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Singapore Travel
2026.08.26
Chinatown: More than Just Refrigerator Magnets
An old store offering traditional teas, medicinal oils, food, and daily necessities
Shopping in Chinatown often feels like you're looking at the same souvenir items repeated over and over. However, following the specialty of the old stores reveals shops where you can blend and package teas yourself, places that have been making medicinal oils for generations, and department stores that collect different stories including Chinese food and silk all under one roof. This list highlights stores that help you consider what to actually check out and buy.
However, just because something is labeled traditional doesn't mean it's safe for everyone or that it can be brought into Korea. For medicinal ingredients, oils, processed meats, and alcohol, first check the ingredients and customs regulations, and avoid exaggerating the benefits. For teas, tea sets, and confections, consider the storage periods and baggage weight. Just hearing about the store's history and current operations can be significantly meaningful.
However, just because something is labeled traditional doesn't mean it's safe for everyone or that it can be brought into Korea. For medicinal ingredients, oils, processed meats, and alcohol, first check the ingredients and customs regulations, and avoid exaggerating the benefits. For teas, tea sets, and confections, consider the storage periods and baggage weight. Just hearing about the store's history and current operations can be significantly meaningful.
Yue Hwa Chinese Products
A department store specializing in Chinese products utilizing the old Great Southern Hotel building, where you can compare teas, foods, medicines, silk, and daily necessities across multiple floors. With its traditional exterior combined with the functionality of a large retail space, it's suitable for both shopping and architectural walks.
Since the product range is extensive, first find your desired items using the floor guides. For food and medicinal ingredients, check the regulations for bringing items into Korea as well as the ingredients, and review the official guidelines to confirm eligibility for tourist tax refunds based on the total spent and exit method. Observe the outer appearance of the old building safely from the pedestrian area across the street.
Since the product range is extensive, first find your desired items using the floor guides. For food and medicinal ingredients, check the regulations for bringing items into Korea as well as the ingredients, and review the official guidelines to confirm eligibility for tourist tax refunds based on the total spent and exit method. Observe the outer appearance of the old building safely from the pedestrian area across the street.
주소 70 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059805
공식 안내 https://yuehwa.com.sg/
방문 팁 현장에서는 공식 안내와 보행 표지를 우선한다. 혼잡·우천·행사에 따라 접근 범위가 달라질 수 있으므로 일정에 여유를 두고 다른 이용객의 통행과 사생활을 존중한다.
Pek Sin Choon
A traditional tea shop in Chinatown that has been blending and hand-packaging Chinese teas since 1925. It holds significance for travelers who want to gain insights into the origin, roasting, and brewing methods of the teas rather than just opting for flashy souvenirs.
The store is closed on Sundays, and the availability of tastings and descriptions can vary depending on the store conditions. If selecting by aroma is challenging, explain the type of tea you usually drink and the desired strength. When purchasing both tea and tea utensils, check the weight and risk of breakage, as well as the regulations on bringing plant-based products into Korea.
The store is closed on Sundays, and the availability of tastings and descriptions can vary depending on the store conditions. If selecting by aroma is challenging, explain the type of tea you usually drink and the desired strength. When purchasing both tea and tea utensils, check the weight and risk of breakage, as well as the regulations on bringing plant-based products into Korea.
주소 36 Mosque Street, Singapore 059514
공식 안내 https://peksinchoon.com/
방문 팁 일요일 휴무를 확인하고 평소 선호하는 차 맛을 설명해 추천받는다.
Chop Wah On
A family-run shop that has been making medicinal oils and mooncakes since 1916, easily recognizable by its handshake logo. You can examine both the history and packaging design of products that have been used locally for a long time, making it a souvenir worth considering.
Avoid impulsively buying pharmaceuticals and health products as if they were souvenirs; instead, check the ingredients, usage instructions, and allergy precautions. If pregnant or nursing, or if you are on medication, consult an expert. Before payment, make sure to check the volume and packaging of liquids and oils according to airline baggage limits.
Avoid impulsively buying pharmaceuticals and health products as if they were souvenirs; instead, check the ingredients, usage instructions, and allergy precautions. If pregnant or nursing, or if you are on medication, consult an expert. Before payment, make sure to check the volume and packaging of liquids and oils according to airline baggage limits.
주소 34 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058340
공식 안내 https://chopwahon.com/
방문 팁 제품 성분과 사용법, 액체류 수하물 규정을 확인한 뒤 구매한다.
Ming Tai Trading
A traditional store established in 1946 that deals with Chinese medicinal ingredients, health products, and alcoholic beverages. You can witness the evolution of a business spanning four generations, along with the ongoing retailing of medicinal ingredients in today's Chinatown area.
Don't take prescriptions or treatments lightly as a tourist experience; confirm the efficacy and dosage with a qualified expert. For dried ingredients and alcohol, check the customs regulations for what's allowed into Korea. If you're looking for specific ingredients, preparing their English names or photos can facilitate communication.
Don't take prescriptions or treatments lightly as a tourist experience; confirm the efficacy and dosage with a qualified expert. For dried ingredients and alcohol, check the customs regulations for what's allowed into Korea. If you're looking for specific ingredients, preparing their English names or photos can facilitate communication.
주소 34 Upper Cross Street #01-150, Singapore 050034
공식 안내 https://www.mingtai.com.sg/
방문 팁 약재·주류의 성분과 한국 반입 기준을 확인하고 치료 조언은 전문가에게 받는다.
Fong Moon Kee
A daily goods store on Sago Street that has been selling medicinal oils and mooncakes, as well as traditional rattan mats, for many years. Through small yet practical products, you can explore the characteristics of Chinatown’s retail landscape that have been passed down through generations.
Check the ingredients and skin usage precautions for oils, and it's safer to start with smaller quantities. For bulky items like mats, ask about the size and packaging options for airline baggage. When taking photos in narrow aisles or at the entrance, remember to ask for permission from the store.
Check the ingredients and skin usage precautions for oils, and it's safer to start with smaller quantities. For bulky items like mats, ask about the size and packaging options for airline baggage. When taking photos in narrow aisles or at the entrance, remember to ask for permission from the store.
주소 16 Sago Street, Singapore 059016
공식 안내 https://chinatown.sg/shop/fong-moon-kee/
방문 팁 오일 성분과 대형 상품의 수하물 포장 가능 여부를 확인한다.
Lim Chee Guan New Bridge Road
A well-known, long-established shop famous for its bak kwa, which has a smoky flavor. During holidays, the demand is so high that long waiting lines form, and the experience of selecting packaged Singaporean-style meat products becomes a part of the Chinatown shopping scene.
Due to quarantine regulations in different countries, bringing meat products into Korea may be restricted, so always check the latest import regulations before purchasing. Also, inquire about the storage duration at room temperature and the proper methods for storing once opened. The availability of items and wait times can vary greatly during holidays and weekends.
Due to quarantine regulations in different countries, bringing meat products into Korea may be restricted, so always check the latest import regulations before purchasing. Also, inquire about the storage duration at room temperature and the proper methods for storing once opened. The availability of items and wait times can vary greatly during holidays and weekends.
주소 203 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059429
공식 안내 https://www.limcheeguan.com.sg/
방문 팁 한국의 육가공품 반입 규정과 제품 보관기한을 먼저 확인한다.
Tong Heng Confectionery
A bakery on South Bridge Road known for its diamond-shaped egg tarts and Chinese pastries. It's a nice spot to take a short break between temple visits while enjoying warm tea and small snacks.
Popular items may sell out depending on the time of day, and waiting times can vary based on packaging quantity. If you plan to carry items around on hot days, ask about storage methods, and when purchasing multiple types, check for any allergens. The pedestrian space in front of the store is narrow, so check the queue for packaging before standing in line.
Popular items may sell out depending on the time of day, and waiting times can vary based on packaging quantity. If you plan to carry items around on hot days, ask about storage methods, and when purchasing multiple types, check for any allergens. The pedestrian space in front of the store is narrow, so check the queue for packaging before standing in line.
주소 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833
공식 안내 https://tongheng.com.sg/
방문 팁 품절과 보관시간, 알레르기 재료를 확인한 뒤 포장 수량을 정한다.
Tea Chapter
A teahouse where you can select Chinese teas and tea utensils and experience the tea brewing process in a preserved shophouse. It suits a schedule where you can leisurely explore aromas, temperatures, and brewing methods rather than just quickly buying drinks from a café.
The usage and pricing may vary depending on the type of tea and seating arrangements, so it's best to ask for an explanation before entering. Set aside specific time rather than right after consuming strong-flavored foods; for reservations or private rooms, check the conditions and also inquire about baggage packaging when purchasing tea utensils.
The usage and pricing may vary depending on the type of tea and seating arrangements, so it's best to ask for an explanation before entering. Set aside specific time rather than right after consuming strong-flavored foods; for reservations or private rooms, check the conditions and also inquire about baggage packaging when purchasing tea utensils.
주소 9 Neil Road, Singapore 088808
공식 안내 https://teachapter.com/
방문 팁 차 체험과 좌석 이용 조건을 확인하고 최소 한 시간 정도 여유를 둔다.
If you want to compare a wide range of products in one place, Yue Hwa is a great choice; if you want to delve deep into tea, Pek Sin Choon and Tea Chapter are ideal. Chop Wah On and Fong Moon Kee focus on medicinal oils and daily goods, while Ming Tai showcases the flow of medicinal ingredients and health foods. Lim Chee Guan and Tong Heng offer edible gifts, but the regulations for bringing in and storing meat and fresh confections vary.
Before heading out shopping, set your list and check the origin, ingredients, expiration dates, and packaging on-site. Avoid purchasing therapeutic products without expert explanations, and if customs regulations are uncertain, it’s safer not to purchase. Keep your receipts and sealed packaging, and check the individual store's participation and minimum purchase conditions for tax refunds for tourists.
Before heading out shopping, set your list and check the origin, ingredients, expiration dates, and packaging on-site. Avoid purchasing therapeutic products without expert explanations, and if customs regulations are uncertain, it’s safer not to purchase. Keep your receipts and sealed packaging, and check the individual store's participation and minimum purchase conditions for tax refunds for tourists.
At a glance
8 items
Yue Hwa Chinese Products
70 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059805 · https://yuehwa.com.sg/ · 현장에서는 공식 안내와 보행 표지를 우선한다. 혼잡·우천·행사에 따라 접근 범위가 달라질 수 있으므로 일정에 여유를 두고 다른 이용객의 통행과 사생활을 존중한다.
Pek Sin Choon
36 Mosque Street, Singapore 059514 · https://peksinchoon.com/ · 일요일 휴무를 확인하고 평소 선호하는 차 맛을 설명해 추천받는다.
Chop Wah On
34 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058340 · https://chopwahon.com/ · 제품 성분과 사용법, 액체류 수하물 규정을 확인한 뒤 구매한다.
Ming Tai Trading
34 Upper Cross Street #01-150, Singapore 050034 · https://www.mingtai.com.sg/ · 약재·주류의 성분과 한국 반입 기준을 확인하고 치료 조언은 전문가에게 받는다.
Fong Moon Kee
16 Sago Street, Singapore 059016 · https://chinatown.sg/shop/fong-moon-kee/ · 오일 성분과 대형 상품의 수하물 포장 가능 여부를 확인한다.
Lim Chee Guan New Bridge Road
203 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059429 · https://www.limcheeguan.com.sg/ · 한국의 육가공품 반입 규정과 제품 보관기한을 먼저 확인한다.
Tong Heng Confectionery
285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833 · https://tongheng.com.sg/ · 품절과 보관시간, 알레르기 재료를 확인한 뒤 포장 수량을 정한다.
Tea Chapter
9 Neil Road, Singapore 088808 · https://teachapter.com/ · 차 체험과 좌석 이용 조건을 확인하고 최소 한 시간 정도 여유를 둔다.
Locations at a glance
8 places
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