Tucked away on a side street, away from the hustle and bustle of Balestier Road, is Sweetlands Bread and Bakery. Founded in 1960 as Kim Keat Bakery, Sweetlands began by supplying bread to the many coffee shops clustered in the Balestier area…
Chua Hup Eng was founded with the goal of preserving traditional Chinese culture and practices. They strive to carve a niche in the “kim zua” (joss paper and offerings) marketplace by focusing on premium, natural products. Their incense is…
The traditional shophouse at 10 Lorong 24A Geylang is many things to many people – a home, a shop, a museum. To Jeffrey Eng, third-generation owner of Eng Tiang Huat, it is all of those things combined and more. 10 Lorong 24A…
Pong Lai Diao Huang specialises in craftwork commonly associated with Chinese and Taoist culture, such as wood carving and painting for statues, ornaments, and signs, as well as crafting paper offerings. Although they were officially…
Run by the father-son duo of Goh Yong Chiang and Goh Seng Ngee, Chan Ngee Trading Co is an antique shop situated in Chinatown. Their shop floor is filled with an impressive array of Chinese treasures such as sculptures, paintings, teapots, vases…
Atasbid is a new spin on the quintessential antique shop. Founded in 2018 by Goh Seng Ngee, Atasbid retails their antiques via online auctions. Their auction lots regularly feature hidden gems, such as ancient ceramic vessels, intricately-carved…
Helmed by craftsman Yeo Hung Teo and his wife, Puah Siew Peng, Yeo Swee Huat Paper Agency is an establishment that deals in paper products broadly connected with Taoist practice. Their plethora of goods include a wide variety of joss paper…
Established in the late 1920s, Tong Heng is a celebrated brand famed for their handmade pastries, prepared in traditional Cantonese style. Their repertoire ranges from seasonal mooncakes and Lunar New Year treats to their all-time…
To step into Say Tian Hng is to walk under the gaze of gods. Floor-to-ceiling shelves flank the walls of the shop floor, displaying a pantheon of Taoist and Buddhist deity statues in all shapes and sizes. Some gleam in fresh coats of paint, the golden…
Nestled in Chinatown Complex is Xiang Heng Wedding & Gifts. Young couples preparing for a traditional Chinese wedding might take some time to locate them amidst the bustling stalls, but their modest storefront belies their long history…
Dong Sheng is a “kim zua diam” (金纸店, a shop selling joss paper and offerings) that supplies a wide range of clients – from established temples to individuals with home altars. They are helmed by Terence Tay and Kent Oh, who acquired…
Gong Yi Xuan (工藝軒) is the creation of local artist Andy Yeo. Having witnessed the beauty of Chinese temples overseas, Andy was inspired by the skills and heritage associated with such edifices. He established Gong Yi Xuan art studio as a home…
Hup Ka Foon is a family-owned business that specialises in traditional Cantonese desserts. Situated in a shophouse along Sago Street, just metres away from the historic Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, they are a homely rest-stop for tourists…
If you have ever watched Chinese opera, you may have been dazzled by the distinctive singing, intricate costumes, and well-choreographed movement. These performances are certainly a sight to behold, and are supported in part by unsung heroes…
All roads lead to Rome. For Chinese tea, all roads lead to Pek Sin Choon. Low-key yet ubiquitous, Pek Sin Choon has long established itself as an experienced purveyor of Chinese tea in Singapore. You may already be an ardent fan…
