Tekka Centre

What Tekka Centre is

Tekka Centre is a functioning public market complex, not a themed food hall. The main level combines a wet market with a hawker centre; upper levels hold shops selling textiles, clothing and other everyday goods. It sits at the edge of Little India beside Little India MRT station.

The current complex replaced the original Tekka Market across the road. That earlier market opened in 1915; after the replacement building was known as Zhujiao Centre, it was renamed Tekka Centre in 2000. The name recalls the bamboo that once grew beside Rochor Canal.

Eat at the hawker centre

South Asian cooking is the centre’s defining strength, but the stalls are not limited to one cuisine. Walk a full circuit before choosing, then order directly at each counter and take your food to the shared tables.

Useful starting points include:

• Briyani: Allauddin’s Briyani serves spice-seasoned basmati rice with chicken, mutton or fish curry, plus papadums.
• Tandoor breads and curries: Delhi Lahori is known for naan baked in its tandoor, alongside kebabs and curries.
• Beyond Indian food: Chinese and Malay options share the hall; braised duck rice is a longstanding alternative.

Queues and stall hours vary. Go earlier in the day for the broadest choice, especially if the wet market is part of the visit. Halal options are available, but check the individual stall’s certification if that matters to you.

Shop the market and upper floors

The wet market is Singapore’s largest indoor wet market, with fresh produce, spices and dried goods. It is primarily a place for local grocery shopping, so expect fish, meat, vegetables and ingredients rather than souvenir displays.

Upstairs, browse for saris, fabrics, ready-made clothing and tailoring services. This is the practical counterpoint to the food hall: Tekka works because shoppers, stallholders and diners use the same building throughout the day.

Getting there and house rules

Address: 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665. Little India MRT (NE7/DT12) is the closest station; the centre is a short walk away. The Tekka Centre bus stop also serves the area.

There is no admission charge. Individual traders set their own operating hours, so do not treat the complex as a single all-day venue.

Important: return used trays, crockery and litter to the designated stations after eating. This is mandatory at Singapore hawker centres. Shared tables are normal; buy from different stalls and eat together.