Taste &Tales of Chinatown, a Food & Heritage Tour with 8 Tastings

With your guide leading the way, uncover stories of early Chinese immigrants, their struggles, hopes, and resilience. Explore faithfully recreated 1950s-style homes and reveal the harsh realities of migrant life. Discover how Chinatown transformed from a crowded enclave into the vibrant cultural district it is today.

In the 19th century, Pagoda Street was a bustling hub for Chinese immigrants, housing coolie lodgings, opium dens, and shops like the notable Kwong Hup Yuen, a prominent coolie firm of the era . Today, the street is lined with beautifully preserved shophouses that showcase a blend of architectural styles, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped the area .

Smith Street is home to stunning murals by Yip Yew Chong, each showcasing Chinatown's rich heritage:
"My Chinatown Home": A glimpse into family life in a traditional shophouse.

"The Letter Writer": Honoring those who helped immigrants communicate with their families.
"Mid-Autumn Festival": Celebrating Chinatown’s festive traditions.

Temple Street Murals by Yip Yew Chong

- Wet Market at 30 Temple Street: A vibrant depiction of a 1970s Chinatown wet market, featuring traditional stalls and street life.
- The Clog Maker at 25 Temple Street: Captures the nostalgic craft of making wooden clogs, with a traditional setting.
- Cantonese Opera: Celebrates Chinatown's theatrical heritage with performers in colorful costumes.

Nanyang Old Coffee offers a nostalgic experience with its vibrant interior featuring red walls, vintage signage, and traditional décor. The second floor houses a mini-museum with antique coffee-making equipment from the 1950s, giving visitors a hands-on connection to Singapore’s coffee heritage.

Pandan Chiffon Cake in Singapore offers a unique, fragrant flavor with a refreshing pandan taste, complemented by its airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Its vibrant green color, derived from natural pandan juice, makes it as visually appealing as it is delicious

Ann Siang Hill is renowned for its meticulously restored shophouses, characterized by vibrant facades adorned with intricate ceramic tiles in shades of blue, green, and yellow. These architectural gems seamlessly combine traditional design elements with contemporary establishments, including boutique hotels, cafes, and art galleries

Maxwell Food Centre stands out as one of Singapore's top hawker centres, known for its authentic local cuisine and vibrant atmosphere. A highlight is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, acclaimed internationally and awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple showcases Tang Dynasty-inspired architecture with multi-tiered roofs, wood carvings, and symbolic elements like dragons, phoenixes, and lotus flowers. This blend of religious, artistic, and cultural significance makes it a central spiritual landmark in Singapore.

Sago Street in Singapore’s Chinatown, originally named after sago factories, was once known as "Sago Lane" or "street of the dead." It earned this name due to the "death houses" that served as hospice facilities for terminally ill migrants awaiting their final days.

The Chinatown Complex is a vibrant hub in Singapore, known for its bustling wet market and wide variety of local food stalls. The wet market offers fresh produce, meats, and seafood, providing a true taste of Singapore's daily life.