Hear. Here. Singapore.

House of CREO sells motorcycles, beer, live rock and T-shirts. On paper, it’s exactly the kind of newcomer that people mean when they say Joo Chiat is changing. CEO Benjamin Tan came in to buy a bike and left with a business. He talks about building heritage bikes in Singapore, why the showroom and bar stay on Joo Chiat Road, and what a newcomer owes a street known for popiah and kueh chang. His answer might surprise you. CREO Hear.Here.Singapore VoiceMap GPS-Guided Audio Tours Joo Chiat tour releasing in December 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I'm in a Joo Chiat Road shophouse on the 2nd floor, talking to Celia, who runs RetroCrates, a vinyl store. She and her business partner have been in this shophouse for 10 years and welcomes everyone, from seasoned collectors to young music lovers who have discovered the joys of vinyl at their space at 450A Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427663 RetroCrates - Keeping Music Alive Hear.Here.Singapore VoiceMap GPS-Guided Audio Tours Joo Chiat tour releasing in December 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The episode examines how Joo Chiat’s multicultural heritage and popiah tradition are changing alongside neighborhood gentrification. I sit down with Michael Ker, third-generation owner of Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah, whose family have been in the neighbourhood since the 1930s.  Kway Guan Huat Popiah Hear.Here.Singapore VoiceMap GPS-Guided Audio Tours Joo Chiat tour releasing in December 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Choo's story shows how a three-generation family business preserves Peranakan heritage while adapting to crises, labor constraints, and changing cultural practices. I sit down with Edmond Wong and discuss the importance of maintaining the Peranakan culture and Kim Choo's outreach as food producer, heritage visitor centre and tour operator.  Kim Choo Kueh Chang Hear.Here.Singapore VoiceMap GPS-Guided Audio Tours Joo Chiat tour releasing in December 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first episode of my mini-series on Joo Chiat, I examine how this neighbourhood's conservation and gentrification affect its buildings, communities, and living Peranakan culture. I sit down with Alvin Yapp, the "gatekeeper" of The Intan, a private Peranakan home museum in the Joo Chiat neighbourhood. The museum remains Alvin’s home and transforms into a museum when visitors arrive. He hopes an overseas museum, gallery, or university can acquire or receive a long-term donation of part of his extensive collection of Peranakan items. The Intan Hear.Here.Singapore VoiceMap GPS-Guided Audio Tours Joo Chiat tour releasing in December 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.