I Visited Singapore’s Ghost Town Mall

Is this really Singapore? That was my first impression when I stepped into City Plaza, one of Singapore's oldest and hard-core malls. Some call it a "Ghost Town" while others call it "nostalgic". I explored the mall for a day and attempted to spend $100 to see what kind of experience I could get.
City Plaza maps.app.goo.gl/9o36HDpfiMVum...
Chapters
00:00 About this "Ghost Town"
01:32 First Impressions
03:59 Looking for Men's Brief
04:36 Best Fried Chicken in Singapore?
06:41 Lunch at the 'Best' Ban Mian
08:50 Massage
10:13 Level 1
12:18 Security Officer Confronts Me
14:02 Most Expensive Purchase Today
15:01 Actually Finding Men's Brief
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#Singapore

[@KelvinKing]

I actually feel that City Plaza has a nostalgic charm to it... Being a former Katong Boy, my childhood hangout malls included Katong Shopping Center, Roxy Square and occasionally City Plaza. There's this feeling that such malls give me that other modern malls cannot. When I step into these malls, I'm immediately brought back to simpler (and less depressing) times, which is a comforting feeling. I'm not being constantly reminded that looks, money and status are the most important things in life, which is the feeling I immediately get when stepping into the Mega Orchard Malls. In these malls, there are no pretenses...you are not judged by other shoppers... I was very contended just going to City Plaza to get a haircut and having a meal after that at Arnolds.

[@sngjoolian]

Strongly agreed. Like the place

[@Peacelily22]

Yes all the modern malls have global brands and just don’t feel as nostalgic

[@watchtherapy1068]

Ghost town? Come on Sunday, all the ghost will run away for 1 day

[@vistaflower]

LOL 😂

[@engchoontan8483]

the extension of philippines, from citiy-plaza drain to grand-link mall drain and side lechon and thai to geylang back-lane to school and bao shop. drain walkers. besides whole sale parking goods (batam diamond mall style), steal indonesian-philippino from lucky-plaza, picnic grass areas from paya-lebar-square and walking route from haig road hawker to katong shopping center... its a million strength exchange interlock.

[@sngjoolian]

😂😂😂😂

[@GT-uc9gs]

This mall has become a crowded shopping mall for helpers on Sunday. U should come take video on Sunday. 😂😂😂

[@willie8452]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="901">15:01</a> 😂😂😂😂 I watched the ending 3 times . This is the best Ive ever watched!

[@CK-xl5bt]

My aunt owns a shop there. FYI, many of the clothing shop there are wholesalers, they have customers from overseas/locals who buy their clothes there to re-sell(Monday mornings is the busiest if i remembered correctly). I must say this isn't a conventional mall; a unique mall in itself and definitely not a ghost town.

[@reontgen]

My Aunt too has a shop there selling ladies clothings. 😊 We do visit her sometimes.

[@nanyanghuayi]

Agree. It was bustling in the evenings, especially over the weekends. How is that a ghost town mall?

[@WintervOn]

the determination for men's brief is unbelievable

[@davidty]

City Plaza is not really a ghost mall… this is Indonesia’s answer to Lucky Plaza. on sundays the Indonesian migrant workers go here and hang out. that’s why there are a lot of women’s fashion stores, they cater to the Indonesian domestic workers.

[@Silverelfz]

City Plaza used to somewhat be a wholesale place for female fashion.

[@nanyanghuayi]

Before it becomes a Lucky Plaza for Indonesian maids, it attracts the women from Geylang.

[@paddy8888]

So long as there are still old-school shoppers, there's a good reason for old-school shopping malls to exist.

[@chroniclesofalazyriderbyde9504]

I grew up at nearby Marine Parade Estate and travelled there frequently as that was one of the few malls around the area back in the 80s. It was a place full of jeans, T-shirts and ladies wear. The CD shop which you intro was used to be a video cassette rental store back in the 80s where rental of HongKong drama series was very popular back then. Guess I think you are clueless what is a video cassette. The ground floor where the Halal store and snack store are used to be shops selling atifical flowers for decoration. This mall brought back alot of my childhood memories. Thanks for making this video and yes... finding a brief inside the mall is near impossible but not outside.... lol

[@kohilist]

One of the more charming old malls, it's like time is suspended in there. A wholesale clothing mall. It should remain like this, there's no need for more copypasta malls in sg.

[@renaturerelaxationchannel4800]

Your video always makes such old places so interesting to visit.

[@GhibOjisan]

Glad you like them!

[@JohnYow1]

The ending was... brief.

[@rockman1122]

A brief comment.

[@romkoh]

Hahaha!!! Why you say that huh? Why you say that? Hahaha

[@JohnYow1]

@@rockman1122 I was floored by how brief it was.

[@JohnYow1]

@@romkoh maybe i am trying to trick people to watch til the end?

[@tanyongrui88]

Weird Japanese culture, haha

[@BernardTheoPJanda]

Nice video! Reminiscent of your earlier videos, no sponsorships and partnerships, just a straightforward walking tour with food. Oh, and the ending was EPIC!

[@Jelloc]

Oh I like the Ban Mian on the top floor food court, and also this was the very first outlet of Arnold's Fried Chicken

[@benjaminyh6252]

Yea man. That's the only Arnold's that can still eat... The other outlets really cannot make it

[@lancechan8256]

Arnold’s Fried Chicken 1st outlet was on the 2nd floor in Odeon Katong mall before they moved to City Plaza

[@dennisheng8976]

I love where this series is going!!

[@lazyjane1223]

Omg what a hilarious and fun episode!! 😅 the brows was well done and now I want to visit this mall just for the Arnold’s chicken! Thanks Ghib :)

[@CaraLim]

My parents used to own a wholesale shop there, in the 90s it’s one of the 2 main women’s clothing wholesale Center in Singapore… the other one is at Crawford Lane. This was way before online shopping and direct sourcing online took over the world…… there was a need for wholesalers to support smaller local fashion Retailers. There you go :) a bit of background on the mall !

[@zennt6930]

Thank you for another enjoyable video, brightens up my day after hard day work. My heart melted when u bought the gifts for yr loved ones, aww!

[@Rat_King_Reviews]

Interesting I'll watch this with a nice brew shortly. Love all your content it's great seeing these places

[@ckloh3378]

On the 2nd floor, level 2, opposite the foot massage corner shop is a very good Ipoh chicken hor fun stall and pig stomach soup! Called Chi De Fu....they open late afternoon, the owner is a former chef or 5 star hotels in SG 😂

[@GhibOjisan]

Aw I missed it!

[@Rinazalelos]

This mall really brings back a lot of memories. I remember my family would go there to eat at Arnold's when it was a special occasion like someone's birthday or there was something to celebrate. Last time there were more food shops just outside the mall and everything tasted super delicious! That was 18 years ago! Thank you for another awesome video ghib buddy👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@lojk1357]

Funny ending...Ghib 😂love your videos

[@chrisl9934]

I like how the toilets are really clean!

[@user-xyzabc143]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I love your videos!! ❤ I've been living in Singapore for 13 years now and I love that I learn a lot about this place from your videos. I am a Jollibee person, but will definitely try Arnold's after watching this video. Great job on your contents! I love it! 👏👏👏👍👍👍🙌🙌

[@GhibOjisan]

Yeah it’s really yummy!!🤤

[@nancyho9977]

love to watch your videos - so funny at times . keep it up

[@cheeseizblue]

OMG, you sounded EXACTLY like my husband @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="267">4:27</a> ! Did he possess you???!! I laugher so hard through out this epic episode! I kove this mall for its uniquely stubborn ability to stay relevant throughout the decades! I come here to shop for sarongs for Malay weddings, Indonesia food and snacks, and of course the spicy chilli that the mee hoon kuey comes with!!

[@ravan85]

this is one of the best videos ...that ending was too brief though

[@dawnho7744]

Lol, the last part was really funny!

[@baomeigao6496]

This mall is one of my favourites - lots of memories from childhood [hahaa, am a baby boomer]. It is not as packed / busy. I buy clothing, toiletries, shoes, fix my mobile phone and yes, eat here. Love the Indonesian titbits. Laid back, memories of Di Tanjong Katong! Not a ghost town Mall, for sure!

[@sglatitude]

I only go there to buy Arnold’s Fried Chicken level 2. Jollibee at Payalebar Square level 1 is just 10 minutes walking distance from city plaza.

[@tinateh]

If you like old malls, you can check out Thomson Plaza (we use to call it Yaohan as it was the biggest department store in the mall), Sun Plaza, Lucky Plaza, People’s Park Complex and Holland Road Shopping Centre.

[@lengyeowang4147]

Sun plaza are not so old

[@elenas8190]

Oh I love the noodles and the very spicy chilli! Almost every table patrons order from this stall. It's been there for more than 20 yrs. I like the ending, bro!

[@user-tb1dd4bh1b]

笑いながら観てました〜！😂 レトロすぎて建物内に入ったことなかったんですが、ジブさんに続いて私も入ってみます！ モールめぐりシリーズ楽しみにしてます！

[@GhibOjisan]

ありがとうございます😊

[@NazreeNazzeer]

LOL at the ending! I had to check out your google review and it’s legit! 😂😂😂

[@IZTheOne]

I used to go City Plaza alot to buy CDs from Malaysian artistes because they always one of the 1st to bring it into Singapore. Arnold's is always juicy and delicious but I don't know when the last time I ate there lol! Old malls have lots of character and City Plaza is still bustling to this day is amazing!

[@hillary8929]

Thanks!

[@GhibOjisan]

Appreciate it Hillary! Huat ah!!

[@naokof4029]

こういうnostalgicな雰囲気大好き 紹介してくれて有難うございます👍 今度行ってみよう

[@greenlife1973]

My goodness… the end was hilarious! 😂

[@lilylim6802]

Used to go there paktor 😂 3 decades ago. Maybe it’s time to revisit the place ,reminiscing the good old times😂

[@HumanCat]

I love this kind of malls..reminds me of the good old days of the 80s/90s

[@kelvinchong6945]

alot of them may not know this place back in the 80s and 90s, city plaza is the place to go for video games back in the days

[@user-yk9fw7qc9p]

this is the place where i applied for the blue passport. old shopping malls seems to have the same type of flooring, it reminds me of beauty world, bt timah plaza, katong shopping centre and queenstown shopping centre.

[@kwongjennifer8939]

So funny- the bit when Ghib san was surprised that $5 neatened his overall look!😂😂😂

[@jcalm1]

This is the first time I ever heard of "Men's Brief"...BRAVO!!!!

[@yeezeey4037]

eh Ghib-san, men's briefs is staged leh haha! But still nice to give a fun ending to the clip. Well done!

[@robintan9386]

City plaza has many female clothing wholesalers here . Many Indonesia and other nearby countries come here and buy stock.

[@chenyinmei6466]

So funny ghib..you found one men's brief...hahaha😂

[@Dans_Theatre]

Wild Briefs, one of the Pokemons found outside of Japan. Jipun Kia is lucky to capture this rare creature.

[@flowerhue]

Thanks to ghib, i want to go and have the mee hun kueh there 😂

[@GhibOjisan]

enjoy!

[@johnwongkimsiong3807]

When you were doing the video on the worst shopping mall in Singapore, I immediately thought of City Plaza. After watching that video, I realized that as little as I enjoy City Plaza, it does not hold a candle to USSC when it comes to being the worst mall in Singapore. At least there's food here to look forward to and a huge nostalgic vibe. Oh, I used to love the Penang Laksa at the lvl 5 coffee shop and thought it was the best Penang Laksa in Singapore. I remember spending $7 and it came with 2 full fillets of sardine when most shops elsewhere would only have sardine crumbs in the soup. That must have been more than 10 years ago though. 😂 I wonder if the stall is still there. 🤔

[@danishrusdi]

I do remember this place though, brings back the 80s nostalgia

[@leongfilms5158]

Thanks for this video on City Plaza, keeping an open mind and with positive things to say in the end. Those ignorant comments at the start of the video just shows that they never lived thru the golden 80s era. This video and City Plaza brings back many memories of the 1980s when my Dad will bring me to shop and buy me toys almost every weekend.

[@coastalmoonie7654]

Brilliant creative ending…i burst out laughing..😂🤣🤣👏

[@sujaniaslam2428]

Hi Ghib,, i dont know if i ever went there one time long long time ago becoz my family said we went there one time anyway thks for showing it again,, its so funny you found that brief, i think its yours you put it there 🤣hahahha,, nice vlog Ghib Huat ahh 👍😎😇 oh i like that chair massage, if only all the mall provide that chair massage,, 😅

[@jjakdteo]

you are so creative

[@rogeretiennedelacruz3000]

I grew up in my teens shopping and eating in this area. Thank you for reviewing these forgotten neighbourhood malls

[@kamariahabdrahim6963]

Hahaha! The ending is hilarious.🤭😅

[@rongvo7861]

Guys , we have our own KFC , the OG legendary Arnold chicken ! It’s been around for as many as 30’plus years . IMO I really think it’s one of the best fried chicken I’ve tasted . It’s always served piping hot , the meat was juicy and succulent , totally finger licking good . If the western gotten KFC to their name , while Philippine have Jollibee and Malaysia with its own DFC , well we have our very own ARNORLD chix ! And it can topped any one of the competitors above . Support local branding 💪 Luving it 😊 !

[@jamesng9811]

Went to Arnold’s bedok branch twice. First trip, piping hot crispy juicy spring chicken! The best money can buy!! Second trip, went over with wifey! Full of anticipation as I told my wifey the goodness of Arnold’s! Turns out a dud! Chicken was refried to heat the ones sitting on the shelf for too long. So, chicken was dark brown, rancid smell and , no, it’s not juicy anymore ! Got ridiculed by wifey for overstating Arnold’s goodness. Sad sad sad! 😔

[@rongvo7861]

@@jamesng9811 True that , I did experienced the same problem with this Bedok branch . Arnold need to address this issue if they want to stay relevant in the market . Hope they can keep up to their standard in all outlet .

[@kamariahabdrahim6963]

Arnold's is local? I didn't know that.I love Arnold's Chicken.

[@cfyong1838]

@@jamesng9811get another wife. Too much complain over small little issue. Shd be happy outing with your company hand in hand rather than complain over a bloody dehydrated fried chicken.

[@danielang5495]

I thought Tenderfresh is our local OG

[@ejsoh5291]

hilarious ending lol!

[@glentheseira308]

oh man they way u ate the 'Arnold's' chicken makes me very hungry.... good review!

[@yhtey14]

What an ending!

[@crosbyong]

🤣🤪🤣🤪🤣🤪👏👏 Ghib-san, you’re hilarious!

[@tigerrom03]

I cannot believe that you picked up the men’s brief 😮

[@paulankle]

Did Ojisan de-brief his men's brief, place it on the floor and pretend he find it by accident?

[@JesusMySaviour1717]

It’s so ticklish for asking men’s brief in city plaza! 🤣 this video really makes my day! 👍😂

[@89myking]

Marie’s skills are legit. Always made advance bookings. Very authentic Thai massage.

[@NeoWeaponog]

Just subscribed to your channel this weekend. Love your content......i wish i saw your channel before i went to Singapore two weeks ago. Now i have to come back!

[@GhibOjisan]

Thanks for subbing!

[@wumingkkk]

If you like old malls, you can try around the beauty world and bukit timah area >>> Cornation Plaza, Bukit Timah Plaza.

[@IloveFreo]

As a regular visitor to Singapore I’ve been there and had Arnold’s. Even bought a carry on bag for my trip home. I like it because it’s old school. Too many of the newer malls have all the same shops.

[@haruhi7745]

Welcome Back. Interested topics 👍🌷💙🤍

[@psoon04286]

Didn’t know that Arnold’s had a half chicken on their menu. Must try next time. Looks really SHIOK!😋

[@helenehashimoto3554]

my childhood hangout place!! been there recently, so nostalgic

[@limcynthia2106]

Very retro mall & love shopping there. Dont think you can find one quite like it in the East anymore. Enjoy!

[@fkit6027]

LOVE YOUR VERSION OF RYAN TRAHAN!!! KEEP IT UP GHIB

[@lamedada]

This is by far the funniest video..... You WERE influenced by others..... Just to find brief🤣🤣🤣🤣. But ya.... This is definitely like a good place to hide from bustling malls... (except weekends)

[@rexduodecim3528]

That thumbnail is amazing lmaooo

[@hrshsln6768]

Only legends know that if you go to City Plaza, you go there to eat at Arnold’s Chicken (still there), then on the 1st floor there’s that machine where you put your hand in (still there), then at the CD shop, if go down that aisle of shops, at the end there used to be a shop called Nora opposite it is a game store where an Auntie would sell not just new games but old games as well, & she preserved old street fighters t-shirts & old gaming magazines. I’m 30 now but this was back in 2007, memories.

[@zuejayt7061]

You made me drool when you're eating the mee hoon kway. 🤤

[@MamaDiva22]

City Plaza mall carries many core memories for my family and me. Definitely nostalgic!

[@shirleyong2810]

The ending was crazy 😂

[@llgla]

City Plaza was one of my hangout spots with friends back in the 90s. Good old days.

[@tonghengseah113]

I went there 2 weeks ago. I found it quite vibrant! It is mainly hot spot for Indonesia domestic helper. It is like a little Indonesia. Arnold's chicken is like one of the flag ship fast food restaurant. there.

[@raphaelger]

😂😂😂😂 The ending is really 😅😅😅😅

[@littlemissgoodwish4185]

I remember going to Arnold's when my age was still one digit. At that time there was only this branch. This is the origin. More branches of Arnold's only started appearing much later I believe. Very nostalgic. I visited City Plaza just over a month back myself(never been there in over a couple of decades) and was surprised at how active it was.

[@littlemissgoodwish4185]

Also I think some of the sellers relocated here because Tanjong Katong Complex is closed?

[@PaulaBean]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="337">5:37</a> Very courageous! Filming right under a 'no photography' sign! 🤪

[@64ytb]

The management should consider taking away that stupid signage. How else to promote this mall? This is 2024 already. This is a mall, not a temple.

[@yuy2375]

@@64ytbit’s ok, that’s videography 😂

[@marcietan]

I used to live directly opposite city plaza and the ban Mian is really good. However, u missed out eating the nasi padang at level 1, it’s a really delicious nasi padang.

[@jen3850]

When I first had Coleslaw from Arnolds at the Hougang Green outlet, it made me fell in love with Coleslaw from other places as well 🥰

[@aniraz90s]

I always go there to eat Arnold's Fried chicken. Very shiok if you get the combo with bun, coleslaw and mashed potatoes. It's a must order for me everytime I go Arnold's. The chicken, bun, coleslaw, mashed potato and bandung. Satisfying combination. 😋

[@lenachoong5439]

The Ending! No way! Did you stage it?? Lolol

[@kelele]

Your Mandarin pronunciation getting good Ghib 🫡 👍

[@GhibOjisan]

Xiexie 😊

[@clarissanatashatan9358]

It is crowded with all the Indonesian helpers on the weekend. You should go to Adelphi and peninsular plaza as well, really old school vibes too

[@rocky509]

Every Sunday,this mall filled with indonesian maids.😄

[@limlikeow4410]

City Plaza was crowded and popular in the 80 's

[@lif33]

City plaza was a very busy mall back like 10 to 15 yrs ago. I used to visit there every Monday to buy wholesale clothings to sell. But they were all affected by ecommerce and big brands boutiques after that. And yes, my fav mee hook kuay noodles shop is still at 5th floor! Yeah! U should have visit this mall on Sunday and it will be crowded with many indonesians here for gathering outing w their friends

[@wu1908]

The security was stalking you but you got away the first time! That encountered turned out to be gold~ but curious, do they really chase people out for filming reviewing a mall? PS: I'm surprised by how you do know about ban mian but not know about mee hun kueh?

[@gnulmd2]

I used to visit this place with my parents every sat in the 90s.

[@user-li6bw9rn1z]

It’s a paradise! Wait till you come to Serangoon shopping centre! 😂

[@snsdjerry]

bro you so well known in Singapore pls represent Singapore haha congratz on the brief XD

[@vim92]

You found it! Now you have to model it for us 😁

[@ylein6508]

This place looks nicer than the Serangoon one

[@WisteriaBerlitz]

walan eh, that ending 😂

[@lighthousefd8122]

someone found chow teh kor lol