If you’ve never been to Sunshine Plaza before, it can be difficult to know what to expect. It isn’t the sort of mall where you can name the biggest shops from memory or immediately spot all the reasons to stay awhile. Instead, its appeal becomes clearer as you explore, with specialist businesses, longstanding eateries and useful services tucked into its relatively compact spaces.
That makes a first visit less about ticking off a list of attractions and more about knowing where to look. From niche collectibles and surprisingly good food to wellness services and an unusual private piano room, here are some of the places worth knowing about before your first Sunshine Plaza visit.
First Things First: Don’t Expect a Typical Shopping Mall
Sunshine Plaza has a distinctly independent character. Printing and visual services remain a major part of its identity, with businesses such as Eazy Printz, Print De Creation, Colour Connect, ColorVizio, Touch & Print and VisualHUB catering to students, creatives and businesses.
But that’s only part of the picture. Wander a little further and you’ll find Japanese restaurants, massage services, specialist hobby shops, a camera repair specialist and even a private music room. In other words, you don’t necessarily need a conventional shopping list to find a reason to visit.
Browse the Specialist Shops at Let’s Play and Toynado Collectibles
If you enjoy collecting, these are two shops worth seeking out.
Let’s Play has been around for more than a decade and has built a loyal following among Tomica and diecast enthusiasts. Its compact interior is packed with Tomica cars and Tomy Plarail trains, so don’t be surprised if a quick browse turns into an extended hunt for a particular model.
The shop’s knowledgeable staff are happy to share information without pressuring you into a purchase. Regular collectors can also consider membership for additional discounts, while the shop’s Facebook page is useful for keeping track of new arrivals.
Over at Toynado Collectibles, Pokémon TCG fans can browse sealed card products, graded slabs and other collectibles such as Ichiban Kuji items. While the shop isn’t necessarily focused on having the largest selection of individual singles, its range of sealed products makes it particularly appealing if you enjoy opening new packs.
The tidy layout and approachable owners make both shops easy places to browse, even if you’re simply curious about what collectors are currently hunting for.
Let’s Play
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-34 sunshine plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 12 PM – 7:30 PM | Closed on Sundays
Toynado Collectibles
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-43, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Friday, Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM | Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM | Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM | Monday: 6 PM – 8 PM
Stop for an Unpretentious Japanese Meal
You won’t have to go far for a satisfying meal either.
Ichi Tei has been serving affordable Japanese food for more than a decade, with rice bowls and bento sets that have earned a following among students and office workers alike. Its Mentaiko Salmon Aburi Don combines salmon with blow-torched mentaiko sauce, sesame seeds and tobiko, while the Kaisen Don brings together favourites such as salmon, Hokkaido scallop, aka ebi and herring.
The cosy dining area is on the smaller side, so consider visiting earlier if you want to beat the lunchtime crowd.
For something with more of an izakaya feel, UOUO specialises in seafood and sashimi, including thick cuts of maguro, toro and madai. Its seafood is reportedly air-flown twice a week, so timing your visit around its fresh deliveries can be worthwhile. There’s also a seafood-inspired ramen option if you’re craving something warm instead.
Ichi Tei
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-51 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:15 AM – 7:45 PM | Saturday: 11:15 AM – 2:30 PM | Closed on Sundays
UOUO
Location: 91, 01-18 Bencoolen St, #19/20 SunShine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10:30 PM | Saturday-Sunday: 12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
Try Some Old-School Comfort Food
Not in the mood for Japanese? Sunshine Plaza has plenty of alternatives.
Victor’s Kitchen is a dependable choice for Hong Kong-style dim sum, with highlights including its Golden Egg Yolk Lava Buns and King Prawn Dumplings. The restaurant’s simple tea-house setting fits its no-frills approach, while its Hong Kong-born chef brings recipes developed from years of experience.
For something more nostalgic, Parklane Zha Yun Tun Mee House serves old-school wonton noodles topped with particularly addictive fried wontons. Its springy noodles and savoury sauce make for a straightforward but satisfying meal.
And if you’re after something considerably heartier, EPIKebabs puts a local spin on the humble kebab. Its menu includes creations such as the Indomeeat, which combines kebab meat with Indomie noodles, alongside classic rolls, platters and other substantial options.
Victor’s Kitchen
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-49 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10:30 AM – 8 PM | Friday-Saturday: 10:30 AM – 9 PM
Parklane Zha Yun Tun Mee House
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-53, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 10 AM – 8 PM
EPIKebabs
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-55, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11 AM – 9 PM
Make Time for a Proper Wellness Break
Sunshine Plaza is also home to several businesses that can make an ordinary visit feel a little more restorative.
Master Bodyworks has earned praise for its detailed knowledge of body anatomy and its ability to tailor massages around individual concerns. The experienced masseuse uses different techniques to work on issues such as tight knots, frozen shoulders, hip alignment and posture. The approach is notably personalised rather than a one-size-fits-all routine, and the clean space and reasonable rates make it an accessible option for those who need some physical relief.
If you’d prefer something rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Renxin Traditional Chinese Medicine Spa offers foot reflexology, back and shoulder massages, as well as TCM consultations and treatments.
Meanwhile, FAME Salon is worth knowing about if your idea of a refresh involves your hair. Niki offers colouring, highlights, styling, perms and treatments, with particular attention paid to understanding each customer’s preferences before suggesting a look.
Master Bodyworks
Location: Bencoolen St, #01-87, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Operating hours publicly unavailable
Renxin Traditional Chinese Massage
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-12 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 9 AM – 3 AM
FAME Salon
Location: Bencoolen St, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 AM – 8:30 PM | Closed on Sundays
Discover the Unexpected at Camera Hospital
One of Sunshine Plaza’s more unusual businesses is Camera Hospital, a specialist repair shop that can be particularly valuable if you own an older or troublesome camera.
Run by a friendly couple, the shop diagnoses problems across different makes and models before explaining what can realistically be done. This is especially useful for owners of older cameras that authorised service centres may no longer accept because they’re considered obsolete.
The shop also carries some replacement parts and accessories, so a broken component or missing lens cap may have a relatively simple solution. Its reputation for reasonable rates and fast turnaround has made it a popular alternative for photographers who would rather revive an old favourite than replace it.
Camera Hospital
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-67 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 1 PM – 6 PM | Saturday-Sunday: 1 PM – 5 PM
Book Some Quiet Time at Our Music Room
Another unexpected find is Our Music Room, a private piano room that offers online booking and self-access entry.
The space is equipped with a regularly tuned Yamaha U1 and can accommodate individual practice, lessons and small ensemble sessions. Duo and trio rehearsals are also possible, while the furniture can be adjusted to suit different teaching or practice arrangements.
Although it’s primarily a music space, its quiet environment can also be useful for other activities that require concentration, such as exam preparation. Just remember to reserve a session beforehand rather than expecting to walk in.
Our Music Room
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-87 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Open Daily 7 AM – 10 PM
Final Thoughts
A first visit to Sunshine Plaza probably won’t feel like walking into a mall designed to impress you at first glance. Give it some time, though, and its personality starts to emerge through the businesses that have made it their home.
You might arrive because you need something printed and leave after discovering a Tomica model you’ve been searching for. Perhaps lunch turns into an impromptu dessert stop, or an old camera that you thought was beyond repair suddenly has a second chance.
That’s really the fun of Sunshine Plaza. There isn’t one definitive way to experience it, and you don’t have to see everything in one visit. Come with a little curiosity, take your time and let the more unexpected corners of the mall do the rest.