Have your own little adventure in Singapore and you will find historical remains of yesteryear in places such as Haji Lane, Little India, Ann Siang Hill and many more. In this episode, we took a walk back down the memory lane of my childhood days in Katong! Naturally as always, I’m thrilled to find out something new and each episode is filled with mini surprises. The following are a few of my personal highlights!

The Katong Antique House

Drive through the lanes of the Katong District and you will find many Peranakan shops around the area. Our first stop for the day however was the Katong Antique House and I have had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Nelson Lee who tends the shop for owner Mr. Peter Wee.

Part shop, part museum, the Katong Antique House has been around for more than 25 years or so now. Established by Peter Wee in the year 1979, the Katong Antique house is oozing with historic appeal. Here you can find the rare collection and artifacts of the Wee family’s belongings, which have been carefully preserved.

As mentioned by Nelson Lee, ” Retaining and maintaining cultural roots is important. Therefore, The shop tries as much as possible to revive the Peranakan Heritage”

And long before Mediacorp’s 2008 drama serial, The Little Nyonya, sparked a Peranakan fever, those in the know have already made Katong their pit stop for all things Peranakan.

Step in to the Katong antique house and you will be charm by its colourful facade, ornate detailing, Chinese glazed tiles and beautiful eclectic fusion of east meets west. And while your at it, Peter and his family will be more than glad to share with you tales of the Peranakan Culture and the Katong antique shop which is Peter’s labor of love.

Local delights paradise

Ah yes, if you are in Katong it is quite unlikely for you to miss out on the rows of local cuisine that they have here. From posh restaurants, to laidback 1950s ambience coffee shop, fast food, sweet treats for chocoholics and to savouring the best Chinese, Peranakan and Malay kuihs (kueh) around-THIS is indeed a retreat for foodies!

The Beauty and Foundation of Katong

Katong is home to some of Singapore’s most illustrious landmarks. Growing up I was always peeking through the windows of the car screen at the rows of shop houses we have in the area. I must say that a lot has changed over the years but thankfully even despite the change, a few familiar shops and architectural heritage homes such as those of the Peranakan can still be found around the area. See what makes Katong unique to me, is how it never fails to overcome me with a certain sense of nostalgia. Every road and every street in that area has its own individual story to be told, a history to be written and memories to be shared with generations to come. And what makes it so much more better is knowing that everyone else who grew up in that area will be more than willing to share their story with you too eg; Mr. Nelson Lee and Mr. Peter Wee.

This is home, truly.

Photos from the OH! Open House