Want to reduce your grocery bill while picking up goods that are box-fresh? Get up early, put on some kicks and prepare to haggle – we’re heading to the wet market! These pungent and produce-laden emporiums can be a bit daunting if you don’t know where to go and what to look for. So here’s a run down on a few of our favourite wet markets, some stalls to check out and some handy hints for getting the shop done:
Wet Market Shopping Tips
- Be flexible and buy what’s in season – if you’ve got a particular menu in mind you may be disappointed. Select what’s on offer and plan meals around available produce.
- Bring a trolley – an upright basket on wheels is a handy thing at a wet market.
- Wear trainers or wellies – not all markets are still of the ‘wet’ variety but if you know you’re going to be buying seafood, it’s best to cover up.
- Make eye contact – Signal to the stall holder that you mean business and are not there just to window shop.
- Chat to stall holders – strike up a conversation and you might find you pick up some great tips on cuts of meat, types of fish or cooking with different herbs and vegetables.
- Look, feel and smell – there’s nothing wrong with checking out what you’re going to buy to make sure it’s fresh.
- Be confident and polite – Wait your turn but speak up when you need service.
- Don’t expect discounts – A lot of stallholders will reward you with additional items at no charge if you’re a repeat customer.
- Haggle lightly – while a certain amount of bargaining can go on, this is not the place for hardcore haggling and offering half the asking price.
Chinatown Wet Market
This is a large and bustling arena full of fresh produce and quality dried goods in the basement of the Chinatown Complex. It’s fairly wallet-friendly, particularly if you show some love to smaller stallholders who will often throw in some extra pieces of veg for return customers. Most of the fruit and veg are imported from Malaysia or is supplied from farms near Kranji.
What it’s known for: Live seafood including cockles, lobsters, crabs and tiger prawns and exotic meats like eels, frogs, and turtles. It’s particularly good for ingredients needed in Chinese cooking and is therefore popular prior to Chinese New Year.
Stall to check out: Anthony The SpiceMaker at B1-169, where you’ll find aromatic spices galore.
Chinatown Wet Market, Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335. Opens daily, 8am-12pm.
Empress Market
This is a good entrée into the wet market scene if you’re a newbie to this style of shopping. It’s frequented by a lot of expats who live in the area, so the stallholders offer a mix of east meets west produce. You’ll be able to find everything you need here for your weekly meal plans.
What it’s known for: A good all-rounder where you can also get your meat prepared just how you like it: de-boned, chopped, minced and more.
Stall to check out: Stall #01-03’s friendly owners sell fresh chicken parts (try the black chicken for its natural health properties).
Empress Market, 7 Empress Road, Singapore 260007. Opens daily (except Mondays), 8am-12pm.
Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre
What do you find in a wet market situated in the Malay Heritage District? Malay and halal supplies of course! Pork is not on offer here and just be prepared for crowds if you visit during Ramadan.
What it’s known for: More obscure types of malay vegetables and a wide array of herbs like petai, a Malay bean, and bakawali, a herb used to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. Ask the herb sellers for curry-cooking tips!
Stall to check out: Stock up your spice cupboard at BB Spices (#01-166).
Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre, 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001. Opens daily, 6:30am-12pm.
Jurong Fishery Port
Put on the wellies for this one, and bring along your passport/ID (seriously). Our advice: go between 2am to 4am to get in on all the action, and the freshest seafood in Singapore.
What it’s known for: Local and imported seafood from catch to you with no middleman in between. This also means you’re getting next to near wholesale prices.
Stalls to check out: Pan’s Fish has a great selection of imported seafood from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Song Fish Dealer stocks uncommon types of fish, like black cod and Spanish mackerel. They also have a delivery service if you really can’t face waking up that early.
Jurong Fishery Port, Fishery Port Road, Singapore 619742. Opens daily (except Mondays from 2am-6am), 24 hours a day.
Tiong Bahru Wet Market
Tiong Bahru might be popular for hip eateries and old-school architecture, but the wet market is the heart of this gentrified enclave. It’s not too big, not too small, clean and open – a good one if you want to bring the kids along for an adventure.
What it’s known for: A vast selection of seasonal produce, tofu plus Aussie and New Zealand beef. Don’t forget to pick up a bunch of fresh blooms on your way out at the flower stall – ginger flowers and orchids are a bargain.
Stall to check out: Zenxin Organic at stall #01-194/95 sells a range of organic veggies, which are snapped up quickly every morning by industrious marketgoers.
Tiong Bahru Wet Market, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898. Opens daily, 8am-12pm.
Tekka Centre
Smacked right in the middle of Little India, this market is colourful. It can also be an assault on the senses, so brace yourself.
What it’s known for: A wide selection of fresh vegetables (think endive, arugula, vine-ripened tomatoes), Indian spices, and coconut shredded on the spot.
Stalls to check out: Chia’s Vegetable Supply always has an abundance of seasonal and imported vegetables. Victor speaks a variety of languages and is very helpful. Head to Joe’s Butchery for good quality beef and lamb.
Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Road, Tekka Centre, Singapore 210665. Opens daily, 6:30am-9:30am.
Images: Choo Yut Shing’s Flickr