11 pit stops to recharge along the Round Island Route’s (RIR) eastern half

With its first phase completed in 2022, the Round Island Route (RIR)’s eastern half stretches from Singapore’s southern end at Berlayer Creek to the equally picturesque Rower’s Bay next to Yishun Dam in the North.

According to NParks, the full route will be a 150km path that follows park connectors (PCNs) from start to finish. Once it’s done, adventurous hikers and cyclists will have a convenient extended trail to embark on.

Since the RIR is slated for completion in 2035 (well over a decade from now), we’ve taken the liberty to document 11 sensible pit stops along the first half.

Starting from whichever end has little impact apart from opening hours. This list focuses primarily on where to eat, with some recommendations on what. Lastly, this list is for cyclists but walkers might want to tackle the Coast-to-Coast or shorter trails instead.

Our journey began at Labrador Park, not too far from Berlayer’s Creek.

1. Blue Balls Bike Cafe

The first pit stop isn’t exactly on the RIR. Just a few minutes by bicycle from the start point at Berlayer’s Creek, Blue Balls Bike Cafe offers hearty cafe nosh in a bicycle-themed setting with both outdoor and indoor seating. 

The interior is prettied up with bicycles and related paraphernalia. Plenty of bike racks are available on the compound while an adjacent bike shop allows for last-minute tuning.

For a pre-ride meal, you can get their Aero Burger (S$22) with fluffy brioche buns sandwiching a thick, juicy fried chicken patty and thick straight-cut fries on the side. Fuel up with Slip Stream Bolognese (S$18) or, if you’ve reached the terminus, celebrate with their 5-inch pizzas like the Blue Balls Pizza (S$22), with Fixie Truffle Fries (S$14) on the side.

Some interesting drinks are the Going Bananas (S$10) made with banana, mango and coconut milk, and Berrything (S$10) with mixed berries and natural yoghurt to prepare you for the ride home. Whoever said recreational riders don’t get to carb-load?

Order Delivery: Deliveroo

44 Pasir Panjang Rd, Singapore 118504
+65 8499 8691
Tue to Fri: 10am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 7am – 12am
Closed on Mon
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2. Alexandra Village Food Centre

From Labrador MRT, some cyclists may be used to following the West Coast Highway directly eastward. NPark’s RIR, however, arcs upwards to Alexandra Road. If it’s lunchtime, turning into Alexandra Village Food Centre wouldn’t be the worst idea. You’ll know it’s close once you pass a coffeeshop with the sign (depicted above) to your right.

Xiang Jiang Soya Sauce Chicken (run by a former Raffles Hotel chef) serves up flavoursome plates of Soya Sauce Chicken Rice (S$5/S$6/S$7) with options of thin noodle, mee pok, or hor fun. The stall has even received a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

If you’re not looking to get topped up, AJ Delights bakes up a storm with a varied assortment of Halal-certified muffins. Get classics like Vanilla and Double Chocolate (S$2.27) or the more extravagant Cookie & Cream (S$3.02), Apple Streusel (S$3.02) and Chocolate Streusel (S$3.02) at this popular muffin stall.

Other noteworthy stalls are Ashes Burnnit, a gourmet halal hawker burger chain, Lian Kee that sells bak chor mee and fishball noodles and Salero Minang Nasi Padang, run by a Sumatran couple known for their generous portions and homely food.

120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150120
Tue to Sat: 7am – 9pm
Sun & Mon: 11am – 9pm

3. Mei Ling Market & Food Centre

Mei Ling Market & Food Centre is Queenstown’s lesser known food gem. Getting here requires an early right into Mei Chin Road rather than sticking to the PCN. Don’t fret too much over this slight deviation as both paths converge further up along Mei Chin Road. 

Since it was my first time there, Lao Jie Fang caught my attention first with its plain black-white signage and the Michelin label.

You have the options of Beef Brisket Noodles (S$6/S$8) and Beef Brisket + Tendon Noodles (S$8/S$10), Pork Rib Noodles (S$5/S$6) or Pig Trotter Noodles (S$5/S$6). Regardless, the meat is braised in a heady mixture of star anise, cloves, cinnamon and other secret ingredients that produce meltingly tender results.

Shi Hui Yuan is another stall awarded with the Michelin Bib Gourmand (2016-2021). There was an unending queue for their famed Singaporean-style hor fun that is cooked with over 30 herbs. Definitely have a go at their Braised Chicken & Duck Hor Fun (S$4.80) or Braised Spare Ribs Hor Fun (S$6.80).

159 Mei Chin Rd, Singapore 140159
Daily: 6am – 9pm

4. Margaret Drive Hawker Centre

Margaret Drive Hawker Centre is next on the RIR, hard to miss since you’ll be hitting a traffic light right before. This building is actually its second incarnation after the former, which operated from 1969 to 2011, was demolished at the original location.

Tong Kee Chicken Rice is one of the many stalls that jumped ship. With a history dating back to 1969, you can be assured they’ve got their own formula of chicken rice down pat. Expect a substantially flavourful experience at S$4, S$5 or S$6.

If you’re parched, Soon Heng Hot & Cold Desserts has the perfect answer to Singapore’s bothersome afternoon heat. Top up your Ice Kacang (S$1.50) with Durian (S$1) to give that thirst-quenching shaved ice another layer of honeyed creaminess.

Hot desserts like Bubur Hitam (S$1.50) and 4 Flavour Peach Gum (S$2) should be reserved for warming up during chilly rides while the Chendol (S$1.50) and Nata De Coco & Aloe Vera (S$2) work just as well in sweltering conditions.

38A Margaret Dr, Singapore 142038

5. Zion Riverside Food Centre

As you follow the RIR along Alexandra River and through to the Singapore River, Zion Riverside Food Centre will inevitably turn up on the left bank. 

Its location gives a decent view of the Singapore River should you choose to sit along the edge of the food centre. The bonus is that you can park the bikes right at your tables.

Had my stomach allowed it, Ah Wang La Mian Xiao Long Bao Shanghai Fried Dumplings (were they trying to list their menu?) would have received my patronage. The idea of missing out on chewy packages that come as Pan-fried Dumplings (S$7.50) or boiled Dumplings (Leek/Pork) (S$6.50) was hard to swallow.

If, like me, you had your fill at the previous pit stops, House of Soya Bean provides a more appropriate kind of grub like the Cold Soya Beancurd (S$1.40). The sugar rush from the syrup is a good pick-me-up while the delicate beancurd barely affected my full stomach. Interestingly, they also mix Cold Soya Beancurd w Pearls (S$2.20) and Pearl w Grass Jelly (S$2.20).

Zion Road Big Prawn Noodle is perhaps the most famous stall at Zion Riverside Food Centre, selling S$8/S$13/S$20/S$28 portions of Michelin-approved Prawn Noodles.

Up there with them in popularity would be No. 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow. It sports not only numerous accolades like a Michelin Bib Gourmand but was also once the regular haunt of our Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Long. Their Char Kway Teow is priced at S$5/S$6/S$8.

70 Zion Rd, Singapore 247792
Daily: 8am – 10pm 

6. East Coast Lagoon Food Village

Past Marina Bay and into East Coast Park, East Coast Lagoon Food Village should be a familiar name to every Singaporean. The iconic seaside location puts them where many would be hankering for a stodgy meal. If you haven’t caved to the myriad restaurants in the city area, this is the perfect place for a break.

We walked away from Lagoon Carrot Cake with a plate of Black & White Mixed Carrot Cake (S$7), not noticing they also had Popiah (S$2.40). The two versions were quite salty but they did come with 2 small shrimps.

With more tummy space freed up, you might see that Han Jia Bak Kut Teh Pork Leg presents a strong case for their braised dishes. A bowl of Pork Leg Fat (S$6.90) should more than make up for the burnt calories.

If you need a full meal, Set C (S$9.90) lets you pick either Pork Leg or Bak Kut Teh (S$6.50) to go with tau kee, egg, tau pok and rice or salted veggies, egg, tau pok and rice.

Haron Satay continues to be a go-to spot for satay. Chicken, mutton and beef are available here, each stick costing S$0.90 with a minimum order of 10. Their Chicken Wings are at S$1.60 each and require a minimum of 5 per order.

1220 East Coast Park, Singapore 468960
Mon: 4pm – 10.30pm
Tue to Thu: 4pm – 10.45pm
Fri: 11am – 10.45pm
Sat: 10am – 10.45pm
Sun: 10am – 10.30pm

It’s worth bearing in mind that rest stops are non-existent once the Coastal Park Connector meets the Tanah Merah Coast Road. In fact, the PCN shifts to the road from here, though there are still pedestrian paths on both sides.

Don’t expect any gorgeous views as an unending wall of construction hoarding has presently sealed off any view of the sea (as of Dec 2023). Cycling along this approximately 15km stretch is inadvisable in the mid-afternoon heat, especially with incessant headwinds.

7. Changi Village Food Centre

Once you’ve crossed Tanah Merah Coast Road, Changi Village Food Centre eagerly greets you like a shimmering oasis. There are plenty of parking spots as the hawker centre is a hotspot for cyclists. 

What’s better than a refreshing drink after fighting through blistering winds? I would have charged down Mei Lin Leng Re Yin Pin but despite being listed as open daily, they were closed that day.

To our relief, we still managed to get 2 bowls of Ice Kacang (S$2.50) from Changi Village Dessert House. A shame, as I had wanted to try the original rendition of Commando Dessert, consisting of shaved ice, longans and red tea jelly drizzled with condensed milk. The dessert was inspired by the nearby Hendon Camp, home of our commandos.

Hassan Stall dates back to 1959, before the food centre itself was built. The menu comprises classic Malay dishes such as Laksa (S$3.50), Mee Siam (S$3.50), Mee Rebus (S$3.50) and Lontong (S$4), as well as hand-made Epok-Epok (S$1).

Give the stall a go if you’re intent on trying a piece of our culinary history, as it’s more than an affordable and filling meal you’ll be getting.

Weng Kee Ipoh Hor Fun, International Muslim Food Stall Nasi Lemak, Ho Guan Satay Bee Hoon and Million Star Fried Banana are other popular stalls here.

2 Changi Village Rd, Singapore 500002
Mon to Thu: 6am – 12am
Fri: 6am – 2am
Sat & Sun: 24 hrs

8. SG Food Court

With so many coffeeshops and eateries in the vicinity of Changi Village Hawker Centre, you’re really spoiled for choice. SG Food Court is a newer entrant to this space, admittedly a bit farther up Changi Village Road. You’ll immediately notice they’ve opted for LED screens over traditional signages on top of their striking red-white colour scheme.

For those that missed it, Prata Lahhh! has shifted to this new eatery under a new name — SG Prata by Prata Lahhh!. For the most part, the menu seems to be unchanged.

Their crowd-favourite DIY Prata (S$0.80-S$3 per ingredient) can be made with Mutton Keema, Ikan Bilis, Prawn, Honey, Condensed Milk, Chocolate and more. Other inventive creations come in the form of Eggs Benedict (S$4.50) and Sardine Roll (S$4).

SG KAMPUNG by Nur Indah is another stall worth the visit. It was initially located at SATS Changi Airport and later moved to Bedok Corner Food Centre. Now, the owners have opened this new branch to serve big.

Nasi Ambeng Dulang (S$56.90 for 4 pax) and Nasi Padang Kampung, which offers up to 49 dishes (S$1-S$6 per serve), pack quite the feast. Given the praises sung about this coffeeshop since it opened, you might want to see the other stalls for yourself.

5 Changi Village Rd, Singapore 500005
Daily: 7am – 12am
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9. Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre

Before entering the next barren stretch on the RIR, Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre will likely be your last pit stop. The first floor features more traditional hawker fare while the one above houses much more hipster-esque stalls.

Prawnaholic is one of the must-trys. Though their dishes come at a slight premium, the quality more than justifies it. For S$8.50, the Special Prawn Noodles are given a generous serving of considerably-sized pork lard, 3 medium-sized prawns, a meatball, and a piece of pork belly.

The onsen egg comes at an additional S$1. As fresh as the prawns are, I argue the torched pork belly easily steals the spotlight. If you’d like more of the teriyaki sauce-laden pork belly, the Teriyaki Pork Belly Noodles (S$8.50) is chock-full of it.

Also situated on the second floor, Nyonya Pok Pok Kay clucks up delicious curry in affordable set meals.

Along with fragrant Blue Pea Rice as the main carbs, Ayam Curry Kapitan, sambal egg and nyonya chap chye make up Set A (S$8.20). Set B (S$7.30) replaces the 3 with pickled radish omelette, french beans with hae bee and Ayam Sioh. A la carte options let you top up on Keropok (S$1.50) and French Loaf (S$1.20).

Other stalls like Wild Olives and Liang Liang Golden Pao Fan & Ramen are top-tier in their own right. Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre certainly isn’t lacking in quality stalls, which makes it easily one of the best food spots on the RIR.

110 Pasir Ris Central, Singapore 519641
Daily: 7am – 8.30pm 

10. Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop @ Sengkang Riverside Park

After hugging another seaside PCN for a good while, the RIR finally brings us to Sengkang Riverside Park, where Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop @ Sengkang Riverside Park is conveniently located. The comfy, lepak vibes are a shared trait across each makcik tuckshop branch as well as their extensive menus.

Since not many food places are left along the RIR’s eastern half, this could likely be your last big meal. Get the Half-Half Pizza (S$17.90) for 2 pizza flavours in one as a treat. Bullet pepper, Teriyaki sauce, or Brown sauce can be chosen to go with their best-selling Crispy Skin Chicken Chop Aglio Oglio (S$10.90).

Fried in batter to resemble a flower, the Onion Blossom (S$6.90) is served with a honey mustard condiment that complements its savoury batter. Quench your thirst collectively with their Power Tower (S$12) that holds 2 whole litres of Milo, Bandung or Honey Lemon.

Mocktails like Lychee Nojito (S$3.90) and Toasted Rose Nojito (S$3.90) promise a cocktail experience without alcoholic side effects so you can still ride safely.

Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo

50 Anchorvale St, Singapore 544834
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 10.30pm
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11. Boh Geh Uncle Canteen

Truthfully, the final section of the RIR’s eastern half is a bleak journey food-wise. From Punggol to Jalan Kayu, it’s a non-stop ride through mostly nature. Since Seletar isn’t known for being a residential area, we weren’t expecting to come across a place like Boh Geh Uncle Canteen.

Cameras aren’t allowed inside the canteen — which was formerly part of Seletar Camp — but photos are allowed at the outdoor kampung seating. It’s apparently been around since 1969, largely unchanged in layout.

Most of the patrons appear to be industrial workers, though apparently personnel from Seletar Camp also patronise the canteen.

There are only 3 stalls inside — one each of cai fan, nasi padang and drinks. Prices have remained quite affordable and portions are value-for-money. 

Boh Geh Uncle Canteen is perfectly situated on the RIR, sitting at the junction where the route makes a steep left down Seletar Aerospace Drive. Whether you just commenced the RIR’s eastern half from Rower’s Bay or are finishing soon, the canteen makes for a great pit stop. Just take note that it’s closed on weekends.

398 Piccadilly, Singapore 798368
Mon to Fri: 6am – 1.30pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

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