1932 Story Cafe – Tranquil Cafe Located Next to Newly-Restored Bukit Timah Railway Station

The Rail Corridor in Bukit Timah has become a popular spot that is well-visited by joggers, dog-walkers, hikers and people looking to update their Instagram feed. With the opening of 1932 Story Cafe at the Railway Staff Quarters (which is right next to the newly-restored Bukit Timah Railway Station), more people are flocking to the area to check out the latest dining option in the area. 

For a late Monday afternoon, the indoor seating of the cafe was absolutely packed. The decor was certainly eye-catching, with large doses of nostalgia everywhere you look. From low couches and chairs you’d typically see in houses built in the 1900s to memorabilia like retro CD players, this interior really takes you on a walk down memory lane. 

There are even quirky train-themed inclusions such as an honest-to-goodness ticketing booth that acts as a table and a railway timetable by the entrance. 

Outside the red-bricked cafe is an outdoor courtyard with low wooden tables. Enjoy your break while being surrounded by soothing greenery. 

Expect a mix of local and Western cuisine on the menu. I was intrigued by the Charred Seafood Laksa Pasta ($14.90) and was greeted by jet-black spaghetti, prawns, clams and cuttlefish in laksa sauce. The laksa roux was more on the watery side and would have fared better if it was thicker and richer. It did deliver a good hit of spice but could have used just a tad more coconut milk. 

I also thought the pasta would be infused with squid ink but it didn’t seem to be the case. It could also have been more al dente. 

The accompanying ingredients gained more points compared to the pasta and laksa roux. The prawns were pleasantly sweet and fresh, the cuttlefish pieces were chewy but not at all tough, and the clams were also chewy with a slight hint of sweetness as well. 

If I were to choose what I would order again on my next visit, it would be the Malay Rendang Beef Pie ($10.90). The large pie had a beautifully flaky crust on top and cutting into it revealed a deliciously oozy mess of beef rendang. While the chunks of beef were not the most tender I’ve had, they were of a decent texture and definitely marinated well. As for the rendang sauce, it hit all the right spots.

The fries were unremarkable, which all the more allowed the beef pie to steal the limelight.

If you’re looking for a snack to munch on, I’d recommend the Sweet Potato Balls ($5.90). Each one was amazingly chewy – almost like mochi – and was sweet and satisfying. 

There were quite a number of intriguing drinks on the menu and the Charred Smoke Latte ($6) got me curious to see if it tastes exactly like what it sounds like (whatever that is). If the charred bit meant that the coffee would be robust with bitter notes, then that’s what you’ll be getting. I’d suggest going for the other drinks on their menu instead. 

While I wouldn’t specifically return to 1932 Story Cafe for the food alone, it definitely has the aesthetics aspect down pat and it’s a lovely place to rest your feet after a day of hiking.

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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