Katong & Joo Chiat Guides

Katong and Joo Chiat at a glance

Katong and Joo Chiat sit side by side in the east, just inland from East Coast Park. The streets are lined with pre-war shophouses, many painted in soft colours, along with old bakeries, eateries and small shops. It is one of the best places in Singapore to learn about Peranakan culture and food.

The area is mostly residential and feels calmer than the city centre. Joo Chiat Road and East Coast Road are the two main streets to walk.

Who are the Peranakans?

Chinese Peranakans, often called Straits Chinese, are descendants of Chinese traders who settled in the Malay world generations ago. They blended Chinese and Malay customs in their dress, homes and food. Peranakan women are called Nyonyas and men are called Babas. Many Peranakan families made their homes in Katong, and their influence still shows in the food and buildings.

To learn more, visit the Peranakan Museum in the city centre before or after your trip east.

Koon Seng Road and the shophouses

The pastel terrace houses on Koon Seng Road are a favourite with photographers. Their fronts have decorative tiles, plaster details and wooden shutters. They are free to see from the street. Our Koon Seng Road Shophouses page has more detail.

These are private homes, so please be respectful. Stay on the pavement, keep noise down and do not walk into gardens or doorways for photos.

Along Joo Chiat Road, look for restored shophouses with tiled five-foot ways. A five-foot way is the covered walkway in front of a row of shophouses.

What to eat in Katong and Joo Chiat

Katong laksa

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup with a rich coconut and curry broth, often topped with prawns and cockles. Katong laksa is known for its short-cut noodles, which you eat with just a spoon. 328 Katong Laksa is one well-known laksa shop in the area. See more in Best Laksa in Singapore.

Peranakan food and kueh

Peranakan cooking, also called Nyonya food, blends Chinese ingredients with Malay spices. Dishes to try include ayam buah keluak, chicken cooked with black nuts, and babi pongteh, pork braised with fermented beans. Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant and Guan Hoe Soon are both Peranakan restaurants here.

Kueh are small sweet or savoury cakes, often made with rice flour, coconut and pandan leaf. Kim Choo Kueh Chang is a Peranakan shop known for Nyonya rice dumplings and kueh.

Other local favourites

• Haig Road Market & Food Centre is a local hawker centre with low-cost meals.
• Mr and Mrs Mohgan's Super Crispy Roti Prata serves roti prata, a crispy flatbread eaten with curry.
• Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique makes gelato, a good stop on a hot afternoon.

Browse more in Best Peranakan Restaurants in Singapore.

Getting there and where to stay

• By MRT: Paya Lebar MRT station, on the East-West and Circle Lines, is a short walk from the northern end of Joo Chiat Road. Thomson-East Coast Line stations such as Tanjong Katong and Marine Parade serve the southern end.
• By bus or taxi: Many buses run along East Coast Road. A taxi from the city centre is quick outside rush hour.
• Add the coast: East Coast Park is a short ride south, so you can add a walk or bike ride by the sea.

Staying here gives you a quieter base that is closer to the airport than the city centre. Choices include Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, a four-star hotel, and Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong, a value option. See all Hotels in Katong & Joo Chiat.

Some family-run shops close one day a week, so check before you make a special trip.

FAQs about Katong and Joo Chiat

What is Katong famous for?

Katong is famous for Peranakan heritage, colourful shophouses and Katong laksa. It also has old bakeries, kueh shops and local eateries.

Where are the colourful houses in Joo Chiat?

The best-known row is on Koon Seng Road, just off Joo Chiat Road. More decorated shophouses line Joo Chiat Road and the streets around it.

How much time do I need in Katong and Joo Chiat?

Half a day is enough to see the shophouses, eat laksa and browse a few shops. Add East Coast Park if you want a full day.

Is Katong a good area to stay in?

Yes, if you want a calmer base with local food nearby. It is further from the main sights, so allow extra travel time to the city centre.