From Tiong Bahru to Tekka Centre, here's your guide to the best wet markets in Singapore — what to buy, where to go, and how to shop like a local.
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 markets in Singapore! These pungent and produce-laden emporiums are not new; in fact they’re a Singapore institution that needs your support. But Singapore’s wet markets can be a bit daunting if you don’t know where to go or what to look for. So, here’s a run-down on a few of our favourite wet markets and stalls in Singapore. Happy hunting!
Best wet market for newcomers to Singapore: Empress Market, Tiong Bahru Wet Market
Best wet market for halal and Malay produce: Geylang Serai Market
Best wet market for Chinese cooking and CNY prep: Chinatown Wet Market
Best wet market for fresh seafood: Jurong Fishery Port, Chinatown Wet Market
Best wet market to visit with kids: Tiong Bahru Wet Market, Tekka Centre
Best for an immersive Singapore cultural experience: Tekka Centre, Geylang Serai Market
The best wet markets in Singapore
Empress Market
A good entry point into wet market shopping in Singapore, particularly if you’re new to it. Located near Farrer Road MRT, this mid-sized market is popular with expats and locals alike, and the stall owners tend to be helpful and English-speaking. It’s an all-rounder: you’ll find everything you need for the week’s meal prep here, and most butchers will de-bone, chop or mince meat to order.
What it’s known for: Fresh chicken (look out for black chicken, prized for its natural health properties), quality meat preparation, and a relaxed atmosphere that won’t overwhelm first-timers.
Stalls to check out: Stall #01-03’s friendly owners sell fresh chicken parts (try the black chicken for its natural health properties).
Where: 7 Empress Road, Singapore 260007. Opens daily (except Mondays), 8am-12pm.
Chinatown Wet Market
In the basement of the Chinatown Complex on Smith Street, this is one of Singapore’s largest and most atmospheric wet markets. It’s well-priced, particularly if you show some loyalty to smaller stallholders; return customers often get a little extra thrown in. Most produce is imported from Malaysia or sourced from farms near Kranji. Head to the back of the market to see live seafood preparation (fair warning: it’s not for the faint-hearted or the under-tens).
What it’s known for: Live seafood including cockles, lobsters, crabs, 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. Head upstairs to the Chinatown Complex Food Centre – a hawker centre that’s a bit of a maze but great for cooling down with a cup of fresh fruit juice or a snack.
Stalls to check out: Walk over to Anthony The SpiceMaker at 333 Kreta Ayer Road. Here you’ll find aromatic spices galore from this popular stall. And if you’ve got a teen who thinks wet markets are boring, you can head to the back where they prepare the frogs (be warned, it’s not pretty).
Where: Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335; Opens daily, 8am-12pm.
Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre
Located in the heart of the Malay Heritage District, this is the go-to wet market in Singapore for halal produce and Malay ingredients. No pork is sold here, and it gets busy, and brilliant around Muslim celebrations. The herb sellers in particular are a wealth of knowledge if you’re learning to cook Malay or Indonesian food.
What it’s known for: Unusual Malay vegetables like petai (a pungent Malay bean), medicinal herbs like bakawali, and a wide variety of fresh spices and curry ingredients.
Stalls to check out: BB Spices at #01-166 – it’ll help you stock up your spice cupboard.
Where: 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001. Opens daily, 6:30am-12pm.
Jurong Fishery Port
This one requires commitment: wellies over trainers, IC or passport for your access pass at the gate, and an alarm set for the middle of the night. Jurong Fishery Port is now Singapore’s only fishery port following the closure of Senoko, making it the definitive source for the freshest wholesale seafood on the island. The best time to go is Friday midnight into Saturday early morning, when you’ll find the widest selection, fish, live prawns, crabs and more. The market is usually very crowded after 3am. Buying in bulk is the norm here, so bring a cooler box.
What it’s known for: Local and imported seafood that’s come direct to you, fresh from the net – no middleman in between. It also means you’re getting next to near wholesale prices, but it also means you’ll have to buy in bulk.
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 deliver if you really can’t face waking up that early.
Tip:If navigating a 3am fishery port sounds daunting, Hidden Heritage Tours runs guided visits that give you safe access to the port’s inner workings and show you how to purchase seafood like a pro.
Where: Fishery Port Road, Singapore 619742. Opens daily (except Mondays from 1am-6am), 24 hours a day.
Tiong Bahru Wet Market
This hood may be famous for its cafes and Instagram-friendly prewar shophouses, but the Tiong Bahri wet market is the heart of this hip neighbourhood. It’s well-sized, clean, well-ventilated and genuinely pleasant to shop in; one of the better options in Singapore if you’re bringing young kids along for the experience.
What it’s known for: A vast selection of seasonal produce, tofu and 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.
Stalls to check out: Once you’ve finished your shop, you can head to level 2 for some lunch.
Where: 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898. Opens daily, 8am-12pm.
Tekka Centre
Right next to Little India MRT, Tekka Centre is one of Singapore’s most iconic and sensory-rich wet markets. The ground floor splits into two distinct worlds: a wet market on the eastern side where fishmongers, butchers and vegetable sellers operate from before dawn, and a hawker food centre on the western side where the breakfast crowd arrives before 7am. Come early, stay for breakfast, and explore the upper floors for Indian textiles, spices and Ayurvedic goods.
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.
Where: 665 Buffalo Road, Tekka Centre, Singapore 210665. Opens daily, 6:30am-9pm, the wet market portion winds down early afternoon.
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. What’s on offer is often cheaper and better quality, so plan meals around available produce or you may end up paying more than what you bargained for.
Bring a trolley
Yes, you might be bringing some major #auntievibes. But this upright basket on wheels is a handy thing at Singapore’s wet market and could save your back.
Wear sensible shoes
Although not all markets are literally ‘wet’, if you know you’re going to be buying seafood, it’s best not to go in heels or slippers.
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. Also, 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. Don’t just offer half the asking price.
So slip on some sensible shoes, grab that shopping trolley, withdraw some cash and get shopping at these wet markets in Singapore!
Photography (top image): Geylang Serai Market by Choo Yut Shing via Flickr
