A little more than two years ago, Yung Raja embarked on an unexpected culinary adventure. The Southeast Asian rapper and hip-hop artist, whose family had moved to Singapore from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu before he was born, took it for granted that his mom put egg in dosa. When his friend tried it for the first time, and was blown away by this “twist” to the South Indian staple, Raja joked that they should try to make “dosa tacos” a thing. Although he was at the peak of his popularity (thanks to his 2018 hit Mustafa), it was the time of the pandemic when shows had been cancelled and business was slow. Restless to do something with their time, he and his friend—now business partner—took on the idea in earnest. In February 2022, armed with a 100-year-old ancestral dosa recipe, they launched MahaCo. Taco Bar, a first-of-its-kind dosa taco bar. For the musician, this was yet another way of showcasing his deep Tamilian roots in the country he’s called home since birth—and in true Singaporean fashion, the city embraced the experiment with open arms.
“There is so much ethnic diversity in Singapore, and it all works so beautifully,” shares the musician, who credits the island city-state’s diverse cultural landscape for shaping his own creative journey. “I have so much gratitude for this place—it’s what makes me feel like a true global citizen. It’s the ultimate fusion of global influences and local flavour. If you’ve never been, you’ve got to come and experience the unique vibe it offers.”
To get you started, The Nod asked the rapper put together an itinerary packed with iconic spots, hidden gems, and off-the-beaten-path recommendations that are quintessentially Singaporean. From a restaurant that was once frequented by Chinese clans to an al fresco sip-and-paint space, you’ll find there’s more to see and do here than any guidebook can tell you.
An all-time favourite watering hole
Druggists is a super cool restaurant that used to be a Chinese Clan association building. Back in the day, these clan houses were where people with the same surname gathered—it’s a deeply rooted part of Singapore’s Chinese heritage. Now, this old-school space has been transformed into a craft beer bar with 23 taps that change every couple of weeks, plus natural wines and custom cocktails. Personally, I’m all about the double or triple IPAs for that bold, hoppy flavour. What I love most are the global offerings—sipping on beers from places like the Netherlands or Denmark that I’ve never been to. Druggists has this cult following, with regulars like me always coming back. Singapore can feel like one giant office sometimes, all concrete and no soul, so finding spots like this is rare.
A place to hang out if you like music, sports, or just good vibes
Arab Street’s Blu Jaz Cafe is iconic—part café, part bar, part restaurant, and every bit a creative haven. The place has great food and drinks, but the real magic happens in the events. The venue has hosted everything from underground hip-hop acts to stand-up comedy, and even wild parties. It’s been a home for Singapore’s creative scene, not just for musicians or rappers, but for anyone pushing the arts forward. I performed there back in 2017, but over the years, Blu Jaz has been one of the few places championing local talent in Singapore’s tight-knit creative community. It's always packed with tourists, thanks to its prime location in Haji Lane, but the vibe is unbeatable. Another place I love frequenting is Jeffo’s. If you are a football fan, you’ll love this sports bar. It’s run by a guy named Jeff, who used to have a place in Orchard Road before moving to Tanjong Pagar. Anytime there’s a big match, you can count on it being livestreamed here.
A local delicacy that isn’t chicken rice
Also on Arab Street is Mahmud’s Tandoor, which is absolute genius. The owner took his family’s tandoori chicken recipe and turned it into mini sliders—basically, tandoori chicken burgers. And let me tell you, these are hands down the best chicken burgers I’ve ever had. Whenever I’m not serving MahaCo at my parties, I’m ordering from him. And if you are still looking for chicken rice because, let’s face it, when in Singapore, you’ve got to have this at least once, I’d recommend Maxwell Food Centre. I usually get steamed chicken rice, the traditional, no-frills way. Nobody does it better than them, in my opinion.
The supermarket souvenir to take back in bulk
If it’s your first time hitting a Singaporean supermarket, you’ve got to grab the sports drink, 100Plus. This, and Milo, were staples for me growing up, especially as my family moved here as immigrants in the ’90s. Sure, you can find Milo in Australia and a few other places, but 100 Plus? That’s a Southeast Asian gem. Every time my sister visits from the US, she asks for it because it’s hard to find outside this region. Definitely try it—sweet, light, refreshing, it’s one of my all-time favourite drinks.
A shopping experience that’s uniquely Singapore
There’s this iconic little hole-in-the-wall called Choice Cuts on Joo Chiat Road that sells vinyls, coffee, and pizzas. I love that we have a place like this. Real estate here is expensive, so I’ve got huge respect for the owners who took the leap to invest in their passion. They’re legends here—everyone knows Choice Cuts.
An activity that no guidebook will tell you about
Personally, I love to sip and paint, and there’s this awesome spot down the street near my home called Paintblush that I visit. You can bring your own bottle, order your favourite food, and just chill while you paint. It’s the perfect escape—I can easily spend three hours here, lost in creativity. I also love Amped, a trampoline park that brings out my inner kid. It’s a blast.
A spot to lose yourself in, away from the crowds
Enclave Bar is one of my favourites. The demographic there is a bit more bougie, so I rarely run into anyone I know. In a small city like Singapore, it can feel claustrophobic with everyone knowing someone, so I appreciate having a few spots that are just right for me. Even if you're just visiting, you'll find Enclave Bar is a great place to unwind after a busy day.
A local event or festival to plan your trip around
I’ve lived in Little India since I was five, and Diwali always brings a whole new level of vibrancy to our neighbourhood—I absolutely love this time of year. My family is traditionally South Indian, so we don’t really celebrate Diwali at home, but living in Little India makes it impossible not to join in. The Singapore government decks out the streets with stunning lights and structures, transforming our area into an unreal spectacle. From my place, the view is breathtaking—bright, beautiful, and unique every year with different designs and lighting arrangements. If you’re in Singapore during the festive season, you have to check out Little India. Another event—though super touristy—is F1. It’s one of the few night races on the F1 circuit, and the lights are spectacular, plus they have performances and concerts. Even if you are not a die-hard fan, you will enjoy the vibe.
