The ultimate Singaporean food experience: Exploring the flavors of Chinatown

What you'll do

You’ll set off on a jaunt with one of our Singapore hosts around Chinatown, where you’ll find some of the best street food in the city - a bold statement when you’re in a city that practically lives off-street eats, but let us explain.

Aside from the Chinatown Food Complex, which is where you can taste Michelin-starred street food in the form of soya sauce chicken and rice - which is wildly tastier than its name lets on - you’ll find such delights as poh piah (fresh spring roll) and chwee kueh (water rice cake).

Maybe it’ll be the food that lulls you into a coma, or maybe it’s the swaying lanterns, billowing smoke screens, and the air of mystery from traditional Chinese medicine shops which will hypnotize you; who can say?

From here, you’ll walk (probably quite slowly after all that food) to a traditional wet market where you can see live seafood and try to decipher all manner of ingredients.

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 3 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: Cantonese, French, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Marathi, Russian)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Join your host and discover Chinatown’s hawker centres and street markets, sampling some of the delicious street food that’s served there
  • Sample 6 - 8 of the most authentic local dishes, from unusual delicacies to Chinatown’s staple dishes
  • Explore the wet market and discover where fresh produce is sourced
  • Taste local specialties like chicken rice, spring rolls, satay and water rice cakes
  • Explore the historic streets of Chinatown and soak up its culture and history

Things to know

What’s included

  • Private and personalized experience
  • 3 hours with a host
  • 6 - 8 tastings of different street foods
  • Walking experience
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
  • 2 non-alcoholic drinks per person

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks (additional from those provided in the experience)
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    This tour was one id highly recommend. From the time jimmy and I were connected he was very detailed in asking what I was interested in eating, showed up early, shared a photo of himself so I would know exactly who he was, which as a single traveler made me feel very comfortable. He was very knowledgeable about the area we were touring and the different types of food options. He answered any question I had and also took pictures of me along the way and would immediately share with me. The Buddhist temple was very special to see and to learn from jimmy what takes places in the temple. I highly recommend booking this tour with Jimmy. You will learn a lot, have a full belly and have a great time with him! It was also very special to me that after the day, he sent me a curated video of our pictures and more about the heritage of Singapore!!

    October 2022

    Leslie B

    We nick-named our guide 'Honest' John. He was amazing in providing a wonderfully informative tour of Chinatown and varying food experiences. From fish ball soups to durian ice blocks the range of food we tried was exceptional. Many were dishes we would not normally have tried as we would not know what the dishes were, but John made the experience not only enjoyable but a feast for all senses.

    September 2022

    Gary A

    Excellent! Priscilla kept in contact right up to our meeting. Enough walking and talking, as well as eating. I found it was too much food, but most enjoyable. Even though I have been to Singapore many times, I still enjoyed the experience and learnt a little more.

    December 2019

    Pam T

    Our Chinatown food tour in Singapore with Francesca was fabulous! She was very knowledgeable and personable. She took very good care of us. We had a lot of fun and some great food. You can't go wrong if you book her.

    April 2018

    Michael M

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Singapore. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

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