2005 saw many of the hotel restaurants renovate and revamp their buffet spreads. With each competing to bring us bigger and better concepts, there is now a large range of hotel buffets offering gourmet delights. Here’s where to go when three courses just ain’t enough.

Restaurant: Town Restaurant

The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square, 6877-8128.
Lunch $38-42; dinner $38-48.

The Spread: There is a modest spread that includes sashimi, sushi and extremely fresh seafood, as well as hot dishes that change daily. Two counters are devoted to desserts with servings of local and western cakes and fresh fruits.

The Highlights: We highly recommend the very fresh sashimi, lobsters, tiger prawns, and a wide selection of fresh oysters from Tasmania, France and Canada.

Point of Difference: Though the selection may be typical, the quality and standard of food plus the service are excellent. ★★★★✩

Restaurant: The Line

Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Rd., 6213-4275.
Lunch $43-68; dinner $68-88.

The Spread: There are an extraordinary 12 open-kitchen counters serving fresh seafood, sashimi and sushi, salads, grills, Indian, Hong Kong style noodles and three dessert counters with teppanyaki ice cream.

The Highlights: The seafood is the freshest we’ve seen in a buffet with everything sweet and succulent. Baked pastas are magnificent, the grilled meats are delicious and the Indian curries and breads are fantastic.

Point of Difference: This is high quality food that would rank well even on an a la carte menu. Everything is fresh, and the service is excellent. ★★★★★

Restaurant: The Square

7/F, Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore, 177A River Valley Rd., 6433-8790.
Lunch $32; dinner $38.

The Spread: The Square offers a humble range of international cuisines such as French mussels and sashimi, as well as changing themes such as Flavors of Asia and Seafood and Sauvignon.

The Highlights: The French mussels accompanied with chips are fresh and well cooked, the sashimi is similarly good and all the chocolates are hand-made.

Point of Difference: If you’re in Clarke Quay entertaining for business, this has good quality food. ★★★✩✩

Restaurant: Cafebiz

Traders Hotel, 1A Cuscaden Rd., 6738-2222.
Lunch $32; dinner $42-48.

The Spread:The seven counters include the popular show kitchen shared by Chinese Chef Wan and Indian Chef Dinesh. Other counters consist of Japanese appetizers, hot soups, dim sum and diverse international mains. 

The Highlights:The show stealer is the la mian with beef stock, which the international fare pales in comparison to. The refreshing cucumber yogurt shots score on originality.

Point of Difference: Although the varied cuisine is standard in taste, it is reasonably priced for a hearty lunchtime retreat. ★★★✩✩

Restaurant: The Buffet

M Hotel Singapore, 81 Anson Rd., 6224-6128.
Lunch $30; dinner $38.

The Spread: This steamboat buffet consists of a healthy range of faves like seafood, vegetables and yong tau fu. The dessert counters are home to pastries, colorful tarts and cakes.

The Highlights: The fresh Norwegian salmon oozes perfection when doused in steaming tom yum soup, and don’t miss the drunken prawns. The variety of sauces complement the hot pot experience excellently.

Point of Difference: With the choicest ingredients to pick from, this is a satisfying hot pot dinner. ★★★½✩

Restaurant: Straits Kitchen

G/F, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd., 6416-7114.
Lunch and dinner $38. 

The Spread: Singapore’s favorite local dishes are celebrated here. Noodles and stir fries, steaming soups, roasted duck and chicken rice, spicy curries, and traditional desserts.

The Highlights: Straits Kitchen has managed to refine its skills so that they have specialties across most of our local food types. Its rojak is crispy, its roast duck notable, its roti prata is freshly baked.

Point of Difference: Food is prepared a la minute (when ordered) so it’s always fresh and hot. We feel proud of our culture eating here. ★★★★✩

Restaurant: Oscar’s

G/F, Conrad Centennial Singapore, 2 Temasek Blvd., 6432-7481.
Lunch $39; dinner $43-55. 

The Spread: Oscar’s offers daily buffet spreads with seven sections that feature a mix of local and international dishes.

The Highlights: Must-tries include the a la minute Caesar salad that’s tossed in an impressive bowl made of cheese, the large variety of ingredients for 30 kinds of salads and the made-to-order waffles.

Point of Difference: Just the sheer variety and the impressive spread of healthy salads make this hotel buffet stand out. Great for business entertainment.★★★½✩

Restaurant: Melt—The World Café

4/F, The Oriental, 5 Raffles Ave., Marina Sq., 6885-3082.
Lunch $42; dinner $52-58. 

The Spread: One of the most popular buffets in town, especially during dinner time when it’s perpetually packed. Choose from a whopping 12 counters from Indian to local food to sushi to desserts. 

The Highlights: The food here is uniformly good, but the stars are the top notch Indian counter and arguably the best waffles in town.

Point of Difference: The variety is impressive, while the attentive service of the staff here earns Melt extra points. ★★★★✩

Restaurant: Checkers Brasserie

G/F, Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Rd., 6737-2233.
Prices vary from $33-48 for various nights.  

The Spread: For small eaters looking for an eclectic selection, Checkers is the one to visit. The concept here is themed buffets—including Thai on Tue, Japanese on Wed and Sat, and Indonesian on Thu. 

The Highlights: Less is more as the narrower selection means high quality. The sashimi cuts are top notch, but our personal favorite is the noodles counter, where fresh ramens and sobas can be found.

Point of Difference: For the weight conscious and fashionistas who frequent the boutiques at the Hilton, Checkers is a good bet. Prices are affordable too. ★★★✩✩

Restaurant: Vibe

The Meritus Negara Singapore, 10 Claymore Rd., 6737-0811
Lunch $29, dinner $39-42.  

The Spread: The buffet offers salads, cold seafood and meats, and a choice of soups served at your table. There’s also a pasta section and a main course section with a modest range of stews, meats and sides. 

The Highlights: The meats in the churrasco are tasty, juicy and cooked just right. We highly recommend the chocolate fountain. The range of dippers is excellent—fresh fruit, dried fruit, marshmallows, biscuits.

Point of Difference: Come here for the churrasco. It really is good quality. ★★★★✩

more buffet restaurants in Singapore

Whoever dresses up head to toe in a single label these days? With the rise of multilabel boutiques here, mixing and matching cool pieces from different international labels, as well as rare vintage pieces and brands, have never been easier. More adventurous shoppers are abandoning established fashion names for these funkier shopping alternatives. We check out the newest and hottest multilabel boutiques for the latest fashion tips.

Actually…

You literally have to squint to see the signboard of Actually…, a casual multilabel boutique with a cult-like attitude, flanked by old Chinese medicine halls and hole-in-the-wall eateries along Seah Street. Actually… looks shabby on the outside, and as you trudge up the dungy flight of stairs to the second floor, you can’t help but wonder what you are in for. It is only when you step into the store that you see its quirky and tongue-in-cheek personality stand out. Hanging spotlights, floating tables and suspended rickety chairs set against a backdrop of exposed brick and mortar walls make the interior, draped with assorted jeans, tees and bags, the epitome of street style, and then some.

“I wanted a place that is accessible, yet eschews the common,” says founder Paul Khor. “I wanted to move away from Orchard, while places like Ann Siang and Club Street are too gentrified.” Clearly a sensible choice, as the snazzy image Actually… projects is more in sync with the street scene of Liang Seah rather than the upmarket areas of Ann Siang or Club Street. The merchandise and clothes it carries are no less funky than its interior suggests. One of the bestsellers here is the Freitag dragnet bag from Germany. It’s made of tarpaulin from trucks, with handles from recycled car seat belts—extremely cool.

Other items to look out for here: The zipperless, expandable Furoshinki Shiki jeans, and premium handmade denim from Yen, Rifles, Gsus, CBGB and Elvis Denim. “Actually… is the exclusive distributor of these jeans … as I can feel and connect with them, and I can explain to customers about the different washes and cuts etc.,” says Khor. “The idea was to have a groundbreaking, yet fully functional store.” But more than just that, Actually… is a welcome fashion haven for hipsters and those who dare to be different.
29A Seah St., 6336-7298.

Eclecticism

Opening its doors in February this year, this fledging multilabel boutique has enjoyed amazing and unprecedented success, rapidly closing in on other multilabel stores. At its helm is young upstart Hazel Chang, a fresh-faced 23-year-old graduate from the London School of Economics. Apart from living up to the challenge, Chang has created a wonderful new space. With full financial backing from her family and guidance from interior designer Mo Mo, Chang’s business has taken off without much of a glitch. “I wanted a place where people can shop and relax, and take their time to choose what they want,” she says. “The other parts of Orchard Road are just too crowded, and the idea here was also to create a homely vintage place for people to shop in.”

The brands of apparel and accessories which Eclecticism carries are as varied as its name suggests—from 575, American Apparel, Free People, Bliss Lau, Twinkle by Wenlan, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent to Tarina Tarantino, just to name a few. Though mainly a women’s boutique, Eclecticism also carries menswear labels including David & Goliath, Religion and Ringspun. The atmosphere of the store’s interior also exudes the very image that Chang aims to project. With its vintage English sofas, redwood railings, a spray black chandelier and an unusual rustic staircase leading up to her inventory room, Eclecticism is the epitome of a cozy classic English home. An added plus is the spacious fitting room for customers. We’ll certainly be back for more.
#03-22/23 Mandarin Gallery, Meritus Mandarin Hotel, 333 Orchard Rd., 6735-7290.

Front Row

Front Row has been making waves over the past few months for its hip fashion labels A.P.C., Fab & Jo, Kim Jones, Umbro by Kim Jones and Woods & Woods, and it still is. Located in the historic heart of Singapore in a conservation quarter, adjacent to Ann Siang Hill Park and more than a stone’s throw from any MRT station or bus stop, Front Row isn’t considered the most accessible place to do your shopping. Yet, this hasn’t stopped fashionistas from making their way to the three-storey shophouse which stocks various women’s and men’s apparel, footwear and accessories from London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and other key fashion cities.

Fronted by chic lacquered white paneled wood, Front Row’s first floor opens up to a gourmet-style café serving coffees, cakes, pastries and yummy sandwiches. The mood is heightened by old classics and easy listening numbers—just the way we like it. “The concept is to make shopping more enjoyable for customers,” says founder Ann Kositchotitana. “They can shop and then later chill out at the café, or grab a bite from the café before starting to shop. Either way, it’s good for them.”

Front Row’s second storey is its highlight. With red wooden ceilings, mild cornices and yellow spotlights centered solely on its clothes, accessories, bags, pouches, CDs and jeans on the studio-like second floor, Front Row projects a soothing, minimalist, yet lively feeling to its shoppers. The third floor, though, houses convertible spaces used for private collection viewing, artworks, fashion shoots and private events, while the rooftop terrace with a panoramic view of the city provides a relaxed alfresco setting for small private groups.

It’s no wonder why Front Row is so popular. Its mix of cool international brands and chill-out café, coupled with quality and personalized service, makes it the place to be, and a frontrunner in our multilabel fashion boutique scene.
5 Ann Siang Rd., 6224-5501.

Lipstick Bandit

Six-month-old Lipstick Bandit is ideally located at the anomalous Haji Lane, where fashion, food and art come together in a vibrant setup. The mischievous mixture of styles is jarringly attractive and inviting. While the exteriors are lined with colorful deck chairs, the café inside plays host to differing furniture types beautifully accompanied by fairy tale sketches on the walls. The real treat is hidden on the second floor, where a burst of bright pink walls, red carpets and a collection of dazzling treasures embellish this colorful boutique.

Replete with antique chairs, vintage dresses, handmade acrylic rings, chic knitted jackets and even a bird cage and a suitcase, this is no ordinary store. Its signature style is an amalgamation of the tastes of its four founders: Mandy Wong, who is a video editor by day; Jocelyn Wong and Jean Tan, boutique owners at Far East Plaza; and Steven Kay, a freelance stylist. Their intentions when setting up Lipstick Bandit was to create a café cum boutique that allows them to express their creativity, and give their customers a space to chill out in. Like the camaraderie between a bunch of friends, Lipstick Bandit exudes a homely friendliness with a stylistic edge.

These supporters of local designers are eager to promote the talent within the country, and house many local and Hong Kong brands. The wide mix of vintage, pop and retro sees brands like Past and Present, AdeG, Vice and Vanity, and Alissia Melka-Teichroew, just to name a few. The availability of many labels allows them to put up the best of all their favorite names and simultaneously weave them into their DIY concept store. From walls painted by the owners’ good friends to the many self-customized accessories, Lipstick Bandit is an alternative fashion outlaw alright.
51 Haji Lane, 6392-4493.

salad

Another new multilabel boutique at Haji Lane is salad. Its slick interior carries a variety of fashionable home accessories conforming to its present black and white theme. Like a bowl of salad, the eclectic range found here goes from a curious horn-shaped chandelier to customized shoes—the mix is definitely interesting. In the spirit of consistent creative changes, salad also modifies its theme to bring customers varying choices, making each trip a whole new experience. As founder Eileen Teo states: “Salad is an appetizer, and we want to tease our customers so that they keep coming back for more.”

The behind the scene players of salad are interior designers Teo and Mike Tan, while Wendy Lam manages the marketing. Though big on diversity, they stand firm on not giving into quantity over quality and shun mass marketed products. Catering to a niche market allows them to concentrate on sourcing individualized, rare items such as hard-to-find T-shirts and accessories. Without relying on fixed labels or ideas of what and how to sell and display their paraphernalia, they cherish the unbridled freedom they have in fully exploiting their imaginative ideas. With an edgy attitude and a well developed concept, salad is touted to be a huge hit in the fashion and home accessories world. The freshness of this salad is in its innovative crunch. Whet your appetites for more to come.
25/27 Haji Lane, 6299-5805.

Venue Berlin

Describing itself as a destination boutique, Venue Berlin is a one stop shopping fantasy for the initiated. With the arrival of unconventional designer Raf Simons, Venue is also home to sought after designer collaborations between Puma and Alexander McQueen, Neil Barrett, Christy Turlington’s nuala, Mihara Yasuhiro, Alexander van Slobbe’s Rudolf Dassler and Philippe Starck. Representing non-conformist ideals, their eclectic collection is vibrant, avant-garde and functional all at the same time.

Founded by Alex Hascher, its first store opened at Club Street in April last year, and has since found a second home in upscale Palais Renaissance. Replete with a section dedicated to fashion testimonials of trendsetters such as Chris Ho and Tracy Phillips, coupled with a fashion photography gallery called Venue Art which features a seductive body of work by New Yorker Alex Cayley, the Venue Berlin is a fusion of art, philosophy, history and fashion. As Marketing Manager Jacqueline Tan puts it: “Venue is an amalgamation of cutting edge street fashion couture that flaunts unquestionably crafty or uber cool designs and details which offer uncompromising comfort.”

From sharp, slick shoes to snug outfits that flirt with vivacious colors, this multilabel boutique is the next chi-chi giant in alternative fashion. The feline prowess of each designer brings with them a distinctive set of ideals, goals and aesthetics that makes them idiosyncratically stand out, and at the same time fall under a unique umbrella of untraditional style. Brazen about its attitude against commercialization and setting out to cause a stir in the existing predictability of marketable fashion, Venue Berlin is a fashion force to be reckoned with.
#01-07 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd., 6732-6140.

Brace yourselves, my adoring public, for I have returned! And, once again, I’m getting the recognition that I so rightfully deserve. Be it my irresistible charm or the fact that I am simply knowledgeable in ways that few other mortal minds could even begin to comprehend, the people at I-S have finally realized that what the world really needs now is more of moi ... Mr. Know-It-All!

But, to quote American satirist Stephen Colbert, “enough about me ... if there can be enough about me.” It’s time to focus on you. I’ve received the emails and the letters (and on that one particularly disturbing day, the box with the dead squirrel) and I am here today to quench your queries.

So, without further delay, let’s hear those magic words that are like music to my ears ...

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
I’ve just finished the great Singapore novel! Or, at least, I hope it will be. But before I head out there and try my hand at becoming our tiny island’s answer to Ernest Hemingway, I’d just like to assure that my works stay my works. In an age that’s so paranoid about copyright infringements, is there anyone I can talk to about defending my intellectual property? – Word Smith

Dear Word Smith,
The great Singapore novel, huh? Well, buddy, I hate to break this to you, but a lot of people still regard local ghost story collections as the greatest literary works to come from our shores, so the definition of the great Singapore novel’s a bit shaky. Anyway, you should pay a visit to Samuel Seow Law Corporation (#12-04 Liat Towers, 541 Orchard Road, 6887-3393). These fellows deal with copyright and other such legalities, so your masterpiece is safe in their hands.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
On top of my busy schedule at work, my kids at home, my husband constantly asking for more “quality time,” the groceries and other errands that I need to run on a daily basis, I feel like I’m being split into several different parts every day! Isn’t there someone who can take care of my day-to-day nonsense? And no, that doesn’t include my husband’s “special” needs. – Never Seem to Find the Time

Dear Never Seem to Find the Time,
I’ve got the perfect solution for you–if your husband still has the energy to ask for some “quality time,” he’s obviously not as swamped as you, so tell him to take care of the groceries and the kids! But if you can’t even trust him to handle something as simple as buying the day-to-day stuff, then I’d suggest you hire yourself a personal concierge. One of the best in town is Sonia Services. Contact [email protected] or 9003-9214. For your simple errands—such as dry-cleaning, gift-shopping, waiting for delivery guys, pet and house sitting (including the specific bits like emptying your mailbox and watering your plants) and even arranging your holidays—you’ll only need to pay $20 for the first hour, and $15 for every subsequent hour.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
I’ve got this incredibly hot date next week with this totally unattainable woman. The only way I managed to snag a date with her is when I told her that I was filthy rich. I’ve got her to say “yes” and I’ve managed to get reservations at a seriously chi-chi restaurant, but now I need a way to pick her up in style. A taxi isn’t going to cut it and there’s no way she’s going to ever lay eyes on my wheels, so please give me some clue as to what to do! – Faux Bling

Dear Faux Bling,
Hey, genius—it’s great that you have the restaurant and everything, but have you thought about what happens if she wants to go to your place for “some coffee,” what then? But I’ll let you deal with this one ruse at a time. If you want to really show her you’re the man, nothing’s going to say that more than showing up in a limo with your own driver to top it off. I suggest you give a ring to Limo-Star (#02-46 Meridien Shopping Centre, 100 Orchard Rd., 6733-2808) for all your pimped-out transportation needs—like a limousine for you and your date, as well as a chauffeur at your complete disposal. I hope you’re prepared to fork out some cold cash though, especially if you’re planning to impress. One of the best models that Limo-Star is offering is the Mercedes S Class, which will cost you a cool $70 per hour.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
Salutations, sir. I’ve had my gorgeous house for a couple of years now and the marble flooring in one of the rooms just doesn’t seem as vibrant as when I first moved in. I don’t suppose you can help with something like this, can you? – Marvelous Marbles

Dear Marvelous Marbles,
Chances are that your marble either hasn’t had the proper care and attention or the last time it was treated, it wasn’t properly done. Give Tubmaster Refinishing (#03-39, 20 Woodlands Link, 6756-5788) a call and they’ll help you out. Pricing’s going to vary depending on the condition of your marble and how much work will need to be done, so a handy tip would be to have a specific and clear idea of what you’ll want them to do.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
My husband’s a little shy about a certain problem he has concerning his performance in bed. He doesn’t know I’m writing to you about this, and hopefully he never finds out, but he’s not exactly the most virile person when it comes to sex. Is there anyone I can talk to about his condition? – Sexless in Singapore

Dear Sexless in Singapore,
I’d like to get things perfectly clear here, ladies. Even if you are being anonymous about it, men are very uncomfortable about you talking about their faulty “bits and pieces” in public! That’s pretty much the non-physical equivalent of kicking us in the nuts! But one of my major weaknesses is that I can’t resist helping out a sexually frustrated woman, so do talk to the sex therapists at Adam Road Hospital (19 Adam Rd., 6466-7777) over at their Family, Marriage and Sex Therapy Clinic. They’ll do what they can to help you get down to the root of the problem and advise on possible solutions. And if that doesn’t help ... well, you’ve got my contact.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
The house is an awful mess and, embarrassing as this is to admit, me and the missus aren’t very keen on tidying up. Our little one is learning how to walk and, along with his new-found mobility, makes a huge mess wherever he goes. Is there anyone out there who can do for us what Housekeeping does for hotel rooms? – Lazy & Messy

Dear Lazy & Messy,
For the slothful set out there, there are housekeeping services that you can turn to. Homemaker (#01-05/06 E-Centre@Redhill, 3791 Jalan Bukit Merah, 6241-0028) is one such company. A team of housekeepers will come over and spruce up your pad from top to bottom. These guys are thorough; they’ll vacuum, sweep, mob, wash your bathroom and toilet, dust your furniture, change the bedding and even iron your clothes, just to name a few. There are two basic packages that you can go for—the Rest & Relax package, where they come in once a week, will set you back $288 a month; or opt for the Home Sweet Home deal, where they come in twice a week for $576 a month.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
I’ve been having the absolute worst luck in the last three months ... and it all started when I moved into my new house! I’d rather not go into detail, but after a whole string of crappy incidents, I’m convinced it’s more than just an unlucky streak. I need a way to ward off all this bad juju and fast, before it finally gets to me and I end up six feet under! – Broken Mirrors Under a Ladder

Dear Broken Mirrors Under a Ladder,
A possible reason for your “bad juju,” as you so eloquently put it, might be bad feng shui. You should speak to the guys at Fulu Geomancy Centre (349 Geylang Rd., 6841-7555) to get your yin sorted from your yang. It’s best to visit these guys directly at their office. To speed the process up, be sure to bring along your floor plan, as they’ll need to know as much about your house as possible before they can determine what needs to be done, how long it’ll take and how much it’ll cost. Prices can vary greatly, depending on what your house needs. They’ve consulted for as little as a couple of hundred dollars to as much to a couple of thousand.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
Well, this is rather embarrassing. My toilet’s pipes tend to get stuck on really ... “extended” visits to the john. Seeing as how this has happened a couple of times during rather inconvenient hours, could you recommend a plumber that’ll be up during the ungodly hours? – Stuck Down

Dear Stuck Down,
For your late night plumbing problems, you need to pick up the phone and call Crown Enviro Care Services (#13-261 Blk. 849, Jurong West St. 81, 6792-5452). These guys are a 24-hour plumbing service, so you can bother them with your nasty little problems in the middle of the night. And no, there’s no extra charges for Sunday and public holidays. The average bill for a common choke in your pipes would set you back around $60, but if it turns out to be something more complicated, the prices to go up to around $200.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
I’ll be moving to Liverpool next year and I want to take my darling poodle Muffy with me. But Muffy’s a very delicate little girl and I want to make sure that when she’s taken abroad, she receives only the finest in terms of safety. Is there any service you can recommend that definitely knows what they’re doing when it comes to exporting delicate little things like my adorable baby girl? Thank you. – Muffy’s Mommy

Dear Muffy’s Mommy,
Why do I get the feeling you’re one of those people that dresses their pets up in cutesy Prada outfits? If you are, first off, let me just say: Stop it! Now on to Muffy’s traveling woes—you should give Pet Movers (No.4 Pasir Ris Farmway II, 6581-3688) a call. They’re specialists at importing and exporting people’s precious poochies and other such pets, so you can rest easy about Muffy’s trip. Be sure to fill in the control export form on the website, www.petmovers.com.sg, and fax it to 6581-3735, so that they can get back to you ASAP. The guys at Petmovers will handle the essentials of exporting your pet, such as pre-export examinations and permits in Singapore, airline freight reservations and making sure that whatever documents are necessary for Muffy’s new home are in order. A couple of things you’ll need ready to assure a smooth transition would be Muffy’s health certificate, dog license, vaccination card and export permit.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
My parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in July and I was hoping you could help me with their gift. They’ve got a couple of old wedding photos that have faded with time and I was hoping to restore them to their former glory. Do you know anywhere I could get this done? – Pictures of You

Dear Pictures of You,
The place you’re looking for is Portrait Workshop (#02-20 China Square Food Centre, 51 Telok Ayer St., 6536-6368). They’ll touch up those old photos and make them look as good as new, although I don’t think there’s anything they can do for the ’70s haircuts your folks were probably sporting. Prices vary, as they’re based on a project basis.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
My humble little business is finally going to get a chance to expand to Japan! Unfortunately, I don’t speak a word of Japanese ... and the clients don’t speak a word of English! I’ll need a interpreter and fast! Could you help me out? – Turning Japanese

Dear Turning Japanese,
My understanding of Japanese is limited to ordering sushi and the chorus of Styx’s Mr. Roboto, so you have my sympathies when it comes to language barriers. If you want to speak to your clients about more than wasabi, you should talk to the guys at ACTC Translation Centre (#06-08, 57 Meyer Road, 6479-0098).

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
My wife is having an affair with my brother. I know what you’re thinking­—that I’m being paranoid. But they are just way too chummy for in-laws! What more, we’re not even intimate anymore. I just need some solid proof that I can confront them with. – Three’s A Crowd

Dear Three’s A Crowd,
Well, if nothing else, you’re definitely right about one thing—I do think you’re seriously paranoid. Time to lay off all of that Days of Our Lives, amigo. But if you still think that there might be something fishy going on, you could employ the services of Worldwide Investigation & Protection (#13-02, Peninsula Plaza, 111 North Bridge Rd., 6346-4646). They’ll help you get to the bottom of things!

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
My wife will be delivering our second bundle of joy in three months. Unfortunately, she will still be doing some work from home after the baby comes, which is why we’re looking for someone who can handle the needs of a newborn, and not just any old maid. Any advice? – Daddy-To-Be

Dear Daddy-To-Be,
First off: Congratulations! You guys should hire a confinement nanny, a professional who’s been trained specifically to look after your wife and newborn during the confinement period. One of the best places to turn to would be PEM Confinement Nanny Agency (#02-16 Keypoint, 371 Beach Rd., 6293-9249). Their nannies will provide 24-hour care for your kid, cook special confinement meals, prepare confinement baths for your wife, sweep and mop the floor and even do the shopping. And if you’re worried about paying lots for a confinement nanny, keep in mind that PEM doesn’t charge agency fees. In fact, the price is based solely on a recommendation fee from the nanny herself. A hint would be to book as early as possible, so that you can score a more experienced nanny.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
Please don’t laugh, but I got a tattoo of my girlfriend’s face done on my arm ... and she dumped me last week for another woman! Aagh! Can you tell me where to go to get it removed? I’d rather have a scar than that switching witch’s face on my body. – All Man

Dear All Man,
I’d just like to state proudly that, despite your prefaced plea, I’ve just spent the last 10 minutes laughing my ass off. You got your girlfriend’s face tattooed on your arm? How old are you? Anyway, I’ll direct you to the National Skin Centre (1 Mandalay Rd., 6253-4455) to save you from the embarrassment of explaining the situation to your next girlfriend. They’ll scrub you up nice and smooth as a baby’s butt. Let that be a lesson to you.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
I am a seriously hardcore smoker. I’m talking like three packs a day. I want to quit and even have the best motivation to—it saps up my finances like nothing else. But try as I might, I just can’t kick the cigs. Tell me there’s a solution to this! – Chim Chimney

Dear Chim Chimney,
Lack of funds: The real dangerous side-effect of smoking! I understand your frustration, my friend. Quitting can be a real pain in the ass, especially the first two weeks. So, I suggest your take the easy way out and resort to hypnotherapy. Head on down to the Osteopathic Treatment Centre (#06-15/17 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Rd., 6734-6440) and speak to Anita Kashyap. Don’t worry if you have no idea what the process is about; the actual session won’t begin till all your questions about the procedure have been answered. And you’ll only need to stop by for between two to six sessions before you’re smoke-free.

Come to Coco

After nine years of business in Thailand, Chanel has introduced a new boutique at Siam Paragon with a “No Door” concept. This (supposedly) means everyone is welcome to browse—and open your wallet—here. (No guarantees there'll be no dirty looks, though.) This swank shop covers 340m and was decked out by famed designer Peter Marino with handmade wallpaper, wool carpets and the like. The new shop features ready-to-wear clothes, accessories, jewelry and watches.
M/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9795/-6.

New British Boy

Talking about luxury brands, it seems Burberry has some competition from one of its cousins, Mulberry. (Well, they sound like family, anyway.) This fine leather accessories manufacturer has just opened its first flagship store and introduced a pre-fall 2006 collection that retains the original style of the brand but adds a little bohemian ’70s detail to make it more casual. The collection comes in oak, chocolate, cognac brown and maroon colors and is available for both men and women.
M/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9449.

Meet More Met

Though it seems devoid of shoppers most times you pass by, apparently the cozy Metropolitan Museum of Art Store New York (a.k.a. The Met Store) at Siam Discovery has performed so well that a new branch is called for. This one is in the new section of groovy J Avenue and features products from home decoration items and books to jewelry and textiles.
J Avenue, Thonglor Soi 13, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-712-9266.

Directions

All products available at leading department stores (except Andrew Brown, available only at Central Department Stores):

Try Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-739-7777. BTS Chidlom. www.central.co.th or Robinson Silom, Silom Rd., 02-266-3340/-50. BTS Saladaeng, MRT Silom. www.robinson.co.th.

Hippies have long been touting the benefits of organic food, but as more organic stores open up and organic products are more readily available in our supermarkets, it’s clear that more people are buying organic than just left-wing activist types. Health may be the reason most of us are prepared to pay the premium prices that organic produce demands, but there are other reasons to go organic.

Au Natural

In very general terms, organic produce is that which is harvested and packaged with minimal involvement of pesticides and chemicals (this includes chemical engineering, meaning genetically modified foods do not comply with organic regulations). For instance, pests and diseases are controlled by rotation programs, animal grazing and strategic placement of other repellant plants rather than by spraying of pesticides. Steroids cannot be used to make vegetables plumper, and synthetic coats cannot be applied to make fruit look shinier. This means primary organic produce is grown in its most natural state.

For instance, at Rosnay organic vineyard and olive farm in Australia, native plants and trees are strategically planted to encourage birds, the vineyard’s natural pesticide. Although the vineyard doesn’t use any chemical defense to ward off the hazardous vine moth caterpillar, the presence of hungry birds nesting in the vines means the caterpillars don’t pose a threat to Rosnay grapes. Even weeds, grass and clover are encouraged to grow around the vines, as their roots break up the soil, creating channels for worms to do their work. In the winter, sheep are allowed to roam through the vineyards, to keep the weeds under control.

To be certified organic in Singapore, produce must comply with the regulations for harvest and production set out by the World Health Organization’s Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods sets out in detail the requirements for gaining organic certification.

You Are What You Eat

For most people, the greatest reason for buying organic produce is to reduce their intake of chemicals. For instance, former General Manager of Whatever, Julia Curtis (who worked for 12 years as an energy and environmentally sustainable business and agriculture consultant), cites several health benefits to eating organic, such as a reduction in cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s and attention deficit disorder in children. For Curtis, eating organic means an obvious elimination of harmful by-products of conventional farming, such as heavy metals like lead and mercury in foods like fish. Indeed, this is the more popular perception of the result of consuming organic foods—they are healthier for the body.

Interestingly, some nutritionists do not agree. Consulting Dietician and Nutritionist Bibi Chia, from Eat Wise, gave us a surprisingly different take on the nutritional benefits of organic foods. “It is always logical to assume that food is healthier if not contaminated by pesticides, nitrates, and other toxic agents,” says Chia. But she also stresses that while there is much anecdotal evidence touting the benefits of organics, there is little scientific evidence to show that eating organic foods is more beneficial than eating conventionally farmed foods. According to Chia, any number of factors, such as demographics, geographic origin of food, food production and processing and consumption patterns might influence food’s microbiological safety. “At our present state of knowledge, other factors rather than safety aspects seem to speak in favor of organic food,” she says.

On the Side

Given the potential environmental problems we face with global overpopulation and increasing pollution levels, organic farming has many benefits over conventional farming other than just health. Organic farming practice encourages the natural ecosystem to thrive. Rather than killing all the bugs, which then affects the sustainability of bird life and other animals further up the food chain, organic farming encourages the growth of natural grasses and plants, creating a friendly environment for native flora and fauna.

At local organic farm Bollywood Veggies, the butterflies, chameleons, scorpions, monitor lizards and fireflies that live among the plants are a rare way Singaporean schoolchildren can interact with native animals in their natural habitats while still learning about other native plants. In this casual environment, kids are encouraged to pluck wild flowers, and dogs can roam the patches, in an effort to educate Singaporeans about the local ecosystem that has diminished on the rest of the island.

It is the holistic effects of conventional farming that organic farmers such as the incorrigible Director of Bollywood Veggies Ivy Singh-Lim and Evelyn Eng-Lim of biodynamic Green Circle Eco-Farm are trying to teach to their visitors. Eng-Lim points out that we are not isolated, so that everything we do affects everything around us. “When we paint foods with artificial chemicals, then we contaminate the whole food chain, even the waters,” she says.

And if we stick with the theory that chemical consumption is harmful, then eradicating the use of chemicals in farming can only be beneficial for the laborers growing our food. Especially in developing economies, where farm laborers are often paid low wages, organic farming means workers are no longer exposed to chemical pesticides. Curtis points out that in these countries, organic farming is of particular relevance, as it lends itself to smaller scale farms that can be run by families, rather than large industrial farming.

But if taste is all we really care about, then organic farming has its advantages here as well. Keeping plants and soil free of pesticides results in lower water consumption, as harmful toxins no longer need to be diluted. Because of this, the plants themselves absorb less water, making them tastier.

It is undeniable organic produce is more expensive, due in large part to the increased labor costs associated with the practice. Still, there is something reassuring about the fact that at Green Circle, vegetables undergoing extreme pest problems are hand picked and individually washed rather than resorting to using pesticides. While the potential health benefits of organics is an issue of contention, there is no doubt that the additional effects of maintaining native biodiversity, reducing chemical waste and supporting developing small businesses are all good enough reasons for us to go organic.

ORGANIC SHOPPING

Here are some of the places to find organic produce in Singapore.

Cafes

WHATEVER Bookstore and Café—31 Keong Saik Rd., 6221-0300.
YogiHub—28 Stanley St., 6220-4344.

Farms

Bollywood Veggies—100 Neo Tiew Rd., 6898-5001. Open Wed-Sun 9am-6pm; guided tours available at $5 per person for a minimum of 40 people.
Green Circle Eco Farm—41 Neo Tiew Rd., at street lamp post 149, 6867-9286. Internet orders available for minimum $25 purchase at www.greencircle.com.sg.

Market

L’Organic Market—Dempsey Rd., open Wed 9am-3pm, Sat 8am-2pm.

Spas

KOOJ Med Spa—#09-08/09 Parkview Sq., 600 North Bridge Rd., 6229-6733.
SK-II Boutique Spa—Senze Salus, 31 Scotts Rd., 6836-9168. Body treatments use organic essential oils.

Stores

Botanicus—3/F, 16A Lorong Mambong, 6462-4266.
Brown Rice Paradise—#03-15/16 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd., 6738-1121.
Earthnuts—#01-01, 793 Bukit Timah Rd., 6463-1233.

Wine

Rosnay organic wines can be purchased at Friends at Chomp Chomp (#01-01A, Serangoon Garden Village, 1 Maju Ave., 6289-2600).

You certainly can’t miss the iridescent fire engine red of the aptly named red dot Traffic building along Maxwell Road. The building, which was vacant from 1999 till the end of 2005, has been recently refurbished and repackaged into a lifestyle hub, replete with a museum cum exhibition space dubbed the red dot Museum, restaurants, bars, a yoga studio and many creative agencies.

The space is bustling. There have been numerous activities taking place inside the building since it was inaugurated in November last year—including the Motorola SUPER-Style Mix, the mammoth celebration of art, style and fashion; the Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2006 Fashion Show; and the red dot Award Night, when creative design works were celebrated and awarded. Lined up for the busy space this year are events by Rolls Royce, Nokia, LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts, fashion label Coach, and the much anticipated MAAD (Market for Artists and Designers)—a weekly Sunday gig showcasing artworks by, you guessed it, local artists and designers. Indeed, the red dot Traffic building is fast establishing itself as one of the city’s fastest rising arts and creative hubs.

“Our vision is to create a critical mass of creative businesses—anchored by the red dot Museum—in one single location, resulting in a traffic of talents, ideas, events and collaboration relating to design and other creative industries,” says Carrie Lim, marketing manager of red dot Traffic. “With the capacity to host large-scale events, we are one of the most coveted venues for both private and public events. It wants to be that magnet that brings designers together, and the glue that binds the various elements necessary to create a vibrant creative community.”

Certainly, the red dot Traffic building is a burgeoning lifestyle hub. We check out what makes the place tick with its many creative tenants, and why the bars and restaurants there are worth visiting.

Traffic Jam

One of the first few tenants to move into red dot, Style Asia, founded by the stylish Hideki Akiyoshi, is just one of the many creative agencies and events companies that have moved into the building since November. Akiyoshi has held many events here, most notably the Motorola SUPER-Style Mix, which lasted for two weeks and incorporated many fashion shows, art exhibitions and music performances that raised the bar for the local creative scene. “Our business has always been about creating style ... and finding a good space is important,” says Akiyoshi. “red dot has a good mix of the old and new worlds, and it doesn’t come with the usual square offices associated with other working spaces.”

Another events company, Lumina Communications, whose clients include luxury fashion brands Hermes, Burberry, Ermegenildo Zegna, Swarovski and Prada, will also be moving into red dot within the next month.

Lumina is currently based in Henderson Industrial Park, and Managing Director David See finds that “the location, coupled with its new identity as a design-focused venue,” as its main draw. See adds: “As an events production and design agency with a strong creative and professional standpoint, we wanted a place which could communicate these elements and represent the creative side of our business, and we found it here.” And together with the need for a bigger space for sister company Communications DNA, See also quotes the potential for red dot to be an all-encompassing creative hub as the main reason they’re moving in.

Ditto Cre8 Singapore, a graphic design and print company. A huge factor for them is “it is conveniently located in the prime financial district, and many of my clients are in the CBD area,” says Account Director Steve Ng. The locale, of course, is an extremely attractive motive, as it doubles up in accessibility and as a melting pot for business opportunities. Ng is hopeful about the future as he applauds the building management in being very successful in hosting a number of distinctive events. He quips: “Well, Traffic brings more traffic.”

Eat, Drink and Relax

Certainly, red dot’s appeal lies in more than just its creative tenants. It also houses a slew of stylish bars, restaurants and spas. First up: the bar Artery (#01-04 red dot Traffic building, 28 Maxwell Rd. 6327-4820), which boasts an elongated rectangular and clean-cut layout atypical of most bars. The wine and drink counter rests on one side of the bar, while comfy red suede-like sofas line the other. “Artery was set up by Ken Koo and Ho Kee Lam, directors of red dot Museum, to make this place more hip and happening.” says its Manager Jess Kong. Conspicuously located directly opposite the red dot Musuem, visitors can conveniently walk over to Artery for a quick tipple after a visit to the museum space, or simply to chill out. Some of the recommended drinks here: The delightful Chocolate Milkshake-like Delight which contains Kahlua, but curiously does not have any alcoholic taste; and the Wasabi-Chu, a mixture of Shochu Japanese Spirit, wasabi, yogurt and fruit Martini. For the creative minds and those bored with convention, Artery is the place to hang out for a different atmosphere and its unconventional menu of drinks.

Also good is the sexy and cozy bar Skin (#01-05, red dot Traffic building, 28 Maxwell Rd., 6327-4638). The large number of professionals and stylish urbanites visiting red dot should be pleased by this chill-out lounge playing house and soul music. Perfect as a pre-party haunt for hardcore clubbers or as a casual business meeting place, Skin is good for a decadent drink or simply to sit pretty and sip champagne.

But if you’re looking for cool eats that’s not Rochester Park, hip French eatery Le Papillon (#01-02 red dot Traffic building, 28 Maxwell Rd., 6327-4177) is a brilliant bet. Its brightly lit long rectangular, Scandinavian-like dining room with white-splashed painted walls projects a cheery atmosphere while giving diners soothing and relaxed vibes. A hand painted mural at the end of the restaurant stands out with a whimsical depiction of a butterfly flying through the edge of the forest. Incidentally, the butterfly is an iconic symbol of the restaurant, as “Le Papillon” means “butterfly” in English. Chef Anderson Ho’s gift lies in his extraordinary ability to reinterpret classic dishes and flavors, and inventing unusual flavor combinations, resulting in delectable dishes that are novel both in taste and style. A few of his signature dishes include warm Caesar salad, Meredith goat cheese with pesto on watermelon and Pedro Ximenez reduction, and nage of white miso with scallops, prawns, clams and baby sea bream.

For lighter bites, try the popular Pacific Coffee Company (#01-01 red dot Traffic building, 28 Maxwell Rd., 6327-4835) for a decent selection of coffee, tea, blends, desserts and chow down on pork pastramis, roast lambs and minute steaks that will satisfy hunger pangs.

Attractive and minimalist yoga space La Vida Loft (#04-02 red dot Traffic building, 28 Maxwell Rd., 6324-2728) has also been pulling in the crowds. There is no glass panel or mirror inside the studio, and it is only when you see the yoga mats neatly arranged on the floor that it dawns on you that people come here to practise yoga. “The vibe here is different from other commercial buildings,” says Regina Chua, founder of La Viva Loft. “Here, it is a community, and everyone practically knows everybody else.” The yoga classes offered here too are mostly unique. Try the Urban Yoga to distress and revitalize, the Yogamamma to see pregnant woman through, and the Yogibabe for walking infants.

With so much activity and creativity taking place at the red dot Traffic, isn’t it time you dropped by for an exhibition or drink or two if you haven’t already?

Though the Korean wave is strong, even Dae Jang Geum-mania still can’t beat demands for Japanese fare in Bangkok. Unlike Japanese restaurants in Thailand that generously serve everything from sushi to domburi (chicken and egg on rice) under the same roof, restaurants in Japan are usually devoted exclusively to one type of fare. “Most restaurants are family-driven businesses specializing in one item, which is more cost efficient and easier to maintain good quality,” explains Chef Shiraishi Kikuo of Taihei at the Banyan Tree. Though our restaurants serve many items, sushi is one of the most recognizable and popular forms of Japanese cuisine. Because of high demand, not only have chain Japanese restaurants been growing fast, but the number of high-end Japanese eateries have also multiplied. The arrival of Tsu Nami, Koi, Taihei and Wasabi @ Q Bar ensure the trend. Before taking another bite, let’s learn a little bit more about sushi.

The Best Fish

“The best spot to get sushi is in front of the chef because it’s fresh,” Head Chef Akihiro Izumi of Tsu and Nami at the JW Marriot suggests. A good rule of thumb is to ask where the fish comes from before eating it. If it is imported from Hokkaido, Kyushi or Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, then it will most likely be good quality. “Most of the best fish from all over Japan comes into Tsukiji market because fisherman know they can sell it for a high price there,” Chef Akihiro says. He, Chef Shiraishi and David Lombardi, co-owner of Wasabi @ Q Bar, all import fish from Tsukiji for their restaurants.

Finger Food

Wash your hands with the moist towel they provide. You might not have known that Japanese traditionally eat sushi by hand. However, Chef Akihiro explains that nowadays, about 50% of people consider eating by hand to be unclean, so they eat with chopsticks instead.

The right way to eat sushi is to lightly put soy sauce on the fish side. “Don’t dip the rice into the sauce because it’s too salty,” Chef Akihiro recommends. Chef Shiraishi suggests, “Put the fish side on your tongue first, in order to taste the fish prior to rice.” Chef Akihiro adds, “Whenever sushi is served, eat quickly because the fish gets warm and dry. Japanese people use wasabi only when we eat sashimi because sushi already has wasabi between the rice and fish. But don’t worry, if you like spice go ahead and use extra wasabi.”

Rare Breeds

We usually picture sushi as vinegared rice topped with fresh sashimi, but in fact this Japanese dish comes in a variety of forms. When it is rolled and wrapped up with nori seaweed, it is called maki. Nigiri is pieces of raw fish over vinegared rice balls. Gunkan comes in a round shape wrapped with seaweed and topped with ingredients. Here in Bangkok, we have more varieties, some of which aren’t considered authentically Japanese, including the well-known California roll.

Sushi Don’ts

Head Chef Akihiro Izumi of Tsu Nami at the JW Marriott and Chef Shiraishi Kikuo of Taihei at the Banyan Tree reveal what most Japanese don’t do with sushi.

Don't pass food to another person with chopsticks. This act parallels the passing of the cremated bones of a deceased relative at a Japanese funeral.

Don't make wasabi soup with your soy sauce. Sushi chefs cringe at this spectacle. Wasabi paralyzes your palette and hides the subtle flavors of the raw fish. Dip (don't dunk) only the fish part—a little wasabi goes a long way.

Don't scrape rice from chopsticks.

Don't eat all the rice at once. Rather, return to it after tasting other dishes. If you order rice, you must finish it. You're not supposed to leave anything on your plate.

Don't eat the fatty items first. In Japan, the correct order is to go for the lighter pieces first (such as white fish), followed by the agaki (shellfish) and finally the fatty fish.

We know it’s supposedly the reign of Dae Jung Guem, Song Kae-kyo and Mr. washboard stomach himself, Rain. But we just have “a feeling”—maybe from those Chivas parties (or drinking too much Chivas)—that the popularity of Japanese culture may be on the rise again. Even if this is not the case, Japan has never ceased to be a source of fascination and inspiration.

After all, the Korean wave has a short history when compared with our love of things from the Land of the Rising Sun—and we don’t see kimji replacing sushi or ramen on our lists of favorite foods anytime soon. Though we don’t exactly have fond memories of the entire time, Thai-Japan relations are 600 years old. Now there are an estimated 90,000 Japanese living in Bangkok, one of the largest concentrations of Japanese outside of Nihon.

And it’s not just flyovers we have the Japanese to thank for. We like their style: fashion, music, art, food and all the cute stuff that they make. It may not be the flavor of the day, but there are still many hardcore fans of Japanese culture here, both young and adult.

Only those whip-smart trendwatchers can truly say when the next Japanese wave will come, but when it does, you’ll want to be ready.

Ready to Play?

Though most of us tend to focus more on Paris or Milan, J-fashion continues to be popular in Bangkok. It’s just that we’ve adopted and adapted so much from Tokyo that we consider it ours. But that’s the mainstream.

One of the hottest—and maybe weirdest—trends for Thais (but not Japanese expats) is cosplay. Short for “costume play” and pronounced “kosupure” by Nihon-jin, the cosplay look is mostly inspired by comics but sometimes also by movies, video games and music. Manga (comics) fanatics, for example, will dress head to toe exactly like their favorite character, from studly anime robot Gundam to doe-eyed Sailor Moon. A hugely popular look is “gothic Lolita,” a mixture of French maid, Alice in Wonderland and Victorian doll. Most Lolitas opt for black, but white is acceptable, too. Headgear is a must, whether it’s ribbon, lace, a bow or tiara.

In Thailand, there are people who love to cosplay—and it’s not only crazy youngsters, either; your boss could be one of them. The communities of cosplayers are mostly on the Internet but they have get-togethers from time to time, where they show off their fantasy outfits—and of course take lots of photos. Say cheesu!

The best way to get started is to check out some of the webboards on cosplay sites. Even though you are 100% Thai, you’ll need a Japanese name before you start chatting and posting. www.cosplaybox.com is a cute website with webboard, event notification and post-event pictures—go there to be inspired. www.ezra.ai-scream.net is a place for fans of Ezra, a Thai band a la L’Arc-en-Ciel. When Ezra perform at concerts, die-hard fans come in costume, most of them as L’Arc-en-Ciel. http://board.thaimisc.com/cosplay is a webboard where you can buy or sell second-hand cosplay clothing, ask and answer questions from cosplayers and get updates on events.

Cosplaying can get expensive, so most people make their clothes themselves. Some say D-I-Y outfits are also more meaningful. Check out Lucifer’s post at http://board.thaimisc.com/cosplay for a discussion on the charm of wearing an outfit of your own making.

Ready to play? Vivi (352 Siam Square, under Siam Theater, Rama 1, 01-722-5608) has many regular customers who love their over-the-top Japanese clothes. Super Funk by Chic Clothing (at Chatuchak project 16, Soi 6 and project 15, Soi 1, 01-672-6617, 06-946-3766) sells funky Japanese costumes and also makes clothing to order.

Other Looks

Among certain groups of girls (and a growing number of boys), tanned skin is hot in Japan. The look is called ganguro, literally blackface, and it includes colorful mini-skirts, blonde hair, sunglasses, thick black or white eyeliner and loads of accessories. Also, if you’re a real ganguro, your mobile must be covered with purikura (“print club”) stickers. For inspiration, see Peach Girl, a popular Japanese comic, at www.tokyopop.com/manga. Ganguro males are few, but increasing. As for the fellas, dress yourself in beachwear—vest and gang gaeng lae, beach-bag—and grow a goatee. Dreadlocks are good, as well.
You don’t actually have to sit in the sun. There are all kinds of tanning lotions and powers on the market. Visit a M.A.C. cosmetics counter (Try 2/F, Siam Discovery Center, 02-658-0282) and pick up some of their newly-introduced Platinum Bronze SPF 27/PA+ (B1,150), which comes in both bronze and gorgeous gold colors.

In Thailand, wearing foreign luxury brands is more khun ying and khun pa, but young Japanese are crazy about Gucci, Channel, Tiffany and Louis Vuitton. Start with a bag—LV always works—and then you have a choice of two different directions for the brand name style. One is the head-to-toe mindless fashion victim look; the other is similar to ganguro style—once again the mini-skirt is the answer to everything.

Gothic punk is mostly inspired by rock music—X-Japan or Malice Mizer. This one is easy to pull off: You can have any color you like so long as it’s black: black T-shirt, black jeans or pants, black leather jacket, black boots. (Really dark brown is acceptable for leather goods.) Add chains and thorns to taste. Body piercings and tattoos are a bonus. Unlike those silly ganguro girls, you want your skin to be as white as a baby’s butt. So paint your face pale, then add dark red, black or purple lipstick and heavy, dark-colored eyeliner. Many female goths prefer menswear, with nothing sexy or revealing. Visit Meeh Oan (Fat Bear), (Chatuchak, project 5, Soi 2) or Gorgeous (Siam Square Soi 4, Behind Boots, 09-812-2701).

The Music

You are what you listen to. Cosplayers and gothic punks are mostly J-rock fans, and they often look down on J-pop. Their idols are the legendary X-Japan, L’Arc-en-Ciel and Dir en Gray. Albums by these bands aren’t so easy to come by in Thailand—especially if you must have every special edition record and CD single—but thankfully the internet is just a click away.

More mass market are the fresh-faced boys who belt out pop songs. They have a large following in Thailand, and local labels like Sony, EMI and Universal are now indulging their fans by releasing their CDs here.

Whatever sound suits you, they have it all at I:Shimaru (268, Siam Square Soi 3, 02-658-1886), the center of the universe for the Japan-mad in Bangkok. What they don’t stock they can order for you, and this includes films. Any questions, just talk to Pee Daeng. Here are their five best-sellers:

1. Best of Kat-Tun/Kat-Tun. A compilation of concerts and TV appearances by the hottest pop act at the moment.

2. Faith/Hyde. Solo album by the lead singer from L’Arc-en-Ciel.

3. Thanks/W-inds. Pretty J-pop trio.

4. Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection/Ken Hira. King of Japanese R&B.

5. Time/Wat. Cute pop tunes by cute pop duo.

The Books

This is a no-brainer here in Thailand, as we start “reading” manga (comics) even before we learn to read. Even as adults, many Thais prefer Japanese comic books—Conan, Evangelion, Dragon Ball, Hens and Doraemon—to the newspaper. Far from a worthless hobby, you can learn a lot from comic books (really)—vocabulary, culture and history, for example. Many comic books make it to the small and big screens. Nana and Death Note became films and GTO was made into a hugely successful TV series shown on ITV. There are comic book shops near every school, but you’ll be better off shopping at Kumo Comic Books (Under Siam Theater, 01-720-4471) or O-Zone Team (250 Siam Square Soi 2, 02-251-5866, 01-499-4606). Your essential list, courtesy of O-Zone Team.

1. Conan. A high school detective hiding from the mafia is transformed into a kid.

2. Death Note. A teenage boy cleanses the world of evil with the help of his magic notebook.

3. One Piece. The Straw Hat Pirates set sail to find the hidden treasure of the dead pirate king.

4. Berserk. A warrior possessing armor with special powers fights the bad guys.

5. Vagabond. An adaptation of a legendary story about samurai Miyamoto Musashi.

The Talk

Wanna walk the walk? It helps if you can talk the talk. Or at least sing along to Japanese songs. (A tip: This is a great way to hook up with cute Japanese tourists, as often they know very little English.) Try these schools for your first lesson. Kambate!

School of Language and Culture, Technology Promotion Association (5-7 Sukhumvit Soi 29, 02-258-0320, 02-662-1019, www.tpa.or.th, B2,400-3,700 for 60 hours) offers one of the best deals in the city. Despite what you might expect, the courses aren’t budget: The lessons are very systematic and well-organized, albeit a bit old-fashioned.

Mainichi Japanese Language Institute (29/1 Unico Bldg., 1/F, Ploenchit Rd., 02-255-5382/-5, B4,800 for 45 hours) will teach you like a Japanese kid. Japanese teachers speak only in Japanese and you learn “naturally” mainichi (every day).

Waseda Education (195, The Empire Tower, 15/F, South Sathorn Rd., 02-670-3456, www.thaiwaseda.co.th, B6,400 for 33 hours) is relatively more expensive than the others, but the quality of instruction is very high. Waseda University is the number one private university in Japan.

Light-beige square stoneware teapot with teacups from Kasama adds to the calm ambience. B695

Black and white ying-yang dishes from Royal Topt. B395

White ceramic bowl and green square ceramic plate from Decor Pottery. B60 for bowl, B85 for plate

Fill your room with the sharp sounds of the award-winning Samsung HT-XQ100 with a clean, black motif. B19,900

Green vase made with exclusive Japanese technique from Tao Hong Tai. B864

Sleek and solid oriental-inspired wood table from Jim Thompson Mandarin Collection designed by Ou Boholyodhin. B49,500 for coffee table, B12,500 for side table

Opt for crystal-clear TV screen from this top-end Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 7-40. B678,500

Nature-inspired carpet from Living Company. 1.7x2.4m, B34,680

Directions

Bang & Olufsen: Aviva Audio, 1/F, CRC Retail Center, All Seasons Place, Wireless Rd., 02-685-3671/-3. BTS Ploenchit. www.bang-olufsen.com

Decor Pottery, Hydration, Kasama, Raga Porcelain and Tao Hong Tai: 4/F The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-269-1000. www.emporiumthailand.com

Jim Thompson: 9 Surawong Rd., 02-62-8100, www.jimthompson.com
Living Company: 860-870 Sukhumvit Rd., Phra Kanong, opp. Soi Thonglor, 02-381-8301. www.dema.biz

Royal Topt: Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-793-7777. BTS Chidlom. www.central.co.th.

Sony: Sony Universe, 3/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8531/-3. www.sony.co.th