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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