Evan Goh - Kim San Leng (Jurong Gateway) - 4 Apr 2025
First busking chase in a kopitiam.
Busking has reached the kopitiams earlier in the year, as Kim San Leng opened two locations for busking activities in the lunch and dinner times, with one in Jurong Gateway (within walking distance of Jurong East MRT station), and the other at Bukit Panjang. I've covered busking performances in hawker centers in Season 1, but this is the first time I have covered a busking performance in a kopitiam - as well as the westernmost busking location covered so far.
Kim San Leng began as a small coffeeshop in Hougang back in 1950, and since then expanded to several outlets island-wide, with 19 outlets currently running. And 75 years later - you've guessed it - it became the first coffeeshop in Singapore to embrace live busking.
At Jurong Gateway, there are several tenants for diners to choose from, such as roasted delights, prawn mee, wok hei, and even fast food - Nene Chicken has an outlet over there. I had a simple dinner of fried rice from Ipoh Home Cuisine Tai Pai Tong, which tastes good for someone who wants to start things simple.
Evan performed for the evening, where he belted out more classic ballads. The two songs I've picked from this busking session are:
- Desperado (originally performed by the Eagles)
- This soft rock ballad is one of Eagles' most well-known songs, released in 1973. While the song depicts a cowboy who refuses to fall in love, it can be interpreted in various ways, such as a metaphor for someone who chooses to live in self-isolation and avoid love and connection.
- 不是因为天气晴朗才爱你 [originally performed by Bestards (理想混蛋)]
- This is one of the first few songs released by the Taiwanese band since its formation in 2017. Using "weather" as a metaphor, it conveys a firm view of enduring love that transcends the changes in weather. (Fun fact: three of the four members have medical backgrounds.)
Desperado (originally performed by the Eagles)
不是因为天气晴朗才爱你 [originally performed by Bestards (理想混蛋)]
Kim San Leng 130 Jurong Gateway Road is a busking location open daily, 11a.m. - 2p.m., and 5p.m. - 8p.m. Please note that there are two Kim San Leng branches in the Jurong East area, and busking activities are not currently held at the Jurong East Central branch.
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (NS1/EW24) (take Exit A)
