Tekka Centre, Chinatown Travel Guide

Free Guide: Dive into Little India's chaotic heart at Tekka Centre, where hawker stalls serve Michelin-worthy biryanis, curries, and multicultural bites amid wet markets and heritage shops.

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Tekka Centre

A brief summary of Tekka Centre

Dive into Little India's chaotic heart at Tekka Centre, where hawker stalls serve Michelin-worthy biryanis, curries, and multicultural bites amid wet markets and heritage shops.

Tekka Centre is a vibrant hawker centre, wet market, and shopping hub in Singapore's Little India, offering authentic multi-ethnic cuisine, fresh produce, and cultural immersion at budget prices next to Little India MRT.

0.5–2 hrsTime to spend
Indoor & outdoorSetting
5 / 5Mobile signal

On-site amenities

  • Food options
  • Drink options
  • Restrooms
  • Seating areas
  • Trash bins
4.2 Very good · 21,965 Google reviews
Address
665 Buffalo Road Zhujiao Centre, Tekka, Market, 210665

Getting there

MRT

Little India MRT (NE7), 1-min walk; S$1-2 fare, frequent trains every 3-5 mins.

Bus

Buses 23, 64, 65, 66, 67, 131 at nearby stops; S$1-2, 5-10 mins from city centre.

Taxi/Ride-share

Grab/taxi from Orchard or CBD; S$10-15, 10-15 mins, underground parking available.

Discover more about Tekka Centre

History and Evolution

Established in 1915 as Kandang Kerbau for buffalo pens and slaughterhouses, Tekka Centre evolved into a multi-use complex with a wet market, food centre, and shops. Renamed in 2000 to reflect its heritage, it underwent major renovations in 2008-2009 and remains a landmark where Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities converge.

Hawker Centre Highlights

The ground-floor hawker centre buzzes with stalls serving Indian vegetarian meals on banana leaves, North Indian curries, Chinese vegetarian dishes, Malay food, Sri Lankan specialties like mango curry, and Michelin-recognized spots such as Allauddin's Briyani and Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice. Expect robust biryanis scented with ghee, succulent braised duck, tandoor naan, and keema for around S$6.

Wet Market and Shopping

Upstairs, the wet market offers fresh Sri Lankan crabs, Indian vegetables, and seafood. Shops sell traditional Indian costumes, casual clothes, Taoist and Buddhist items, hardware, and tailoring services. The lively atmosphere blends cultures with Tamil-speaking Chinese vendors and vice versa.

Location and Accessibility

Situated at 665 Buffalo Road in Little India, it's steps from Little India MRT, with underground parking and taxi stands. Open daily from 6:30am to 9pm, it thrives amid nearby temples, heritage sites, and festive lights.

Cultural Significance

As a multicultural hub, Tekka Centre embodies Singapore's food paradise, drawing locals and visitors for affordable, generational recipes in a chaotic yet welcoming space rich with spice aromas and communal dining.

Evendo Review Centre

Reviews from Google
By star rating

Guest reviews

Best time to go

Quietest: Jan, Apr & May · at 1am or at 2am or at 3am

How busy it gets, month by month Estimated
  1. Jan: 60% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  2. Feb: 70% of the busiest month
  3. Mar: 60% of the busiest month
  4. Apr: 50% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  5. May: 50% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  6. Jun: 60% of the busiest month
  7. Jul: 70% of the busiest month
  8. Aug: 70% of the busiest month
  9. Sep: 80% of the busiest month
  10. Oct: 90% of the busiest month
  11. Nov: 100% of the busiest month
  12. Dec: 80% of the busiest month
How busy it gets, hour by hour Estimated
  1. 12am: 20% of the busiest hour
  2. 1am: 10% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  3. 2am: 10% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  4. 3am: 10% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  5. 4am: 10% of the busiest hour
  6. 5am: 20% of the busiest hour
  7. 6am: 50% of the busiest hour
  8. 7am: 70% of the busiest hour
  9. 8am: 80% of the busiest hour
  10. 9am: 60% of the busiest hour
  11. 10am: 50% of the busiest hour
  12. 11am: 70% of the busiest hour
  13. 12pm: 90% of the busiest hour
  14. 1pm: 80% of the busiest hour
  15. 2pm: 60% of the busiest hour
  16. 3pm: 50% of the busiest hour
  17. 4pm: 60% of the busiest hour
  18. 5pm: 80% of the busiest hour
  19. 6pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  20. 7pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  21. 8pm: 90% of the busiest hour
  22. 9pm: 70% of the busiest hour
  23. 10pm: 40% of the busiest hour
  24. 11pm: 30% of the busiest hour

Busy times are Evendo estimates for a typical year, to help you plan. Actual crowds vary with events, school holidays and the weather.

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