Kebaya, kaya toast, chicken rice and more: Smith Street aims to be ‘cultural heart’ of Chinatown
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Smith Street, located in the Chinatown conservation area, will be rejuvenated to inject vibrancy and drive greater footfall to the area.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
SINGAPORE – A studio where visitors can rent a kebaya for photo-taking, new accommodation and five new food and beverage (F&B) tenants will form Smith Street’s rejuvenation, in the hope of bringing back vibrancy to Chinatown.
Announcing its plans on Feb 14, the Chinatown Business Association (CBA) said it wants to create a space where tradition meets modernity, so that Chinatown remains a must-go destination for years to come.
Guided by the Chinese character “Xi”, or happiness, as its overall theme and design motif, CBA said Smith Street will be where visitors can experience the joys of life.
Smith Street, located in the Chinatown conservation area, was known for its culinary offerings and traditional trades.
It was also the location of the Chinatown Food Street, a cluster of hawker food carts along a 100m stretch that was closed to vehicular traffic. Opened in 2001, it closed down in October 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The rejuvenation project is aimed at bringing back its former vibrancy and driving greater footfall to the area.
Ms Lim Yick Suan, executive director of CBA, said: “Smith Street will serve as the ‘cultural heart’ of Chinatown, where culinary delights, art and experiences converge, offering visitors diverse cultural dining and experiences in a setting that inspires joy and excitement.”
Among the offerings is Elegance of Nanyang, where visitors can rent or buy a kebaya.
The traditional garment was successfully inscribed on Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Elegance of Nanyang director Yu Guangning said: “The kebaya is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans in Melaka, each featuring unique designs. This holds special significance, as many Singaporean Peranakans trace their roots back to 15th century Melaka.”
European hospitality company Habyt will offer accommodation in 38 rooms, ranging from loft units for four occupants to more affordable single rooms.
Prices start at around $80 a night for a six-night minimum stay.
Boon Tong Kee will return to Chinatown, where its founder, Mr Thian Boon Hua, started a small stall in a coffee shop in New Bridge Road serving Cantonese chicken rice in 1979. The Smith Street outlet will open around the end of March.
The Chinatown Business Association said it wants to create a space where tradition meets modernity.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Mr Thian, 70, told The Straits Times: “Chinatown holds a special place in my heart as I grew up and opened my first stall there. Chinatown is a must-visit destination for tourists. I also hope to cater to locals, including office workers around there.”
Killiney, established in 1919 in Killiney Road, and Singapore’s oldest Hainanese coffee shop chain, will open its Smith Street outlet in March or April.
Besides its signature coffee and tea, kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and local fare like curry chicken, mee siam and mee rebus, it will also sell Killiney merchandise such as premium white coffee, milk tea, teh halia (ginger milk tea) and bottled kaya.
“The decor will be trending towards a more traditional kopitiam feel,” Mr Henry Oh, general manager of Killiney International, told ST.
“We hope that Smith Street will draw in both locals and tourists to discover the rich history of the Chinatown area, as well as our traditional Hainanese coffee shop heritage.”
Gelato Garden, which offers artisanal gelato, is open in Smith Street now.
Expanding from its original Haji Lane location, the new outlet serves familiar Singaporean flavours such as Jiajia herbal tea sorbet, honey grass jelly sorbet, pei pa gao gelato and hawthorn berry gelato. New flavours will be introduced every two weeks, in addition to signature flavours such as pistachio and hazelnut.
Gelato Garden manager Sophia Gu said: “We’re passionate about creating innovative flavours rooted in heritage. After our time in Kampong Glam, we’re excited to bring our creations to another well-loved heritage district.”
Starbucks and The Happiest Clam, a seafood retail shop featuring live geoduck clams, will also be among the F&B outlets opening in the area.
In August 2024, the Singapore Land Authority, Urban Redevelopment Authority and Singapore Tourism Board awarded CBA the tender
The tender, which was launched on Nov 30, 2023, attracted five bids, including from CBA, which submitted the winning bid of $123,000.
CBA’s Ms Lim said it was looking forward to working with more retail and lifestyle businesses on the street.
Observers hope to see vibrancy return to Smith Street.
Retired engineer Victor Yue, 70, a heritage enthusiast and Chinatown resident, said: “I am hoping to see Chinatown with its past rich heritage come alive. Of course, it takes many to come together to make it happen. I am still waiting in anticipation for more ideas and plans to happen.”
Dr Loh Kah Seng, a 53-year-old historian researching the old shopkeepers of Chinatown, said: “Bringing in established businesses or chains is a start. To rejuvenate a place with a history as rich as Smith Street will require other establishments. It would be great if some of our artisans and craftsmen can be persuaded to move in, showcasing our rich cultural heritage to the world.”
This story has been edited for accuracy.
Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage.
