Singapore is, yes, culturally diverse. The country is filled by 75% of Chinese Singaporeans, with another 15% of Malays and 7% of Indians. While English is widely used in Singapore, Chinese Malay and Tamil also play an important part in daily communication among the locals.

Hence, it is no surprise that these ethnic communities gathered and formed enclaves in different areas of the country. The enclaves reflect their own unique culture, lifestyle, tradition, and history through their architecture, food, and shops; and it is fascinating for an outsider like me to have a glimpse (or taste) of what they have to offer!

I didn’t visit all these enclaves in a day or on a single trip although technically it could be done. These areas are all well connected by the subway in this small country and everything is just a short ride away – great for a Singapore tour.  However, to dive in and have an authentic taste of their unique flavors, give it half a day to walk through the shops, sit down in a cafe, taste their cuisines, and visit some of their landmarks –

You may discover so much more than what the travel book says in these Singapore Enclaves!

Tanjong Pagar

Singapore’s “Little Korea” with a vibrant Korean food scene

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Tanjong Pagar is located within the Central Business District (CBD) and this historic district straddles the Outram District and the Downtown Core. The area is filled with historic Malay buildings in places like Tras Street and Cantonment Road.

The district, though, has a different vibe as Korean restaurants dominate the dining scene along with these traditional houses. While an exciting number of Korean restaurants may not exactly be an “ethnic enclave” as compared to the others that I am about to introduce,

Tanjong Pagar is often regarded as a “Little Korea” or a mini K-town by the locals. Whenever you have a craving for Korean food, this is the place to be – from Korean barbecue, Jokbal, bulgogi, fried chicken to patbingsu… and to find out more about Korean food, continue on Seoul Food Guide More, if you are looking to stock up on Korean groceries or ingredients for a home-cooked Korean meal, there are groceries here that offer a ton of choices.

Some Korean Restaurants that may excite your taste buds:

• Superstar K
• O.BBa BBQ
• Ajumma’s Korea Restaurant
• Guiga Korean BBQ Restaurant
• Todamgol Restaurant
• 8 Korean BBQ
• Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ
• Supulae Korean BBQ
• DaeJon House
• Guksu Korean Restaurant
• Twins Korean Restaurant
• Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ
• Hello Korean BBQ
• Big Mama Korean Restaurant
• Don Dae Bak Korean Restaurant
• Hyang Yeon Korean Restaurant
• Chang Restaurant

How to plan your day in “Little Korea”: Head out to Tanjong Pagar in the late afternoon, stroll along the street, and take pictures of some cool murals and traditional houses before sunset. Enjoy a delicious meal (remember to make a reservation!) in one of the Korean restaurants and keep the party going in one of those bars afterward!

Kampong Glam

An Islamic district by the look of the Sultan Mosque

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Once you walk away from the busy shopping complex at the Bugis Junction, a massive gold dome comes into view in the center of a cluster between Victoria Street and Ophir Road. The Kampong Glam is known as Singapore’s Arab enclave – with streets and lanes named after famous cities in the Middle East like Kandahar in Afghanistan, Muscat in Oman, and Bussorah and Basra in Iraq. The shops reflect the varied Muslim cultures that have made this part of Singapore their home.

The Haji Lane is my favorite part of the district – it is a narrow walking street at the edge of the cluster and it is filled with murals, local boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The buildings are also colorfully painted which makes the lane a great photo-taking spot. Moreover, the diversity of these small businesses goes beyond the Arab World to India, Malaysia, and China. So don’t be surprised if you see a Chinese Restaurant, a Henna workshop, or a Malaysian handicraft store along the lane.

The Sultan Mosque that I mentioned is the focal point of Kampong Glam and it is located at the corner of Arab Street and North Bridge Road. This is Singapore’s largest mosque with a history of a hundred years and the best place to take a photo with the mosque is the pedestrian area connecting to Baghdad Street. While the shops on both sides of this area could get a bit too “touristy” for a shopping spree, the mix of Arab decors and Malay traditional buildings make an interesting (and unique) picture that man only is found here in Singapore.

There is a Malay Heritage Center near the mosque which showcases the history and culture of Singapore’s Malays who formerly called this area their home. Now the old buildings remained with a completely different vibe as we moved on to the other side of the cluster. Arab Street has a totally different retail scene – the bazaar-style shops along this street sell traditional products from the Arab World like Persian carpets, silks, batiks, brassware, oil-based perfumes, and jewelry. One doesn’t have to travel far for a taste of the finest Middle Eastern handicrafts!

Not only the Kampong Glam keep the flavor of the Arab World but also blended with a lot of different ingredients from Malay, India, and more that make it fresh and unique. It is not merely a clone but a blend of many cultures and they evolve through time.

Some trendy cafes in Kampong Glam (Bugis):

• Working Title Cafe
• The Hangar
• Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro
• Blujaz Cafe
• Dong Po Colonial Cafe

How to plan your day in Kampong Glam: How about starting your visit to Haji Lane? Have a walk in the lane, appreciate the murals, and visit the Sultan Mosque or Malay Heritage Center afterward. Continue shopping in Arab Street (yeah, you will find something for your home) after refreshment in one of the local cafes (For me, I shared a Durian Chendol Ice cream with a tangerine mojito). The street comes alive during Ramadan – with outdoor food stalls set up in the evening.

Tiong Bahru

One of the oldest residential neighborhoods with Art Deco and a new face 

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Tiong Bahru is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Singapore; and while it has not fallen under the radar of foreign visitors in the past, Tiong Bahru is now featured as a hip and trendy district with a mix of old and new, as seen in the mural arts, trendy cafes, vintage shops and old Art Deco buildings.

The center of Tiong Bahru is the market, and around the estate is a heritage trail with plenty of green spaces since its planning in 1972. Seng Poh Garden is now used as an open grassy space for recreational activities. Around that, visitors can take a walk around and there are many interesting merchants on the ground floor of each residential block.

For example, the hearty buns and coffee at the Tiong Bahru Bakery or the Paris Cafe, are also a great place for a weekend brunch with friends; The vinyl for the fans at Curated Records, shop offers records from mainstream pop and indie folk French baroque pop and 90s rap-metal. Art lovers can visit DEGIOSART Gallery because they may be surprised by the interesting mix of art pieces, ranging from furniture, antiques, paintings, and more!

Apart from all these shops and food. Don’t forget to appreciate the architectural heritage in Tiong Bahru, with its beautiful Art Deco Buildings across the Tiong Bahru market. Some of the most special buildings include the Moh Guan Terrace and Guan Chuan Street. These buildings were created by architect Alfred G. Church between 1936 and 1941, and Tiong Bahru is one of the best places in Asia to learn all about Art Deco architecture.

How to plan your day in Tiong Bahru: Head there in the morning for a brunch – either in a traditional-style tea restaurant, or a local bakery and cafe – like Hua Bee Restaurant (one of the oldest coffee shops in Tiong Bahru since 1940). Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail, because there are so many intersting shops for everyone. Enjoy some refreshments or local dishes at Tiong Bahru Food Center, and then buy some souvenirs with the vendors at the market. Don’t forget to take immersive and interesting pictures with the mural art before leaving!

Consider combining your day visiting Chip Bee Gardens, which is also nearby with some interesting bakeries and cafes.

Little India

An aromatic place of spice and religion

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Little India is probably the most well-known ethnic enclave in Singapore by the aroma of scents and scents sold in the area. It is located east of the Singapore River and north of Kampong Glam. The Tekka Centre and Mustafa Centre (it is open 24 hours!) are Indian markets for fresh produce, food, and clothes. Along the Serangoon Road, you will also find shopping centers like Little India Arcade, shops, and stalls that sell souvenirs and Indian supplies like Hindu flower offerings and god statues, traditional saris, spices, and home ornaments.

There are two streets in Little India named after prominent Indian personalities: Veerasamy and Chander. Veerasamy Road was renamed early in the 1920s because of his contribution to the countries in the medical field.

The Veeramakaliamman Temple is a Hindu Temple that stands as the centerpiece in Little India, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, the fierce embodiment of Shakti, and the god Shiva’s wife, Parvati.

Kalighat Kali Temple is commonly found in Kalighat, Kolkata, and West Bengal in India.

Interestingly, while the worship of Kali is more popular in the northeastern district of India, this temple is constructed in South Indian (Dravidian) style as opposed to the style of Kali temples built in northeastern India (Nagara).

One distinct feature is that there are no pillars and Gopuram (a monumental entrance tower) in Nagara-style architecture.

While the temple is merely a relatively small structure, it is an important religious site in Singapore – the general public (like me) is also welcome to enter and find the intricate sculptures of the Hindu goddesses in the hall (Mandapa, Antarala, and Garbagriha) as well as the Jagati and Pradakshina.

The enclave comes to life, especially during the traditional festivals of Deepavali and Thaipusam with all the celebration activities.

How to plan your day in Little India: The best way to explore Little India is by walking through the Serangoon Road between Farrer Park and Little India MRT stations. From one end to the other end visit the shopping centers (like Mustafa Centre and Tekka Centre) and shops. Don’t forget to check out landmarks like Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and take pictures of the colorful House of Tan Teng Niah. If you have more time, visit the Indian Heritage Centre to learn more about the diverse Indian diaspora and heritage. But to me, your visit is not complete without having a chai in an eatery like Komala Vilas.

Joo Chiat Road

The beauty of colorful Peranakan shophouses

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Joo Chiat Road is in the mix of Singapore’s Katong Neighborhood, and it’s known for its Peranakan culture. Peranakan Chinese (or Baba Nyonya) are a sub-ethnic group defined by their genealogical descent from the first waves of Chinese settlers in the Malay Peninsula and Indonesian Archipelago (the first Chinese immigrants arrived in the 10th century, and a large number arrived in the 15th through 17th centuries.)

Since then, this group of Chinese has mixed with the locals and developed their own version of traditions and culture based on their different roots. One of these cultures is reflected in Katong’s vintage architecture.

Thanks to the local conservation laws, over 900 of shophouses and buildings are preserved on Joo Chiat. The shops here are not exactly targeted to the tourists on this street (a.k.a. Not souvenir stores or gift shops, but dry goods stores, traditional Chinese medicine halls, and Malay clothes shops), but I think that’s the beauty of having it not so “touristy”, and only those visitors who are truly in the know would come and appreciate the rich Peranakan architecture with a touch of Baroque-style and an abundance of decoration including colorful glazed ceramic tiles and paint.

Some places of interest along Joo Chiat:

• Cat Socrates: a charming store stocks a hotchpotch of feline-related gifts, cutlery, and home decor items.
• Sinpopo Brand: a local joint with delicious local delicacies
• Rumah Bebe: a heritage site that offers a range of activities and showcases Peranakan craftmanship.
• Rabbit Carrot Gun: a retro shophouse with a whimsical name bed and breakfast.
• Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple: The second-oldest Hindu Temple in the country
• Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate: an indie bakery with their signature chocolate cakes
• Kim Choo Kueh Chang: a traditional shop with Peranakan delicacies and gift items.

How to plan your day in Joo Chiat: Just have a leisure walk down the street which is about 10 to 15 minutes away from either the Paya Labar or the Eunos MRT Station, and take as many pictures as you like of the beautiful houses. Don’t miss the colorful line of shophouses on both sides of Koon Seng Road – this is the most Instagrammable spot in the area. Afterward, go a little further to the  East Coast Seafood Center for some finger-licking-good Chili Crab or Pepper Crab.

Chinatown

“Bullock Cart Water” depicts a scene of old Singapore

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Lastly, there is no way not to include Chinatown (a.k.a. The “Bullock Cart Water”). Its original name depicts a scene of old Singapore as workers pulling these large two-wheel carts on the street transporting water for the inhabitants.

Today, you can already feel the bustling as you step out of the MRT station, where the complex on both sides of Pagoda Street is lined with shops and hawker food. The pedestrian area is filled with souvenirs and gift shops (if you are looking for some cheap souvenirs for your friends and family at home, this is probably the place to be). Yet, if you want to dive into a more spiritual aspect of Chinatown, visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a major religious site for Singapore’s Chinese Buddhist community, and the Hock Keng Temple, a Taoist temple where the local Chinese still practice their religious rituals like burning incenses or drawing a fortune stick.

It is always about food when it comes to Chinese. Here, there is no exception. There are basically hundreds of restaurants, hawker stores, and eateries in the streets of Chinatown – but don’t limit yourself to the so-called “authentic” Chinese food because it has literally everything.

From all sorts of Chinese cuisine, bak ku teh, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and Western to above and beyond. You may not necessarily be sitting down for a meal, because you could also find all sorts of bakeries, fruit shops, and gourmet and snack stores where you could buy food back home.

One of my favorite bakeries is called Bunnies, they sell tiny buns in different flavors, with classics like butter, sweetened condensed milk, and southern Asian-infused flavors like coconut, pandan, and salted eggs.

How to plan your day in Chinatown: I always go there in the late afternoon – grab a couple of Bunnie’s buns, casually walk in Pagoda Street, then have dinner in one of the restaurants in my liking, then enjoy a dessert or have some fruit at night. If you are a first-timer, visit a little bit earlier to the two temples earlier in the afternoon.