10 Nostalgic malls to visit for a trip down memory lane in Singapore

Lim Han 16 May 2018

1/10
Golden Mile Complex
Known as Little Thailand, Golden Mile Complex houses a myriad of Thai eateries and restaurants, as well as a Thai supermarket. With its rectangular-tiled floors and semi-dim lighting, this mall exudes an undeniable rustic aura. Flock with the crowds to Suki Thai for a mookata fiesta or Na Na Original Thai Food for a hearty supper.

5001 Beach Rd, Singapore 199588

Photo: Golden Mile Complex
2/10
People’s Park Complex
You've probably seen this iconic building at least once in your life. It's hard to miss People's Park Complex's striking green hues juxtaposed with the red bold Chinese characters splashed across its side. This building is every old folk's paradise. Retaining many traditional shops like super-marts and Chinese medicinal halls, you'll easily get your fix of your favourite childhood snacks and herbal drinks over here.

1 Park Road, Singapore 059108

Photo: People's Park Complex
3/10
City Plaza
Do you remember back in the day when you would go shopping for prom dresses with your girlfriends? If you did, City Plaza may have been one of the spots you had checked out. Brimming with unassuming clothing stores that offer trendy apparel at affordable prices, this mall is a pure gem. Hit up Refash's flagship outlet, a modern thrift store that sells stylish pre-loved clothing. You're bound to leave this place with a bag in your hand.
810 Geylang Rd, Singapore 409286

Photo: City Plaza
4/10
The Bencoolen
In need of a girls' pampering day? Look no further than The Bencoolen. Whether you're dying for a hair makeover or a good ol' manicure, the trove of beauty and hair salons housed within this mall will meet your every need. Check out X'treme Professional Hair Studio for a fresh new updo or Spacio Beauty for a rejuvenating massage. Not only that, The Bencoolen also boasts of an abundance of watch shops. If you're on the hunt for a birthday gift or would like to treat yourself, just walk into any of the watch shops and you'll be surprised by what you find.

180 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189646

Photo: Commercial Guru
5/10
Bugis Cube
A stone's throw away from Bugis Junction, Bugis Cube will bewilder you with its conspicuous neon signs lit up along its main entrance. Its slightly outdated appearance is compensated for by the variety of promising shops tucked within. Blend in with the crowd that streams into My Favourite Cafe during lunchtime for a satisfying bowl of Yong Tau Foo or float on the melodious tunes crooned out by local talents at The Ark Music Cafe.

470 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 188735

Photo: Singapore Office Spaces
6/10
Fortune Centre
If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you must have heard of Fortune Centre. This august building is an abundant well of vegetarian-vegan eateries boasting of scrumptious delights. Check out Herbivore for some resplendent vegan Japanese cuisine (yes, even vegan sashimi) or Vegepot for comforting noodle dishes. If you're not a vegetarian or vegan, not to worry. Japanese Curry Express has got you covered with its line-up of affordable Japanese delights such as Salmon Mentai Don and Katsu Curry Rice.

190 Middle Rd, Singapore 188979

Photo: Building and Construction Authority
7/10
Fu Lu Shou Complex
Walking past this building, one would think twice before stepping into the albeit shady-looking centre. But, trust us, you'll be missing out on a nostalgic adventure if you simply walk away. Take the stairs down into the basement and you'll be lured by the bustle of people swarming Joo Huat Trading. This well-known establishment specialises in dried goods, from nuts like pecans and cashews to savouries like mushrooms and scallops. Once you're done, you can take your time to explore the peculiar mix of shops dotted around the complex, from goldsmiths to reflexology centres.

149 Rochor Rd, Singapore 188425

Photo: Street Directory
8/10
Queensway Shopping Centre
On the hunt for a new pair of sports shoes or glossy badminton rackets? Queensway Shopping Centre will not disappoint. It's thronged with an army of sports stores such as Transworld Sports and Sports Connection. Once you've checked off your shopping list of shop merchandise, it's time to fill your tummy with some good grub. Thankfully, Queensway Shopping Centre has got that covered with its selection of reliable eateries. Settle down with a solid bowl of laksa from Janggut Laksa that strikes the right balance between milkiness and spice. If you're still feeling peckish, hit up Lau Tan Tutu Kueh for some old school traditional snacks.

1 Queensway, Singapore 149053

Photo: Queensway Shopping Centre
9/10
Beauty World Centre
Were we the only ones rejoicing when we heard that the sale of Beauty World Food Centre was overruled by the courts just months ago? While Beauty World Food Centre is renowned for its variety of delicious cheap eats, let's not forget about the building it's seated atop - Beauty World Centre. This heartland mall emanates old-school vibes, backed by natural lighting that seeps in through the ceiling panes and its population of long-standing shops. Relive your childhood through the 'mama' shops planted around the mall proudly displaying fake insects and plastic toys.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 588177

Photo: @wnjcam
10/10
Roxy Square
With its mundane appearance, Roxy Square isn't a mall one would think too highly of. This is even more so after its famous Qiu Rong Ban Mian relocated. Nevertheless, Roxy Square is still worth a visit for its interesting tiled interior and eclectic mix of shops. If you're in need of a nail revamp, an assemblage of nail salons awaits to give you a decent manicure at reasonable prices. For all the foodies out there, you'll be pleased to know that Roxy Square gets a good rep for its food court which serves up promising dishes from Bei-Ing Wanton Noodles and Andika's Nasi Padang.

50 East Coast Road, Singapore 428769

Photo: Roxy Pacific

It’s time to relive the era of gem biscuits and five stones.

Let’s face it: one can get pretty tired of strolling through the same shiny well-furbished malls of Singapore. Sliding past the walls of Ion Orchard’s glossy interior or getting lost in the modern labyrinth of Vivocity – we’ve probably done that ten times over. Sometimes, “old” is really the new black. There’s something so alluring about old rustic buildings that retain its vintage atmosphere and antique layout. Thankfully, while Singapore has its fair share of new malls, its charming population of old malls is still thriving.

For all you hipsters out there who wish to relive the old days, cruising through these nostalgic malls are the perfect option! It’s time to relish in good ol’ rustic vibes and forgotten childhood memories. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 old malls in Singapore you should visit for a trip down memory lane.

If you’re a zealous athlete, why not check out Queensway Shopping Centre? Its array of sports stores will spoil you for choice. Or if you’ve got some cravings for Thai cuisine, Golden Mile Complex is the ultimate place to hit up with its throng of authentic Thai eateries and restaurants.

Scroll our gallery above for a nostalgic walk through memory lane at 10 of Singapore’s best old malls!

Lim Han

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