Six Unexpected Things You’ll Find in Queenstown | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts

• AutoBahn Motors: World's largest luxury car vending machine in Queenstown, Singapore, showcasing classic and luxury cars.
• Queenstown, Singapore: A self-sufficient public housing estate, the first of its kind in Singapore, known for its historical significance and community initiatives.
• Point Blocks: A specific type of residential building in Singapore with a central corridor and four units per floor, designed for privacy.
• Alexandra Village Food Centre: A renowned hawker centre in Queenstown, famous for its local dishes, some of which are Michelin-featured.
• Poh Cheu Kitchen: A Michelin Plate-awarded establishment in Queenstown, specializing in traditional ang ku kueh and soon kueh.
• Ang Ku Kueh: A traditional Chinese pastry made from glutinous rice flour with sweet fillings.
• Soon Kueh: A Teochew steamed dumpling, also known as bamboo shoot cake.
• Community-Run Library: A unique library in Queenstown where community members lease shelves and lend books from their personal collections, fostering independent publishing and a "third space."
• Inner Child Creations: A craft shop in Queenstown that utilizes 3D printing and laser engraving, offering micro-jobs for seniors and producing items like 3D printed supermarket trolley tokens.
• SkyVille @ Dawson: An award-winning 47-storey public housing project in Queenstown, recognized for its design and offering panoramic views of Singapore.
• Tze Char: A local term for stalls serving home-cooked style local stir-fries.
• Moonlight Hor Fun: A dish featuring flat rice noodles with a distinctive egg yolk in the center, resembling moonlight.

AutoBahn Motors: A Luxury Car Vending Machine

AutoBahn Motors in Queenstown is highlighted as the world's largest luxury car vending machine. This establishment features a multi-story display of luxury and classic cars, capable of holding 40-50 vehicles, with approximately 20 classic cars on display. The process of acquiring a car is described as swift, taking less than two minutes from selection to delivery via a tapping mechanism. The host, Peggy, experiences a ride in a 1960s Morris Minor, emphasizing its classic charm and character. The transcript mentions a 1980s Porsche valued at approximately a million dollars, illustrating the high-end nature of the collection. The owner's passion for classic cars stems from childhood experiences with his brother, who worked for a car dealer.

Exploring Queenstown: A Historical and Community Hub

Queenstown is introduced as Singapore's first self-sufficient public housing estate, located less than 10km from the Central Business District. Its development in the 1950s set a precedent for Singaporean residential towns. The transcript specifically points out the "first two point blocks" in Queenstown, explaining that a point block is characterized by a central corridor and four units per floor, offering residents privacy.

Culinary Delights at Alexandra Village Food Centre and Poh Cheu Kitchen

The Alexandra Village Food Centre is renowned island-wide for its hawker dishes, with some even featured in the Michelin Guide. While Peggy initially seeks fresh juice, she then leads viewers to Poh Cheu Kitchen, the first ang ku kueh store in Singapore to receive a Michelin Plate. The owner emphasizes the continuation of traditional techniques, hand-rolling, wrapping, and folding each pastry since 1985, a legacy passed down from their grandparents. The ang ku kueh is described as having a soft, chewy glutinous rice flour skin and sweet fillings like mung bean or peanut. Poh Cheu Kitchen is also known for its soon kueh, a Teochew steamed dumpling. The transcript notes the appreciation for handmade traditional snacks that remain available to this day.

The Community-Run Library: A "Third Space"

A visit to a community-run library in Queenstown reveals a unique model where community members lease shelves and contribute books from their personal libraries for public borrowing. This initiative fosters a "third space" for the community. One shelf is curated by Joshua Ip, a recipient of an award at the Singapore Book Awards. The library is noted for housing independent publications like zines and comic books, which are not typically found in commercial bookstores. The sentiment expressed is a collective love for the space and a desire to protect it. The importance of poetry is highlighted, with a quote suggesting, "Poetry is a luxury that we cannot afford." The host expresses appreciation for how poetry evokes emotion, especially when from local writers with whom one can culturally relate.

Inner Child Creations: 3D Printing and Community Empowerment

Inner Child Creations, a craft shop run by Ying Tong for two years, is presented as a unique establishment. The shop offers 3D printed supermarket trolley tokens as a cashless solution for trolley usage, a concept Peggy finds innovative. The shop also produces stickers and offers laser engraving. The 3D printed trolley tokens are their most popular item. A significant aspect of Inner Child Creations is its engagement with the senior community in Queenstown. The shop provides "micro jobs" for seniors to do at home, such as assembling tokens, pasting stickers, and packaging, enabling them to earn an income with dignity. Peggy experiences the creation of her own trolley token, noting its lightness and personalized color. She then uses this token to purchase snacks and drinks for her teammates, demonstrating its practical application.

SkyVille @ Dawson: An Architectural Icon and Community Fitness Hub

SkyVille @ Dawson is described as a true icon of Queenstown, a 47-storey public housing project that has garnered numerous design awards. It serves as a location for hiking enthusiasts to train by climbing its stairs, a simple yet effective method for building endurance. Peggy meets with friends for training here. Fan, a professional hiker, offers tips, advising participants not to start too fast and to maintain their pace, suggesting using two steps per stride for efficiency. The climb to the 47th storey is challenging but rewarding, offering a breathtaking 360-degree sunset view of Singapore from Queenstown. The transcript emphasizes the belief that building a stronger community involves coming together for both recreation and healthy activities. A 63-year-old resident expresses appreciation for Peggy's encouragement and wishes more people would join such activities. The view from the high-rise is described as making the tiring climb worthwhile.

Tze Char and Local Delicacies: A Taste of Home

The summary then shifts to "tze char," a local term for stalls serving home-cooked style stir-fries. A restaurant that has been operating for 55 years is featured, offering dishes like chilli crab, black pepper crab, and cereal prawns. A particularly popular dish is the claypot liver, a recipe created by the grandmother and passed down through generations. The restaurant has been in its current location for approximately 25 years. The host highlights the friendly and united nature of the neighborhood. The claypot pig liver is presented, with a special mention of "moonlight hor fun" (flat rice noodles) due to the egg yolk in the center resembling moonlight. The host expresses that eating these local delicacies in Singapore, especially after traveling overseas, evokes more than just taste; it's a feeling of home.

Conclusion: Queenstown as a Place of Discovery and Belonging

The transcript concludes with Peggy reflecting on Queenstown. Despite her extensive travels, Queenstown remains her home. Growing up there instilled in her a sense of curiosity and a drive to discover new things, even in familiar surroundings. Her greatest joy in her neighborhood is sharing these discoveries with friends, making every moment feel fresh and new.