Chinatown or niu che shui in Chinese, was once home to the early Chinese immigrants of Singapore. Its Chinese name comes from the bullock carts that used to supply fresh water to the immigrants that lived in the area.

Fast forward to the present day, this ethnic enclave has transformed into an eclectic amalgamation of old and new. Think boutiques housed in restored heritage shophouses and some of Singapore’s oldest temples nestled among high skyscrapers.

From places of worship and heritage murals to Singapore’s largest hawker centre, here is our Guide to Singapore’s Chinatown. With so much to see and so many things to do, you’ll definitely be captivated by the charms of this old neighbourhood.

BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE

Located in the heart of Chinatown is Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, one of Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions. This Tang-styled Chinese Buddhist temple features intricate architecture and it is here where visitors are able to view sacred religious artefacts. It boasts a rooftop garden that exudes tranquillity as well as a large prayer wheel and pagoda.

288 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058840
Tel: +65 6220 0220
Daily: 7am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

CHINATOWN COMPLEX FOOD CENTRE

At Singapore’s largest hawker centre with almost 300 food stalls, you are guaranteed to get an authentic experience at Chinatown Complex Food Centre. With a myriad of local cuisine to choose from and prices ranging from S$2.50 to S$3, you’ll not only be spoilt for choice but you’ll be more than glad to sweat it out too.

355 Smith Street
Chinatown Complex
Singapore 050335
Nearest Station: Chinatown

ELDERLY CORNER

Just right in front of Chinatown Complex Food Centre, you’ll find a sheltered area where many senior citizens and residents gather for a lil’ R&R. Most of the time, they can be seen playing Checkers or Chinese Chess, reading newspapers or simply chatting with each other.

MURALS

Hidden in the nooks and crannies of the concrete jungle, Singapore actually has a flourishing street art scene. And Chinatown is a good starting point to embark on a street wall crawl around the island.

The more popular ones here such as the Cantonese Opera, Detective Conan in Chinatown and Paper Mask and Puppet Seller are by prominent local street artist Yip Yew Chong who is known for his murals of Old Singapore that encompasses our heritage.

PAGODA STREET

Upon exiting Chinatown MRT station, you’ll find yourself on Pagoda Street the main shopping street of Chinatown. A famous area for opium trade back in the day, it has been transformed into a pedestrian street lined with restored shophouses and street stalls selling souvenirs.

Also located here is the Chinese Heritage Centre where you can experience how life was for the early migrants that settled in Chinatown.

SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Situated in vibrant Chinatown is Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. Built by Indian immigrants in the 1800s, the exterior of the temple features 6 tiers of sculptures of deities and mythological figures. The fact that you can find a Hindu temple in the middle of an ethnically Chinese enclave is a clear testament of multiculturalism in Singapore.

244 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058793
Daily: 7am – 12pm, 6pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

SINGAPOREAN ICE CREAM SANDWICH

Cool off from the sweltering heat by getting yourself a Singaporean ice cream sandwich – a dessert that is unique to our island. Nestled between a piece of rainbow-coloured bread or wafers is a huge block of ice cream with a flavour of your choice. It’s easy to spot the ice cream uncle, just look out for a big red umbrella!

We’ve just finished celebrating Christmas and the New Year, yet we are already stoked to start our annual preparations for the next big exciting thing: Chinese New Year! There are lots to do leading up to the Lunar New Year celebrations, and what better place to soak in the festivities as well as to get all your Chinese New Year necessities than at Chinatown’s annual CNY night market?

The colourful streets of Chinatown are lined with a variety of stalls that sells everything you’ll need for the New Year. From shops that sell an assortment of traditional and contemporary snacks, ornaments and decorative pieces to roadside stalls that sell interesting knick-knacks and trinkets, we can foresee ourselves spending a very long time here over the next few weeks!

CHINESE NEW YEAR GOODIES GALORE  

Undoubtedly, our favourite part of Chinese New Year has to be all those festive goodies! While some prefer to stick to tradition and sell the usual snacks such as love letters and bak kwa, while others choose to be more innovative by coming up with interesting new snacks that no one has ever seen or heard of before.

Many of the traditional snacks hold very auspicious meanings. For instance, peanuts symbolise vitality, longevity and riches while nian gao is usually eaten for prosperity and promotion. If you’re curious about the meaning of other Chinese New Year traditions, you can read all about them here. 

Chinatown is also the place to be at if you need to stock up on your favourite thematic cookies such as almond cookies and pineapple tarts. Look at all these colourful jars of snacks! Time to put all your diet plans on hold.

If you are a fan of dried meats like lup cheong, waxed duck, liver sausage and other cured delights, you’d be thrilled to know that there is a massive stall with walls that are lined with every kind of cured meat you could name.

GORGEOUS FESTIVE PLANTS 

If you are someone who appreciates exotic plants, you’ll be glad to know that you can find plenty of such plants in the market. Besides traditional favourites such as tangerine plants and pussy willows, feast your eyes on a wide range of other exotic plants that are only available during the Lunar New Year.

INTERESTING TRINKETS AND DECORATIVE ITEMS 

You can’t invite people over to your house for visitations if it isn’t decorated, can you? Fret not though, as the Chinatown market overflows with beautiful decorative items to jazz up your home.

Amidst all the pretty lights and decorations, this man caught our eye. In the middle of a crowded street, he was patiently painting the lively scene of the night market and it was simply mesmerising to watch him at work. It definitely isn’t something that you see every day!

MESMERISING CHINESE NEW YEAR DECORATIONS 

What is a trip to Chinatown without admiring the gorgeous new year decorations that have been painstakingly done up? When it comes to festive decorations, Singapore is known to go all out in terms of the extravagance and sheer size of their displays.

This year is no different and along New Bridge Road at the outskirts of the Chinatown district, you can expect to see a display of two adorable, giant pig lanterns that are surrounded by plenty of small piglet lanterns. It is definitely a sight to behold and makes for a great #OOTD spot for the gram!

Set for us to reminisce the olden days and for the youth to delve deeper into Singapore’s past, Chinatown’s Mid-Autumn Festival is back again this year, bigger, better and brighter than ever.

From 8 Sep to 8 Oct 2018, head over to Chinatown in Singapore to catch a glimpse of exceptional art pieces, get a taste of nostalgic delights and feast your eyes on a myriad of performances—all of which depict the olden days back in the 1950s and 1960s.

Donned with 1,288 beautifully lit accordion paper lanterns and over 160 figurines showcasing the yesteryears of Singapore, including a 10-metre tall centrepiece that resembles a Chinese Junk ship, the streets of Chinatown is where you should be heading on upcoming nights.

Here is what you can expect at the much anticipated Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinatown.

This year, the street lights on display are designed to focus on the stories of the early immigrants in Singapore, more specifically with regards to how they have contributed to nation building in various ways.

Upon closer inspection, you’d find that these street lights are figurines that are made to resemble early immigrants, such as samsui women, coolies and street hawkers which all played a huge role in the development of Singapore.

You can find these stunning street figures scattered along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road.

Planted right across the bustling streets outside Chinatown Point, the main highlight of all the light-ups this year is the spectacular Chinese junk ship.

Standing tall at 10 metres, this colossal structure represents the main mode of transport in which Singapore’s forefathers took to migrate over here, back in the 50s and 60s.

Besides these stunning light-ups, look forward to an array of events that will be taking place throughout the entire month of September and the beginning of October.

This is where you can expect a line-up of exciting performances and over 200 food vendors during the Festive Street Bazaar serving food items that you can’t get elsewhere—not to mention that they are all affordably priced a just a dollar or two each. This would be held on 7 Sep to 24 Sep 2018 daily from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

Be sure to also watch the traditional Chinese cultural performances that will take place every night from 8 Sep to 24 Sep 2018, and catch their grand fireworks display on the last night of the Mid-Autumn Festival happening on 8 Oct 2018!

For more information, please visit www.chinatownfestivals.sg.

Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2018
When: 8 Sep – 8 Oct 2018

Finally, the day has come for all durian fans—a Mao Shan Wang cafe opened this year at Temple Street on our little island without much fanfare. Helmed by the team behind Four Seasons—a well-known durian specialty confectionery in Singapore—Mao Shan Wang Cafe is where you can indulge in everything durian.

The industrial-themed cafe is a great place to stop by for afternoon tea or just whenever you are craving for the king of fruits at any time of the year. Yes, you no longer have to wait for the annual durian season to have a taste of this luxurious fruit.

What makes Mao Shan Wang Cafe stand out is their willingness to experiment with various flavours to create new offerings. Their creative menu features both traditional and innovative durian creations; think durian pastries, durian black charcoal pizzas and even durian-dipped nuggets!

For those who prefer sticking to something familiar, Mao Shan Wang Cafe has a delectable range of durian puffs, cakes, mochi, ice cream and pancakes. Their signature Mao Shan Wang Delight (S$15.80) comes with Mao Shan Wang ice cream topped off with delicious ingredients such as brownies, marshmallows and thin almond flakes.

For alternatives, try the Mao Shan Wang Ice Cream Puff ($15.80 for 6), Durian Mochi which is infused with rich D24 (S$5 for 4) or Mao Shan Wang (S$8.80 for 4) fillings and Napoleon (S$8.80), a mille-feuille French pastry slapped with luscious durian paste and whipped cream.

Photos Credit: Mao Shan Wang Cafe

If you are feeling adventurous, go straight for the unconventional Black Charcoal Mao Shan Wang Durian Pizza (S$18.80), Durian Nuggets (S$6) and Durian French Fries (S$3.80).

Mao Shan Wang Cafe
49 Temple Street
Singapore 058594
Tel: +65 6221 2338
Mon to Fri: 1.30pm – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Yakitori bars have been sprouting up a lot recently in Singapore, especially with the pairing of cocktails and Japanese meat skewers gaining immense popularity. Nestled along the cafe-strewn street of Bukit Pasoh Road lies Chikin, a new Yakitori bar that dishes out hearty meat skewers with a twist.

Opened by the owners of Sum Yi Tai, Chikin is an unassuming bar which specialises in clever cocktail infusions, comforting Japanese eats as well as Szechuan mala yakitori—the first of its kind. Combining traditional Japanese methods with mouth watering Szechuan flavours, Chikin aims to reshape the way we think and feel about Japanese yakitori forever.

The first floor features a neon-lit open concept kitchen and bar with a gorgeous marble bar top and the walls are covered in cheeky murals that encompass Japanese pop culture elements. With a mixture of hip-hop and clubby tunes playing in the background, stepping into Chikin almost feels like being in a club.

Chikin’s menu boasts a variety of Izakaya-style dishes to complete the dining experience. Among these are spicy variations of Japanese street snacks and comforting Japanese favourites and with a namesake like Chikin, it is not hard to guess that most of their skewers are going to made of chicken.

Ensuring no part of a chicken goes to waste, their selection of yakitori features several unconventional parts such as windpipe, heart and cartilage—which are surprisingly delicious if you are ballsy enough to try them.

Using Japanese methods of grilling skewers over binchotan flames, Chikin marries the art of Japanese Yakitori with mouth watering Szechuan spices in a creative effort to combine the best of two Asian disciplines.

We opted for a selection of 6 different chicken parts—the thigh meat (S$3), skin (S$3), ‘oyster’ (S$4) which is essentially the breast meat portion of the chicken, heart (S$3.50), cartilage (S$3.50) and chicken meatballs (S$4.50)

Spice lovers will most definitely fall head-over-heels with this. Their meat is pre-marinated in a mixture of Szechuan spices and just before serving, is dusted with more Szechuan spices. With varying degrees of spiciness, get your lips ready to be numbed in the midst of savouring the succulence of the grilled meat.

Our top three favourites were the chicken skin, chicken thigh and chicken heart.

The skin was incredibly crisp with a light dusting of spices to give it a slight kick. The heart may seem daunting at first, but it is actually really tasty with an interesting texture to it—tender and not off-putting at all.

Overall, this is a great place to hang out be it after work or not. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves from the great skewers, friendly staff, right down to the sexy interior (of which is perfect for selfies).

Chikin
6 Bukit Pasoh Road,
Singapore 089820
Tel: +65 6910 2742
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Being blessed and content living in a multi-racial society such as Singapore is a privilege that many people overlook. This diversity is what brings our little nation together, fusing people from all backgrounds and cultures into one big and happy family.

With this, it brings us the opportunity to explore these races and their specific cultures in a more in-depth setting—with various monuments, religious buildings, heritage centers and more that are available to us at any time and are generally free to visit.

As a local, you can always take a day off or use a day of your weekend to take a breather and immerse yourself in Singapore’s heritage. If you are visiting from overseas, this will be your definitive guide to do all these things in a span of a day. Here is How to Explore Singapore’s Heritage in A Day For Free.

GENERAL SINGAPORE HERITAGE

A visit to the national museum will kick-start your day on a high. Head over here after your breakfast and spend at least an hour or two reading about Singapore’s heritage and marvel at the art structures.

Time: 11am
Where to visit: National Museum of Singapore
Cost: FREE (for locals), S$10 for foreign visitors
Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
(Opens from 10pm to 7pm daily)

MALAY HERITAGE AT KAMPONG GLAM

Pick a nice lunch spot, if you can, head to one of the traditional Malay eateries in the vicinity of Kampong Glam for the most authentic and tasty eats. The Sultan Mosque is a must-see and we can promise you that it is beautiful.

Time: 2pm (After Lunch)
Where to visit: Kampong Glam Conservation Area & Sultan Mosque
Cost: FREE
Address: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833

A VISIT TO LITTLE INDIA

The epitome of Indian culture lies right here. Take a walk down the smaller streets to truly get a glimpse of the shops and the daily life. Remember to have some authentic Indian curries and food and maybe have a peek at Mustafa, a huge convenience store with the best bargains.

Time: 4pm
Where to visit:
Cost: FREE
Address: General Little India Area (MRT: Little India or Farrer Park)

CHINATOWN ADVENTURE

Before you end your day, head down to Chinatown for dinner at a Chinese restaurant, then proceed on to shop bargains and other lovely products in the vicinity. The Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple are must-sees.

Time: 7pm (after dinner)
Where to visit: Sri Mariamman Temple & Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Cost: FREE
Address: 288 & 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840

ANOTHER MUST-VISIT ATTRACTION

(If you have extra time) You can visit Haw Par Villa. We left this as an optional place to head to as it is pretty far away from the rest of the places mentioned but it is filled with rich history of Chinese mythology and folklore that are not to be missed.

Where to visit: Haw Par Villa
Cost: FREE
Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, 118628
(Opens from 9am to 6pm daily)

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

China Square Central is a dining establishment located in Singapore’s Central Business District. Featuring Chinese architecture, the modern shopping mall has artfully preserved and modified several traditional shophouses from the 60′s into cafes and restaurants.

While most people tend to associate China Square Central with its grand office tower, there is more to this place than meets the eye. There are not one, but three distinct blocks that make up China Square Central—18 Cross Street, 20 Cross Street and 22 Cross Street. Yes, that means dining options are aplenty!

From Korean BBQ to Thai favourites and coffee houses, here are 9 Restaurants, Cafes & Eateries In China Square Central You Must Dine At.

#1 CLUB MEATBALLS

An open restaurant with a cocktail and wine bar, Club Meatballs is one of the nicest chill-out spots in China Square Central.

As the name suggests, meatballs are a core of Club Meatball’s menu. Some meatball dishes to try are The Vietnamese (S$9.50 and S$12.50 for 2 and 4 meatballs respectively), ‘Pimp Your Burger’ (S$14.90) and ‘Pimp Your Balls’ (S$15.90). Quirky names, but honest food.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, diners can enjoy 50% off club sodas and soft drinks when you bring your own mug to the restaurant.

Club Meatballs
20 Cross St, #01-34/35/36, China Square Central, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 6222 8660
Mon to Fri: 8am – 12am
Sat: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#2 ESPRESSOLAB

Espressolab is a huge franchise chain originated from Malaysia with more than 20 outlets spread across the Malay Peninsula. Good news—they have expanded to Singapore in 2014 and it is at China Square Central!

The sophisticated cafe has since been keeping diners happy with their house blend handcrafted coffee. Some unique specialities include the red velvet hot chocolate and grilled salmon with yuzu orange dressing. Also not forgetting the value for money set lunch options with complimentary ice lemon tea.

Espressolab is a welcoming place at an ideal location to host corporate meetings, all sorts of events, lunch and social gatherings. It is a great spot in the CBD that is heavy with goodness but light on the pocket.

Espressolab
18 Cross St, #02-07/08 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6536 2328
Mon to Fri: 8.00am – 7pm
Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#3 FOLKS COLLECTIVE

A vintage shophouse inspired by Bangkok’s Rod Fai Vintage Market, most of the décor at the Folks Collective (even the bricks on their walls) were sourced directly from Thailand.

Start your meal with comforting Thai favourites such as the Pomelo Salad (S$10.90) and Angel Wings (S$10.90). Enjoy the Thai-style Sea Bass (S$33.90) before completing your meal with Ice Cream Kati (S$5.90)-a coconut ice cream with sweet coconut glutinous rice, toasted peanuts, palm seeds and jackfruit strips.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, diners will receive a free Coca-Cola or a Cold Lemongrass upon ordering any Daily Special Set at S$10.90 (U.P. S$14.80 to S$16.80++).

Folks Collective
20 Cross St, #01-25 China Square Central, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 6536 6730
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#4 J3 COLD PRESSED JUICE

Detox juice cleanse is all the rage right now. One brand to try out is J3 Cold Pressed Juice. They offer a range of juices—from the Detox Series (vegetables and superfoods) to the Refresh Series (fresh cold-pressed fruit juices).

Green juices tend to have a bad rep, with many having a generally unfavourable taste. But that’s not so for the green juices here, so much so we’d gladly go on a juice cleanse programme here. We especially loved the D2 Beet-Liver from the Detox Series which is a mix of beetroot, red dragon fruit, broccoli, celery, tomato, red apple, pear, orange, starfruit and lemon.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, you can get 3 cold pressed juice bottles for S$18.90 (U.P. S$20.70); 1 cold pressed juice bottle and 1 nut milk bottle for S$13.80 (U.P. S$14.80) or a full 1-Day Cleanse with 6 juices and 1 nut milk for S$43.90 (S$49.30).

J3 Cold Press Juice
18 Cross St, #01-12 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6221 0754
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 12pm – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#5 MOUTH RESTAURANT

The Mouth Restaurant is known for their seafood delights. The signature Sautéed Boston Lobster is S$49.80 each and there is an optional top-up of S$6 if you wish to enjoy it with vermicelli.

Crabs come in 6 different flavours—such as Salted Egg Yolk or Black Pepper. The BBQ Trio Combi (S$28) is also a hot favourite of the restaurant!

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, visit the restaurant with a mug or tumbler to enjoy a complimentary hot or cold drink. A minimum spending of S$68 and S$78 will also entitle you to a free Sautéed Sri Lankan Crab in Cream of Chardonnay or a free Sautéed Boston Lobster with Vermicelli respectively.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Mouth Restaurant
22 Cross St, #01-57/62 China Square Central, Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6438 5798
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#6 SPINELLI COFFEE COMPANY

Widely acclaimed for its fragrant coffees and cakes, Spinelli Coffee Company is a coffee chain that hails from San Francisco and only brews coffee from locally roasted beans.

Nestled in the corner of China Square Central, this coffee joint is usually not overcrowded unlike other coffee places in the CBD, thus making it a perfect place to grab a quick cuppa in a comfortable environment.

Why not also enjoy a slice of their signature cheesecakes, or a dish of roasted chicken with mashed potatoes?

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, order any Spinelli Coffee Company’s Signature Beverage to go in your Spinelli Tumbler and enjoy S$1 off your drink.

Spinelli Coffee Company
18 Cross St, #01-28 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6327 4837
Mon to Thu: 8am – 8pm
Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun/PH: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#7 TA LU PRAWN NOODLES

Tucked away on the 2nd level of China Square Central, Ta Lu Prawn Noodles is a humble air-conditioned eatery well-known for local favourites, in particular, the prawn noodles (S$5, S$7, S$9, S$12).

The broth is thin yet very flavourful, and a bowl of noodles is served with a generous portion of tender pork ribs and prawns.

Another local favourite worth a try is the tasty fried carrot cake.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, bring along your own mug or tumbler to Ta Lu Prawn Noodles to redeem a complimentary hot or cold drink and do your part to support Singapore’s World Water Day.

Ta Lu Prawn Noodles
18 Cross Street, #02-32/33 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6536 1538
Mon to Fri: 7am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#8 WANG DAE BAK KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT

Oh glorious, glorious meat! Enjoy a massive meat feast at the ever popular Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant where you can find premium cuts of meat such as Boneless Prime Rib (S$29), Marinated Chicken ($18), Pork Belly (S$18) and Marinated Shoulder-Loin (S$18).

The meats here are the undisputed frontrunners, especially the beautiful marbling on the prime rib. After cooking to a nice medium doneness, dip it in the sauce of your choice and savour those melty textures.

Popular side dishes include the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup (S$11 – S$16), Kimchi Pancake (S$19) and a huge selection of side dishes or bapsang.

You can also redeem a free cup of cold or hot drink here when you bring your own mug or tumbler from 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017.

Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant 
22 Cross St, #01-64 China Square Central, Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6225 2646
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#9 YUAN KEE FAMOUS CHICKEN RICE

Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice’s history dates all the way back to the 1970s when it used to be just a small stall selling Cantonese-style chicken rice. While it has since transformed into a much bigger air-conditioned eatery, Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice still sticks to its original philosophy of “home cooked goodness for all”.

Signature chicken rice dishes to try there are the steamed and roasted chicken rice sets. We thoroughly enjoyed having the fresh white chicken together with fragrant rice and spicy chilli sauce!

Besides that, the eatery also offers Emperor Chicken with Rice, Hainanese Pork Cutlet with Rice & Egg and other zi char style dishes.

You can also redeem a free lime or chestnut drink when you bring your own mug or tumbler from 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017.

Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice
20 Cross St, #01-03/04 China Court, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 9658 8955
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by China Square Central. 

Chinatown is an ethnic neighbourhood in Singapore that was once home to the early Chinese migrants.

Today, the cultural enclave has evolved into an eclectic mix of old and new, where visitors can visit modern establishments housed in restored heritage shophouses. Interestingly, the district has a few long-standing attractions that still serve the local communities today.

From visiting national monument Sri Mariamman Temple, attending tea appreciation classes, eating local delicacies at Chinatown Complex Food Centre to savouring traditional bakery Tong Heng’s famous egg tarts, here is our Guide to Singapore’s Chinatown. There is so much to see, so much to eat and one would have to explore the vicinity to understand what we mean.

Source: Super Merlion

BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an intricately designed Tang-styled Chinese Buddhist temple where visitors can find sacred religious artefacts. Those in search of solace should head up to the tranquil rooftop garden perched atop, where it features a large prayer wheel and pagoda.

288 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058840
Tel: +65 6220 0220
Daily: 7am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

CAFE INSADONG

Bingsu is all the rage right now and speciality cafes have been sprouting up all over Singapore like mushrooms. Cafe Insadong serves affordably priced Korean shaved ice dessert well under S$10—a real steal when compared to all its other competitors.

279 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058828
Tel: +65 8533 2003
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9.30pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11.30pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Source: Chinatown Food Street

CHINATOWN FOOD STREET

From Hainanese chicken rice to fresh frog porridge, there is a whole range of mouthwatering cuisines at Chinatown Food Street. The street is lined up with pushcarts that resemble Singapore’s olden days and aims to provide a glimpse of Singapore’s past.

7 Smith Street
Singapore 058921
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

CHINATOWN COMPLEX FOOD CENTRE

If you are after an authentic Singaporean experience, head to Singapore’s largest hawker centre at Chinatown Complex Food Centre. This is where you get to savour traditional delicacies at unbelievable prices ranging from S$2.50 to S$3. It is a place where Singaporeans love and seek comfort in our local delights.

335 Smith Street
Chinatown Complex
Singapore 050335
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Source: Chinatown Heritage Centre

CHINATOWN HERITAGE CENTRE

As the name suggests, Chinatown Heritage Centre is where tourists can get a taste of how life was for the early migrants that settled in Chinatown. The venue has successfully recreated the original interiors of shophouses back in the 1950s.

48-50 Pagoda Street
Singapore 059207
Daily: 9am to 8pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Source: Design District

CULINARY CLASSES AT FOOD PLAYGROUND

Want to pick up new cooking skills or brush up on your culinary techniques? Sign up for one of the day classes at award-winning Food Playground. Challenge yourself and learn to prepare traditional delights such as Chicken Rice, Laksa and Satays.

24A Sago Street
Singapore 059020
Tel: +65 9452 3669
Nearest Station: Chinatown

EAT DIM SUM

The Cantonese community is one of Singapore’s earliest immigrants and along they brought with them age-old recipes of dim sum. Complete your trip with a scrumptious meal of dim sum at one of the teahouses, namely Yum Cha Chinatown and Tak Po Dim Sum Restaurant.

Yum Cha Chinatown
#02-01, 20 Trengganu Street
Tel: +65 6372 1717
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Tak Po Dim Sum Restaurant
42 Smith Street
Tel: +65 6225 0302
Daily: 7am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

LEPARK

Named after the Malay slang for chilling, Lepark is a cooler hang-out spot in Chinatown with its Mod Sin tapas and iced cold beers. Its unique location is such a surprise; who would have thought that a bar could exist at the outdoor carpark of People’s Park Complex!

People’s Park Complex Level 6
1 Park Road
Singapore 059108
Tel: +65 6908 5809
Tue to Thu: 4pm – 11pm
Fri: 4pm – 12am
Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

MAD ABOUT SUCRE

Mad About Sucre patisserie has been making waves in the local food scene with its unconventional yet impressive desserts, especially its highly raved about Coco Citron ($9.80+). Its chief baker studied at Le Cordon Bleu.

27 Teo Hong Road
Singapore 088334
Tel: +65 6221 3969
Mon: Closed
Tue to Sat: 12.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

SHOP FOR TRADITIONAL CHINESE CLOTHES

Take a walk around Chinatown neighbourhood and you will be greeted by rows of mannequins donning traditional Chinese clothing such as cheongsams, jade accessories and whatnot.

SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple built in Dravidian style. The beautiful national monument was built to worship goddess Mariamman, who is renowned for her healing powers.

244 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058793
Daily: 7am – 12pm, 6pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

TEA APPRECIATION

The consumption of tea is an important part of Chinese culture and visitors can drop by either Enjoy Tea or Tea Chapter for tea appreciation classes. These two specialty tea stores also sell a selection of tea accessories and premium tea leaves and they make great souvenirs.

Enjoy Tea
#01-01, 18 Sago Street
Singapore 059017
Tel: +65 6221 7479
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Tea Chapter
9 Neil Road
Singapore 088808
Tel: +65 6226 3026
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

THE DAILY ROUNDUP

Housed within co-working space The Working Capitol is a little cafe called The Daily Roundup, and they specialise in sweet and savoury crepes. These French galletes are simply irresistible and we highly recommend the divine Yuzu Butter Crepe (S$10).

1 Keong Saik Road
#01-02 The Working Capitol
Singapore 089109
Tel: +65 6338 8035
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

TONG HENG

Chinese bakery Tong Heng has been around since Singapore’s colonial days and is most well known for their mouthwatering diamond-shaped egg tarts. A wobbly pure egg custard is encased in a slightly flaky crust. Besides the must-order egg tarts (S$1.40 each), visitors can also indulge in other Cantonese confectionery such as Char Siew Crispy Cakes and Curry Puffs.

285 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649
Daily: 9am - 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown