Chaotic Chinatown Leads Me To Epic Char Kway Teow 🇸🇬

Chinatown's all around the world are known for their food, vibrant culture and old school style architecture but this Chinatown in Singapore was a little different. It definitely caught me by surprise but a pleasant surprise no doubt.
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Chapters
0:00 Welcome To Chinatown
5:04 I Didn't Expect This
9:13 Exploring Chinatown
13:06 Epic Hawker Centre Feed
22:35 Modern Chinatown
#singapore #singaporevlog #chinatown

[@exs1803]

Yes you are right it is highly unusual if not rare to see Chinese Temples, Malay Mosques, Hindu Temples and and Churches so close like next to one another. That speaks highly of the racial and religious harmony in the country.

[@melongoh1909]

I'm a local and I love to visit Chinatown too. Always go there during weekends and it's more vibrant and surprising than Orchard Road and Marina Bay area. There's always new discoveries, plentiful dessert shops, cafes, snack shops and Chinese eateries that surprises me and bring me back again and again. I really had a lot of fun watching your videos as you go exploring. Keep it up with your awesome videos and exploration and stay safe.

[@appl2597]

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple has 4 floors including a Buddhist museum on the 3rd floor showcasing sculptures and relics from many countries in Asia.

[@davidkhai]

I should have explored it more! It sounds really nice on the other levels

[@chengs6929]

There is a Christian church just across the Buddhist temple. So, we have 4 different religious places within a close distance. And maintaining racial harmony among the 4 ethnic groups is a delicate balance

[@davidkhai]

Oh wow that's pretty cool to know, super diverse

[@kennySg101]

It was the job of the British colonial gov and not independent SG. They brought in workers from india so these are for indian hindu and muslim. Not sure racial harmony was the objective. Just for sharing.

[@nur_aryani]

@@davidkhai> Singapore’s original inhabitants were the Orang Laut (literally ~ the sea people)…who are Malays…the original name of Singapore was Pulau Temasek (Temasek Island). After Sir Stamford Raffles (East India Company), “discovered” Singapore, they brought in workers from China, India…plus merchants immigrants from China, India, Arab, Indonesia started to settle in Singapore.

[@ashemoon_77]

​@@kennySg101the raffles town plan placed the chinese and indian ethnic groups close to each other, so they worked for each other in some cases and chinatown became an ethnic enclave populated with chinese and indians :D

[@kennySg101]

@@ashemoon_77 Cantonese chinese to be more precise. Teochew at Clark Quay, hainanese near old raffles hotels.

[@pamy.9759]

In Singapore Chinatown, you went to Indian temple, along that Pagoda street has the well known one and only PERANAKAN NONYA HERITAGE Shop which will show you a window to their heritage past and present, selling antiques, paintings, artistic tiles ( same as those colourful buildings you saw in Chinatown), Peranakan souvenirs, arts & craft, Jewelry, furnishings, architectural books, etc

[@echraighi72]

Thank you David for covering tourism in Singapore one day will travel to enjoy what you enjoyed God bless you 🇧🇭 from Bahrain

[@conned]

بكل سرور

[@sebastianniqvist3144]

Chinatown Point was waaaaaaay better they remodeled the whole place; it had small shops selling toys, independent labels and many other things…. Then suddenly it was completely renovated and it lost all its charm. I have great memories of the “old” Chinatown Point. You also missed a couple old shopping centers with unique shops and services: People’s Park Centre and People’s Park Complex. I’ve got great and unique memories of those places too. As a foreigner I really love Singapore.

[@jeanniechew1293]

Hi David, I just come across your video n I really enjoyed watching your videos. Btw, welcome to our Sunny Island. Have a enjoyable time in Singapore.👍

[@davidkhai]

Thanks for saying hi Jeannie!

[@vincentxiao601]

Haha. I can’t help lol at that guy watching at you nonchalantly while u talks at the dessert stall.

[@simplyme3306]

There's a very excellent chao kuey tiao stall in a corner of the chinatown complex..and another glutinous rice ball stall called Ah Balling. They have various fillings for you to mix and match. Lots of good popular stalls there which unfortunately you didn't get to try them. There's a Claypot rice cooked with charcoal, economy bee hoon..It's actually the biggest hawker centre in Singapore.

[@davidkhai]

Damn you made me hungry reading the comment haha. Thanks for the suggestions

[@chengs6929]

If u like Apple products and also into architecture, there is a FLOATING Apple Store at Marina Bay. This is the first-of-its-kind, and the only floating Apple store. All glass dome structure with 360 degrees panoramic view on the water. Quite cool, and the entrance is via the Marina Bay shopping mall

[@davidkhai]

Floating Apple Store sounds crazy! Thanks for letting me know

[@RyanTeo]

Also, I recommend having cold sugarcane juice (lemon optional) (~SGD 2 to 3) in the hot weather 👍😄

[@chalayan]

You should consider taking a bum boat from Changi Village to Pulau Ubin to see the rustic side of Singapore and rent a bicycle to see the quarry, the wetland etc and have your lunch at the Changi Village hawker centre. If you are going, do try the Changi Village fried carrot cake.

[@davidkhai]

Oh never heard of that before! Thanks for the suggestion :)

[@chalayan]

@@davidkhai a lot of tourists do not go to pulau ubin except sentosa Island. Different vibes and charms. Make sure u have mozzie repellent and sunblock.

[@sugarcane7150]

Enjoyed watching , nice video ! You may visit the Chinatown Heritage Museum along Pagoda Street for some insights into the living conditions of the immigrants in the past with live-size props and replicas for a feel-real experience and great photo taking. I enjoyed myself at that museum.

[@bessiemanaois7271]

Hello David stay safe always.watching from Sydney.

[@davidkhai]

Thanks Bessie :)

[@awakenedservant]

You should check out other Mosques as well bro, maybe Masjid Sultan , since it's quite a tourist site as well .. go on a Friday 😊it's at Arabstreet, pretty good food there too ..

[@allaneo2]

Youre making me think of coming back to SG again this year

[@davidkhai]

Definitely a great place to visit!

[@krappola1]

don;t forget to go to former and current Michelin 1 star hawker. The minced pork noodle and the soya sauce chicken (in chinatown complex). Among other good eateries. And when you are in little india or some place.. Fish head curry is a MUST

[@davidkhai]

Amazing thanks for this Terence!

[@ObeluStrawberry]

The glutinous rice ball filling is black sesame n peanuts.

[@krappola1]

you should go Arab street just around chinatown.You went to the Masjid Jamae. The big mosque is the Sultan mosque just a few km away. Arab street is like IG photo spots all over with all the eclectic places.

[@davidkhai]

Ohh there's a bigger one? I'll have to check it out in future

[@SuccessforLifester]

The tooth relic Buddha temple has more to offer. There is museum there and a library. The basement has a vegetarian cafe. I believe the architecture is using northern China style which is quite uncommon here. It is good that they didn't enforce the no photography rules strictly.

[@maocat6606]

There is also tian hock Keng a Taoist temple to d goddess Mazu for a safe journey to d South seas. N where unfirst started d video is Maxwell market n d famous tian tian chicken rice. U might try some hiking. Henderson waves easily accessible from harbour front mrt. Nice non touristy hawker centre at the foot of mount Faber called seah im.

[@davidkhai]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@samtan9613]

Unfortunately, u have missed one of the National libraries built in/on the top floor of this building.(Chinatown Point)

[@conned]

The murals are by Mr YipYewChong. U might wanna check out his works, from Singapore to Italy. Stay safe n come back soon

[@pamy.9759]

Hi David, the LUMPIA ROLL in Philippines you ate, on the sign board menu in Chinese character, is the same as PO-PIAH, LUM PIA (pia or piah means same thing flat pan cake, PO means or translate as Thin ). When you were in Singapore, you went to Chinatown complex market hawker centre on 2nd floor there 2 famous stall selling this POPIAH, it’s actually a HOKKIEN OR PERANAKAN NONYA ORIGINS…with history from Fujian China, when Chinese emigrated to Penang and Malacca, later some emigrated here, introduced to Singapore from 1800 to 1950’s, Later was reintroduced into Singapore Hawker Centres in the 70’s. POPIAH is pretty famous or popular stapled in Singapore And Malacca or Penang Malaysia but you missed it . This roll - flat thin pancake is make of flour batter, wrapped fillings : are dry fresh bean sprout, fresh lettuce or fresh Chinese celery, chopped ground peanut, cooked shredded turnips with shredded carrot and small dried shrimps, cooked fresh medium prawns, fried omelette, chopped fresh garlic, fried bean curd cut into small cubes, grinded chillies and black sweet sauce. All wrapped into 1. FYI : You also missed visiting 4 major items. (1). Hawker Chan, Michelin award winning S$5.90 Chicken rice, Roasted Pork Noodle and Prawns Dumpling soup, 3 times you missed it. 1 time when you were at Universal Studio Dinosaur foodcourt where you chose Nasi Lemak, next to stall of Hawker Chan with Michelin Star signage. 2nd time where you were at Fried Seafood Kway Teow, had you walked down the path on the left you would see Hawker Chan. 3rd time, across street from Chinatown Complex Hawker centre on ground floor level, you will see MAIN RESTAURANT HAWKER CHAN at Smith Street selling Michelin Award winning Chicken Rice raved by demised Master Chef Anthony Bourdain, etc. (2)People’s Park Complex is directly across the overhead bridge or via underground Chinatown MRT station from Chinatown Complex Hawker centre. 2nd famous hawker food but mostly brought in from Chinese China nationals set up food eateries from different China Provinces All-in-1 you get real Chinatown cuisine Food from S$1.50 to $20. (3) you went to Chinatown Point Mall, on ground level 5 STEPS AWAY links you to next Singapore very Iconic Hong Lim Complex Hawker Centre, all the Singapore Street foods All-in-1, 3 levels all you can stomach, Singapore😢 Green Book Award Winning Hawker food from 1970’s to 2023!! (4) From Hawker Chan at Smith Street, turned left corner where you showed and said you have some hand wrist green beads, right behind the shops is the very famous Singapore one and only iconic Old School - YUM CHA (means drink tea) DIM SUM Cantonese RESTAURANT on Level 2 Terrace house (where you finger pointed beautiful colourful architecture building. Opens morning 8am to 3pm Dim Dum and Cuisine dishes and from 3pm to 5pm Dim Sum Buffet all types and varieties dumplings, crispy roast meats rolls, buns, etc All you can eat!!

[@davidkhai]

Thanks for all this info! Gives me something to look forward to in future

[@lengtian]

You could have go upstairs and see the gold pagoda that holds the Buddha toothrelics.

[@simplyme3306]

And down to the basement where there is a vegetarian food court 😋😋😋

[@1ako415]

preeeeetttty sure for the glutinous rice balls - one was peanut and one was black sesame gui ling gao (the one which u asked if it was grass jelly) is herbal jelly - if u dont like herbal taste, i dont think u wld like it, as it is very herbal forward haha hv fun in singapore!

[@davidkhai]

Whatever the gluttonous balls were they were delicious! Ahh thanks, not the biggest herbal fan haha

[@limchyehock6722]

Across the street from Maxwell Food Centre there is a Protestant Church converted from a Cinema. So you can find four religious place of worship along one street.!!

[@davidkhai]

Oh wow! That's actually pretty cool, thanks :)

[@fenris8477]

Its black sesame and peanut rice balls.

[@johnlim549]

Hi David, some notes for you : 1. Singapore’s ethnic population comprises 75.9% Chinese, 15% Malay and 7.5% Indians so it is common to find temples and mosques on the same street. You can try exploring Geylang Serai (Malay) and Little India (Indian) areas too. In hawker centres, always look for the longest queues for the best foods. Usually prices are listed on the signboards. You definitely can find Char Kway Teow for $3/$4 elsewhere without the prawns 😅

[@roamstarr]

Longest queues isn't always a guarantee that it's the best stall. Sometimes the hawker is just very slow, but other people started joining the queue because they thought it was good. Life is invariably full of a mix of good/bad experiences, ups and downs. Enjoy when it's good, don't need to be upset when it's not so good.

[@davidkhai]

Appreciate the notes, good to learn about new countries. Thanks for the food suggestions!

[@curiousd4871]

Very spacious Chinatown oh and cleaner too

[@GoodGood-vb8gm]

I wonder if he will take the viewers to tour the cleanest India in the world - Singapore's Little India.

[@davidkhai]

I sadly won't have time this trip, but I am planning on coming back to Singapore in future. Little India will be done then :)

[@pamlee1466]

In your video at 3:57..they are the Chinese zodiac guardians..the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs are associated with eight zodiac guardians..each guardian serves as the protector for people born in that particular animal year..😊

[@davidkhai]

Appreciate the insights Pam, thank you!

[@adeber98]

you dont have to cross the road there.. am sure there is a traffic crossing somewhere ard or under..

[@hulme187]

The Hindu temple was covered up last month and the Tooth Relic Temple was closed for Lunar New Year

[@jefswanvlog]

sending suport

[@safrisaleh412]

FYI:- •Religious orientations in Singapore largely correlate with people's ethnicities . Most Malays are Muslim, Indians are generally Hindu (though some are Muslim, Christian or Sikh) and Chinese Singaporeans are largely Buddhist, Taoist or Christian. •The most followed religion in Singapore is Buddhism, with 31.1% of the resident population declaring themselves as adherents at the most recent census (2020). •Singapore is a multi-religious society with five main religious groups: Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.

[@PREPFORIT]

YAWN

[@GoodGood-vb8gm]

Sikhs are Punjabis not Indians.

[@snorlaxDjoker]

yo bro you missed the hidden food court under the temple

[@davidkhai]

Damn had no idea, thanks man

[@maeranni]

Yuoy haven't travelled much.

[@limchyehock6722]

Gui Ling Gao is Herbal Jelly.

[@wanlai2001]

I do not like almond paste. Yeah, I agree, it is very hard to describe the taste 😂. My husband loves it though. He also loves black sesame paste. I generally stay clear from the paste dessert 😂

[@davidkhai]

Haha I am definitely with you on the paste

[@charissaraneses6858]

The Temple was well

[@sammanis9148]

The Spore gov has done a fantastic job of keep the country in harmony with so many nationality living together in a 700sq km of island. All these nationalities have their own culture,religion n tradition n so having a mosque, a Buddhist temple, a church n a Hindu temple within a short distance from one another without conflict is not ab easy task . The world need to learn from Spore n live in harmony n peace

[@davidkhai]

It's amazing how the cultures intertwine and get along really well

[@tomlohmier4824]

Hello mate from L.A.CA. Great video as usual. You covered China-town well. Ours in L.A is quite small. I eat there a-lot. San-Francisco is much larger.That temple was really nice. Good you showed that man stir-frying. He was so fast. Desert sounded good. So you like durian. They had signs in Thailand saying not to bring it into the hotel. I like it my-self. You have to get past the smell. Crazy they had a 7-Eleven in the mall. You should have bought that black shirt. You do look good in black. That shirt you bought yesterday was nice. You looked like a little boy with that hat on. You have such a baby face. I would have bought the one with the lettering on the side.You do not see many like that.Saw a movie at the Chinese theater in Hollywood . My daughter-in-law works there as a manager so I get in free. Nice perk. The movie was Ant-man and Wasp,Quantumavia. Special effects were amazing Should see it on a big screen I heard you wanted to see a movie,I think you would like this one. I want to watch it again. Peace and Love my brother Tom the Cali.cat.

[@davidkhai]

I do love Durian! It's a love or hate relationship with people haha. And definitely do have a baby face haha. Cheers as always mate

[@sivaramlord9151]

The Sri Mariamman temple is the oldest building in Chinatown followed by the mosque. Both were built by the Indian community as they were the first to occupy that area before the Chinese in the 1820s. However in the 1860s, the British moved them to the current area of little india to bring in tons of Chinese workers from China. Chinese workers are seen more profitable because the British can sell them Opium. Chinatown area was full of Opium dens, until the British banned it in the 1950s

[@krishnanjunior2146]

Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in SG 🇸🇬 was built around year 1827 during British East India Company trading in here ! Almost 200 yrs old! For your info, that's not a construction ongoing, it's Maha Kumbabishegam ( Consecration Ceremony) of the temple and it was done on last month 12th Feb.

[@gryffindorseeker1190]

Bro, your "yellow sesame" in the glutinous rice ball is actually peanut. 🙃

[@davidkhai]

Thanks for letting me know

[@greenlim]

These is alot of good food in hong lim. Just behind chinatown point. You should try the fried kway tiao, curry chicken noodle, many more

[@davidkhai]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@chengs6929]

Chinatown Point If u go to Basement 1 + 2 (B1 + B2) there are 2 more floors full of other food options

[@davidkhai]

Umm thanks for this!

[@ElopeStudio]

18:47 you should only show your hand 0.1 sec before she is ready to hand you your money. asian mom would tell their son "you are not a begger asking for money"

[@abwjim]

Your accent is pretty funny

[@davidkhai]

😅

[@kennyzeng21]

u know u could just keep walking round and round and reach the top without taking the escalator in Chinatown Point? haha

[@davidkhai]

Haha that's pretty funny, I'll have to go back a try it lol

[@kennyzeng21]

@@davidkhai u didnt realise? Haha

[@davidkhai]

@@kennyzeng21 Did not notice haha

[@vtntanvt4389]

Your vid is bloody good...no offence

[@bensgoodeats1493]

The char Kuay teow you tried at Chinatown complex is not really that great . Best char Kuay teow or fried kuay teow Mee is at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre 02-17.Long queue though. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iISciWetZbVgnbs

[@davidkhai]

Thanks for the suggestion! I do hate long lines haha

[@bensgoodeats1493]

@@davidkhai I understand . But the wait is worth it. I have been eating this char Kuay teow since when I was a young boy . Back then the chef's father cooked it. Not all stalls in Singapore can cook a good char Kuay teow unlike chicken rice . It is skill hard to master .

[@chengs6929]

Buddhist Tooth Relic temple : There is an airconditing vegetarian small food court located at the basement level. They serve good vegetarian wanton 😁

[@davidkhai]

Oh wow! I should have explored it more

[@zhinshui7821]

Hi Sir David. I miss your vlog here in Philippines... Thank you so much for visiting our country... I hope you come again😊. God bless and keep safe

[@davidkhai]

I will be back one day Zhin :)

[@zhinshui7821]

@@davidkhai we will wait Sir David. Salamat po

[@kennySg101]

I believe David was totally confused about SG chinatown. It has not be properly named. It should be called Cantonese town for heaven's sake. With Chinese making up 2/3 of pop, the whole island is chinatown. British was the party behind the mix of places of worthship. The chinese name is牛车水，bullock Cart water. SG should change its name.

[@enigmaticrandom386]

Are you suggesting that Chinatown or the country name to be change? If its the latter then it shouldnt happen because the Chinese were immigrants back then. It wasnt a Chinese populated to begin with.

[@kennySg101]

@@enigmaticrandom386 Some countries had already done it. India has changed Some of their cities name to reflect the pre-colonial name eg Mumbai. Turkey had recently changed its name to reflect its root. It is about finding root and identify. Depending on the year of reference, b4 joining Malaysia already Chinese majority. Going to ancient times, yes, the island was populated by orang lao. Cheers!

[@enigmaticrandom386]

@@kennySg101 if its about finding root and identity it should be called back Temasik wouldnt it?

[@kennySg101]

@@enigmaticrandom386 Singapura, my friend. Not a Chinese name.

[@mayvun2070]

Hi mate watching from Brissie, the food you try in Chinatown is Char Kuya Teow - Keep safe Cheers

[@edwardlee4312]

are u from Cabramatta? HaHa.

[@davidkhai]

Hahaha nope

[@dl538]

not trying to sound like a negative nancy but sometimes your camera work is all over the place panning shots too fast makes me motion sick i watch alot of other youtubers that do what you do and dont have that issue i do enjoy your content though,

[@davidkhai]

Thanks for the feedback

[@bobkgoh]

You shouldn't cross the street like that. It's against the law.

[@charissaraneses6858]

No masks in Singapore anymore?

[@davidkhai]

Only on public transport from what I have experienced

[@simplyme3306]

@@davidkhai no need anymore even in public transport although some may still choose to wear them. Only required at places like hospitals, clinics..

[@krishnanjunior2146]

Masks no longer mandatory for public transport effective from 13th Feb onwards and even all places. Except healthcare like hospital, clinic

[@expresssoh]

Masks are no longer mandatory from Feb 13 2023 onwards

[@chews78]

Since u go inside temple, why u don't go upstair? what a waste, there is more to see.

[@davidkhai]

I did totally miss the top, damn! Always another time :)

[@PREPFORIT]

👎👎🙄🙄