Chinatown

Singapore’s ethnic pockets I

Named after the tradition of having water carts pulled by cows to transport clean water into the ethnic enclave, Singapore’s Chinatown is known as “Niu Che Shui” or cow cart water.  With the majority of Singaporeans being Chinese, the area is less of an enclave than it once was under British rule.  Many speak the Hokkien and Hakka dialects.  Chinatown has undergone major urban renewal but shop fronts are designed to reflect the history of the country.  While Singapore only  turned 50 this year, if you look at the street names, you’ll see the diversity and history of the country that leads back to hundreds of years ago.  Amoy Street is one of my favorites as it is packed with restaurants, cocktail bars and design shops with handmade goodies.  Named after the place where many Hokkien people originated from, this used to be opium smoking central.  If you do look for food in Chinatown, don’t miss the signature Hainan chicken rice!