We had a fabulous time. Ronald was very knowledgeable, open and enthusiastic about his country. The food and the places we ate were super varied and he put everything he shared into context. We had a fantastic time. Would you recommend to everyone visiting Singapore. You will see and learn things you would never know or come across on your own.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- The meals and snacks would be on a sharing basis as it is 3.5 hours walking food tour and min 9 delicious tastings as well as drinks
- English-speaking guide
Excludes
- Insurance
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Go to Exit A (street level) and look for guide in company name white polo t-shirt.
Return
- Chinatown MRT Station
Itinerary
Our guide will meet you and we will have our 1st stop for food tasting here, in addition to the exploration of cultural / historical stops and how it relates to Singapore's food culture
This will be the 2nd stop as we continue to feast our senses on this walking tour, which highlights the culinary traditions that define Chinatown, from heritage recipes passed down through generations to contemporary interpretations of local favourites. Along the way, you’ll discover how food reflects the community’s history, identity, and evolving culture. Come hungry & leave feeling full and inspired
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Ronald was absolutely amazing! He was so friendly, knowledgeable, passionate, and made our food tour such an incredible experience. I learnt so much about Singapore’s culture, traditions, food, and way of life. It was truly amazing to discover the history behind the food and learn so much about Singapore through Ronald’s eyes. His knowledge and passion for his country really shone through, and he made the whole experience so enjoyable and memorable. Ronald went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful time, and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better guide. This was so much more than just a food tour; it was a genuine cultural experience that we will always remember. If you’re visiting Singapore, I highly recommend booking a tour with Ronald. Thank you, Ronald, for sharing your knowledge, culture, and passion with us. You are an absolute star, and you made our Singapore holiday extra special! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️
What do I say absolutely brilliant top job. Love the conversational explanations of not just the food but culture and history as well. The tour around the area explained clearly. With good English. Something not all of our guides have had. The patients of Ronald had for our numerous pitstop to look at different things and to explain what we were looking at was very much appreciated. Would not have missed for the world. Thank you for the brilliant experience. Regard Andrew and Helen
The guide had knowledge of the food and gave detailed, insightful explanations throughout the tour. Most of the route was indoors or air-conditioned, and we often walked through underground passages or buildings, which made it very comfortable and convenient. Most importantly, the food was absolutely delicious!
Outstanding experience where every moment was filled with incredible knowledge of history, culture and most importantly, the best vendors with delicious foods. Ronald was an amazing guide who selected vendors with care and food safety in mind and great stories to go along with it. This is a tour not to be missed!
Unforgettable night exploring Chinatown - you are not just eating at hawker food stalls, rather you get to experience a vibrant community of amazing people who share Singapore history, culture and traditions through food. I was lucky to have both Ronald and Sirene with me and they were incredible guides. Thank you!
It was a great experience going to different restaurants around chinatown. The host Ronaldhad lots information and history about the various parts of Chinatown we visted.
This tour is highly recommeneded for first time visitors to Singapore. It will give you first hand experience of authentic singapore food and street culture. You get to try Michelin food during the Tour. Tour guide Serene is very friendly and engaging!
Serene's food tour was a highlight of my trip. She gave me an authentic taste of Singapore's food culture, of which we enjoyed a guided walk through Chinatown's streets, where the local culture really comes alive. A must-visit!
A Wonderful Journey Through Singapore’s History, Culture and Food! Serene's tour was a fantastic experience that brought Singapore's rich history, vibrant culture and incredible food scene together in one memorable journey! Exploring the historic streets of Chinatown was like stepping back in time. From beautifully preserved shophouses and traditional architecture to fascinating stories of Singapore's early trading days and Chinese heritage, every corner had something interesting to discover. The contrast between the old-world charm of Chinatown and the modern city skyline made the experience even more special. One of the highlights was exploring the bustling streets around Chinatown and learning about the cultural significance of the places we visited. The atmosphere was especially magical in the evening, with colourful lights, lively streets and hidden gems that are easy to overlook without a knowledgeable guide. Of course, no Singapore experience would be complete without food! We enjoyed an amazing selection of local favourites, including crispy fried chicken, delicious xiao long bao, and mouthwatering roasted meats. These weren't just food stops — they were opportunities to experience Singapore's diverse culinary heritage. We even encountered a beautiful green parrot along the way, adding an unexpected and memorable moment to the evening! What makes a tour like this special is discovering the stories behind familiar streets, understanding how Singapore evolved from a historic trading port into the modern city it is today, and appreciating the traditions that continue to shape its identity. Highly recommended for both tourists and locals! Whether you're visiting Singapore for the first time or have lived here for years, Serene's tour offers a wonderful opportunity to rediscover Chinatown through its history, architecture, culture and food. A memorable evening filled with great sights, delicious food and a deeper appreciation of Singapore's heritage!
Serene did a great job and was very helpful explaining all the sites and backgrounds to food choices. I recommend this for any visitors to get authentic tour by a local. Thank you!
Was a great tour of Chinatown. Our guides were very knowledgable and there’s plenty of good! A good intro to Singapore.
Great tour with Serene. You get to see sites and learn about culture along with the food stops.
It was a great experience!! I highly recommend it!
We always like to do a food tour on the first few days of our vacation. Thankfully we picked the right one visiting secret Michelin star stalls where locals queue for their lunch. Ronald was exceptional with his knowledge and consideration of walking slow in the heat. He even took us to a Chinese tea specialist after hearing of our ailments. Food experiences were amazing and traditional. You will not leave hungry or unsatisfied. Highly recommend this tour and Ronald.
OMG, what an amazing experience, Ronald was so insightful and really knows the history, culture and most importantly, the food. We’ve all come away with not only great memories, but also VERY full bellies. Cannot rate the experience highly enough
The tour was excellent the guide was very knowledgeable. If you go with kids plan your itinerary to ensure they are not too tired as there is lots of walking and heat. Lots of food definitely come hungry.
We love the fact that the Cantonese style, Singapore chicken rice, was served with perfectly fragrant rice with various condiments. A thoughtful add-on was the soothing peanut soup that complemented the meal. You could taste that everything had just been made; it’s a rare moment of freshness you don’t often get to taste, especially on food tours. The stops along the route were equally thoughtful and interesting. We tasted colorful nonya snacks, our personal favorites was the rainbow layered cake. Can’t remember the name but it was pure fun, peeling the layers and eating it. We were lucky as we were informed that the Mid Autumn Festival was approaching and we got to try a mooncake, which added a lovely seasonal touch to the experience. The route itself was comfortable, well paced, and mostly sheltered, something we truly appreciated in Singapore’s humidity. Whilst the food stops selection were good as it ranged from hawker centre to coffee shops and flagship store. By the end, it felt like more than a food tour and we love the wonderful people at the food stops for taking time for photos and even for sharing their story. Highly recommended and we are happy to have booked the tour after the initial walking tour at Kampong Glam. Thanks Louis, our host, for both trips.
Really enjoyed the food tour. I especially loved the roast meat and enjoyed learning about Singapore through its food. The pace was comfortable, our guide was friendly and everything was well-organised.
Our trip was mid-afternoon on a Saturday but due to savvy navigation by our super tour guide Serene, it was still comfortable as we used sheltered walkways and underpasses. She really knows her Singaporean history and culture and gave us the secret history of many historic temples and museums, as well as the best eats. She clearly loves Singapore. We had one of the best roast pork we've ever eaten, and we are foodies! We were pleasantly surprised by how smooth the local coffee was, due to the blend of Robusta, Arabica and Liberica beans -- props to the team for being true foodies too. We finished the coffee so quickly we didn't take any photos of it. The URA Centre next to the Maxwell Hawker Centre is also a highlight too -- beautiful place to get an intro to Singapore urban planning, with an impressive model of Singapore, and an explainer/show of the different districts of Singapore. Kudos to the team for a great tour!
We had a fantastic half day with Serene, visiting restaurants and hawker centres, while seeing the sights of Chinatown. We learned a lot about Singapore’s food culture and history. Serene happily managed our wide variety of questions. Highly recommended.
An absolute must-do! This tour is a fantastic deep dive into Singapore’s rich food culture. The vibes were unmatched—buzzing hawker centres, vibrant heritage streets, and incredible energy all day. Our tour guide was fantastic, bringing the whole experience to life with engaging stories, warm energy, and insider tips on the local food scene. We tried everything from rich laksa to classic kaya toast and char siewrice, learning the heritage behind every bite. Great food, top-tier guide, and an amazing local atmosphere. 10/10 recommend!
The tour guide’s personality and vibe was fabulous! There was no dull or awkward moment throughout the session. The curated route and the menu of the food were wonderful! We tried delicious local dishes at hawker centre and cafes! Sufficient time for digestion before the next dish :). We also visited a few places of interests! Definitely money well spent! Thumbs up!
I did this tour tonight with Serene as my guide. I was lucky enough to get her all to myself and so was able to ask loads of questions (so I did!!). Serene is a fabulous guide, so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, I learnt so much from her and all the food we ate was amazing! I’ve been to Singapore a few times before but tonight I got to try lots of things for the first time and learnt so much about the history of Singapore and the various cultures that call it home. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough, it was brilliant!!!
This was an AMAZING experience! Serene was the most wonderful and knowledgeable guide and the tour was so much fun. The food stops were all great and delicious, and we also loved hearing about the history of Singapore and seeing some key sights. Thank you Serene - we will be back! Paula and Tim 🇦🇺
Really enjoyed this Chinatown food tour! It felt very local and authentic - a nice mix of food, culture, history and little stories that you probably wouldn’t discover just walking around on your own. We got to visit some of the older heritage spots, learn more about the history of the area and understand some of the traditions and cultural beliefs that are still part of everyday life today. Of course, there was lots of food along the way too! From really good roast meats to laksa, curry puff and traditional coffee and toast - everything was well curated and gave us a nice taste of different local flavours. I also liked that our guide shared stories behind some of the food places and even some little “secret ingredients”, which made the experience a lot more interesting than simply eating from stop to stop. We ended the tour at a very nostalgic old-school coffee place, which was such a nice way to wind down after all the walking and eating. ☕️ Even though Singapore weather can be really hot… the whole tour was paced comfortably with enough stops and breaks along the way, so it felt very easy and enjoyable overall. Our guide Serene was warm, knowledgeable and shared so many interesting stories throughout the tour. Would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to experience Chinatown beyond the usual tourist sights.. a really nice way to discover Singapore through its food, heritage and local stories. 🇸🇬❤️
It’s a great experience, getting to learn about local food traditions and taste them. A short walk along the business district and visited some temples. The guide is great. Enjoyable trip
Easy paced and well curated food introduction! Enjoyed the tour 👍
As a local, I rarely do tours in Singapore, but this food trail was a wonderful experience that really deepened my understanding of Chinatown and our country’s past. It proved to me that exploring your own home country can be incredibly fun, interesting, and eye-opening! The route took us through historic and cultural landmarks, including an interesting first-time visit near a local Chinese temple. Our guide, Serene, was very engaging, shared great stories, and kept the pace relaxed and fun. Ron was also excellent in ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the day. The food selections along the trail offered a genuine taste of local flavors and traditions. I highly recommend this to both tourists and locals who want to rediscover Chinatown's vibrant food scene!
It was one of the better value food tours. Beyond the carefully curated menu, we visited interesting places within Chinatown and enjoyed the friendliness of the people we met. The pacing was comfortable and most parts of the route were in sheltered or air-con places that we truly appreciate, given Singapore’s humidity and the time of the year. We tried classics like Hainanese kaya toast and it was the best we had. The bread was thick and toasty whilst the gate kept Char Sieu and Roast Pork was heavenly! Thick juicy chunks of sliced char sieu and crispy roasted pork! It was also important that food was the central theme that linked culture, religion and history. By the end, I felt like I understood Chinatown not just as a place, but as a community and that is so evident in the interaction between Istoria and many of the stallholders and regulars who were just hanging out. I definitely recommend it. Try it and experience it for yourself.
This was a lovely curated experience, and such a interesting way to discover a slice of Singapore's history. It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon - trying the various foods that Singapore's early migrants brought with them which has become part of the local culture. The establishments - whether food or a historical stop - that we visited had that undeniably Singapore feel to it. Serene was most informative, and also took care of our group's needs. She made sure that we had time to rest in between stops.
I had the best time with two of my friends on the Chinatown food tour organised by Istoria Collective with Serene and Ronald. Initially, I was wondering if it was going to be too hot since we met at 3 p.m., but the way they curated the tour made it feel really comfortable. There was a little bit of walking, but it was nicely paced, and we passed through indoor spaces with shelter along the way, which made a huge difference. I loved that we got to learn a little bit about the different spots we visited, including the temples, while enjoying really good food throughout the tour. We even ended with coffee and Kaya toast, which was such a nice way to wrap everything up. One of my friends who joined us was 15 weeks pregnant, and I really appreciated how thoughtfully the tour was paced. She was comfortable throughout, and both Ronald and Serene were very attentive to everyone’s needs. Overall, it was such a fun, enjoyable, and well-curated experience. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a relaxed yet fun way to explore Chinatown, learn a bit of its history, and enjoy some really great food along the way.
Serene was a friendly and enthusiastic guide to Singapore food culture. She shared many stories about Singapore’s history and how it shaped local versions of dishes from China, India, Malaysia and elsewhere. I learned how to order coffee or tea like a local, how to navigate Hawker centres, and how to avoid the busiest times. I’m looking forward to explore more on my own. We also visited some less well-known spots, temples, and mini-museums that I never would have found on my own. Serene was able to adapt parts of the tour based on what we talked about and what I liked, including some of the best won tons I have ever had (Ji Ji noodle house in Hong Lim Food Centre). She also took some paths indoors to stay out of the rain or heat. I left full of food and full of places to come back to later in my trip, and a deeper understanding of Singapore. This tour was excellent value and a great introduction to Singapore’s Chinatown.
What an excellent tour this was! Ronald told me so much about Asian culture and history tgrough this carefully curated tour, that was also tailored to my interests. Not only did I get to try meat dishes, but also soupand seafood as well as drinks like sugar cane juice. I also got to go into different types of sites in Chinatown from hawker centers and wet/dry markets to malls and temples. I highly recommended this food tour. It was fun as well as tasty. Thanks again, Ronald, for a wonderful experience!
Attended the food tour with my friends, led by Ronald. Super friendly and engaging tour guide that gave us insights on Chinatown in a way that I have never seen before, in both modern and traditional ways. The 3.5hrs food tour was just right for us, with a good balance of delicious food items, ranging from roasted meats, laksa, curry puff, toast & coffee, chicken noodles etc. In between each stop, there were also some visits to traditional spots and temples around. Also because Singapore is really hot, their tour route was considerate to plan it such that we are walking through air conditioned places most of the times and carefully curated rest spots. Gotta say that we were also really lucky with the weather that it almost rained but didn’t in the end. Apart from that, what differentiates him from other tour guides is his relations with the hawkers and shop owners. The friendliness and enthusiasm made us feel like home away from home. Highly recommended food tour to consider!
We had such a wonderful time on this tour with Ronald. He was incredibly engaging, friendly and knowledgeable, and made us feel comfortable from the start. He also knew all the best shortcuts and shaded walking routes, which was greatly appreciated in Singapore’s hot and humid weather. The food recommendations were amazing and felt genuinely local rather than touristy. Ronald brought us to hidden, gatekept spots that we probably would never have found on our own, including places that seemed to be mostly frequented by locals. We tried laksa, curry puffs, chicken rice and some of the crispiest roast pork we have ever had. The walking distance was very manageable, with enough breaks along the way, so the tour never felt rushed or tiring. Ronald also shared interesting stories about the neighbourhoods, local culture and everyday life in Singapore, which made the experience feel much more personal. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Singapore who wants to experience authentic local food beyond the usual tourist recommendations!
It was a fantastic experience right from the start to the finish. After a seamless pickup by the tour guide, we started off the tour at this amazing roast pork place which had the BEST roast pork I ever had in my life. Afterwards, we headed off to explore the cultural sites at Chinatown and our guide shared really interesting facts about the temples and history of Singapore. The little details shared made me appreciate the existence of these cultural sites more on a deeper level, rather than if I went to the sites alone. It was a very well thought out trip, a good interval of food stops and cultural sites, and I got to see Singapore through a different lens. The food that we ate were not all on the Michelin guide, but was even better, and very FRESH. The guide shared the history of the stalls and some of them actually had chefs from the Michelin stalls! I really appreciated the amount of thought put into the selection of food places and planning of the route. We didn't want to just follow the Michelin guide as it was overly commercialised. This experience is definitely a must-try if you want to see Singapore through the lens of a local. Shoutout to the hard work by our amazing guide!
We had an incredible hawker food trip with Ronald, and I cannot recommend him enough! From start to finish, his itinerary was exceptionally well thought out. Not only was the food selection phenomenal, but he also planned a smart, mostly sheltered route that seamlessly wove in multiple historical attractions. He even looked after the smallest details, like handing out wet tissues to us after our meals—a total lifesaver in the Singapore heat! Ronald is incredibly knowledgeable about Singapore's history, sharing fascinating stories without ever making it feel like a boring lecture. It’s also clear he’s a beloved local figure; the hawkers at Hong Lim Food Centre knew him very well and the rapport he has with them added a wonderful, authentic layer to the experience. Instead of just chasing tourist traps, Ronald focused on exceptional hawker food that goes way beyond Michelin-star standards. It was a thoroughly comfortable, delicious, and seamless trip. I can 100% trust his food standards and would definitely book with him again. Thank you, Ronald!
Really enjoyed this 3+ hour walking tour! It was a wonderful way to spend a leisurely afternoon exploring Chinatown, with a convenient meeting point in the heart of the city. The tour included delicious local favourites like chicken rice, and traditional toast with coffee, along with interesting stops at local shops that gave us a glimpse into the area’s rich culture and history. A special thank you to Ling, who was incredibly patient and accommodating, especially as my mum needed to walk at a slower pace. She made sure everyone felt comfortable and never rushed us, which we truly appreciated. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a relaxed, unhurried experience in central Singapore. We left with wonderful memories, and we are so happy to have made a new friend along the way!
It's a relaxing trip and we enjoy good food n have more knowledge about China town. The tour guide , Ling, is very caring and helpful, knowledgeable. Very friendly and we feel so comfortable with her.
The food is good and the tour guide is also good. The tour was comfortable and I enjoyed myself.
This was a fantastic 3+ hour tour, so much more than just a good trip! Ronald (and Serena) was a fun, knowledgeable guide and mixed Singapore history with food. Highly recommended!
It was a really fun experience and the food were really good. Would recommend to everyone.
it was a great experience, allowing us to have a great taste of local foods like chicken rice, char siew rice and laksa. there was a great introduction of hawker culture and also the various contexts behind various vendors. the chicken rice that was introduced was also the cantonese version, different from the classic hainanese one and was highly delectable. would recommend going on the food tour to get a taste of singapore! in addition, the visits to the chinese temple and indian temple were also highly informative, allowing us to get a better understanding behind the beliefs held by the various races in our society.
We had an enjoyable and educational food tour in Chinatown area. This is also great bonding for the family as we walked, ate, chatted and learnt the history along the journey. We had Michelin rated local delicacies, visited temples in Chinatown area, and were given drinks to keep us hydrated to beat the heat. The guides are friendly, engaging, knowledgeable and always ensuring our safety. Thank you very much for the wonderful experiences.
It was a good bonding for family. The food was good (esp the chicken rice, wow!!) and the walk was pleasant. The guide was knowledgeable and introduce many different interesting aspects of the places we visited, the food we ate etc. They were able to engage us, making sure that we crossed the roads safely, and well taken care of during the tour.
I love how well paced the food tour is within its time frame, and I like how knowledgeable the guide Ling is when we talked about history and heritage in Singapore besides the food culture which she is very clear about. She also makes the whole tour enjoyable despite the hot weather and she really takes a lot of consideration to make sure I am comfortable during the walk.
Wonderful, small group (it was just our family) food tour. Ronald kept us entertained as he showed us notable and delicious food stalls and restaurants. We ate a wide variety of delicious food and Ronald made sure to point out places we may like to visit on our own later.
Great experience walking around Chinatown, get to learn more about the hawker culture, gets to taste delicious local Hawker food in the local environment.. Guide is very knowledgeable and explained clearly and in an easy to understand manner.. Keep up the great work!! Duration is just nice for us..
very professional guide w gd knowledge of places in Chinatown. The food they recommended was nice too.. Laksa from Hong Lim w a Michelin grade , then yummy curry puff.. after goes to the yummy 88 roast pork n char siew.. lots more .. w Nanyang coffee n toast n yummy chicken noodle too. Nice trip to book for families n friends too.
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