An oasis hidden away from the ever-buzzing activity of our little island nation, Bollywood Veggies is a lush and rustic getaway situated in the countryside of Kranji to allow visitors to appreciate the simple yet often overlooked pleasures in life.

Bollywood Veggies was started in 2000 by Ivy Singh and her husband, Lim Ho Seng. Named after Ivy’s half-Indian heritage, and inspired by the lively personality of Bollywood, the 10-acre wide farm boasts plenty of family-friendly activities to spend the day with the kids.

Educate the children on how fruits and vegetables are grown and end up on the shelves in our supermarkets, or simply take in the many breathtaking shades of green here. The farm has a wide diversity of plants and edibles grown for visitors to explore.

Set with a rustic touch, with charming signs that are painted by hand in shades of dark green and warm yellow, Bollywood Veggies is a true gem of Singapore. The flourishing plant life here is grown without the use of pesticides, growth hormones and chemical fertilisers. This is to ensure that the local produce that is shared for eating is readily consumable.

Ivy places heavy emphasis on protecting our natural environments in Singapore, which is also why Bollywood Veggies offers a detailed farm tour amongst the myriad of other fun activities you can discover here.

Join the Bollywood farm tour led by Bollywood Veggies’ experienced and friendly guides where visitors are invited to use all of their senses to discover the thriving plant life the farm has to offer. Touch, smell and taste the herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables; we can think of no better way to experience the farm.

As Singapore’s largest producer of bananas, Bollywood Veggies has over 20 types of bananas grown here! You definitely have to try some while on the tour, these bananas have a creamy texture and a natural sweetness, unlike other bananas.

Amongst a multitude of lessons on which herbs help to cure certain ailments and gawking at the abundance of shrubbery here, a valuable takeaway from the farm tour would be the message of sustainable living and planet-friendly farming.

Regardless of your age, background or nationality, there is something we can all learn at Bollywood Veggies to benefit and protect the natural habitats surrounding us. From plant potting sessions to terrarium making and rice planting in the paddies, this farm is filled with exciting activities that the whole family can discover.

After a long and hot day out in the farm, head over to Poison Ivy Bistro. Opened in 2005, the bistro features farm-to-table local and fusion dishes and provides air conditioning; a welcoming escape from the scorching heat outside.

A popular hangout amongst locals, we were not surprised to see the place filled with regulars on a weekday for lunchtime.

The Nasi Lemak Platter (S$12) was served to us with generous portions that enticed our senses the moment it reached our table. The fragrant rice stood out to us instantly, being beautifully coloured in a blue that is naturally derived from organic blue pea flowers.

We enjoyed pairing the sayur lodeh with the rice as it made for an aromatic combination due to the presence of coconut in both.

The Warrior’s Thali (S$14) is for those looking for something even heartier and more wholesome with the plethora of side dishes that it is served with.

Dig into the Warrior’s Fish, which is a dish of battered deep-fried fish with a tangy sweet and sour sauce. Lightly battered and non-greasy, the moringa tempura was a delight to munch on with the fresh and crisp earthy taste.

We also had the Chicken Curry (S$12) which was served with a side of oven-baked prata.

An unconventional method of preparing prata, the flatbread was crispier and flakier which complemented the chicken curry nicely.

Bollywood Veggies
100 Neo Tiew Rd
Singapore 719026
Tel: +65 6898 5001
Wed to Fri: 8am – 5.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 6.30pm

Words by Melody Yap, photographs by ladyironchef

Living in a cosmopolitan city like Singapore pretty much equates being in a rat race everyday. Work days are ever fast-paced and stressful, and so demanding on us physically, emotionally and mentally. We spend more than half the week working, and we hardly get to treat ourselves to a full day of relaxation. Weekends are hence so coveted and precious, and more often than not, we countdown to the two full days to indulge in the activities to recharge ourselves.

And staying in a city means all sorts of modernity – we shop, we read, we wine and dine, we catch a movie or stay home to watch drama serials, we go for a swim or practice yoga… but we missed out embracing the rural goodness that Singapore has to offer. Maybe you never knew, but at an unassuming corner of Singapore is a countryside so beautiful and peaceful, you’d never find fresher air – Kranji Countryside.

So it is back to basics in a rustic environment. We spent a Saturday afternoon at Bollywood Veggies, and the quietness brought much calmness to our souls.

The drive in to the farm was in its own therapeutic as we watched our scenery change from Singapore’s typical high-rise buildings to a myriad of greens. Bollywood Veggies is a sanctuary catering to nature lovers – to come close to the unspeakable lives, to learn in depth about your vegetables, and to connect with your loved ones over a hearty meal at Poison Ivy Bistro.

Poison Ivy is a bistro that offers affordable local fare with homegrown ingredients. We had lunch over a spread of stir-fried vegetables, otah, tofu and curry chicken. Lightly seasoned and easy on the oil, salt and pepper, the dishes at Poison Ivy are anything but “poisonous”. If any, they are poignantly healthy and beyond comforting. The meal reminded us of the “taste of home” in such a loving way, and it was surely a nice change from our common Saturday brunch food.

When at Bollywood Veggies, do not leave without a trip to their ten acre farm. The kind owner, Ivy Singh Lim, opens the farm for both individual and guided tours for everyone to embrace the biodiversity. Take a walk in the many lanes, and you will learn how your vegetables look like in their natural state; inhale the fresh air and be lost in nature with the splendorous greens.

This is surely a way to unwind, rejuvenate your senses, and be reminded of life’s simplicity in the purest way. And the best part? It is nowhere near costly. Entrance to the farm is S$2, and parking is free. Now, forget all your statistics, stop cracking your brain for that report, and treat yourself to a weekend with the otherwise forgotten rural goodness.

Bollywood Veggies
100 Neo Tiew Road
Tel: +65 6898 5001