Singapore: Chinese, Indian & Malay 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‘s Included
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunch
Snacks
Dinner
Coffee and/or Tea
Gratuities
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.
Options
Singapore: Chinese, Indian & Malay Quarters, Culture & Food Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
647 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Comprehensive Singapore cultural and historical tour tour with great food and lots of it!!
AliceAnne B,
Jul 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00Gerry picked us up at our hotel and took us first to Chinatown where we enjoyed Chinese specialties from hawkers, one of whom has a Michelin guide note! Fabulous food and fabulous company all day long, as we toured Indian and Malay quarters with more delicious food. Gerry showed historical photos and current ones to illustrate aspects of culture we might otherwise have missed. A fabulous experience! We were a set of grandparents with our fourteen year old grandson. Young couple joined us to make a very congenital party of six including Gerry! Cannot recommend highly enough. Stuffed at the end of the day! We ride in a private car then on the subway and a bus, like locals do. Buddhist Temple near the hawker site, Mosque in the Malay quarter. Fabulous colorful jeweled saris on display in the Indian quarter indoor market. We loved every minute!
The world needs more Gerrys
Michelle E,
Jun 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00I booked this food tour because of all the glowing reviews and was still absolutely blown away! GERRY IS A GEM OF A HUMAN BEING! I almost thought all the reviews were too good to be true but after taking the food tour, I can confirm that Gerry is truly what makes it the BEST experience you could hope for. HIGHLIGHTS: - Gerry has fantastic communication before, during, and after the tour and takes care of you every step of the way… literally! I unexpectedly passed out in the middle of the hawker complex in Chinatown and when I gained consciousness, one of the first things I saw was Gerry propping up my feet to get them above my heart level while making sure my dress stayed covered. For the rest of the tour, he made sure I was always well hydrated and we stayed in the shade or AC as much as possible. - The group size is limited to under 8 (our tour had 4) so it feels personal and you all become friends by the end of it - We stopped at local, non-touristy places and had the chance to taste and enjoy SO many different dishes! - Gerry donates the leftover food to locals so you don’t have to feel guilty about leaving food behind - Historical facts about Singapore and the local culture were shared as we walked (Gerry has a tablet full of pictures) - Opportunities to use the restroom throughout - Never felt rushed eating at any of the stops - Gerry is like a local celebrity… he gets waves, handshakes, and fist bumps from shop owners on every street you walk down This food tour is the PERFECT way to explore Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam through the eyes and stomach of a local. Of all the food tours I’ve done, Gerry is the best guide I’ve ever had by a mile and this was the biggest food spread I’ve ever encountered. You can tell he really cares about the community and enjoys sharing it with visitors in an authentic and genuine way. This is without a doubt the best food tour you can take in Singapore (and I’d be willing to bet the world too)! Thank you Gerry!
Great food and so much more!
Erica V,
Jun 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00Gerry was an exceptional host and made us all feel like family! He is knowledgeable and so much fun, all at the same time. He took meticulous care of our group, from arranging pick up, to the very last drop off (me!). He selected local delicacies that were flavorful and appealing, and let me tell you, there was more food than any of us could eat. We saw so much of the city while taking local transport to get between the different stops. I highly recommend this tour, 10/10!
Outstanding experience
Peter R,
Jun 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00Gerry was a wonderful host. He was kind and accommodating and immediately made the effort to learn everyone’s name and build rapport. Great “mini-lectures” on Singapore history and culture. You get an insiders tour of some amazing food hawker centers, and the food was phenomenal. Gerry made sure that my daughter, who is vegetarian, was taken care of with good food options. We did this on our first day in Singapore and cannot think of a better way to get acquainted with the different neighborhoods and local food scene.
So much good food!
Michelle D,
Jun 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00Wonderful day experiencing the food, people and history of this beautiful city, thank you to Gerry!!
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