CHAGEE Pagoda House: Heritage Teahouse Reimagined In Chinatown

In the heart of Chinatown, where tradition lingers in the air and stories echo through time-worn shophouses, a new kind of gathering place has quietly opened its doors. CHAGEE Pagoda House is not just a teahouse — it is a lifestyle space, a cultural bridge, and a quiet rebellion against the fast and forgettable. With roots planted firmly in heritage and its gaze set on tomorrow, this new concept store invites you and your loved ones to sip, stay, and rediscover the slow magic of tea culture in a thoroughly modern setting.

A Modern Teahouse Inspired by Old-World Chinatown

Located along Pagoda Street, CHAGEE Pagoda House pays homage to the teahouses that once dotted Chinatown — places where merchants traded stories, neighbours gathered to share moments, and life paused for just a while. The space has been thoughtfully designed as a “modern social living room,” blending old textures with new perspectives. Picture warm timber walls, patterned tiles that recall Peranakan floorwork, and soft lighting that invites conversation over consumption. Communal seating and open spaces encourage not just sipping, but staying — a bold departure from the grab-and-go tempo of today’s cafés.

“Chinatown was once the heart of Singapore’s teahouse culture,” says Lawrence Wen, CEO of CHAGEE Singapore. “People came together to rest, connect, and find community. With Pagoda House, we want to bring that spirit back — to offer a space where heritage meets the present, and where everyone feels welcome to pause, reflect, and connect.”

Design That Tells a Story

The heritage narrative begins before you even step inside. Along the façade of CHAGEE Pagoda House stretches a bold, hand-painted mural by Singapore’s own creative collective Tell Your Children (TYC). Titled “Where Jasmine meets Orchid,” the artwork is a visual metaphor for the meeting of generations and cultures — a dance between tradition and innovation. The vibrant colours and fluid lines evoke movement and memory, drawing you into a story that is at once rooted and evolving.

Step inside, and the narrative continues. Every design detail speaks to Chinatown’s layered identity — from the texture of the furnishings to the rhythmic interplay of light and shadow. It is a space that hums with quiet energy, offering a moment of retreat in a neighbourhood that is always in motion.

More Than Tea — A Boutique Retail Experience

CHAGEE Pagoda House is also home to the brand’s first retail concept in Singapore — a curated boutique where tea lovers can bring a piece of the experience home. Here, tea culture is extended beyond the cup and into lifestyle. You will find Singapore-exclusive collectibles and lifestyle accessories that celebrate the art of intentional living. The space also features a limited-edition capsule collection co-designed with TYC, available only at this Pagoda Street location while stocks last.

These items are not just souvenirs. They are modern heirlooms — tactile reminders of what it means to slow down, sip mindfully, and celebrate heritage through everyday rituals. Whether you are picking up a hand-thrown ceramic cup or a minimalist tea tote, each item reflects the aesthetic values of the store: calm, culture, and connection.

Cultural Programming That Enriches the Experience

Behind it all is CHAGEE’s larger mission — to connect people and cultures through tea. Known internationally for its modern take on traditional brews, CHAGEE uses whole tea leaves and focuses on health-forward formulations that appeal to new-age sensibilities without compromising heritage. With more than 7,000 stores worldwide, its APAC headquarters now based in Singapore signals a deeper commitment to Southeast Asia — and to creating experiences that go beyond beverage trends.

CHAGEE Pagoda House is more than a store or café — it is an evolving cultural space. In a move that redefines what a tea brand can be, CHAGEE introduces programming that brings heritage to life in intimate, interactive ways. From November onwards, you can take part in:

Palm-reading workshops: A playful tribute to Chinatown’s fortune-telling traditions.
Calligraphy sessions: Led by local artists, these offer a chance to try your hand at brushwork — expressive and meditative in equal parts.
Nanyang-inspired conversation cards: Thoughtfully placed around communal tables, these prompts invite you to reflect, share, and connect over tea.
Guided photo walks: Explore Chinatown’s layered textures and stories through the lens of a local guide, discovering the hidden gems that often escape the hurried eye.

These weekend experiences are not only designed to draw you in — they are designed to help you look around, look inward, and look back. You may come for a cup of Jasmine Green, but you leave with a memory, a new connection, or perhaps a small revelation about your place in this city of stories.

Why You Should Visit

Whether you are wandering through Chinatown on a weekend or seeking a quiet corner between errands, CHAGEE Pagoda House invites you to step inside and linger. It is a space that respects the past without being bound by it — a modern teahouse for a generation that values meaning, craft, and connection. Here, you are not just a customer. You are part of the story.

So go ahead — take a seat, order your favourite brew, and strike up a conversation. You may just find that what you came for is only the beginning of what you leave with.