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Laksa, beaded slippers, pastel terraces and a speakeasy nightcap.
About 5 hours, 3 km, flat. Start around 13:00 at Marine Parade MRT: laksa and Peranakan shops on East Coast Road, then north up Joo Chiat Road. Book Katong Antique House and The Intan a few days ahead. Dinner is Peranakan; the nightcap is on the way back.
Katong · Free · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
One of Singapore's oldest Hindu temples, rebuilt after the war. Look for the tall gopuram and granite pillars showing Ganesha in 32 forms.
From Marine Parade MRT walk north to East Coast Road, then left into Ceylon Road. Shoes off inside; if it is shut, the tower is the show.
Order: Laksa with extra cockles
Katong · $ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
Katong laksa has short-cut noodles in coconut-curry broth with cockles, so a spoon is all you need. This shop once beat a celebrity chef.
Ask for extra cockles if you like them. Order the small bowl: there is gelato a few doors up and kueh still to come.
Order: White chrysanthemum gelato in a thyme cone
Katong · $ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Sun–Thu 12:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–22:30
Botanical gelato in flavours like white chrysanthemum and sea-salt hojicha, served in a waffle cone scented with thyme.
Ask to taste two flavours before you choose. The thyme cone is the point, so skip the cup. Opens at noon.
Katong · $$ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
A Peranakan family business known for nonya chang tinted blue with butterfly pea. Beadwork and kebaya fill the rooms behind the counter.
Buy one dumpling to eat now and a box of kueh for later. Head to the back rooms for beaded slippers and kebaya.
Katong · $$ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
The late Peter Wee, a fourth-generation Peranakan, filled this shophouse with heirloom furniture, porcelain and clothes. Guided visits.
By appointment only, about S$15 a head; call or book ahead. Chin Mee Chin's kaya toast is a few doors back.
Order: Kaya bun and a custard puff
Katong · $ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
Mosaic floors, marble tables and round buns toasted for kaya and butter. Custard puffs and cream horns wait in the glass case.
It shuts by late afternoon, so treat it as a mid-walk snack, not tea. Take a custard puff for the walk up Joo Chiat Road.
Joo Chiat · $$ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
The Joo Chiat branch of a gift shop of Singapore-made prints, stationery, homeware and cat-themed odds and ends.
On the corner where Joo Chiat Road meets East Coast Road. Grab postcards here, then start the walk north up Joo Chiat Road.
Joo Chiat · Free · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
Two rows of terrace houses in mint, peach and pink, with tiled fronts, swing doors and plaster flowers. People live here.
Turn right off Joo Chiat Road. Shoot from the opposite pavement and keep off the doorsteps; these are private homes.
Order: Soon kueh with chilli
Joo Chiat · $ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
A family shop for soon kueh, translucent dumplings stuffed with turnip, and other steamed snacks at a dollar or two each.
From Koon Seng Road turn up Tembeling Road. It sells out, so do not leave it till evening. Take the chilli.
Joo Chiat · MRT Eunos (EW7)
Hours unknown, check before you go
Alvin Yapp's terrace house holds over 5,000 Peranakan objects, from tiffin carriers to beaded shoes, and he guides you round himself.
Visits are by appointment only, so book a slot a few days ahead. It is a family home: ask before taking photos.
Order: Ayam buah keluak
Joo Chiat · $$ · MRT Eunos (EW7)
Hours unknown, check before you go
Said to be Singapore's oldest Nonya restaurant. Order black-nut chicken, chap chye and a sambal or two, and share everything.
Book for a group and go early. Buah keluak, the black nut, is an acquired taste, so order a few other dishes as backup.
Joo Chiat · $$$ · MRT Marine Parade (TE26)
Hours unknown, check before you go
New in 2026 and a nod to Barcelona's architect: broken-tile mosaic tables, curved shapes and cocktails around S$30–40.
Walk back south down Joo Chiat Road after dinner; it opens in the evening. Marine Parade MRT is about 10 minutes on.
Unofficial · not affiliated with TOKEN2049. Hours and prices change; check before you go.