UNESCO Hawker Culture: Chinatown Food Walk & Heritage Stories

Highlights:

Visit famous murals and the hidden alleyways of Chinatown
9-10 handpicked must-try local dishes at famous hawker centres
Learn about the historical and architectural significance of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Rest stop at Nanyang Old Coffee, one of Singapore's most beloved traditional kopitiams

Singapore’s hawker culture is known for its concept of affordable, cross-cultural, freshly cooked meals sold in community dining rooms, and was listed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. This walk gives you a taste of the local Singaporean experience with a series of handpicked hawker dishes that reflect the vibrant, unique flavours that set Singapore’s blended cultural landscape apart from the rest of Asia.

Chinatown is more than just a colourful neighbourhood with beautiful roadside stores. Learn about the history of the first settlers who moved to Chinatown, from the Cantonese merchants on Pagoda Street to the death houses on Sago Lane. You’ll uncover one of the communities that built Singapore’s food culture from scratch and got it listed as a UNESCO treasure today.

Expect to navigate tight backstreets filled with hidden stories: from the alleys painted by Yip Yew Chong to the Ann Siang Hill conservation area, and past subtle yet iconic filming locations from Crazy Rich Asians. You'll stop inside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, one of the most significant Mahayana Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, and feast on 9-10 of your guide's handpicked dishes at Maxwell Food Centre and beyond, from chicken rice to Fuzhou oyster pancakes. Join us on an empty stomach and leave with a better understanding of Singapore’s hawker food history through the palette.

Important Information

What's included?

3 hours with a licensed local guide
9-10 handpicked must-try local dishes and beverages at famous hawker centres
1 bottle of mineral water
Rest stop at Nanyang Old Coffee
Small group experience (max 10 pax)
Private and personalised experience (private tours only)

Exclusions

Tips and gratuities (always appreciated, never expected)
Other personal expenses

Please Note

The tour requires at least 2 full paying participants to proceed. The operator reserves the right to cancel or reschedule at their discretion.
If a tour cannot go ahead, you will be notified by email at least 2 days before departure.
The tour takes place at Singapore hawker centres, table booking and food pre-ordering are not possible. There may be waiting times; we appreciate your patience.
Special dietary requirements may not be catered to on join-in tours. Please contact us before booking if you have specific needs, private tours offer more flexibility.
Comfortable footwear is strongly recommended. Bring an umbrella or poncho in case of rain.
Children aged 0-2 join free. 1 adult may purchase a maximum of 1 child ticket; 2 adults may purchase a maximum of 2 child tickets. Additional children will be charged the full adult price.
Please ensure your contact details are accurate at the time of booking. The operator cannot be held liable for losses resulting from inaccurate information.
Not wheelchair accessible. Not suitable for strollers or pets.
Infants must not sit on laps; infant seats are unavailable.

What do I need to bring?

Wear something light and comfortable in Singapore's sweltering heat! We recommend you to bring a hat, sunnies and sunscreen — anything to combat the heat and humidity of our weather :)