old bar, ayt? May i have some red wine please.... hehehehe

What makes the vicinity unique is because diners feast in a thoughtfully conceptualized environment where most of the objects you see and use were vintage pieces from tables to ornaments. It’s a beauty to see lanterns with a modern touches illuminates the whole place with large old bird cages on the side.

I love their different lanterns hang in the ceiling!!!!!

Another decoration is a two-wheel horse wagon in the corner which is supposed to be used as an agricultural vehicle, but in here, it adds that ‘village’ feel. It brings me back to our younger years as we used to play with it as my late grandfather used to have one (ahahaha!). Mainly, we used the wagon in carrying our rice crops from the field directly to our warehouse (naks! ~ ahahaha!).

This is the one of the horse wagon located in the pathway of the food court.

There are some dried beans and dried herbs in a winnowing basket that interest me too. Because of curiosity, can’t help myself but touch it. I thought it is fake but actually it’s real (ahahaha!). There is a signage that says they used these as spices to add flavor to certain foods and for medical purposes.

Dried herbs and spices. It's not just a decoration, it's real as i tell you i touched it myself (ahahaha!)

Another intriguing fixture is the presence of suspended old bicycles in the ceiling. It makes me wonder, do they really do that in the old days? (ahahaha!). Well, maybe they put it in the ceiling to keep away from burglars as bicycle serve as the prime means of transportation way back, you know (just a thought ~ ahahaha!).

This fixture wonder me most. Why do they put bicycle in the ceiling, is it just a decoration or do they usually do that in the past? hmmmmmm....

In totality, the elaborate detailing of the interior of Food Republic add new twist to the ambient old world charm of the space. It aimed at recreating to invoke atmosphere of nostalgias. It’s a treasure of its own, it’s like a small museum if you ask me (Am I too exaggerated? Hmmmm that’s how I feel though ~ ahahaha!). 

Thanks BFF for the treat!!!! next time ulit ha.. (ahahahaha!)

Oooopppsssss… What about the food???? Whew, I was mesmerized by the beauty of the old days that surrounds the place and I almost forgot that we ordered something to eat (ahahaha!).

Can anyone please help name this one for me? I'll treat you one, promise!!!! (ahahaha!)

By the way, each stall has its own specialty as they serve several local and international cuisine. If you’re a fun of curry, roasted duck, fried prawn noodle, laksa, dimsums then a visit to this place is a must. You’ll not worry about how much you will pay really because I assure if you have SGD 10 on your pocket then you’re good. Oooooppppsssss please note that it depends on how many food you order of course (ahahaha!). I am on a diet and only one menu is what I need. Please don’t harass me if ever you order more than SGD 10 and you’ll end up cleaning the dishes, ok? (just kidding ~ ahahaha!).

It's like a Tapsilog in the Philippines hehehehe.... Its just that the beef here is a bit sweet.

The best thing about this place, it offers one of the largest variety of food you can find around in a cheapest way, not to mention under one roof. They have wide array to choose from: Javanese, Malay, Singaporean, Thai and Chinese. It’s a great way to stop here after window shopping within Vivo City or after a day of fun to and fro Sentosa Island.

Large Siopao with 3 pieces of Siomai.....

I am not picky with regards to food as long as my taste buds is comfortable to any cuisine serve in front of me then I am perfectly fine about it. I haven’t check each of the stalls but seems that the food are pretty decent just fair enough to what you paid for. We waited for a few minutes but it’s worth the wait. Good timing as we went there in the evening and only few people were in there. Llowel said that during peak hours expect long queue as plenty of foodie do gather in here especially during noon or evening time. 

A bowl of soup, hmmmmmmm i forgot the name!!!!! sorry! (ahahaha!)

It’s a self service set-up that you go to certain stalls you prefer and pick whatever menu you want and that’s it you’re done. You can wait in their stall while they cook what you order or you can comeback after few minutes. The waiting is just around 15 minutes depends on how long the queue is, but since only few was around, in less than 10 minutes, voila our food is ready. 

Food republic.. bow!!!!!

I just let the food do the talking as I really forgot the names  of what we ordered (ahahaha!). One thing is for sure, they are all good and next time wanna come back for more (ahahaha!). 

Antique pieces can be found everywhere to have that kampong feel.

So what is the verdict? Would I recommend this to anyone? Definitely Yes! For a budget-friendly, quick meal before exploring the rest of Vivo City, it’s a must visit place to explore. This is not just an average food court, it has a piece of history accompanied in it. 

A lantern made from bird cage.

So, that’s it or now guys. Have a great day/night everyone. 

Need to pause for now, cheeeeeeeeeeeriooooooooooooooooosss!!!! 

Enan signing off.

SMILE

 

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Street Bar @ Food Republic Beer Garden ~ local hotspot with live band performances

St. James Power Station

3 Sentosa Gateway near Vivo City

Harbourtront, Singapore 

Signage found at the interlinked bridge from Vivo City to St. James Power Station

Balong and I can’t deny that we were already exhausted and weary because of the whole day trip in Universal Studios in Sentosa Island. Don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed the whole trip it’s just that most of our tour around the themed park consist of kilometers of walking, thus my feet already wanted to give up and would like to lay down somewhere (ahahaha!). Just take this, we had a long leisurely walk in Sentosa Boardwalk in the morning around 9:30am then we headed straight to Universal Studios from 10:00am till 10:00pm and another walkathon at 10:45pm from Sentosa to Vivo City via Sentosa Boardwalk all over again! May be if we will combined all the walkings that we’ve been through, we already roamed around Singapore (ahahaha!).

food republic BEER GARDEN located in St. James Power Station

But anyway, we had a BLAST! We enjoyed every minute of our adventure in Universal Studios and one of the best days of our stay here in Singapore. We spent one whole day starting from queuing in the entrance to buy the tickets until Hollywood after Hours wherein we watch a live pyrotechnic shows that serves as one of the highlights to be fond of at the themed park. We did try most of the rides except that Balong was hospitalized because of vertigo while riding the ‘Battlestar Galactica in Sci Fi City zone (ahahaha!). But in totality, it was one awesome trip we did! If given a chance to comeback then we’ll surely come without hesitations.

Live band performances awaits you on your way in.

After roaming until the last minute inside the Universal Studios we headed straight home around 10:3opm, we supposed to watch the Crane Dance but the two cranes lovers were already sleeping when we passed on (ahahaha!). Because of ‘mini-disappointment’ of not witnessing the show, our friends Llowel and Lemwuel invited us to have dinner in Food Republic Beer Garden at St. James Power Station. I don’t know at first where the location is but I read it from somewhere that it is a non-stop dance party in one roof and that’s sounds awesome. I may be too exhausted but if we talked about disco then I can still stand and do some wiggle you know (ahahaha!).

Hawkers stall at its best lining up just besides St. James.

From Sentosa Island, we decided to take the Sentosa Boardwalk instead of taking  the monorail. I guess we are just too lazy to go to the station as you need to go back where the USS main gate is. We already spent half a mile to the bay where the Crane Dance is held, thus we decided to continue walking. It’s another mile to endure haiiissssstt! (ahahaha!).

When we arrived at the boardwalk (set aside the weariness), it was one awesome place to enjoy your night out. There are so many people around and seems enjoying the scenery. The surroundings at night is impecabbly beautiful yet the weather is strikingly humid and haggardness to the highest level is so evident in most of our pics (ahahaha!).

Examples of stalls that can be found within the vicinity.

Just a suggestions, if you’re not in a hurry to and fro Sentosa Island, the wooden boardwalk is the best way to enjoy. The travel time is no less than 15 minutes depending on how fast or slow you are in walking of course. (ahahaha!). If you want a bit of exercise or simply in a tight budget then this is a must try. Don’t worry about a thing as there is a travellator on both sides and what you have to do is stand still and let the travellator walk on behalf of you (ahahaha!). We may be tired of a long day tour but the least we can do is to enjoy the scenery along with other locals and international tourist wandering the boardwalk.

Large amount of people were in there and we're lucky to find a good seats just close enough to the stage.

The entire boardwalk is covered with canopies; thus rain or shine is the least of your worries. This is the first themed boardwalk in Southeast Asia so if you have ample time to indulge then try to have a brisk walking in here. You can save a dollar plus lost  few calories believe me. The passage is divided into 4 themed zone but I myself is in doubts because it seems that all its sections are the same. One thing am sure of, there is a ROCK GARDEN (ahahaha!).

Be ready to be captivated by the voice of the performers.

There are so many dining outlets mushrooming around albeit costly. However, if you have enough money to spoil then try to enjoy in ‘The Wine Company’, Gelateria Venezi, and the Queens. We were on a tight budget, thus eating out here is not in our itinerary (ahahaha!). The least we can do is take a scenic walk and took many photo opportunities along the way.

Huge umbrella's like this can be found in every corner as the weather in here is unpredictable.

The walkway passage is pretty decent, spacious and you can even have picnic in here if you bring your own food along. Available seats are everywhere that give you  a perfect view of the whole Keppel harbour. There are some arts pieces like the mesh wire sculpture that beautifies the whole walkway too.

After few minutes of wandering, at last we arrived in Vivo City with lots of sweat covering our faces. I felt sorry for Balong because his shirt is even covered with sweat too (ahahaha!). It’s almost midnight but the weather didn’t change a bit (WHEW!). We spent almost 30 minutes in the boardwalk and another 30 minutes in Vivo City while waiting for Llowel withdrawing some cash in the ATM. I asked them where St. James is and they said it’s just after the bridge.

These are what we order so far, sweet and sour squid, fried chicken wings, and deep fry noodles with seafoods.

Am really wasted to tell you, but since we were all hungry, we left in a hurry to go to St. James Power Station (ahahaha!). There is an interlinked pedestrian bridge that direct us in  which is located in the 2^nd floor of Vivo City. We were like walking in a flash just to be at the place right away (ahahaha!). It’s quite hard to locate the passage if you’re new to the area but you can ask any of the staff  or locals in there and pretty sure they will be glad to serve you then.

The fried noodles with seafood toppings.

I thought we will get inside the Power Station but rightly after I saw from the bridge that there are local hawkers on the side of the building, it comes to me directly that  we will eat outside (ahahaha!). In fairness, the place is cozy, open air and there are so many hawkers stall lining up. We’ve seen lots of tourist having a couple of drinks while I was too anxious to order just to regain the lost charges we had for the whole day (ahahaha!).

I just forgot what is the name of this but it has noodles and fresh veggies with fried chicken strips.

Self Service is the right word as you’re the one who will lined up and buy whatever food you prefer. There are list of menus presented on the signage usually and you just have to pin point what you want and voila they will cook it for you. The wait is just around 10 minutes depends on the food that you order of course.

Singapore is known for satay with peanut sauce.

We ordered satay with peanut sauce, fried chicken wings, sweet and sour squid and fried noodles with seafood toppings. As any local hawker fare, it’s like you’re having a picnic outside while there is a band playing. It’s good for them to have this concept, we spent only a few amount of money but having a band playing in front of you is way too perfect for the setting.

Right after we finished our dinner it's time to enjoy the live band.

I have to admit, I am too hungry to think about the singer but after dinner that’s the time that I appreciate the song (ahahaha!). Definitely, if you’re not really picky about food choices, Food Republic Beer Garden is the best place to dine after a long day in Sentosa. There are so many restaurants around but if you’re on a budget then think again. What I like about hawker foods they do sell local fare cuisine that I fond the most. One of the purpose why we visit Singapore is not just about attraction but also to indulge in their authentic local flare..

They have plenty of singers that fills the night with R&B songs.

By the way, the street bar not only serves food and beverages but they also offers beers, wines, champagnes, premium spirits, cocktails and mocktails. Their operating hours usually starts from 6pm until 5 am.

You will truly enjoy the food while listening to the live performances. Plus factor is the cool breeze coming from Keppel harbour.

Once done partying inside St,. James Power Station or after a long way in Sentosa this is the best to visit in. Price wise which brings you in to the palate of Singapore. It’s just one of the flare that I love the most in Singapore, their local cuisine.

That’s it for now. Have a great day/ night everyone.

Our night ended with a 'Sweet hello'

Cheerss!!!

Enan signing off.

SMILE

:)

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