Christmas day doesn’t always have to be a big feast with a packed schedule and endless plans. Sometimes, the best kind of holiday is the simple one, the kind where you take your time, eat something familiar, and let the day flow naturally.
Yesterday, I went to Lot One Mall in Choa Chu Kang with two goals in mind: a quick breakfast first, then Avatar (Fire and Ash) after that. I’ve been seeing the trailer for quite some time, and it kept doing that thing trailers do, making you feel like you need to watch it soon, or you’ll keep thinking about it every time it pops up again. I originally planned to watch it either on Christmas day or during the weekend, but since I was eager to watch it, I decided to make it happen yesterday.
Night-time movie sessions can be fun, but they also come with crowds, queues, and that chaotic “holiday energy” where everyone seems to be outside at the same time. So I went earlier instead. Of course, that meant I arrived too early, and instead of wandering around aimlessly pretending I wasn’t hungry, I did the practical thing: I went down to the food court for a quick breakfast.
I ended up at Ya Kun Kaya Toast, and honestly, it’s been a while since I had kaya toast, so it felt extra nice to have it again. There’s something about it that’s so simple, but also so comforting, like it belongs to a specific corner of Singapore’s food culture that you can always return to when you want something familiar. I went for a toast set with iced coffee, and the moment the toast landed on the table, I already knew it was going to be the kind of breakfast that doesn’t need to try hard.
The toast was nicely browned, slightly crisp at the edges, and dry in a good way, because it soaks up all the flavor from the kaya and butter. The kaya had that sweet, coconutty fragrance that instantly smells like childhood snacks, and the butter melted into the warm toast like it was meant to live there permanently. I like how kaya toast isn’t messy or complicated, it’s just clean comfort, sweet and buttery, with that gentle toasted aroma that makes you want to take your time even if you’re technically “just having breakfast.”
I also chose iced coffee instead of hot, partly because I wanted a different experience for the day. The cold bite of the coffee felt refreshing, especially in a mall setting where you’re already moving around and adjusting to the air-conditioning. It was one of those small choices that made the meal feel a little more “holiday,” even if it was still a very simple breakfast.
After the kaya toast though, I realized I was still hungry (Christmas appetite is a real thing), so I went up to Food Junction for a popiah. Popiah is one of those classic dishes that can be eaten anytime of the day, and it’s surprisingly filling for something that looks so light. Mine came sliced into neat portions, wrapped in that thin soft skin, with a generous filling that had a satisfying crunch. You get that mix of textures, the softness of the wrap, the freshness and crunch inside, and the little savory notes that make you keep reaching for the next piece. It’s also not expensive, which makes it even easier to appreciate when you want a “nice but simple” meal.
Soon after I finished the popiah, it was finally time for the movie. And because it lasted around 3 and a half hours, I won’t lie, I became hungry again after the movie too. That’s the funny thing about long films, they don’t just take your time, they also quietly take your stomach hostage.
Overall, it was a very “me” kind of Christmas day: classic flavors, a chill mall morning, and a long movie that made the day feel like a full little holiday experience. I’ll definitely go back for kaya toast again soon, because some cravings don’t disappear, they just wait patiently until you give in.
