4 Hidden Gems You'll Find In Serangoon | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts

• Serangoon: A residential town in the North-East region of Singapore, described as a bustling hub and a pet-friendly area.
• House of Chinchilla: Adlina Adil's shop in Serangoon North, specializing in chinchillas.
• Chinchillas: Low-maintenance pets, generally well-tolerated by people with skin allergies. They require dust baths for grooming.
• Pet Walk (Serangoon North Avenue 1): A street lined with various pet shops, including those selling rabbits, terrapins, birds, and chinchillas.
• Adlina Adil: The narrator, a full-time actress and leather crafter, who lives in Serangoon.
• Leather Crafting: A hobby Adlina pursued for supplementary income and enjoyment, involving making products like necklaces and offering workshops.
• Cheong Ann Watchmaker: An antique clock repair shop in Serangoon, established in 1947 by the narrator's grandfather.
• Shawn: The third-generation owner of Cheong Ann Watchmaker, specializing in clock repair and restoration.
• J. Smith & Sons Long Case Clock: A specific antique clock from around 1850 mentioned as part of Shawn's impressive inventory.
• 28MM Studios: A family-run business offering silversmith workshops, particularly for couples creating their own rings.
• Ring-Making Workshop: A two-hour session involving stamping, shaping, filing, soldering, oxidizing, and polishing to create a ring.
• Chomp Chomp Food Centre: A famous hawker centre in Serangoon, established in 1972, named after the Mandarin word "Zhong Zhong" (loyalty and righteousness).
• Satay Jawa: An Indonesian-style satay served at "The Warung" in Chomp Chomp Food Centre, characterized by grilled meat, peanut sauce, a special spicy sauce, and sliced chilli.
• Line Dancing: A form of folk dance popular among seniors in Singapore, offering a low-impact way to stay active, socialize, and engage the mind.

Serangoon: A Vibrant and Inclusive Neighborhood

The video explores the narrator's (Adlina Adil) neighborhood of Serangoon, highlighting its unique character and diverse offerings. Adlina, a full-time actress and leather crafter, showcases what makes her "hood" special.

The Pet Hub of Serangoon North

Serangoon North is identified as the "pet hub of Singapore." Adlina's own business, House of Chinchilla, established in late 2006, is located here. She emphasizes that chinchillas are "very easy pets" and "low-maintenance," making them suitable for individuals with busy lifestyles. The video demonstrates the chinchillas' grooming routine, which involves rolling in sand or dust baths. Adlina notes that chinchillas are "generally better tolerated by people with skin allergies," a personal observation as she is allergic to cats.

The Pet Walk, located along Serangoon North Avenue 1, is described as an "animal lover’s dream." This area was named "Pet Walk" after renovations due to the high concentration of pet shops selling a variety of animals, including rabbits, terrapins, birds, and chinchillas.

A Peaceful Residential Environment

Adlina resides in Serangoon, a "bustling residential town" in the North-East region of Singapore, which is "well-connected to the city centre." She lives in a four-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat with her husband. A significant appeal of their home is the "great view of my favourite park," with "greenery" visible from the windows, contributing to a "peaceful and calming" atmosphere.

Dual Passions: Acting and Leather Crafting

Adlina shares her journey into acting, citing the "irregular hours" and the "special bond" formed through teamwork over three to four months as key inspirations. She also identifies as a "multi-talented woman" who engages in leather crafting when not acting. This pursuit began as a way to earn income during periods of irregular acting jobs. She collaborates with friends who are already in the field, selling leather products and conducting workshops. An example of her leather work is a "simple leather necklace" that she intends to enhance with silver.

Preserving Time at Cheong Ann Watchmaker

Adlina visits Cheong Ann Watchmaker to get an antique clock repaired. The shop is described as "amazing" and "nothing but clocks," evoking a "Harry Potter" set. The business was founded by the narrator's grandfather in 1947, and the current owner, Shawn, is the "third-generation owner." Shawn's craft is dedicated solely to "clock repair and restoration." He learned his skills primarily through verbal instruction from his grandfather and father, understanding "what each gear does" and the order of assembly. Shawn's inventory is "impressive," featuring "more than 1200 clocks, mostly antique," including a "long case by J. Smith & Sons" dating back to around 1850. The shop promises to notify Adlina when her clock is ready.

Unlocking New Skills at 28MM Studios

Adlina then participates in a silversmith workshop at 28MM Studios, a "family-run business." The workshop focuses on couples creating their own rings, often for engagements or weddings. The two-hour session involves guided steps such as "stamping symbols, shaping, filing, soldering, and oxidising the ring before we polish it up." Adlina successfully crafts a ring, expressing satisfaction with her newfound skill and the "pretty item" she created. She connects this to her earlier leather necklace project, which she now plans to add a silver touch to.

Culinary Delights at Chomp Chomp Food Centre

As a "foodie," Adlina highlights the renowned Chomp Chomp Food Centre. The hawkers relocated to this site in 1972, and the name "Chomp Chomp" is an English adaptation of the Mandarin word "Zhong Zhong," meaning "loyalty and righteousness." Adlina opts for satay, specifically the "Javanese variation" from The Warung. This "Indonesian-style satay" is grilled and topped with peanut sauce, a special spicy sauce, and sliced chilli. She orders "20 sticks, half chicken, half mutton." Her niece, Lyn, joins her for the meal, and Adlina praises the satay's "tender and juicy" meat and the sauce's balance of "sweetness" and "chilli." She also enjoys the unique addition of "sambal kicap" (soy sauce).

Community and Activity: Line Dancing

To counter feeling full, Adlina seeks out activity and discovers a group engaged in line dancing. Line dancing, originating in the United States, is described as a "fun, low-impact way to stay active, socialise, and keep both body and mind engaged," particularly popular among seniors in Singapore. Adlina attempts to join the group, finding the steps challenging but appreciating the community aspect. The group meets weekly to practice, and one participant mentions line dancing for "about 25 years," highlighting its benefits for "balance, coordination, and memory." Adlina finds it "heartwarming to see friends, neighbours, even strangers doing things together as a community."

Conclusion: Inclusivity and Pursuing Dreams

Adlina concludes by reflecting on the comforting nature of her neighborhood, which caters to diverse interests, from antique clocks and silversmithing to chinchillas and leather crafting. She believes this "inclusivity means no one will be left out, even if everyone is pursuing their own dreams," which is why she feels at home in Serangoon.