A local side to Chinatown?

Chinatown is often one of the first places people recommend to tourists visiting Singapore. It's full of energy — buzzing with gift shops, colourful streets, iconic temples, and street art. But if you slow down and look a little deeper, you’ll find there’s another side of Chinatown. One that locals quietly weave through in their daily routines. A side that isn’t just for photo ops, but a living, breathing part of everyday life in Singapore.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown

I started my day under the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, where — surprisingly — there’s a little-known vegetarian food court in the basement. Despite living in Singapore, I hadn’t been down here before.

It's surprisingly peaceful. Chill music, soft lighting, and a relaxed vibe made it feel miles away from the busy streets above. The food here rotates daily, which keeps things fresh and interesting. For just $4.20, I picked up a mixed rice plate with various vegetarian dishes. Bonus: free hot and cold water stations!

Most tourists walk right past this hidden gem, with guides casually mentioning it before moving on to the next "must-see." But it’s definitely worth a stop — especially if you’re looking for something authentic, inexpensive, and peaceful.

Another gem I found was a cookware store — and I mean, a proper one. They have enormous pots (the kind Milo or Aspen could squeeze themselves inside) and everything you’d need to run a hawker stall or restaurant. I don’t cook much at home these days, but I love browsing shops like this. It’s such a contrast to the polished cafes outside, and it feels like a real connection to the daily rhythm of the neighbourhood.

While wandering, I picked up a unique cup for Jonty (he’s got a bit of a thing for unusual cups). I also continued my long-running quest for the perfect glass teapot. Still haven’t found the one — I want a round, chubby one with a glass diffuser. The hunt continues.

What I love most about Chinatown is how it balances old and new. Among the trendy bars and matcha cafes, you’ll still find traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shops, some over 100 years old, serving the community like they always have.

There’s a real sense of multi-generational life here. Families praying in the temples, shopkeepers passing down traditions, hawkers cooking family recipes and kids running past modern murals — it’s a mix that just works. It’s not just a tourist district. It’s a neighbourhood.

People's Park Complex after it's repainting from yellow and green.

I wrapped up my Chinatown wander in a new spot called Creamie Sippies — a pink, peaceful café where I tried a matcha coconut cloud drink. I've never really liked matcha before but I love to try new things. And wow, it was GOOD. The coconut water balanced out the earthiness of the matcha.

The staff welcomed me warmly (which is rare these days, most ordering and payments are all done on your own phone!), and the space felt like a little oasis after the busy streets. Bonus points: they mill their own matcha in-house, if you’re a fan. Watch the vlog here to see it in action and all things local Chinatown.

Matcha and coconut water

I didn't expect to feel so refreshed by today. I thought I knew Chinatown. But by stepping off the usual paths — eating in a hidden food court, shopping in a cookware haven, sipping matcha in a locally run café — I saw it with new eyes.

Singapore is always changing. Even if you’ve lived here for years, there’s always something new to find. You just have to slow down and look beyond the postcards.

-Millie

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