Singapore: UNESCO Street Food & Cultural Experience
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This Mixed-Group tour brings you to the ethnic neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Gelam. You will learn about the history, people, culture & heritage, which are what make Singapore uniquely diverse.
You will experience the everyday lives of the locals not only through sight and sound, but also through your taste buds. We will visit 2 UNESCO inscribed hawker centres (at Chinatown & Little India) and sample authentic local cuisines and drink, some of which have been passed down from generations and are fast diminishing due to the lack of family successors continuing with the trade.
To experience the local experience even further, we will also be taking public transportation between the different ethnic quarters, which are efficient, convenient and comfortable.
This tour will help you understand how the locals live their lives, which reflects Singapore's unique multi-racial and cultural lifestyle, and at the same time fill your stomachs with really amazing food and drink.
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
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
A maximum of 8 people per booking
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
Not recommended for travelers with Personal Mobility Aids / Devices
Not recommended for travellers with food allergies
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off (Optional / Subjected to Location)
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Coffee and/or Tea
Food tasting
Beer only
MRT (Subway) and/or public buses with guidance on how to use it
Professional & accredited host with stories to share
Gratuities
What To Expect
Chinatown
Your tour is a fun and educational discovery of 3 ethnic neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. You will learn more about its history and experience local living, through walking in the area as well as sampling local street food at UNESCO inscribed hawker centres at Chinatown and Little India, and dessert in the Malay Quarter of Kampong Glam. In Chinatown, you will learn more about the lives of early Chinese immigrants who flocked here in large numbers due to the vibrant community and work opportunities. Businessmen, traders, craftsmen, hawkers and peddlers sought to make a living here. While some found success, many others found themselves succumbed to vices like opium, gambling and prostitution. Remnants of these memories can still be found along the streets of Chinatown and you will get the opportunity to relive the lives of the past in the present day.
Kampong Gelam
Your tour is a fun and educational discovery of 3 ethnic neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam with a street food experience at UNESCO inscribed hawker centres at Chinatown and Little India. In Kampong Glam, you will learn more about how this place came about and that Malay royalty used to govern Singapore, whose palace used to stand in the grounds. Be enthralled by the grand Sultan Mosque that still continues to attract Muslims from all over the island. It is an important focal point for religious, cultural and social activities. During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, this area transforms into a popular night market with numerous food stalls as Muslims gather to await the prayer call to break their fast at sunset. You will get to sample locally known desserts by an independently run store in the area while soaking in the old and colourful wall murals that adorn all along the walls of shophouses.
Options
Weekday Morning 9am
Tour departs at 9am, and guests will go on a 5-hour discovery of the ethnic neighborhoods & experience local food & drink.
Duration: 5 hours
Pickup included
Sunday Morning 9am
Tour departs at 9am, and guests will go on a 5-hour discovery of the ethnic neighborhoods & experience local food & drink.
Duration: 5 hours
Pickup included
Saturday Morning 9am
Tour departs at 9am, and guests will go on a 5-hour discovery of the ethnic neighborhoods & experience local food & drink.
Duration: 5 hours
Pickup included
Reviews
499 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Well rounded, knowledgeable food and cultural experience
Kathleen B,
Jun 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00This experience was definitely a highlight of our short trip to Singapore. Gerry is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about keeping Singapore culture alive and thriving. He also has an amazing way of bringing together the group. We had an amazing time trying the cuisine and definitely enjoyed the Chinatown cuisine the most! I also think it’s accurately named a cultural experience because you learn about the history of Singapore and not just the food. 10/10 recommend. Thank you Gerry !!
One of the best tours I’ve ever been on! Amazing!
Cristina R,
Jun 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00This tour was one of the best decisions we could have made for our first trip to Singapore!! Gerry is a amazing tour guide who is not only incredibly knowledgeable of the history, culture, and food, but he is so thoughtful in his planning and handling every aspect of the tour to ensure you have a relaxed and enjoyable experience. We ate so much amazing food that I am still dreaming about and plan to return to. He takes you to spots that are more local, rather than touristy, so that you can really get a sense of the different areas. I would recommend this tour to all!!
Authentic engagement with local food culture
Therese C,
May 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great morning with Gerry! Authentic engagement with local food culture and neighbourhoods, with interesting stories about history and culture
We had a great time on...
aaron h,
May 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a great time on this tour! Gerry is a wonderful guide, a native of Singapore, he has an intimate knowledge of the history and culture of the island. Going through the three distinct neighborhoods and markets was fascinating. The foods Gerry chose for us to sample were absolutely delicious and I’ll confess, we ate too much!! This is well worth the money! If your interest is getting off the beaten “tourist” path to see how the local cultures live, this tour is a must. Highly recommended!!
10/10 - Gerry does an amazing job
Emily W,
Apr 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00Gerry did a phenomenal job of showing us a city he loves. Some of the food we got in the hawker center was the best I had in my entire trip. I also appreciated how he used the MRT and bus systems to give us a true sense of place and the city. 10/10
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