Singapore: Street Food Tour Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Glam

Summary

Singapore’s flavors, stories and laughter across three cultures

You’ll wander Singapore’s Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam with a local guide—sampling street food at UNESCO hawker centres, learning how to ride public transport, and hearing stories you won’t find online. Taste dishes passed down for generations and catch small moments—like saving your seat with tissues or laughing over mispronounced words—that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I nearly bailed when I saw the lunchtime crowd at the Chinatown hawker centre. It was this wall of noise — clattering plates, bursts of Hokkien, steam rising from somewhere behind a row of old uncles in white tank tops. Our guide (Li, who grew up nearby) just grinned and said, “Don’t worry — follow me.” Somehow we squeezed through and she pointed out which stalls had been here since her dad’s time. The char kway teow was smoky and sweet but what really got me was the way people saved seats with tissue packets. I tried to do it too but almost lost my spot to a granny who winked at me like she knew I was new.

We hopped on the MRT after that — Li showed us how to tap in (I fumbled with my card, obviously) — and zipped over to Little India. The air changed completely; suddenly it smelled like jasmine flowers and fried dough. There were garlands everywhere, shopkeepers calling out in Tamil or English or both. At the UNESCO hawker centre here, I tasted dosa for the first time — crispy on the edges, soft inside — with sambar that made my nose run a bit. Li laughed when I tried to say “vadai” properly (I probably butchered it). She told us about her favorite temple growing up and how her mum used to buy spices from this one stall that’s still there.

Kampong Gelam was last. The sun was starting to dip so everything looked gold against the Sultan Mosque’s dome. We wandered past murals and tiny shops selling fabrics so bright you’d swear they glowed. Dessert came from a little place where the owner handed us bowls of something cold and coconutty (I can’t remember the name now — should’ve written it down). There was this moment where we all just stood there eating quietly while call to prayer drifted over the rooftops. It felt like being let in on a secret part of Singapore that doesn’t show up in guidebooks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Singapore's ethnic neighbourhoods

• Visit Chinatown and learn history
• Sample street food at Chinatown hawker centre
• Take public transport to Little India
• Explore Little India markets and temples
• Sample street food at Little India hawker centre
• Take public transport to Kampong Glam
• Visit Sultan Mosque and learn history
• Enjoy local desserts in Kampong Glam
• View colourful murals in Kampong Glam

Top questions

How long does the Singapore street food tour last?

The tour covers three neighborhoods—Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Gelam—and usually lasts half a day.

Is hotel pickup included for this Singapore food tour?

Hotel pickup is included but depends on your location; check when booking.

Are vegetarian options available on this tour?

This tour is not recommended for vegetarians as many experiences are meat-based.

Does this day trip include public transportation?

Yes, your guide will show you how to use Singapore’s MRT and buses between stops.

What kind of food will I try during the tour?

You’ll sample classic dishes at UNESCO hawker centres in Chinatown and Little India plus dessert in Kampong Gelam.

Is this Singapore street food tour suitable for families?

Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult; prams aren’t recommended due to crowds.

Can travelers with mobility aids join this tour?

This experience isn’t suitable for travelers using personal mobility devices or prams.

What’s included

Your day includes optional hotel pickup and drop-off (depending on your location), all tastings at two UNESCO-inscribed hawker centres plus dessert in Kampong Gelam, bottled water or soda, coffee or tea, beer at select stops, all public transport fares with guidance from your accredited local host—and plenty of stories along the way before heading back full (and maybe a little sun-kissed).