WHAT TO EAT AND DO AT KATONG V

While Singapore has no shortage of trendy enclaves, Katong tops the list for many people with its distinct old-meets-new personality. It is easily one of the hippest neighbourhoods around, with beautifully preserved Peranakan houses and heritage eats nestled among charming cafes and high-rise apartments. Katong V, a retail mall adjoining Village Hotel Katong along East Coast Road, adds convenience to the area’s cool factor with a host of food and leisure options.

To help you experience this hip ‘hood to the fullest, we’ve put together a full-day itinerary of our top recommendations.

Explore Katong with us!

Start with a hearty breakfast at Bread & Hearth

Get ready for an exciting day with breakfast done right at this quaint little café, tucked away in Katong V. Step into its dark-wood interiors and the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee is bound to wake you up in the most delicious way. The Big Breakfast ($19.90) is a good choice if you’re looking for a hearty way to start the day. Here, brunch items, as well as gourmet burgers and artisan sandwiches, are available all day. Bread & Hearth’s deftly-executed pastas, like our favourite Mentai Crispy Cod Pasta ($18.90), are an option after 11am.

Visit Bread & Hearth at Katong V, #02-27.

Go on a shutter-happy walking tour

Stretch your legs and walk off the calories with a tour around the neighbourhood. Just around the corner from Katong V is Koon Seng Road. This picturesque street is lined with pastel-coloured Peranakan shophouses from the 1920s, making it one of the hottest photo spots in town. When you’re done at Koon Seng Road, don’t keep your phones and cameras just yet! There’s plenty of street art in the vicinity. Just a stone’s throw away is the “A History of Healing” (2019), a mural in tribute to those who suffered under the Japanese Occupation of Singapore and “Medleyalley” (2019), an intricate artwork of colourful Peranakan tiles weaved together with themes of fishes and birds. You’ll also find MoonChild (2019, 2020) behind Katong Point, a collaboration between local artists ANACATHIE and FREAKYFIR, featuring a modern Japanese Manga style street art in dazzling neon colours.

Refuel with lunch at Group Therapy Cafe

Return to the cool, air-conditioned comforts of Katong V for lunch. Group Therapy Cafe’s laidback vibes and extensive menu makes it a great mid-day option. For a healthy and filling meal, we like the Salmon Mentaiko Bowl ($22), which is a generous serving of brown rice, mushrooms, roasted cauliflower, avocado, poached egg, edamame, furikake and salmon topped with flame-torched mentaiko. Group Therapy Cafe also does excellent desserts and coffee to complete your meal. Try it out!

Visit Group Therapy Cafe at Katong V, #01-11.

Get creative at Art Village Gallery & Studio

Inspired by the history, heritage and street art of the morning’s walking tour? Unleash your creativity at Art Village Gallery & Studio. The studio offers three-hour art jamming sessions, with all the necessary materials provided. All you need to bring is an idea of what your masterpiece will look like. If you’re new to expressing yourself with acrylic paint, you can opt for a guided session from the studio’s experienced instructors. Alternatively, Art Village also offers free trial lessons (a $5 fee applies only for canvas painting; no charges for other mediums) — a great way for newbies to dip their toes into the world of art.
Visit Art Village Gallery & Studio at Katong V, #03-20.

Take a break at Yugoslavia Bakery & Café

After your artistic adventure, it’s time to reward yourself with a mid-afternoon snack. Head to Yugoslavia Bakery & Café on the ground floor of Katong V for an authentic Balkan experience. Founded by a native Macedonian husband-and-wife duo, the bakery brings their family’s secret recipes to Singapore! Order a swirl of Burek ($7.50), which is a thin, flaky pastry filled with meat, cheese, spinach or potatoes, with a bottle of homemade Yugoslavian yogurt ($6.80) and just sit back and relax!

Visit Yugoslavia Bakery & Café, #01-05.

Stretch and tone at East Side Pilates

If you’re a go-getter with energy to spare, show your body some love! Stretch and strengthen your body at East Side Pilates. The roomy studio is equipped with Balanced Body Allegro 2 reformers and towers of powers as well as a range of essential props and equipment for a satisfying workout. The trainers specialise in private Pilates, but there are small group classes available too! Beginners would benefit from the Foundational class, which focuses on the principles of Pilates and covers the classic Pilates repertoire. For advanced workout, the challenging Signature class is only recommended for those who have been practising regularly. Stay in shape by gliding into October on the reformer.

Visit East Side Pilates at Katong V, #03-19.

Enjoy an authentic Korean feast at Yun Ga

Reward your tummy after a fulfilling day at Yun Ga Traditional Korean Restaurant. Fun fact: the founder of Yun Ga’s great-grandmother once served in the royal kitchens of the Joseon Dynasty! Today, the authentic restaurant offers all your K-food favourites, from grilled meats to hearty stews and lots more. The meats are a great pick at Yun Ga, particularly the Wagyu Marbled Beef ($62/160g) and Black Pork Belly ($38/200g). The restaurant has a separate seating area, away from the smoky grills, if you want to focus on their cooked food menu. We favour the popular Budae Jjigae, commonly known as Army Stew, which comes in two sizes ($20, $40) and Jokbal (boiled pig trotters, $20/$33).

Visit Yun Ga Traditional Korean Restaurant at Katong V, #03-09.

Sip back and relax at Wine Mansion

As the day comes to an end, indulge in the cosy and relaxing ambience at Wine Mansion with a glass of wine in one hand and some fresh oysters ($24/half dozen) in the other. In addition to an extensive wine list, the casual wine bistro also offers a full food menu, from main courses and sharing platters to small bites. If you decide to have dinner here, you may like to know that wine is said to complement and enhance the taste of carbonara — it cuts through the rich and viscous sauce without overwhelming the Pancetta or bacon flavours. To taste the difference, try the Carbonara Smoked Duck ($18) with a glass of wine!

Visit Wine Mansion at Katong V, #01-01.

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