Kway Guan Huat

Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah represents over 80 years of family tradition in popiah skin making, tracing its roots to 1938 when Quek Tren Wen arrived from Anxi, China and established the business at Joo Chiat Road. This third-generation operation now led by Michael Ker, a former pharmacist who returned to preserve his family legacy in 2013, continues producing popiah skins using traditional methods passed down from their Fujian ancestors.

The business emerged from a cross-cultural union when the founder married a Peranakan woman from Malacca, creating Nyonya-style popiah that resonated with the strong Peranakan community in Katong. This fusion of Fujian technique and Peranakan flavours created a distinctive product that has survived decades of changing food trends. The popiah skins are handmade daily following the ancestral recipe, maintaining consistency that loyal customers have relied upon for generations.

Located in the historically rich Katong neighbourhood where Peranakan and Eurasian heritage flourishes, the shop underwent renovation in 2018 when structural concerns necessitated replacing the original shophouse with a Peranakan-themed building that honours the area heritage while providing safety. The business has evolved beyond retail, organising regular popiah tours for local and tourist groups, sharing their craft and history with visitors interested in Singapore culinary heritage.

Kway Guan Huat now offers halal-certified popiah with islandwide delivery, self-pickup, and pre-orders, making their traditional product accessible to modern customers. The halal certification expands their market while the family commitment to traditional production methods ensures authenticity remains uncompromised, bridging heritage preservation with contemporary convenience.