The Land We Called Home – A Heritage Trail of Marine Parade cum Follow that Rainbow (Remembering LKY)

We have been awaiting for an opportunity to blog more about Katong, Joo Chiat and Marine Parade to our readers. Afterall, our blog was named as Katong Kids Inc because we felt a close affinity to Katong district. The charm of this place, coupled with the historic values of Peranakan are something that all of us should know.

This time, we embark on an adventure in Marine Parade with heritage trail and also visited the community gallery to catch a glimpse of the land that we all called home – Singapore.

Koon Seng Road Pre-War Shop Houses

Koon Seng Road is a two-way road at begins at the junction of Pennefather Road and Joo Chiat Road and ends at the junction of Lorong J and Still Road. Named in 1934 after Cheong Koon Seng, a businessman, this road is popular for some beautiful residences along it.

Background:

• The road was named after Mr. Cheong Koon Seng
• A former site of three schools
• A fusion of Eastern and Western influences
• Shophouses form the majority of conservation buildings

Did you know?

• The shophouses are often narrow but very deep due to the lack of timber during pre-war years
• A party wall separates one shophouse from another and rise above the walls and roofs to prevent the spread of fire
• The swinging doors infront of the shophouse are called Pintu Pagar

These pre-war shophouses are spacious yet very narrow at the front. They are very long, measuring about 5m by 30m! It was said that during the colonial times, property tax was based on the width of the facade of the house. So people worked around it by building longer houses.

The charm of Koon Seng Road never fails to attract visitors all over Singapore.

Duman Food Centre

Do you know that Dunman Food Centre is one of the smallest hawker centres in Singapore with less than 30 stalls? However, this food centre has continuously drawn customers due to its reputation for notable hawker stalls. It is said that half of its stalls open from the morning to the afternoon and the other half from the evening until late at night.

We particularly like coming here for dinner at times. Reason being that this hawker is very well maintained and clean.

This is one of our favourite stall which sells prawn mee soup.

Are you a prawn mee noodle lover as well?

Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple

This is one of Singapore’s oldest Indian Temples.

Background:

• The temple has been named a historic site by the National Heritage Board in 2003
• It has more than 150 years of history till date
• The temple underwent repair after World War II but the main shrine remains intact

• 

Did you know?

• The temple is one of the tallest Indian temples in Singapore due to its 21m high Rajagopuram. Rajagopuram-(Raja meaning king, Gopuram meaning, the edifice) literally as the very name implies means the “grand entrance tower of the temple.” The Rajagopuram is a tall pyramidal tower built at the entrance to a Hindu temple. It generally serves as the main entrance to the Hindu temple.
• The Rajagopuram is made up of 5 tiers and is 68 feet high
• There are 4 main granite pillars which house 8 sulptures each
• The Hindu “bible” is called Veda. It means wisdom

Red House Bakery

The Red House Bakery has underwent major re-furnishing and is due to open by the second quarter of this year. We can expect to see new halal bakery and heritage gallery, showcasing artifacts from the old bakery which was in operation from 1925 to 2003.

Background:

• It was known as the Katong Bakery & Confectionery
• The building was originally built as a private residence facing the sea
• The bakery operated for over 80 years from 1925 to 2003

The bakery was located in a shophouse that is a wakaf property put in trust to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore by Sherrifa Zain Alsharoff Mohamed Alsogoff, the great granddaughter of Hajjah Fatimah who built the famous Hajjah Fatimah Mosque at Beach Road. As such, the building has a bit of influence from the Islamic architecture, normally seen at mosques.

Did you know?

• Swiss rolls and curry puffs were popular breakfast choices
• This was the first bakery to baker three-tier western style wedding cakes in the 1920s
• The bakery was initially started by a Jewish man, Mr Jim Baker

Kim Choo’s Kitchen

Kim Choo’s Kitchen is a showcase of our Peranakan Heritage.

Background:

• The kitchen was established in 1945
• It aims to preserve the Peranakan culture through handicraft and culinary skills
• Peranakans are found mainly in the South East Asian Region

Kim Choo’s Kitchen do not distribute their rice-dumplings to other outlets in Singapore. If you are hoping to find their rice dumplings in major supermarkets you may be disappointed.

Did you know?

• A Peranankan is a native-born person of mixed local and foreign ancestry
• ‘Peranakan’ came from the word “anak” or child
• Baba means “Sir” and Nonya means lady

If you would like to know more about Singapore’s vibrant Peranakan community and history at this top-notch museum, filled with fine artefacts and fun exhibits, there is a Peranakan Museum you can visit.