Trengganu Street

Trengganu Street was also an infamous recreation outlet for the early Chinese immigrants. Opium and gambling dens and brothels on the street served the Chinese coolies who came to Singapore alone and found themselves obligated to toiling for long hours.

During the Japanese Occupation, the block of flats that lined Trengganu Street, from Smith Street to Sago Street, became home to Malay families who sought shelter and protection.

Hawkers serving exotic recipes were also what used to make Trengganu Street famous. Their specialty was brewed tonic soups made from a concoction of tortoise, turtle, snake, lizard, or snake meat served in thick ceramic urns.

In order to revive the glory of 19th century Chinatown, Trengganu Street was converted into a street market with stalls selling a plethora of goods. Traditional trades such as watch repairing, fan making and fortune telling were also reintroduced on this street.