Neighbourhood Networks

How can we capture the everyday moments of today that forms our cultural heritage 30 years on?
In this joint collaboration with National Heritage Board, students from the Diploma in Creative Direction for Fashion, LASALLE College of the Arts were tasked to document and and present a multi-sensory collection of stories, visuals, and soundscapes that reflect the evolving identity of Geylang Serai. Going beyond how it’s usually promoted, they captured a set of stories of how the heritage site is presently lived, remembered, and felt by those who pass through the streets.

See all stories:

Still Here
Geylang Yeh Yeh
Di Tangan Erna
In search of Raja Bunga
Spying With Our Little Eyes
Flavours Through Generation

From newly opened businesses to ones that have been here for decades- this is the story of how people find their ways to Geylang Serai’s many eateries and what it means for us in the future.

For most of us Gen Zs, Geylang Serai feels like a place for our parents or grandparents to enjoy. Why choose Geylang Serai when there are places that feel cooler and trendy-er like Haji Lane or Boat Quay? But if you look close enough, you will come across a lot of hidden gems run by newer owners bringing in younger crowds into the area.

One of them is Sweetest Choice, a Malaysian Bakery that’s been in the area for 10 years. They originally came to Geylang Serai because there was a market there for them, but have stood this long because the community continues to show up for them.

A couple streets away sits a restaurant serving Malaysian and Peranakan food, De’vor, run by Jeremy Loh. When we visited his restaurant earlier this month, he straight-up told us “Foot traffic here is terrible…. Honestly horrigible” while laughing with a hint of frustration. His side of Geylang Serai is quieter, and many businesses around him have not survived the declining and slow sales throughout the years.

What keeps De’vor running is a mix of the patrolling officers in his area, nearby residents and office workers, heritage tour groups from next door, and younger customers who discover his restaurant through social media.

And of course, we stopped by Hjh Maimunah, the iconic heritage restaurant of Geylang Serai, favored and loved by the older generations. The place is always busy, and you’ll often find the workers running around and catching orders, yet the place still feels warm and nostalgic.

While older customers support heritage icons like Hjh Maimunah, younger people tend to gravitate towards the newer places like De’vor and Sweetest Choice. But what really matters is that both sides keep Geylang Serai’s ecosystem alive. The older generations preserve the historical and heritage part of Geylang Serai, while the younger generations bring in energy to newer businesses.

Together, they keep the entire neighbourhood surviving, even without knowing it.

So, you don’t need to come to Geylang Serai for the heritage experience. Come for the food or the vibes - whatever your reason is, it keeps the place going.