Four Must-Try NTU Experiences

Whether you are a freshman, final-year student or simply here on an exchange programme, the Nanyang Chronicle lists four NTU experiences that you cannot miss.

By Ashley Tay

Enjoy midnight suppers outside school

Having supper at the unholiest of hours has always been a quintessential part of hall life in NTU. There are various popular eating places nearby that students frequent for a midnight fix. Don’t forget to jio (invite) your friends out for a good bonding session beyond the confines of school.

Boon Lay Market & Food Centre

PHOTO: LOH JUNWEI

Venture out of NTU and into the heart of Boon Lay’s HDB estates for a taste of local culture. The marketplace sells an excellent variety of local delights from barbequed seafood dishes to fishball noodles to fill hungry tummies.

Especially popular with NTU students and local residents, Power Nasi Lemak is a hearty and delicious must-try.

Power Nasi Lemak
Boon Lay Place Market and Food Centre
221 Boon Lay Place, #01-06

金味 (Jing Wei) 24 Hours Coffee Shop

Located next to Pioneer MRT, this particular coffee shop is home to yet another beloved supper haunt.

Infamously known as Ah Lian to NTU students, the stall sells fried beehoon with a large assortment of sides, including fried chicken wings, stir-fried beans, chicken nuggets, sausages and fish cakes.

Economic Bee Hoon
Blk 651 63 Jurong West Street
Singapore 648310

S11 Eating House (Extension)

PHOTO: LOH JUNWEI

For an eating place closer to school, head over to the S11 Eating House (also known informally as Extension) a few bus stops away from NTU. To get there, simply take bus 179 from school, alight at the bus stop opposite City Harvest Church, and walk over to Blk 964.

It is most famous for its or luak (fried oyster omelette) and fish beehoon soup.

Relax at Pitchstop Cafe

PHOTO: LOH JUNWEI

Pitchstop is a popular cafe and bar located at basement level one of the Innovation Centre, hidden from the bustling crowd in Canteen B.

Diners are free to choose between indoor and alfresco seating. The alfresco area provides a relaxed atmosphere with large tables so bigger groups of friends can enjoy a meal together.

A great alternative when you crave a little variety, Pitchstop offers wood-fired pizzas with a variety of toppings such as Spicy Tuna Chunks, Sausage Olives and Pineapples, and Turkey Bacon. Available in nine-inch or twelve-inch sizes (at $11.50 and $18 respectively), the cafe also offers a ‘half and half’ option if you’re in the mood for combining two types of toppings.

To accompany the food, the cafe also has Kronenbourg and Kronenbourg Blanc beer on tap at an affordable price –– $8 and $11 for the smaller and larger glasses respectively.

It’s a great place to go to on one of those days when you need an extra perk in the middle of the day.

Conquer the campus running route

PHOTO: LOH JUNWEI

With many students spotted jogging on campus each evening, it’s not hard to guess that running is a favourite pastime for many students staying in hall.

The school’s hilly and rough terrain is perfect for both the experienced and inexperienced runner to work off the extra weight put on from late-night suppers. All that’s needed is a pair of running shoes and some upbeat music. It might be a good idea to bring some friends along for safety, especially when running late into the night.

For the inexperienced runner, start out with a reasonable route around the National Institute of Education (NIE) campus quadrant that stretches out to be approximately 1.6 kilometres. Experienced runners looking for a bigger challenge can attempt running the campus perimeter, which includes some of NTU’s steepest slopes.

Head over here to choose from a variety of pre-planned routes and more information about directions and distances.

Have a picnic on the ADM rooftop

PHOTO: LOH JUNWEI

Take a bus into campus and you would be struck by the the iconic School of Art, Design & Media (ADM) building with its glass-panelled windows and contoured garden roof.

While visually impactful in the day, going up to the rooftop at night gives a spectacular view of the campus that will make you see NTU in a whole new light .

Make a date or grab some good company and come armed with a picnic mat and basket to fully enjoy the experience.

To access the rooftop, use the stairs located along the sides of the roof. The climb up may be slightly too long for comfort, but the view from the top makes the effort completely worth it.