Stepping out of Tampines MRT, we were immediately greeted by the brand new Tampines 1, the mega mall which has generated much buzz lately. We set off on our journey to the East to bring to you our take on Tampines 1.

Food: ♦ ♦ ♦

Even though there were a few fast food joints in Tampines 1, it was disappointing to see the same old restaurants which could be found elsewhere. The food outlets there could have been much more diverse and unique. However, our dining experience at Say Cheeze was a good one, not only was the service excellent, with wait staff refilling our water regularly, but they went the extra mile in asking for additional feedback at the end of our meal. The Beef Lasagna and Aglio Olio with Clams were tasty as well, not to mention their signature cheese cakes! With many unique flavours such as durian and lychee, it left us saying cheese! Furthermore, their affordable student set lunches will surely tempt you.

Entertainment: ♦ ♦

A major issue we had with Tampines 1 was its lack of a cinema, something essential for a shopping mall. Although there was an arcade and several spa facilities, entertainment outlets for those not so keen in mere shopping, especially students, were lacking. On the other hand, if one is desperate for a movie may just pop over to Tampines Mall, just a stone’s throw away from Tampines 1 for their entertainment fix.

Accessibility: ♦ ♦ ♦

Located conveniently outside Tampines MRT and Tampines Bus Interchange, it is impossible for you not to be able to find this sub-urban mall. In fact, our journey to Tampines 1 from our school took a surprisingly shorter time than expected, around half an hour or so, not so bad for an establishment so far in the east.

Shopping: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

The main draw of Tampines 1 has to be the wide variety of shops here; from shops with trendy boutiques such as Topshop and Newurbanmale, to children’s wear and even clothes for your pets. The much hyped about franchise from Japan, UniQlo did not disappoint either, situated on the 2nd floor offering cheap yet fashion-forward casual wear. Other rarely seen shops include the Korean and Japanese themed supermarkets, selling exclusive goods imported from overseas. Being the definite main attraction of Tampines 1, it is surely heaven for all you shopaholics.

Special Features: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Not only does this huge mall guarantee plenty of retail outlets, it also helps make your shopping experience more wonderful with its spacious walkways, no more bustling with other shoppers to get into your favourite shop! The toilets were also clean and well stocked, but what we particularly enjoyed was the garden terrace on level 4. Perfect for a break away from all the shopping to simply marvel at the scenery or take a seat at the ample amount of benches provided.

Overall rating: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Written by Lynette and Yun Xuan