Is The Intan Tea Experience Worth It? An Honest Review

“What the hell kind of museum costs almost fifty dollars per entry?”

Was that your reaction upon seeing the ticket price for The Intan Tea Experience?

I mean, yeah, me too. Not gonna lie, I actually left it off my itinerary for most of my time planning the trip. But in the end, the voice in my head won, and I booked a slot.

Why are you paying fifty dollars for a tea? What else is there? Is it worth the price? Will you regret booking? All these burning questions, I’m here to help you answer.

While it’s not exactly the kind of experience you’ll want to repeat (unlike Chinatown Heritage Centre, where I keep wanting to go back), I thoroughly enjoyed the one hour I spent here.

If you value real human connection and local insights on your trips, you’ll want to read this one.

The Intan Tea Experience: Quick Info

• Location: Katong-Joo Chiat, Singapore
• What you get: Cultural storytelling + home tour + tea & snacks
• Best for: Cultural travelers and slow travelers, people’s people
• Cost: US$49.75 per person
• Plan a Visit: Strictly by appointment

What Is The Intan?

The Intan, which means rose-cut diamond, is a home museum in the Joo Chiat neighborhood of Singapore.

The house itself is the museum owner’s private residence, where he collects and displays all kinds of items from the Peranakan culture.

First time hearing of the word Peranakan? The word comes from the Malay word “anak,” which means “offspring.” It refers to the children of local Malay women and foreign men in Singapore, from Chinese to European.

In other words, Peranakan is the mixed culture that gives life and color to Singapore. And The Intan is the quietest, most intimate setting in which you can learn all about it.

Cultural Experiences Offered at The Intan

There are two in-person experiences suitable for solo cultural travelers. You can book a slot for The Intan’s most popular tour, the Tea Experience, or send an inquiry email for the Home Dining Experience.

Since I’ve only joined the tea experience (for now), I’ll only talk about that and share with you how my experience went.

How to Book The Intan Tea Experience

First off, the tea experience is only offered three times a week, from Friday through Sunday at 4 PM.

Reserving your ticket in advance is the only way you’ll get in, as walk-ins are not accepted. The experience costs US$49.75 per person.

I booked mine a month in advance, but if you love a little risk, you can book your slot as late as a few days before. I’ve noticed that they remain open for much longer during lower seasons.

Arriving at The Intan: What to Expect First

For how much it costs, I headed over to The Intan with this sense of curiosity. Like, why exactly does it cost so much to visit a museum?

As soon as we walked past the first block on Joo Chiat Terrace, I started to get it.

I was no longer walking one of the main streets with shops and cafes. This was the real “neighborhood” with private houses where people actually live.

I already knew this wasn’t something I could get at the National Museum.

The Intan still stood out from all the other homes in the area, though. There were tons of plants, a pair of Nyonya shoes artwork on the driveway, and several accolade stickers from TimeOut, TripAdvisor, and more on the front windows.

I was admiring all the plants and trying to read the Chinese sign (me being me) when the door opened, and I heard some dude on the phone inside.

Then Alvin peeked out, still on the phone, and asked if I was Petra. He then led me inside and told me to sit at one of the lavish Chinese-style chairs towards the front of the house.

He stayed on his work call for a couple more minutes before hanging up, and warmly greeted me and the other person already sitting inside. It honestly felt more like visiting a friend than anything.

Inside The Intan Tour: Peranakan History & Unique Touches

The Intan is a one-man show, so Alvin leads every single experience himself.

He knew sign language from his previous volunteer jobs, so he was signing a bit as he told us stories, too. I found that a nice, unique detail.

We started off in the first-floor living room, where Alvin gave us an introduction to Peranakan culture from his personal experiences.

He told us about growing up without truly understanding his identity, and then setting off on a mission of collecting trinkets to feel closer to it.

The Second Floor

After the introduction, we were led up to the second floor, where all the sparkly goodies are.

The stairs were lined with Nyonya Tiffin Carriers of all colors you can possibly imagine. They (the stairs and the tiffins) were also featured in the Singapore Airlines introduction video!

The second floor was where it truly felt like a museum. Nyonya shoes, gold belts, jewelry, furniture, and everything else you can imagine are up here, and they somehow fit into the space.

You’ll also need to leverage your own curiosity to make the most of your money up here.

It’ll take Alvin a hundred years to go through every single piece of collectible he owns with you, so whatever you’re curious about, ask.

Photos are not allowed of the goodies up here, though, to preserve the integrity of the experience.

Tea, Snacks, Questions, and Culture Talks

Coming down to the first floor, Alvin showed us the rest of the space, from his Peranakan-style kitchen, dining table, and gave us a few minutes to explore freely as he prepared the tea and snacks.

We got a colorful tray of Nyonya Kuehs, from tapioca to pandan-flavored ones. You can also keep refilling your tea from the pot as many times as you’d like. But this is where it gets real cozy.

Any questions you have about the Peranakan culture and Singapore will continue here as you all sip tea and munch on chewy kuehs.

Foodie that I am, I also asked him for Peranakan restaurant recommendations, both of which ended up on my recommendations.

My Favorite Memory: The Durian Talk

I still giggle every time I think about this. Alvin also gave us tips on buying whole durians here in Singapore.

Basically, when the locals buy whole durians, the vendor has to crack them open and let the customer taste them first. If they’re happy, then they’ll take the durian.

But here’s the catch: If you ask for two, they’ll only crack the first one and tell you that both are of the same quality. They’re not.

So what do you do? You ask for one at a time. Otherwise, the second one will always be rubbish! 😂

What about the peeled durians sold in plastic boxes?

Well, when the vendors have to crack a bit of durian flesh for the local customers to taste, but the locals hate it, so they didn’t buy, guess where that bit of removed flesh goes?

Exactly. Right into those boxes for unsuspecting foreigners. 🤣

I’m curious what other hilarious local tricks he’s gonna share with you when you go!

Closing Ritual at the Piano

You know that cozy moment when family members sit together around the piano as one of them plays? Alvin does that at the end of the tea experience!

After concluding the tour, he asked us to gather around his piano and request any song we’d like to hear. It was a very heartwarming last few minutes of our time there.

Is The Intan Tea Experience Worth the Price? My Review

For the price you pay, you get:

• A very personal look into Peranakan culture
• An hour of Alvin’s time, dedicated to you
• His cultural insights and knowledge on anything you’re curious about
• One-time access to collectibles worth tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars
• Traditional tea and snacks

The tea and snacks felt like an afterthought compared to everything else you get, but that’s why I think it’s well worth the price. A 10/10 justifiable splurge, but not for everyone.

I loved my time at The Intan, and I think most cultural travelers who value human connection on their trips will feel the same way. I also recommend it for solo female travelers who want a closer look at the local life in a safe space.

However, if you expect Instagram-worthy content or a decadent experience, I’d either advise you to reset your expectations before booking or skip it completely.

More Cultural Ideas For Your Time in Singapore

The Intan was one of the most intimate cultural setting during my time in Singapore, but it wasn’t the only one. Check out my favorite things to do in Singapore to get to know the country better.

Foodie? Here are Singaporean dishes that are worth the hype, and the best foodie spots around town.

Bookmark my Singapore Cultural Travel page for more information you can use to plan your trip.

Resources For Your Trip to Singapore

Below are some of the resources to help you get ready for your time in Singapore.

Don’t forget to check your visa requirements, and fill out the Digital Arrival Card no more than 3 days before you land.

Read up on the local laws and my top travel tips before you get there, and a bit about how to get around as well.

• Get your trip covered with Safety Wing Insurance
• Stay connected in Singapore with this eSIM
• Must-have Apps: Grab, City Mapper

Find a Place to Stay in Singapore

Still looking for somewhere to stay? Read my guide on the most convenient neighborhoods to stay in and use the map below to find the best hotel for you!

Grab My Singapore E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

FAQs About The Intan Tea Experience in Singapore

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