Singapore: Chinese, Indian & Arabic Quarters, Culture & Food Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Your host is a friendly 4th generation Singapore Chinese Peranakan with a strong passion to share real life experiences about growing up in Singapore since the 70's.
His in-depth experience of the different ethnic neighbourhoods and hawker markets promises an adventure of discovery the vibrancy of the local streets and street food now run by 2nd or 3rd generation family members, the people and the diverse communities. You will be introduced to a wide variety of locally popular street food favourites and get to know better your host and the country through his eyes and life's experiences.
This fun and engaging Mixed Group adventure is for those who want to experience unique traditional street food in the UNESCO inscribed hawker centres located in the ethnic neighbourhoods of Chinatown & Little India. This unique culture has been deeply embedded in the Singapore way of life since the colonial days of early 19th century until today.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travellers with gluten intolerance
Not recommended for travelers with dietary restrictions
Not recommended for travelers who are vegetarians as experience will be compromised
Not recommended for travelers with children in prams or strollers
Not recommended for travelers with Personal Mobility Aids / Devices
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Chinatown
The experience starts off with an exploration of Chinatown where you will get to soak in the sights of the Chinatown neighbourhood. Stories will be shared of it's history capturing the struggles of early Chinese immigrants, their trials and tribulations of making ends meet in a rough neighbourhood filled with vices like opium, gambling, prostitution, and death. These buildings still stand today. Old images will be shown where you will see the quick transformation of Singapore's development from the past to the present day. We will also be visiting a hawker centre and get to sample locally popular Singapore Chinese street food cuisines, and at the same time experience the local way of life that has been around for the past decades.
Little India
In Little India, you will be brought around the area where the vibrancy of colour from street stalls selling fresh fruit & vegetables, flower garland markets, traditional clothing stores, and incense shops will charm your senses. It is due to these trades and other opportunities that had inspired the early Indian community to move from the original Little India near the old seafront, up here where water buffalos used to roam the swampy area. We will be visiting a hawker market here and get to sample a variety of Pakistani, North Indian & Indian Muslim street food cuisines, and experience the exciting vibrancy of the Indian community having their daily meals here.
What‘s Included
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunch
Snacks
Dinner
Coffee and/or Tea
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Singapore: Chinese, Indian & Arabic Quarters, Culture & Food Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
803 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Perfect First Day in Singapore
TravelerFarandWide,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did this food tour as our very first activity in Singapore, and it was the perfect introduction to the city. It’s a small-group tour led by a true local. Not just someone reciting facts, but someone born and raised here, now raising a family here, who genuinely understands the culture behind what you’re seeing and eating. And the food. There is so much food. Every stop felt generous, not like a token tasting but like an actual meal. We left full and very happy. I also appreciated that we didn’t just walk through a single hawker center and call it a “food tour.” We moved through distinct neighborhoods, each with its own history and flavor, which made the experience feel layered and intentional. We walked, took the MRT, and rode the bus, which turned the tour into a practical crash course on how to use public transit in Singapore. For a first-day activity, that’s invaluable. It gave us confidence to explore on our own for the rest of the trip. Highly recommend, especially at the start of your stay.
2 for 1, supporting locals and great food.
Deborah B,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Gerry was fantastic. He really cares about the communities we visit. Easy walking around and learning the metro system and finding the cute Halkers markets filled with farm fresh produce and fresh seafoods. Loved learning about the history of the areas we visited.
Great tour for 1st day in...
Nick P,,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour for 1st day in Singapore. The food was good and plentiful so come hungry. Jerry was a great guide with lots of information.
Very good tour and good food
Tula45,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A informative tour with lots of different foods to try, just great. Had a wonderful day, thank you!
So good!
Sightseer01258819670,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is our second time touring the hawker center with Gerry and would book it again should we visit Singapore in the future. We tried so many delicious things! Make sure to skip breakfast on tour day, you will not go home hungry.
Second time around- just as good as the first!
Mjkahn2,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gerry Tan is amazing! This was our second time visiting Singapore. We did a food tour with Gerry in 2019 and enjoyed it so much that we booked with him again. He not only had so much food but a rich history of Singapore and the different cultural centers. Highly recommend!
Singapore Culture and Food Tour with Gerry
bernicem828,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous tour. Gerry did a great job. He was charming, well spoken, efficient, gracious, well organized and has depth of knowledge being born and raised in Singapore. If you want to experience the Chinese, Indian and Arab quarters, their food and culture, we highly recommend this tour. We got a huge variety of authentic food. Gerry is very connected with the people in these quarters and it shows, his kindness and their kindness to him. You will also learn a lot about Singapore as a city state and some of its laws. We couldn’t think of a single negative in this tour. A great experience. Our only mistake was eating a big breakfast before, but we managed to try everything because the food was great.
Exceptional Cultural and Food Tour
Tom M,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an exceptional tour. Gerry loves to teach, has exceptional knowledge and experience, and makes it fun and enjoyable. This is so much more than a food tour. It is as much if not more so, a cultural tour. This is a must do on a Singapore trip, and do it early in your trip to become familiar with the different cultural areas of Singapore. An added bonus is that you will also learn to navigate the train and bus system. Come hungry, because they is a LOT of food. I cannot say enough good things about this tour
Exceptional Cultural and Food Tour!
Tom M,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an amazing experience. Gerry loves to teach. This is so much more than just a food tour. It’s a cultural and food tour. Come hungry as you will have plenty of food! Gerry is so knowledgeable, friendly and a great communicator. Highly highly recommended. Consider going early in your trip as it will help you learn about the areas of the city. As a bonus you also learn how to navigate the train and bus system. Can’t say enough good things about this tour. It’s a must for!
Amazing food and culture tour - fabulous guide!
Caroline D,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a must do experience - Gerry our guide was incredible - he was rightly proud of his culture and Singapore - he showed us so much and it totally exceeded our expectations- if you’re considering- don’t look any further - you will love it!!
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