Slurp your way through Katong's signature dish

The little-known Katong district on Singapore's main island, centred around Joo Chiat Street, is not far from Changi International Airport.

The precinct was originally home to the first Peranakan settlers, who arrived from China from the 17th Century onwards. They married local Malays and Portuguese immigrants, and the resulting racial mix is one of the most intriguing in Asia.

Their colourfully painted houses are some of Singapore’s most attractive dwellings. To see the finest examples of Peranakan housing, take a stroll along Katong’s Koon Seng Road, just off the main thoroughfare. The wooden fascia boards and fretwork of these houses come from Malaysia, while the façades are decorated with designs made of plasterwork and tiles – influences derived from Portugal and China.

In Joo Chiat Road, try one of Katong’s finest dining specialties, the original Katong Laksa – a simple dish based around cockles and prawns.