Stroll through the colorful heritage of Katong - Joo Chiat, Singapore's most charming neighborhood

(Dan Tri) - Recognized as Singapore's first Heritage District, Katong - Joo Chiat is a place where the past and present intersect, between the unique Peranakan cultural identity and the creative spirit of the modern city.

Katong - Joo Chiat attracts tourists with its rows of colorful shophouses, rich cuisine and artistic atmosphere spreading on every street corner.

Koon Seng Street - A Vibrant Picture of Peranakan Houses

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Singapore, Koon Seng Street still retains its classic charm, like a piece of memory preserved in the heart of a modern city.

On both sides of the road are rows of shophouses in vibrant pastel colors - pink, turquoise, pale yellow - creating a soft, bright picture that anyone passing by must stop and admire.

These two-storey houses were built in the 1920s, bearing the strong imprint of Peranakan architecture - a blend of Chinese and indigenous Malaysian and Indonesian cultures.

From the distinctive half-body pintu pagar wooden door, the intricately patterned ceramic tiles, to the elaborate decorative reliefs around the window frames, everything demonstrates the sophistication and dexterity of ancient craftsmen.

Koon Seng Street (Photo: VisitSingapore).

In 2024, Koon Seng Street was named one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. Previously, in 2003, Koon Seng was listed as a national heritage reserve, becoming one of Singapore's cultural icons.

For locals and tourists, this is not only a famous photo spot but also an “open-air museum” that tells the story of the Peranakan community - where heritage, art and life blend together. Under the afternoon sun, the pastel houses glow brightly, making Koon Seng a small but heartbreakingly beautiful street corner.

328 Katong Laksa - Culinary icon imbued with the soul of the city

If Koon Seng Street is the architectural soul of Katong-Joo Chiat, then 328 Katong Laksa is the culinary heart of the neighborhood. Located on East Coast Road, this small stall has been a popular address for more than two decades, synonymous with Singapore's signature Katong-style laksa.

Rich, creamy but not greasy flavor at 328 Katong Laksa (Photo: Klook).

Owner Nancy Koh spent months experimenting to perfect the laksa recipe: a smooth, creamy curry broth made from coconut milk, with the scent of dried shrimp and spices, served with short rice noodles so diners only need a spoon, both convenient and unique.

The rich, fatty but not greasy flavor has made Katong Laksa famous, different from anywhere else on the island nation.

In 2013, 328 Katong Laksa made a splash when it beat star chef Gordon Ramsay in the Hawker Heroes Challenge, putting this humble dish on the world culinary map.

Today, despite having many branches, the original shop at 216 East Coast Road remains a familiar meeting place, where steaming pots of laksa and the rich aroma of curry still tell the culinary story of Katong.

The Intan: A home museum preserving the essence of Peranakan culture

Tucked away in the small alley of Joo Chiat Terrace, The Intan is a “home museum” founded by Mr. Alvin Yapp after more than 30 years of collecting Peranakan cultural artifacts. The name The Intan means pink diamond in Malay, evoking the delicate, radiant beauty of this cultural fusion.

The Intan Museum (Photo: VisitSingapore).

On an area of ​​only 100m2, the museum preserves more than 5,000 precious artifacts: kasut manek embroidered shoes, ancient gold jewelry, blue and white porcelain, nyonya fabric... Each item is a slice of the life and aesthetic taste of the ancient Peranakan people.

The space is preserved as a living home: visitors listen to Alvin's stories, enjoy tea and taste nyonya kueh (cakes) in antique porcelain sets.

The Intan is by appointment only, with sessions lasting 1-3 hours, and was awarded at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2016 for its emotional storytelling experience. In the heart of the modern metropolis, it proves that heritage is alive and well, nurtured by passion and community pride.

Katong - Joo Chiat is not only a tourist destination, but also a symbol of Singapore's identity - a small country that always knows how to cherish the past to step into the future. Here, every brick, every dish, every story reflects the spirit of integration without losing its roots.

As visitors stroll among pastel-colored shophouses, stop over a steaming bowl of laksa, or listen to stories at The Intan, they not only see a heritage neighborhood but also feel how Singapore tells its development story from preservation to innovation, from past to future.

And perhaps, it is this intersection - between heritage and contemporary vitality - that creates the enduring appeal of Katong - Joo Chiat, a neighborhood not only to visit, but to feel, to live slowly and to better understand the cultural heart of the lion island nation.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/dao-buoc-giua-sac-mau-di-san-katong-joo-chiat-khu-pho-quyen-ru-nhat-singapore-20251023224512684.htm