Singapore is well known for its multiracial society, with many areas having a rich blend of cultural diversity. Think Chinatown or Little India as prime examples. But today, we've decided to explore Joo Chiat, an area situated between Katong and Marine Parade and famed for its unique Peranakan heritage.
Having previously explored Katong, we touched on Kim Choo Kueh Chang for its Peranakan-style offerings in both food, workshops, and tours, as well as a visit to the MedleyAlley mural. But today, we're focusing on what Joo Chiat as a whole has to offer, and particularly some of its lesser-known aspects.
Join us as we pretend to be tourists for a few hours in our chariot, the AVATR 11 Long Range.
Word of advice: Road conditions to take note of in Joo Chiat
If you’re not particularly familiar or a frequent visitor to the area, the roads in Joo Chiat have changed quite a bit. We took many a wrong turn whilst trying to navigate the area, and with many cars parked along the narrow, single-lane roads, we urge drivers to drive a little slower and practice a little more cautiousness.
Parallel parking along the roadside is also rife, so cars with a 360° camera like the AVATR 11 or those that are equipped with the Park Assist automated system need not worry too much. For those with neither, confidence is key. Fret not though, there are also reverse parking spots scattered throughout the area.
1. Janggut Laksa @ Roxy Square (Rich in history and broth alike)
Janggut Laksa boasts a history that dates back to the 1940s, when its founder, Ng Juat Swee, peddled his laksa on foot around the Marine Parade beach area. He later transitioned to selling his famed product on a tricycle with his younger brother, before opening their first stall at 49 East Coast Road, located just opposite Roxy Square, where the brand is currently situated.
While the debate on which Katong Laksa stall is the original is still ongoing, and having previously tried the more famous one, after trying Janggut Laksa for the first time, I know which one I prefer the most. The brand serves up a warm, hearty bowl of cut-up rice noodles with creamy broth that mixes particularly well with its sambal chilli.
Much like prawn noodles, I believe the broth is an essential part of the dish, and Janggut Laksa's didn't disappoint. I could taste the coconut milk in mine, and it was the right balance of thickness for me to savour every mouthful. Three sizes are available: Small ($6), Medium ($7), and Large ($8). Hoping to avoid a food coma yet still satisfy my hunger pangs, I went for the medium, which proved to be just the right amount of "full" without having to sigh and groan every minute.
Then again, I guess it all boils down to personal taste and preference. But after today, I know which one I'm coming back to for seconds.
Where to park: Roxy Square carpark.
Ease of parking: 3.5/5. The AVATR 11 is nearly two metres wide, yet we had no trouble squeezing into a parking slot, with space to spare for opening the car doors. The carpark is fairly spacious, albeit a little old. It also does not offer a grace period nor motorcycle parking, so riders may feel a little hard done by. We also saw two AC chargers situated on Level Three of the carpark, allowing EV owners to power up their cars if the need arises.
Parking rates: Monday to Sunday/public holidays, for any timing, $0.67 for the first half hour and $0.79 for every subsequent half hour. $2.80 per entry from 06:00pm to 12:00am.
2. Cat Socrates (Here, kitty kitty)
Our next stop just happens to be a short walk away and will prove to be heaven on earth for cat owners and lovers. Cat Socrates is an independent lifestyle shop founded in 2008 and offers a variety of cat-themed products, ranging from books and stickers to even plates.
Upon stepping into the store, we were greeted with a plethora of funky items including books, plants, and cat-themed fashion accessories and kitchenware. Being an animal lover and a voracious reader myself, I exercised every ounce of self-control not to snap up every book and kitty merchandise I laid my eyes on. In the end, I vowed not to leave this place empty-handed nor overspend and thus, allowed myself to settle for one book.
Our trip here ended on somewhat of a sad note, as I found out that the resident cat - to which I was eager to meet and give some well-deserved affection and scritches - had passed on a month before our visit.
Where to park: 465 Joo Chiat Road, open-air carpark opposite Cat Socrates.
Ease of parking: 3.5/5. This carpark only offers 11 slots, so expect to find limited slots during peak hours. However, the entrance to Katong Point's underground carpark - right beside it - should offer a convenient alternative.
Parking rates: Every day (including Sundays and public holidays), from 08:30am to 10:00pm, $0.60 for every 30 minutes. Otherwise, parking is free outside of the aforementioned hours.
3. Eurasian Heritage Gallery (A look back into our colonial roots)
As far back as the 16th century, Singapore and its neighbouring countries saw Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence come and go. And with so many nations coming and going, some Europeans ultimately decided to call Singapore home, thus kickstarting the Eurasian community's rich history.
Joo Chiat is well-known for its Peranakan roots, but did you know the Eurasian Heritage Gallery is situated in this area, and is also located right opposite the late S. R. Nathan's former home? And so, eager to find out more about the Eurasian community's history, we gathered four tickets (entry is free for Singaporeans and PRs, while foreigners will have to pay $5) and made our way inside.
In the gallery, we were met with scores of artefacts ranging from the pre-war to post-war period. Identity cards, notebooks, and certificates were displayed on the shelves, donated by community members. Some were issued during the period of World War Two, with the addresses bearing the word "Syonan", the name given to our country by the Japanese.
The achievements and accomplishments of some Eurasians were also dictated on the walls, detailing their contributions to Singapore. Embarrassingly enough, today was also the day I learned that Benjamin Sheares, our second president, was Eurasian and sported distinctive Asian features. And here all along I was always under the assumption that he was white, given his English-sounding last name. Come on, I can't be the only one, right? Ah, heck.
Where to park: Eurasian Heritage Gallery offers free parking, but there's also a ground-level public carpark right beside the place that requires payment. We initially did not know about the latter, so we parked at the former.
Ease of parking: 5/5. The ground-level public carpark was big and spacious, which means that bigger cars should face no problem manoeuvring.
Parking rates: Every day (including Sundays and public holidays), $0.60 for every half hour from 07:00am to 10:30pm. From 10:30pm to 07:00am, $0.60 for every half hour, up to a maximum of $5 for nighttime parking.
4. Peranakan Houses (One for the 'gram)
We couldn't come to Joo Chiat without at least hitting one Peranakan-themed spot. Having previously visited Kim Choo Kueh Chang and MedleyAlley, we decided to drop by the famed Peranakan Houses, which is classified as a heritage building.
Two rows of colourful, decorative two-storey shophouses adorn this stretch of Koon Seng Road. A nod to the Joo Chiat of yesteryear, these were most likely built by wealthy Peranakan families whose architecture and design contains a blend of Chinese, Malay, and European influences.
Motifs inspired by the Chinese zodiac animals can be found on the outer-facing walls of the second floor alongside colourful tiles with mosaic patterns. With such a beautiful backdrop, we couldn't help but pose for a group shot.
Where to park: Public roadside parking along Tembeling Road
Ease of parking: 4/5. The road was wide enough to allow cars to pass and/or park, and there was ample space between both the front and back slots for relative ease of manoeuvrability.
Parking rates: Every day (including Sundays and public holidays), $0.60 for every half hour from 08:30am to 10:00pm. Otherwise, for any other timing, parking is free.
5. About Coffee Co. @ Katong Shopping Centre (Caffeine and chill)
For our last stop, we decided to rest our weary legs for a bit and recharge with some caffeine and glucose. With Joo Chiat providing a plethora of options in terms of cafes, we decided on a cozy-looking spot situated on the first level of Katong Shopping Centre.
Stepping into the small confines of About Coffee Co., we were greeted with a minimalist aesthetic. The lack of foot traffic on a late weekday afternoon served us well, offering us some peace from our hectic lives. In addition to a few interesting choices of beverages, the store also offered tasty pastries that gave us a much-needed energy boost.
It is important to note that About Coffee Co. is more of a pit stop, a place to chill with caffeine and conversations, rather than a full-on meal. And in that regard, this place ticks all the boxes. The vibes were calming, the coffee was refreshing, and the snacks were delectable. The menu looks to be seasonal, so a future visit should probably serve up something new.
Where to park: Katong Shopping Centre carpark
Ease of parking: 3/5. Given that the mall is pretty old-school, we expected nothing less of the carpark. But other than that, it gets the job done.
Parking rates: $1.67 per hour or part thereof, from 07:01am to 06:00pm, and $2.87 per entry (no grace period) from 06:01pm to 07:00am, on Mondays to Saturdays. $2.87 per entry from 07:01am to 07:00am, on Sundays and public holidays. For motorcycles, $1.14 per entry, from 07:01am to 07:00am, every day (including Sundays and public holidays).
And there you have it, our take on Joo Chiat. This isn't all the area has to offer; some of the other attractions do require a fair bit of planning and bookings in advance. However, if you’re looking to just head over on a whim, our suggestions may come in handy!
Don't forget to check out our previous road trips around the island here:
Sgcarmart Explores: National Day Edition 2025!
