By The Diary desk · Last verified 11 October 2026
Katong and Joo Chiat make a perfect slow day in Singapore’s east. The highlight is Koon Seng Road, where the pastel two- and three-storey shophouses, mostly built in the 1920s and 1930s and gazetted for conservation in 1991, show off Peranakan and ornate Chinese styles. From there, Joo Chiat Road and East Coast Road carry the food: Nyonya kueh and rice dumplings, Katong laksa and kaya toast at century-old kopitiams. Getting there is easy since the Thomson-East Coast Line extension opened on 23 June 2024: use Tanjong Katong (TE25) or Marine Parade (TE26) for East Coast Road, or Eunos MRT for the top of Joo Chiat Road. Walking is free; budget only for food.
This is a neighbourhood that still feels lived in, with residents above the shops and families who have run the same stall for generations. Come hungry, and come in the morning.
Quick facts
- Nearest stations: Tanjong Katong (TE25) and Marine Parade (TE26) on the Thomson-East Coast Line; Eunos (East West Line) for northern Joo Chiat.
- The photo street: Koon Seng Road, between Joo Chiat Road and Tembeling Road.
- Conservation: the Koon Seng Road shophouses were gazetted in 1991.
- Signature foods: Katong laksa, Nyonya kueh, bak chang, kaya toast.
- Cost: the walk is free; food is your only spend.
- Time needed: a relaxed half day, or a full day with lunch and tea.
The shophouses: where to look
Katong and Joo Chiat grew from coconut plantations into a seaside suburb for wealthy Peranakan and Eurasian families in the early 20th century. The buildings tell that story.
| Spot | What you’ll see | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Koon Seng Road | Two- and three-storey terrace shophouses in Peranakan and eclectic Chinese styles, 1920s–1930s | These are homes; photograph from the road and keep off the five-foot ways |
| Joo Chiat Road | Long rows of conserved shophouses with eateries and small shops | Walk it north to south and end at East Coast Road |
| East Coast Road | The old Katong high street, including the restored red-fronted former Katong Bakery and Confectionery, known as Red House | Most of the famous food is on this stretch |
The food, and what to order
Names are given factually, not as endorsements. Prices move, so check the menu board.
| Dish | What it is | Where people go |
|---|---|---|
| Katong laksa | Coconut curry noodle soup with the noodles cut short, eaten with a spoon | The laksa shops along East Coast Road |
| Nyonya kueh and bak chang | Coloured rice and coconut cakes; Peranakan rice dumplings | Kim Choo Kueh Chang, 60/62 Joo Chiat Place, family-run since 1945 |
| Kaya toast and kopi | Toast with coconut jam and butter, soft-boiled eggs | Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, 204 East Coast Road, which marked its centenary in 2025 |
| Peranakan dishes | Ayam buah keluak, babi pongteh and other Nyonya home cooking | Peranakan restaurants along East Coast Road and Joo Chiat |
How to spend the day
- 9am: breakfast on East Coast Road. Arrive at Tanjong Katong or Marine Parade station and start with kaya toast and kopi.
- 10am: walk up to Joo Chiat. Head north along Joo Chiat Road, past conserved shophouses and small shops.
- 10.45am: Koon Seng Road. Turn off Joo Chiat Road for the famous pastel row. Quiet weekday mornings give you the street to yourself.
- 11.30am: kueh on Joo Chiat Place. Pick up kueh or a bak chang to take away.
- 12.30pm: laksa for lunch. Wander back down to East Coast Road.
- Afternoon: walk south to East Coast Park for a sea breeze, or head home from Marine Parade station.
Getting there
| Station | Line | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tanjong Katong (TE25) | Thomson-East Coast | Western end of East Coast Road |
| Marine Parade (TE26) | Thomson-East Coast | East Coast Road food stretch and Parkway Parade |
| Eunos (EW7) | East West | Northern end of Joo Chiat Road |
| Paya Lebar (EW8/CC9) | East West and Circle | Geylang Serai end of Joo Chiat Road |
The WahLiao Verdict
Take the Thomson-East Coast Line, start with breakfast, and walk in a loop: East Coast Road, Joo Chiat Road, Koon Seng Road, then back for lunch. Go on a weekday morning for empty streets and soft light, and remember that the prettiest houses on Koon Seng Road are people’s homes, so admire from the pavement. You will spend little and eat very well.
Questions people ask
Where are the colourful shophouses in Joo Chiat?
On Koon Seng Road, which runs between Joo Chiat Road and Tembeling Road. Most were built in the 1920s and 1930s.
Is Katong the same as Joo Chiat?
They are neighbouring areas that blend together. Katong centres on East Coast Road; Joo Chiat is the area around Joo Chiat Road to the north.
Which MRT is nearest to Katong?
Tanjong Katong and Marine Parade on the Thomson-East Coast Line, both opened in June 2024.
Can I go inside the Koon Seng Road houses?
No. They are private homes. Take photos from the public road and keep noise down.
Sources: National Library Board Infopedia, Koon Seng Road history and conservation; National Heritage Board Roots, landmarks of Katong-Joo Chiat; Land Transport Authority, Thomson-East Coast Line stage 4 stations. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Laksa Explained: Katong, Curry and Penang, and What a Bowl Costs · Peranakan Food Explained: The Dishes and What to Order First · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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