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www.groovekorea.com / September 2014 64 DESTINATIONS Edited by Shelley DeWees (shelley@groovekorea.com) Historically and culturally important, the east of this island is well worth a gander just to see for yourself why East Singaporeans feel such a sense of pride. Around KAtong And joo CHiAt As small as Singapore is –– it takes about an hour to drive across the entire state –– there are distinct differences between the east and west of the island, and Singaporeans from the east can be especially loud in proclaiming this fact, boasting of the unique heritage that can be found there. They’ll tell you this is the old Singapore-that-was, before independence in 1965. Historically and culturally important, the east of this island is well worth a gander just to see for yourself why East Singaporeans feel such a sense of pride. The heart of the east lies in the Katong and Joo Chiat areas. These were home to Singapore’s community of Peranakans, descendants of the 15th- to 17th-century immigrants. Having lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca, a narrow stretch of water on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia and Singa- pore and one of the most important ship- ping lanes in the world, the Peranakans have fused elements of the Chinese, Ma- lay and Indian cultures to create a new tradition indigenous to Singapore. Starting at the junction of East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road, walking west on East Coast, you’ll find a line of color- ful pre-WWII shophouses. Rumah Bebe, housed in one of such restored shop- houses, offers a glimpse into the intricate and opulent tableware, furniture, jewelry and dress of the Peranakans. But on an island famous for its gastronomic delights, Katong is likely known best as home to some of the most fantastic local food: This is where laksa, a Peranakan soup dish blending Chinese and Malay elements, can be sampled. There are several eateries along East Coast Road, and all of them hawk their spicy coconut noodle laksa, topped with shrimp, fish cakes and cockles. About a minute’s walk down Joo Chiat Road from the East Coast/ Joo Chiat junction is Sinpopo, an old-style coffee shop particularly good for its take on traditional Singaporean desserts. And after you’re full beyond reason, you can walk it all off on your way back downtown.