Best places to shop in Singapore’s Little India

Singapore’s Little India is a bustling area that is a total assault on all your senses. The sights, smells, and flavors really put your senses into overdrive. It is one of the most authentic ethnic enclaves in Singapore and is therefore a major tourist attraction. When you are in Little India, one of the best ways to experience it all is to browse the many markets in the area. These are some of the best places to shop in Singapore’s Little India.

Tekka Market

Tekka Market, located right next to the Little India MRT Subway Station, is one of the main wet public markets serving the area. It has recently undergone major renovations to renovate its dilapidated interiors. Now that the renovations are complete it is back up and running and thriving as usual. Here you will have the street vendor center with stalls serving mainly Indian food. However, with that said, there are still a handful of Chinese and Malay food stalls there. The wet market section sells fresh produce and spices, many of which are imported from India. Therefore, a stroll through the Tekka market is sure to find the most authentic Indian ingredients.

Mustafa Center

The iconic Mustafa Center located at 145 Syed Alwi Road is one of Singapore’s most famous discount department stores. Floor after floor in this shopping complex you will find great deals on almost every type of item you can think of. You can get discounts on gold watches, appliances, fruits and vegetables, and even get a discount on a tailored suit! In addition, the Mustafa Center has one of the best exchange houses in the city, which offers very competitive exchange rates. The place is open 24 hours, so you can visit this department store at any time of the day. You will be surprised how busy it is during the last hours of the night here. To get to these department stores, just take the MRT to Farrer Park Station. From there it is only a 5 minute walk.

Sim lim plaza

Not really in Little India, but across the street is Sim Lim Square. This is pretty much Singapore’s electronics mecca, where numerous vendors selling all kinds of electronics are grouped together in one building. Here you will find computers, computer accessories, mobile phones, cameras, and televisions. However, you will have to put on your playing faces, as you need to make sure to negotiate prices before making your purchases to avoid being ripped off. Many of the providers here like to play price games and so you have to make sure you don’t fall prey to their tactics.

If you ever come to Singapore, be sure to experience some shopping at these places in Little India. Even if you are not really going to buy anything, just by window shopping, you will find that you have entered a totally different world compared to the rest of the places in Singapore. The experience alone is worth it.