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Tekka Centre

Singapore: Tekka Centre

4.2(22717)

1–2 hours

Little India

Wheelchair Accessibility:

Yes

Operating Hours:Monday – Sunday: 06:30 - 21:00

The Vibe:Bustling spice market meets hawker heaven 🍛

A cornerstone of Little India, this vibrant market-meets-food-hall blends culture and cuisine under one roof. Locals browse heaps of fresh produce and spices, then tuck into some of Singapore’s most authentic Indian dishes at communal tables.
Curry and incense scents swirl through humid aisles. Vendors call out over clattering pans and chopping boards. Bright piles of chilies, vegetables, and fabrics form a colorful feast for the eyes at every turn.

Featured on travel food shows for its legendary biryani and curries.
Regularly ranked among Singapore’s top hawker centres.
Visitors love the authentic vibe – many call it a must-visit for Little India eats.

Persona Fit

Families: Casual, lively environment with many options for picky eaters (though it can be hot and busy).
Couples: Down-to-earth date spot to sample dishes together and soak up culture.
Seniors: Best visited in the cooler morning; seating is available, and it's all on ground level.
Photographers: Colorful produce stalls and energetic scenes offer vibrant photo opportunities.

Highlights

Allauddin’s Biryani — famed chicken biryani stall drawing long queues daily.
Fresh Thosai & Prata — have a South Indian breakfast of dosa and flaky roti with curry.
Tekka Wet Market — wander the ground floor for tropical fruits, vegetables, and spice stalls in full glory each morning.
Tekka Textile Stalls — upstairs, browse a hidden trove of colorful fabrics and bargain tailoring — Hidden Gem

Adeline Ee

Our Singapore Local Expert

Overview

Persona Fit

Highlights

Plan Your Visit (FAQ’s)

Things To Do Nearby

TJ's Guide

Know Your Facts

Once You Reach

Similar Options

Plan Your Visit

Things To Do Nearby

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple — an ornate Hindu temple on Serangoon Road, a short walk away.

Little India Arcade — cluster of shops for Indian sweets, souvenirs, and henna, offering a vibrant shopping experience.

Mustafa Centre — a 24-hour shopping emporium a few blocks away, famous for its vast array of goods at bargain prices.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple — an ornate Hindu temple on Serangoon Road, a short walk away.

Little India Arcade — cluster of shops for Indian sweets, souvenirs, and henna, offering a vibrant shopping experience.

Mustafa Centre — a 24-hour shopping emporium a few blocks away, famous for its vast array of goods at bargain prices.

TJ's Guide - Tekka Centre

Know Before You Go

Insider Tips

• Seating can be scarce at peak hours – it's common to share tables with strangers. You can also “chope” (reserve) a seat by placing a tissue packet on the table.

• It’s not air-conditioned, so dress for the heat and stay hydrated (try a lime juice or lassi from a drink stall!).

• The wet market floor can be wet and a bit slippery in areas; wear covered shoes and watch your step.

• If you’re overwhelmed by choices, just join the longest queue – usually a sign of a tasty stall.

• Seating can be scarce at peak hours – it's common to share tables with strangers. You can also “chope” (reserve) a seat by placing a tissue packet on the table.

• It’s not air-conditioned, so dress for the heat and stay hydrated (try a lime juice or lassi from a drink stall!).

• The wet market floor can be wet and a bit slippery in areas; wear covered shoes and watch your step.

• If you’re overwhelmed by choices, just join the longest queue – usually a sign of a tasty stall.

Know Your Facts

Getting There & Entrances

Amenities

• MRT: Little India Station (Downtown & North East Lines) is right next door – use Exit C and you’ll see Tekka Centre immediately.
• Bus: Many buses (23, 64, 65, 67, 131 and others) stop along Serangoon Road in front of Tekka Centre.
• Main entrances are on Buffalo Road and Serangoon Road. Ground floor is the market and food stalls; take the stairs or lift to reach retail shops on the second floor.
• If driving, note that parking can be limited in Little India. It’s best to use public transport, especially on weekends when the area is busy.

Once You Reach

Internal Navigation

• Layout: Ground floor is split into the wet market (meat, fish, produce on one side) and hawker food stalls on the other. The second floor hosts clothing and textile stalls, tailors, and some sundry goods.

• Stall finding: Hawker stalls have numbered signboards; popular ones often have queues, which is a good clue. Market vendors are grouped by type (seafood section, veg section, etc.)

• Table finding: During busy periods, it’s common to find a table after you get your food. Don’t be shy to share a table – just ask if a seat is free.

• Payment: It’s all pay-as-you-order at each stall. There’s no centralized payment, so keep small bills handy.

• Accessibility: The ground floor is mostly level for wheelchair access, and there is an elevator to the second floor. Aisles can be tight when crowded, so plan to go during off-peak if mobility is a concern.

Food & Coffee Shops

• Komala Vilas (nearby on Serangoon Road) – if you want a seated restaurant after hawker sampling, this famous Indian vegetarian eatery is a few minutes away.

• Moghul Sweet Shop (around the corner on Buffalo Road) – for Indian desserts like gulab jamun and jalebi to satisfy your sweet tooth after your Tekka meal.

• Komala Vilas (nearby on Serangoon Road) – if you want a seated restaurant after hawker sampling, this famous Indian vegetarian eatery is a few minutes away.

• Moghul Sweet Shop (around the corner on Buffalo Road) – for Indian desserts like gulab jamun and jalebi to satisfy your sweet tooth after your Tekka meal.

Photography Tips

• Always ask vendors politely if you want to photograph them or their stall up close – most don’t mind if you ask first.

• Capture the vibrant produce and spice piles in the morning when the market is fully stocked and colors pop.

• The best natural light is at the open sides of the market. Take food shots near the edges where it's brighter (center areas can be dim).

• Step across the street to get a wide shot of Tekka Centre’s bustling entrance and facade, which often has people and colorful signage.

• Always ask vendors politely if you want to photograph them or their stall up close – most don’t mind if you ask first.

• Capture the vibrant produce and spice piles in the morning when the market is fully stocked and colors pop.

• The best natural light is at the open sides of the market. Take food shots near the edges where it's brighter (center areas can be dim).

• Step across the street to get a wide shot of Tekka Centre’s bustling entrance and facade, which often has people and colorful signage.

Explore Deeper

For over a century, Tekka has been the beating heart of Little India’s daily life. Its story reflects Singapore’s evolving heritage – from colonial-era cattle trade to today’s bustling tapestry of cultures and cuisines.

• Established in 1915 as Kandang Kerbau Market, serving the area then known for cattle pens and an emerging Indian community.

• Known as Tek Kia Kha in Hokkien (meaning 'foot of the small bamboo') because bamboo once grew along Rochor Canal nearby

that name 'Tekka' stuck through the decades.

• The market went through several name changes (it was called Zhujiao Centre in the 1980s as an attempt at Mandarin branding) but was officially reverted to Tekka Centre in 2000 after public feedback.

• It’s a multi-purpose hub, combining a wet market, hawker centre, and textile bazaar, much like the community centers of old Singapore where one could shop, eat, and socialize in one place.

• Situated in the vibrant Little India enclave, Tekka Centre has evolved with the city yet remains a cultural touchstone

a place where generations of Singaporeans continue to shop and dine.

• Established in 1915 as Kandang Kerbau Market, serving the area then known for cattle pens and an emerging Indian community.

• Known as Tek Kia Kha in Hokkien (meaning 'foot of the small bamboo') because bamboo once grew along Rochor Canal nearby

that name 'Tekka' stuck through the decades.

• The market went through several name changes (it was called Zhujiao Centre in the 1980s as an attempt at Mandarin branding) but was officially reverted to Tekka Centre in 2000 after public feedback.

• It’s a multi-purpose hub, combining a wet market, hawker centre, and textile bazaar, much like the community centers of old Singapore where one could shop, eat, and socialize in one place.

• Situated in the vibrant Little India enclave, Tekka Centre has evolved with the city yet remains a cultural touchstone

a place where generations of Singaporeans continue to shop and dine.

Did You Know?

• Buffalo Connection - The area was called Kandang Kerbau (Malay for 'buffalo enclosure') due to cattle slaughterhouses nearby in the 1800s. That’s why the original market carried that name.

• Name Game - In 1982, Tekka Centre was renamed 'Zhujiao Centre' (the pinyin of Tekka) as part of a naming policy, but locals never took to it. By 2000, the beloved Tekka name was restored.

• Durian Season - The wet market is one of the places to score fresh durian (the famous pungent fruit) during the season. You might smell it before you see it!

• Cultural Blend - In Tekka, you can find Chinese hawkers selling roast meats next to Indian stalls with vegetarian curries – a true reflection of Singapore’s multicultural food scene under one roof.