Heritage trail · Singapore

Singapore: from samsui women to the city girl

Start in Katong's pastel shophouses, meet the samsui women who built the city, and end at a hawker table.

SG Heritage Businesses

Heritage businesses on our trails

In 2025 the National Heritage Board recognised 42 shops and eateries that have served the city for 30 years or more. Many sit on our trails. Stop in, buy something, and ask how it started.

Chinatown 16

Chop Wah On

Medicated oils and balms (since 1916)

34 Upper Cross St, S058340

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Kele Confectionery (Chinatown outlet)

Pineapple tarts and bakes

2 Smith St, S058917

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Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo Mee (People's Park Food Centre outlet)

Hakka yong tau foo stall

32 New Market Rd, People's Park Food Centre, #01-1114, S050032

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Lim Chee Guan (New Bridge Road outlet)

Bak kwa (barbecued pork)

203 New Bridge Rd, S059429

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Mei Heong Yuen Dessert (Temple Street outlet)

Cantonese desserts, peanut paste, rice balls

63-67 Temple St, S058611

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On Cheong Jewellery

Jewellery (since 1936)

251 South Bridge Rd, S058800

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Pek Sin Choon Pte Ltd

Chinese tea, hand-packed

36 Mosque St, S059514

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Red Star Restaurant Pte Ltd

Cantonese dim sum (trolley service)

54 Chin Swee Rd, #07-23, S160054

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Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop

Taoist and Buddhist statues, crafting and repair

35 Neil Rd, S088821

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Spring Court Restaurant

Chinese restaurant (since 1929)

52-56 Upper Cross St, S058348

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Tai Chong Kok (Sago Street outlet)

Traditional Chinese pastries, mooncakes

38 Sago St, S059028

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Tea Chapter

Teahouse

9A Neil Rd, S088808

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Teck Soon Medical Hall Pte Ltd

Traditional Chinese medicine shop

281 South Bridge Rd, S058830

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Thye Shan Medical Hall Pte Ltd (New Bridge Road outlet)

Traditional Chinese medicine shop

201 New Bridge Rd, S059428

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Tong Heng Delicacies (South Bridge Road outlet)

Egg tarts and Cantonese pastries

285 South Bridge Rd, S058833

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Yixing Xuan Teahouse

Teahouse and teaware

78 Tanjong Pagar Rd, S088499

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Kampong Glam 5

Halijah Travels Pte Ltd

Pilgrimage (Umrah/Hajj) tours

22 Kandahar St, S198886

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Nasi Padang Sabar Menanti Singapore

Nasi Padang restaurant

719 North Bridge Rd, S198687

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Rumah Makan Minang (Kandahar Street outlet)

Padang restaurant (rendang, sambal)

18 & 18A Kandahar St, S198884

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Toko Aljunied

Batik, sarong kebaya and textiles

91 Arab St, S199787

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VSS Varusai Mohamed & Sons

Hajj and pilgrimage goods (hajj belt)

721 North Bridge Rd, S198689

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Little India 12

Anushia Flower Shop

Flower garlands

55 Kerbau Rd, S219179

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Dakshaini Silks Pte Ltd

Sarees and traditional jewellery

121A Serangoon Rd, Level 2, S218026

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Gandhi Restaurant

Tamil Nadu-style banana leaf restaurant

29/31 Chander Rd, S219538

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Gayatri Restaurant

North and South Indian banana leaf restaurant

122 Race Course Rd, #01-01, S218583

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Kamala Restaurant

Indian restaurant (appam, sambal blends)

Block 662 Buffalo Rd, #01-16, S210662

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Komala Vilas Vegetarian Restaurant (Serangoon Road outlet)

South Indian vegetarian restaurant (since 1947)

76-78 Serangoon Rd, S217981

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Muthu's Curry

Fish head curry and Indian dishes

138 Race Course Rd, #01-01, S218591

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Old Chang Kee Singapore Pte Ltd (Mackenzie Road outlet)

Curry puffs and snacks (site of first outlet)

19/21/23 Mackenzie Rd, #01-01, S228678

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SIS Premium Meats

Butcher, Indian-style meat cuts

17 Chander Rd, S219531

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STYLEMART Bridal Collection Pte Ltd

Bridal and heritage wear, tailoring

151 Selegie Rd, S188315

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Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant (Jalan Besar outlet)

Dim sum restaurant

183/185/187/189/191/193 Jalan Besar, S208882

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Thandapani Company Pte Ltd

Spices and spice mixes, supermarket

124 Dunlop St, S209443

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Elsewhere in the city 9

ANA Book Store

Second-hand books

Far East Plaza, #05-01, S228213

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Basheer Graphic Books

Art, design and culture books

#04-19, Bras Basah Complex, S180231

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Cathay Photo Store (Peninsula Plaza outlet)

Cameras and photography equipment

111 North Bridge Rd, #01-04-08/11, Peninsula Plaza, S179098

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Chatterbox

Local restaurant (chicken rice)

333 Orchard Rd, #05-03, Hilton Orchard, S238867

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CYC Company Pte Ltd

Bespoke tailoring

13 Stamford Rd, #01-12/13/14, Capitol Singapore, S178905

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Foundation Jewellers Pte Ltd

Peranakan kerongsang jewellery

11 Cavenagh Rd, #01-05, Holiday Inn, S229616

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JUMBO Seafood (The Riverwalk outlet)

Seafood restaurant (chilli crab)

The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd, #B1-48, S058416

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Maha Yu Yi Pte Ltd

Chinese children's books and cultural materials

#02-15/#03-07/#03-11, Bras Basah Complex, S180231

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Shashlik Restaurant

Russo-Hainanese restaurant

545 Orchard Rd, #06-19, Far East Shopping Centre, S238882

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Source: National Heritage Board, SG Heritage Business Scheme. See the full list on NHB