Street eats and neon lights: Sembawang pasar malam returns!
Are you really a North-sider if you haven’t noticed that the Sembawang pasar malam has popped back up beside Sun Plaza and Sembawang MRT station? From now till 1 Sep, this open field has transformed into a bustling food fair with over 30 stalls, making it the perfect spot to indulge in your favourite street food.
The setup is hard to miss with its vibrant lighting, massive tentage, and ample seating both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor area even features cosy huts and Instagram-worthy neon lights with Japanese cherry blossom trees, creating a festive atmosphere that’s the perfect hangout.
Now, let’s dive into the food. I sampled four items that caught my eye, and here are my thoughts on them.
The first thing I tried was Super Pancake’s Pita, which cost S$5. While the store is known for its Super Egg Roll, I decided to give this a try considering how popular they are.
The pita was soft, and they were generous with the chicken filling. However, the taste of the filling didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The coriander was a bit overpowering and the flavours seemed more like a surface coating rather than being fully infused into the meat. It’s not very spicy, so if you’re after a mild bite, this could work but don’t expect a flavour explosion.
Next, I decided to indulge my Thai cravings. I got myself a Chicken Skewer (S$2) and a Chicken Tom Yum Mama (S$5.50) from Here Thai Food.
Simple, thick, and juicy — this chicken skewer is a classic done right. It’s sweet, tender, and a great snack to munch on as you explore the rest of the stalls at Sembawang pasar malam. For just S$2, it’s a no-brainer.
The Tom Yum Mama had a lightness to it, akin to the kind you would get from an instant noodle cup. The soup was more sour than spicy, which was unexpected but still enjoyable. The ingredients were generous, with tender chicken and soft mushrooms added to the mix.
When eaten together, the different textures (firm noodles, chewy chicken, and soft mushrooms) made for an enjoyable bite. While it didn’t blow me away in terms of flavour, it was filling and for just S$5, it’s hard to complain. Perhaps, the seafood one might have been better.
After seeing this at multiple pasar malams, I decided to give the Bakso Beranak a try. I got this bowl of Indonesian dish for S$10 from The Bakso Safirah.
First impressions, it was almost like a DIY kit, with the noodles and sauces coming separately. This was great though, as it allows you to customise the flavour to your liking. Without the sauce, the soup had a soothing, herbal taste, reminiscent of mee soto.
But when you add the sauce (I emptied the contents of all three sauces into my soup), be prepared for a peppery kick that’s not for the faint-hearted. Both the small and extra-large beef meatballs were tender, and there was even a small egg included. Just be cautious with the sauce! Too much, and you’ll be sweating.
To end the night off at Sembawang pasar malam, I tried the Mango with Glutinous Rice Balls (S$5) from Thai Dessert.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t hit the spot. The blended base was a combination of fresh mango, sugar syrup, and ice. The process of making it on the spot added to its appeal, but the taste fell a little short.
The mango was a bit sour, and the rice balls, while chewy and slightly sweet, didn’t absorb the mango flavour as I’d hoped. It ended up tasting like a light mango smoothie that was more jelak than refreshing, and I found myself craving something colder and more balanced in flavour.
While the food was hit or miss, the overall experience at Sembawang Pasar Malam was enjoyable. With the usual offerings like sweet potato balls, kebabs, and Taiwanese chicken, there’s something for everyone. And for the fruit lovers out there, there’s even a fruit stall where you can find the king of fruits, durians!
Aside from the tempting food, Sembawang pasar malam also hosts Uncle Ringo’s carnival games and rides like bouncy castles and a kid’s Viking ship (though it wasn’t open when I visited). Retail-wise, you’ll find a variety of stalls selling everything from cheap clothes to quirky gadgets, making it easy to mix shopping with snacking.
The vibrant atmosphere, complete with neon lights and seating options, makes it a great spot to hang out with friends or family. So, even if you don’t end up loving every dish, you’ll definitely have a great time soaking in the lively night market vibes.
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