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Guide to Koon Seng Road, a Charming Heritage Gem
- History of Koon Seng Road
- Things to Know
- How to Get There
- Things to See and Do
- Stroll along the colourful Peranakan shophouses
- Spot Peranakan-style murals
- Go on a vintage Vespa sidecar tour
- Savour authentic Katong laksa
- Have a nostalgic coffee break at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
- Visit boutiques and galleries in the vicinity
- Shop at i12 Katong shopping mall
- Relax at Katong Park
- Visit The Intan (by appointment)
You haven’t truly explored the east side until you’ve walked down Koon Seng Road. Tucked in the heart of Joo Chiat, this pastel-hued stretch is a living postcard of Peranakan pride.
It’s been called one of Singapore’s prettiest streets, and it’s where heritage meets vibrant palate. Locals like me know it’s more than just a photo op, and I’m here today to illustrate this point further.
History of Koon Seng Road
Koon Seng Road got its name in 1934. It was named after Cheong Koon Seng, one of Singapore’s first local-born municipal councillors and a prominent Peranakan businessman.
The name stuck, just like the neighbourhood’s love for tiled façades and civic pride.
Back in my grandparents’ time, this was a quiet residential lane for the Straits Chinese elite. Over time, it’s become a cultural capsule, outlasting rapid development with its charm firmly intact.
Things to Know
Location: Within the larger Katong sub-zone, in the Marine Parade planning district
Accessibility: Mostly smooth and level pavements and sidewalks, buses serving the area are wheelchair and stroller-accessible, most nearby bus stops and Paya Lebar MRT station are fully barrier-free
Pet-friendly? Leashed dogs are welcome on the pavement; there is a 24/7 dedicated mini dog run in Koon Seng Park, and there are nearby pet-friendly cafes
Rules and restrictions:
- Dogs can only go off-leash within the dog run zone
- No littering or dumping
- No loitering or gathering that obstructs traffic
- No vandalism
- No excessive noise, especially in residential zones
- Respect residents’ privacy
How to Get There
By MRT: The nearest MRT station to get to Koon Seng Road is Paya Lebar (interchange for both the East-West and Circle Lines). From Exit C or D, it’s around a 15-minute walk; just head east along Paya Lebar Road before turning south into Joo Chiat and Koon Seng Road.
By bus: The most convenient bus stop for Koon Seng Road is “Joo Chiat Pl – Before Still Rd” (Stop 83169). You can catch several bus services here: 13, 150, 155, 33, 55, and 966. After alighting, stroll straight down Joo Chiat Place onto Still Road, then turn onto Koon Seng Road.
By car/taxi dropoff: Set your GPS to Koon Seng Road (most input 42 Koon Seng Road) and follow the vehicle-friendly two-way street that begins at Joo Chiat Road and ends at Still Road.
Things to See and Do
Stroll along the colourful Peranakan shophouses
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Location: 287 to 305 Koon Seng Road (opposite Koon Seng Park)
Price: No access fee
Walking down Koon Seng Road feels like flipping through a Pantone swatch book designed by history. Each shophouse pops with pastel charm and handcrafted detail, proof that heritage doesn’t have to be a boring beige.
The façades are more than pretty, as they are also a collision of Chinese latticework, Malay motifs, and European tiles. We like to call it “Straits Eclectic,” which quietly resists the modern blandness of most HDBs today.
Pro-tip: For photos without shadows in this pastel stretch, visit between 8 and 10 AM when there’s still soft morning light.
Spot Peranakan-style murals
Media from tree11pk
Location: Public car park entrance at 341 Joo Chiat Road
Price: Free access
Stroll behind the Peranakan shophouses to the public car park entrance at 341 Joo Chiat Road and you’ll find “High Tide,” a free-access mural by Hélène Le Chatelier.
It also features a poem by Christine Chia, and it’s designed to echo the area’s past floods and fading pink mempat trees. Just wander there during your shophouse crawl and let the art layer on a quiet local legend.
Pro-tip: The mural is tucked in a cosy alley next to ScanTeak’s showroom.
Go on a vintage Vespa sidecar tour
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Location: Meeting place is opposite Lotus Apartments, 11 Everitt Road
Price: $$$, book a tour here
Don’t feel like walking? Then fasten your helmet and hop into a beautifully restored vintage Vespa sidecar to tour Koon Seng Road and the rest of Joo Chiat’s cultural corners, instead.
The meeting point is opposite Lotus Apartments on Everitt Road. Expect to glide through pastel Peranakan shophouses and hidden lanes, with your guide spinning local lore as you learn about heritage while in motion.
Pro-tip: Book the late afternoon slot for cooler weather, softer light, and golden-hour photos minus the crowd.
Savour authentic Katong laksa
Media from katong.joochiat
Location: 328 Katong Laksa, 51 East Coast Road
Hours: Daily, 9.30 AM–9.30 PM
Price: $
Zip into 321 Katong Laksa and slurp on the coconut-rich gravy studded with thick, spoon-ready bee hoon. This is, after all, Katong’s original laksa throne with no frills, just flavour.
Its fame soared after founder Lucy Nancy Koh beat Gordon Ramsay in a 2013 cook-off. It’s proof that her rempah-packed broth isn’t messing around!
Pro-tip: Locals call it “spoon laksa” because the chopped noodles and hearty toppings mean you don’t need chopsticks to enjoy it.
Have a nostalgic coffee break at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
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Location: 204 East Coast Road
Hours:
Monday to Tuesday, 8 AM–4 PM
Wednesday, noon–4 PM
Thursday to Sunday, 8 AM–4 PM
Price: $
Sink into a marble-topped seat at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, and you’ll find yourself in a 1925 kopitiam time capsule. The cafe features green mosaic floors, ceiling fans, charcoal-toasted buns, and tasty kaya.
Order a robust kopi and kaya toast combo, and you’re sipping through almost a century of Katong history. One bite and it hits you: this is living, breathing heritage, with nostalgia included at no charge.
Pro-tip: Go on a weekday morning before 10 AM for shorter queues, fresher buns, and a quieter taste of old-school charm.
Visit boutiques and galleries in the vicinity
Media from hemiaomiao666
Locations:
A Vintage Tale, 277 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-01
The WYLD Shop, 412 Joo Chiat Rd
Joo Chiat Atelier, 281 Joo Chiat Rd
Price: $$
Several Joo Chiat boutiques and galleries offer a visual and tactile feast, apart from welcoming you into an air-conditioned respite from the heat outside.
Wander into A Vintage Tale to marvel at mid-century designer pieces like Dior and Gucci, and where an in-shop bar awaits you for a cocktail break.
For artisanal flair, pop into Joo Chiat Atelier upstairs at Singapore Trading Post to see handwoven textiles and local crafts meet a gallery-style display.
Pro-tip: For Aussie-infused fashion and lifestyle finds, swing by The WYLD Shop.
Shop at i12 Katong shopping mall
Media from i12katong
Location: 112 E Coast Road
Hours: Daily, 10 AM–10 PM
Price: $$
Step into i12 Katong and you’ll find six floors of boutiques, a Golden Village Cinema, and a modern playground, all wrapped in community-friendly vibes.
Expect a curated mix of international labels, local lifestyle outlets, and wellness spots. It’s a good place for a laid-back retail therapy break in the Katong neighbourhood.
Pro-tip: For quieter corridors, easier parking, and redeemable rewards, visit the mall on a weekday morning or lunchtime.
Relax at Katong Park
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Location: 59 Fort Road
Hours: Open 24 hours
Price: No entry fee
Katong Park is just beside Koon Seng Road. It’s a green oasis built over the remnants of Fort Tanjong Katong, and it’s open 24 hours, so you can swing by for a serene evening stroll or bring the kids to the sandy playground any time.
Under its canopy, you’ll find mature trees, including a “rainbow gum” and a fenced dog run if you feel like bringing your furry friends along. Watch out for historical signboards pointing to the buried fort.
Pro-tip: Head to the park at sunset for cooler weather and to catch the golden glow on the heritage trees.
Visit The Intan (by appointment)
Media from thesghomez
Location: 69 Joo Chiat Terrace
Contact: +6564401148
Price: $$$
If you want to experience actual Peranakan living, head to The Intan on Joo Chiat Terrace, but do note that it doesn’t accept walk-ins, as it’s strictly by appointment only.
Each visit is guided by Alvin Yapp himself, who walks through over 1,500 antiques while serving tea and homemade Nyonya snacks. It’s personal, immersive, and quietly theatrical—a private sip of Peranakan culture minus museum crowds.
Pro-tip: It’s not a cheap visit, with a S$60 fee for the 1-hour The Tea Experience, and the private dinner option costing S$180, but it’s worth it for the authentic Peranakan ambience.
