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Shophouses and eateries along Jalan Kayu in 2006. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Mention Jalan Kayu and most Singaporeans would think of its famous crispy roti prata, thanks to two well-known eateries along the road. But there’s much more to this street than just prata!
Tucked away in the north-east of Singapore, Jalan Kayu is a two-lane road about 1.2km long, connecting Yio Chu Kang Road to Seletar West Farmway. It links the quiet Seletar Hills estate on one end to fish farms and greenery on the other.
The road has military origins, built in 1928 by the British Royal Air Force as the main route to RAF Seletar. It was named ‘Jalan Kayu’ by the Singapore Rural Board in 1937.
While officially a road, ‘Jalan Kayu’ is often used informally to refer to the surrounding neighbourhood — including heritage shophouses, local eateries, and nearby estates like Seletar Hills, Fernvale, and Gerald Drive.
In the early 2000s, part of the Seletar East Farmway area — once accessible via Jalan Kayu — was redeveloped into the neighbourhood of Fernvale. This area has seen rapid transformation, but long-time residents would fondly remember the Seletar Hills Market and Hawker Centre (1975 – 2004) served as a vibrant community hub.
Adding to the area’s charm are a row of two-storey shophouses, built in the 1950s. Designed with spiral staircases, basements, and classic metal gates, these structures evoke a bygone era. These shophouses survive till this day, and remain a distinctive feature of Jalan Kayu.
Despite its short length, Jalan Kayu is full of character, blending nostalgic charm with a rich past.
Jalan Kayu in 1968. Source: Christopher (Kit) Rabson, Flickr.