Park Regis invitation to their SGInsiders Heritage Food Trail was the perfect opportunity for me to bring Mom for her very first staycation in Singapore. Folks from her generation do not do well when it comes to just ‘chilling out’ so it is important to include fun activities to keep her occupied. Uncovering stories around Singapore’s rich heritage through food sounds like a good plan! From May to October 2019, Park Regis walking tour will feature four famous homegrown food spots, each with a unique story to tell. Read till the end to enjoy your special 20% discount off the staycation experience!
“It is no secret that Singaporeans are united in their love for great food. What better way to share that community spirit with our guests who are increasingly seeking out authentic experiences that allow them to immerse themselves in the culture of a country, almost as if they were a local. Given Park Regis’ close proximity to some of the country’s most iconic food places, we hope the trail gives our guests a snapshot of Singapore’s rich multi-cultural history through food,” explains Jack Chua, General Manager of Park Regis Singapore. 
The Singapore Bicentennial is a celebration of the country’s diverse history spanning over 700 years. This year is especially memorable as it marks the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles’ founding of Singapore. The SGInsider Heritage Food Trail starts early at the hotel lobby so here we are at 9.30am.
SGInsider Heritage Food Trail – Uniquely Local Food Experiences Just A Walk Away From Park Regis
Our guide for the day – Susan Yong (the lady in the first photo) did a little introduction of herself, shared what we are in for and got us all prep up with water bottles before embarking on the tour. We will be savouring a variety of local delights within Park Regis’ neighbourhood at Chinatown, known to be home to Singapore’s diverse heritage. That’s Mom at our first stop – Hong Lim Market and Food Centre with her kaya toast and kopi to start her day. 
Here, we got to try the iconic Singaporean breakfast set consisting of kaya toast and a cup of ‘kopi or teh’ (local coffee or tea), as well as taste freshly-made flaky curry puffs generously stuffed with a variety of fillings such as chicken, sardine and otah. This is the 83 years old founder who started this delicious business.
Selling close to 4,000 puffs a day, you can enjoy one at less than SGD$2. Non-Mandarin speaking folks who are keen to know more about this traditional pastry can also chat with the founder’s son Peter who speaks really good English!
Next, we pop by an 83-year-old Cantonese pastry shop, Tong Heng, popular for its diamond-shaped ‘Dan-Ta’ (egg tarts). Mark Fong, who heads the pastry making shares his family business history.
Started out as a modest drink store in the 1920s, the new generation of owners recently transformed the pastry shop into a modern cafe and revamped the pastry packaging to appeal to younger customers. However, you can be assured that the good old taste remains.
Further into the heart of Chinatown, we enter Mei Heong Yuen Dessert, a Singapore Chinatown Heritage Brand that specialises in different varieties of traditional pastes and unique snow ice bowls.
This is a familiar sweet treat spot for me. I am already a fan before the trip! But never did I know the shop was actually a diversification from the family original peanut business. 
Ending the tour with a sweet and savoury delicacy, we venture into Lim Chee Guan, a stall started back in 1938 selling ‘Bak Kwa’ (dried barbequed meat), a popular Chinese New Year snack.
Chua adds: “It is important for us to spotlight hawker culture in this food trail as it is a way of life for many locals across races, gender and age and reflects the identity of the nation. This is also our way of supporting Singapore’s nomination of Hawker Culture for the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.”
SGInsider Heritage Food Trail – Book Your Staycation Package Now
After the tour, Mom and I checked in to our room on Level 7 – the highest level in the hotel. The room was cosy with a surprising open washroom concept. I was glad Mom was fine with the open washroom layout.
We had a pool facing room which offered us this gorgeous view. We loved how the hotel was just walking distance to both Chinatown and Clarke Quay. We went for facial before ending the day with a delicious dinner at Liang Court. It was a wonderful bonding weekend with Mom.
#sginsiders Heritage Food Trail will be available to you as part of the #sginsiders Staycation Package running from May to October 2019. Starting at S$218++, the package will include the following:
- Complimentary access to #sginsiders Heritage Food Trail held every Saturday morning, 9.30am – 12.30pm (valued at S$99)
- Complimentary use of e-scooter for 2 hours
- Complimentary daily buffet breakfast for up to 2 pax
- Late check-out until 3pm (subject to availability)
SGInsider Heritage Food Trail – Special Discount For AspirantSG Readers
We are thrilled to offer a 20% discount* for our readers to enjoy the same #sginsiders Staycation Package – which grants you complimentary access to the #sginsiders Heritage Food Trail –
To enjoy the discount, simply visit http://bit.ly/sginsidersFOOD20 or key in FOOD20 when you book directly from Park Regis Singapore’s website.
*Link and promo code is valid until 30th of June, and applicable only for Friday – Saturday stays.
For more information on the #sginsiders Staycation Package, visit www.parkregissingapore.com/specials
