Originally Posted by
invisible
One more option - Joo Chiat. Interesting mix of Malay and Chinese neighbourhoods, good Vietnamese restaurants, 20 min walking to East Coast Park.
+1 on this. Only thing is that it is further from the city centre (approx 15 min drive).
Chinatown is too sanitised for me, unless you are here before Chinese New Year.
Little India and Arab Street area has more buzz.