There’s a snail farm in Singapore – WholeSnail! And kids are welcome.
After every downpour, my children instinctively slow down whenever we walk or cycle through the park. Snails, big and small, emerge on the paths and my children would exercise caution with their footsteps and bicycle wheels.
They often wondered aloud. “Why are snails always out after it rains — is it because they want to drink water?”
When I heard about WholeSnail, Singapore’s first commercial indoor snail farm, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to further the intrigue and continue the conversation about snails with my kids.
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Visiting WholeSnail, Singapore’s First Snail Farm
My daughter had imagined we’d be wandering through gardens where snails are bred in. It was a little of a surprise for her when we stepped into a climate-controlled facility that looked more like a laboratory. This is the reality of farming in land-scarce Singapore, where technology, biosecurity and careful environmental control make snail farming possible.
We learnt about the story behind WholeSnail. Founded by entrepreneur Stephanie Kudus, the farm grew from a vision to produce premium escargot locally while contributing to Singapore’s food resilience.
Today, WholeSnail breeds the European garden snail (Cornu aspersum), supplying local restaurants with escargot while entering supply discussions with supermarket chains. It was inspiring to hear how something as ordinary as a garden snail could become part of a sustainable local food ecosystem.
Learning about WholeSnail’s zero waste philosophy helped me to appreciate its carefully chosen brand name. Every part of the snail is utilized from the harvested slime and caviar-grade eggs to the meat, recycled shells and even the compost substrate.
Family-friendly Tour at WholeSnail’s Breeding Facility
The family-friendly tour began with an introductory talk before we headed to the breeding facility. No pictures or videos are allowed in the facility itself apart from the staff-taken photographs.
WholeSnail prepared an informative session about snails for the participants. During the talk, we learnt amazing facts about snails.
Did you know that snails have thousands of microscopic teeth on a tongue-like structure called a radula? 25,000 to be exact. Could you imagine that every snail is both male and female, allowing any two mature snails to reproduce?
We also learnt that the mucus they produce isn’t just for helping them glide along surfaces—it has become a sought-after ingredient in skincare products around the world because of its moisturising and skin-conditioning properties.
These information tidbits were endlessly fascinating to my primary schooler and me, but unfortunately, were a little lost on my preschooler.
After the informative talk was the tour of the breeding facility.
Before entering, everyone disinfected the soles of their shoes to protect the snails, and photography and videography were not allowed inside. The cool, misty room was filled with specially designed belts and carpets where the snails roamed.
Since it was daytime, most snails were tucked away resting, although one adventurous snail had somehow made its way almost to the ceiling. Our guide laughed and explained that staff carefully check every door before leaving each day to ensure no snail escapes, part of the strict regulations governing the farm.
One of the most memorable demonstrations showed how staff separate snail eggs from the soil. The pearly white eggs are selected for restaurants and served as the delicacy often called snail caviar, while the grey eggs continue their journey through the breeding programme to hatch into the next generation of snails.
Back at the office (next door), all the participants got to hold both adult snails and tiny babies. Seeing the different life stages side by side brought everything we had just learnt to life. A participant joked about how holding the snails would be a skin conditioning session for her hands.
Our guide taught the kids how to hold the snails with care, because damage to the snails would endanger their lives.
After the snail-holding session, the participants washed their hands at the office sink.
Art and Craft with Snail Shells
It was time for art and craft with upcycled snail shells! My children found it cool to decorate snail shells with acrylic markers. However, we realised that the utmost layer of the snail shell can be hard to apply ink on.
If you like, you could bring home the snail shells, submerge them in diluted vinegar to strip the outer layer of the shell, so asl to reveal a completely smooth texture that makes it even more ideal for craft.
At the end of the tour, children were given tokens to redeem souvenirs like stickers and badges from a gachapon machine. It added a touch of fun and surprise for the children. My kids walked away with a snail sticker and a badge.
We also caught a glimpse into the farm’s processing kitchen, where hibernating snails are humanely prepared on-site in accordance with Singapore’s food safety regulations before being supplied to restaurants. It was fascinating to see how every stage—from breeding to processing—takes place under one roof.
Before heading home, the staff asked if anyone wanted to buy frozen escargot prepared in WholeSnail’s signature herb butter, and participants chuckled at T-shirt merchandise bearing puns like “You’ve Snailed It”. We also learnt that the farm has an Adopt-a-Snail programme, but it currently has a waiting list.
Now, whenever we spot another snail on park paths after the rain, I hope my children remember the unusual snail trivia they’ve learnt, and can better appreciate one of nature’s slowest and gentlest creatures.
WholeSnail
Where: 239 Pandan Loop, #09-02 Food Concept @ Pandan, Singapore 128425
Tour details:$25 per pax, 3yo and up for 60 minute Farm Discovery Tour
Tours are by appointment only, no walk-ins are allowed
