It is truly amazing how our country made it to what it is today. From a third-world country to this bustling metropolis we call home, the journey certainly hadn’t been easy but here we are many decades later—still a little red dot but making an impact on the world.

We really have our forefathers to thank for everything we have today; they toiled hard and contributed greatly to our country. In the past, there were careers that are unheard of by the younger generations today—such as the Samsui women and letter writers.

Today, there are still a few old trades that can be found in Singapore that are worth learning more about. With no successors, these old trades face the threat of extinction and along with them, the culture and skills as well.

Before they vanish for good, here are 9 Old Trades In Singapore You Should Explore Before They Vanish With Time.

OLD-SCHOOL CONFECTIONERIES/ BAKERIES

Before BreadTalk and Four Leaves, there were neighbourhood bakeries and confectioneries that specialise in traditional snacks. Even with all the craze about customised cakes and over-the-top dessert tables, there are times when we just want to indulge in a simple sponge cake or sugar doughnut.

Where you can find it now: Jie Traditional Bakery, Love Confectionery

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

FORTUNE TELLERS

Since young, we were always pretty damn amazed whenever a fortune teller could predict something accurately. How did they even know all that stuff…?

Where you can find it now: Holland Village

Photo Credit: cegoh

KACANG PUTEH SELLER

Buying snacks used to be a fun thing—the friendly Kacang Puteh seller will push his mobile cart out and both kids and adults alike wait impatiently for him to fill up a paper cone with treats. Some mouthwatering snacks are sugar-coated nuts, cashew nuts and muruku.

Where you can find it now: Outside Peace Centre

Photo Credit: Ho Tit Coffee Powder Factory

OLD COFFEE ROASTING FACTORIES

It is a pity to watch the craft of roasting coffee traditionally fade out as modern factories take over with high tech machines.For those who have yet to experience first hand how coffee is roasted in the past, a trip to one of the few remaining traditional coffee powder factories will teleport you to old Singapore.

Where you can find it now: Ho Tit Coffee Powder Factory, Lam Yeo Coffee Powder

Photo Credit: blog.hr

MAMA SHOPS

The magic of a mama shop is that you can ANYTHING in it. Household items, groceries, stationeries and snacks—the things you can find there are endless. Items are always on the cheaper end as compared to supermarkets and they are always located on the first floor of residential buildings.

Where you can find it now: HDB blocks

Photo Credit: Kenneth Tan

STREET COBBLERS

Whether you’re in desperate need to get a broken sole replaced, or not, old-school street cobblers are definitely one of the oldest trades that you can still find pretty rampant today—especially so in areas like the CBD or outside busy train stations.

Where you can find it now: Outside Holland Village MRT Station

MOBILE ICE CREAM CARTS

Artisanal ice creams are all the rage now, but who can deny that push-cart style ice cream are just the best (and cheapest) treats around? At only S$1.20, you can choose to have multiple flavours or go for favourites such as Raspberry Ripple and Peppermint Chocolate Chip. We love having our ice cream sandwiched between rainbow-coloured bread!

Where you can find it now: Orchard Road

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

BUMBOAT OPERATORS

We have bumboat operators to thank for our smooth journeys to Pulau Ubin from Changi Village. For now, the operators are made up of elderly uncles and there are not many youngsters who are willing to work in this trade.

Where you can find it now: Changi Village, Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: hiveminer

KARANG GUNI

Hands up if you know the Karang Guni jingle! Locals will definitely know when a Karang Guni is at their doorstep just by the honking of the horn and the unmistakable “Karang Guni!” cry. This old profession is physically draining as they have to carry stacks of newspapers and unwanted gadgets.

Where you can find it now: You don’t find them; they find you.

There is plenty of things that Singaporeans can be grateful for but the one thing that we simply cannot do without is our vast array of local food that stems from our heritage and culture that spans across all races.

It goes without saying that when it comes to our local cuisine, we Singaporeans are fanatically passionate about it and it shows with the many Singaporean food festivals that take place all over the world for students and people working abroad who just can’t fathom the absence of our local delicacies in their bellies.

Come this National Day and the month of August, a number of fast food chains, restaurants, bars and cafes have decided that it’s time to upkeep the true spirit that is Singapore’s unyielding gastronomic scene by coming up with a slew of new Singaporean-themed edible treats, infusing both local flavours and flair into their various offerings. Here is our guide on 12 new dishes that pay tribute to all things Singaporean.

AH MAH HOMEMADE CAKE – ONDEH ONDEH CASTELLA CAKE

Wobbly castella cakes are bestowed with the ondeh ondeh touch at this bakery, where a pandan base made of freshly squeezed pandan leaves is layered with coconut, a splash of gula melaka for sweetness, and shavings of desiccated coconut on top.

This thematic treat even comes in its own designer box illustrated by local artist, Lee Kow Fong, featuring an image of old-school Singapore streets.

60 Paya Lebar Road,

Singapore 409051

Tel: +65 8133 8508

Daily: 9.45am – 8.30pm

Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: Breadtalk

BREADTALK – CHILLI CRAB PUFFS

Moulded and shaped to look like actual mud crabs, tantalise your taste buds with the adorable and mighty tasty Chilli Crab Puffs from Breadtalk. Even though their filling might differ a lot from the original dish, who can deny that these pastry parcels are just the cutest things ever?

Photo Credit: Burger King

BURGER KING – HAINANESE TENDERGRILL CHICKEN & TEH TARIK PIE

Get the total ‘Taste Of Singapore’ experience with Burger King’s latest slew of locally-inspired offerings. The flavourful Hainanese Tendergrill Chicken and fragrant Rendang Beef/Chicken are back for a limited time only and let’s not forget to end off our meal with their new Teh Tarik Pie!

BUTTERKNIFE FOLK – SAMBAL CRUMBLE GELATO

The base of this innovative creation is made using both light and dark soy sauce along with a hint of spice in the form of their house-made sambal crumble. Costing S$5 for a single scoop, this intriguing gelato creation really packs on unbeatable flavour as well as some heat.

238 River Valley Road,

Singapore 238296

Tel: +65 6734 7855

(Closed on Mondays)

Tue to Thu: 12pm – 9pm

Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm

Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Photo Credit: Creamery

CREAMERY BOUTIQUE ICE CREAMS – ONDEH ONDEH LAVA COOKIE

Crafted especially for the nation’s 53rd birthday, this limited edition cookie presents itself in the form of crumbly pandan cookie crumbs infused with heavenly gula melaka and coconut shavings! But get your hands on this lovable treat quick because it will only be around from 14 Jul to  8 Aug 2018.

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139 Tyrwhitt Road #01-03,

Singapore 207557

(Closed on Thursdays)

Mon to Wed: 12.30pm – 10pm

Fri: 12.30pm – 10.30pm

Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm

Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm

Nearest Station: Lavender

Photo Credit: KFC

KFC – GOLDSPICE CHICKEN KFC

Signature Hot & Crispy chicken coated with a winning combination of salted egg, chilli, curry leaves an sweet basil to deliver a touch of heat. Fried to glorious golden brown, for a taste better than gold.

Photo Credit: Krispy Kreme Singapore

KRISPY KREME – CHILLI SERIES DOUGHNUTS

Singaporeans love food but the one condiment that truly defines a dish—or rather completes it—is chilli.

For the month of August 2018 only, Krispy Kreme will present their new spicy chilli doughnuts; guaranteed to provide you with a fiery kick with every bite. These spicy morsels of happiness come in a variety of flavours, namely: Caramel Chili Doughnuts and White Chocolate Chili Doughnuts—both of which feature sprinklings of fresh chilli flakes over top.

Photo Credit: McDonald’s

MCDONALD’S – HA HA CHEONG GAI BURGER & D24 DURIAN MCFLURRY

Joining the bandwagon of sensational treats this National Day is McDonald’s Ha Ha Cheong Gai Burger. Paying homage to one of Singapore’s most beloved zi char classic, get ready get your appetites racing for these glorious (and massive) bad boys.

Why not complete the Singapore-themed gastronomic trip with their D24 Durian Mcflurry or the Kueh Salat from McCafé that’s inspired by the rich culinary stories of traditional Nonya delights. A sponge cake that, when cut into, reveals layer upon layer of sumptuous pandan mousse, sponge cake and sticky rice topped with coconut flakes.

Photo Credit: Old Chang Kee

OLD CHANG KEE – CHILLI CRAB’O

Boasting a bright red colour (possibly signifying one half of our nation’s flag), and stuffed generously with OCK’s house-perfected chilli crab stuffing, what you can expect from the Chilli Crab’O is a combination of savoury, sweet and lip-smacking flavour coupled with an aromatic, crumbly pastry to seal the deal.

Photo Credit: Paradise Teochew

PARADISE TEOCHEW – RED & WHITE DELIGHTS

Paying tribute to our nation’s birthday this year, Paradise Teochew has come up with an array of dishes that take on the iconic red and white colour of the Singapore flag. From dumplings, selected main course items and even desserts, get ready to be awed by their arsenal of thematic dishes.

TEXAS CHICKEN – SAMBAL CHICKEN

Taking their fried chicken up a notch, get set to light your mouth ablaze with their sweet but fiery sambal fried chicken. This saucy variant packs some punch but stays relatively true to the complex, heady aromas of a good sambal.

Photo Credit: Tom’s Palatte

TOM’S PALATTE – CHEE CHEONG FUN ICE CREAM

Serving their own variation of homemade ice cream since September 2005, this humble ice cream parlour is best known for their array of playful, somewhat quirky ice cream flavours.

We liked to believe that the folks here hit their creative threshold with their ginseng flavour but little did we know that they have way more up their sleeves. This national day, be sure to try their chee cheong fun-flavoured ice cream.

#01-25, 100 Beach Road,

Singapore 189702

Tel: +65 6296 5239

Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9.30pm

Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10pm

Sun: 1pm – 7pm

Nearest Station: Esplanade

Read: 38 Best Hawker Food in Singapore you have to try at least once in your life.

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