Thronging crowds, the heady scent of incense, and good ol’ fashioned Indian grub at every corner: there’s really no place like Little India – well except for big India! This ethnic enclave may have had some bad press lately (thanks to a certain riot), but there’s just something about it that keeps us coming back for more.
Eat & Drink
The best and most authentic Indian nosh you’ll want to sink your teeth into has to come from Little India itself – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
First stop: Komala Villas. This 67-year old establishment is the closest you can get to true-blue South Indian cuisine (without having to travel to India). Sure, it’s always packed but that’s because the diners can’t get enough of its signature masala dosai, served with free-flow sambar stew.
Muthu’s Curry fish head curry
Race Course Road has plenty of eye-watering, lip-tingling spicy fare to take your taste buds to the extreme. Our top two picks: Muthu’s Curry and Sakunthala’s Food Palace for their seriously popular (and seriously tasty) signature dish – fish head curry. For classic North Indian cuisine like chicken tikka masala and aloo ghobi, head to Khansama Tandoori Restaurant at Norris Road (psst…their cheese naan is to die for).
Cocotte at Wanderlust Hotel
Looking for some top-notch late-night Chinese cuisine? You won’t be disappointed with the supper spread of affordable dim sum at Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant (191 Jalan Besar). Cocotte needs no introduction: located within Wanderlust Hotel, it’s an oasis amidst the maddening crowd that serves up hearty and unpretentious French fare.
Another great chill-out spot is Prince of Wales at Dunlop Street. It’s more than just a hostel –the adjoining outdoor bar is perfect for knocking back a couple of beers and getting friendly with some backpacking travellers. Just down the road is Zsofi Tapas Bar: head up to the breezy rooftop bar and sample the tasty tapas platters and potent sangrias.
Shop
Little India Shopping Arcade
With a dizzying array of jewellery, textiles, handicrafts and sweet treats, it’s not hard to spend an entire afternoon shopping up a storm at Little India Shopping Arcade. When you’ve worked up an appetite for more bargains, head over to Tekka Centre across the road. Although overwhelming at first, this bustling hawker centre cum wet market cum shopping centre is where all the action (and heated haggling) takes place.
Fancy a Bollywood makeover with the latest Indian fashions? Make a stop at Jinders Boutique and StyleMart to get gussied up in an ornate salwar kameez or elegant silk sari.
Injecting a bit of the cool-kid factor into Little India is pop-up store Temporium on Dunlop Street. Part café, part gallery, and part retail space, this six-month old store will run until 8 March, so get yourself down there while you still can!
Mustafa Centre
No trip to Little India would be complete without a pilgrimage to Mustafa Centre. Bargain hunters flock to this 24-hour shopping centre in droves for good reason: fresh produce, electronics, toiletries, and exclusive imported Indian goods available at discounted prices.
A Dose of Culture
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
There’s plenty to learn about the customs and practices of the Indian culture. Stop by the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (397 Serangoon Rd) or Sri Veerama Kaliamma Temple (141 Serangoon Rd) for a tour around the awe-inspiring architecture – just remember to take off your shoes before entering the prayer hall.
For just $5, get a glimpse into your future, courtesy of an adorable little critter with clairvoyant powers. Parrot astrology fortune tellers (you can find them along Serangoon Road) is a fun way to get the kids involved and introduce them to this ancient South Indian practice.
For a lovely memento of your trip to Little India, how about getting a temporary henna tattoo? Some stores within the shopping arcade offer beautiful and intricate designs worthy of any blushing Indian bride. It won’t last long, but it sure is pretty.
Top image: Khalzuri Yazid