TALES OF KEONG SAIK ROAD
Charmaine Leung—sitting on her favourite rattan chair at 15A Keong Saik Road
Happy Jade on one of her visits to Hong Kong
15A and 17A Keong Saik Road, 1967
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
15A and 17A Keong Saik Road, 1983
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
Growing up in a shophouse in Keong Saik in the 1970s and 1980s meant Charmaine lived among artifacts that today are mostly found in antique shops or museums
Yu Lin relaxing on one of her holidays in Xi Qiao Town, China
Esquina in the 1980s was where the local ice-cream uncle made his corn, red bean and atapchi ice-cream.
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
This row of shophouses used to house a Chinese calligraphy and laundry shop in addition to brothels. Today, this stretch of shophouses have transformed into boutique hotels and restaurants.
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
The first shophouse on the left was a Chinese sundries shop where the Chinese immigrants can get a piece of home.
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
Happy Jade and Yu Lin’s first family portrait
17A Keong Saik Road with its address written in red on a light box to differentiate it from residential shophouse units
Auyong Foon preparing food in an outdoor kitchen
Charmaine riding up and down the corridor of 15A Keong Saik Road on her bicycle before she developed an intense love-hate relationship with it
6 Jiak Chuan Road was a paper box factory. Today, it is The Cufflink Club—a cocktail bar.
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
A dentist, an Indian bunk, and a martial arts training school named Sim San Loke Hup occupied this row of shophouses.
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
Wong Mun Kei was the provision shop where Charmaine Leung was sent on numerous errands.
*Photo credit: National Library Board Singapore
Keong Saik Road was named after Tan Keong Saik, a Chinese merchant.
*Photo credit: Song Ong Siang