Little India, Singapore: Made by Originals

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

LITTLE INDIA, SINGAPORE

The dusty streets of Singapore’s Little India smack all five senses into overdrive

curated by

Wanderlust Hotel, Guest Experience Manager

Compared to the spotless and orderly shopping precinct of Orchard Road and the surrounding business district, the dusty streets of Singapore’s Little India smack all five senses into overdrive. Shop fronts are filled with scrolls of vibrant fabric – as colorful as the personalities that spill out onto the narrow laneways – and the thick air is filled with the unshakeable aroma of toasting spices. You feel as though you have been transported to another time and place, but you are still in Singapore – welcome to Little India.

SHOPPING
MUSTAFA CENTRE

Fancy a new Rolex watch while you are stocking up on fresh mangoes? If you need it, Mustafa has it. Open 24 hours, this dizzying multi-storied complex has a hectic market vibe and stocks everything from clothing and household items, to cheap and gimmicky gadgets you didn’t even know you needed. 145 Syed Alwi Road
S (207704)
+65 6295 5855
DINING
HAINAN CHICKEN RICE BALL

This style of serving chicken rice has been around since the 1960s, and is no longer common in Singapore. Despite its simple appearance, it shouldn’t be overlooked. Poached chicken and balls of rice are served with a bowl of the fragrant stock they have been cooked in, along with a selection of sauces: chili, ginger and dark soy. Shing Boon Hwa Food Centre
43 Jalan Besar
S (209518)
ART & CULTURE
AMRITA AYURVEDIC CENTRE

This traditional Indian massage center offers a variety of therapies to cure whatever ails you. Ranging from treatments to release tension and treat head to toe pains, to those using traditional herb pastes, oils, spices. 11 Upper Dickson Road
S (207471)
+65 6299 0642

AMRITA AYURVEDIC CENTRE
DINING
THE BANANA LEAF APOLLO RESTAURANT

One experience not to miss is eating your curry off a banana leaf. This place has one of the best fish head curries in town (a local specialty), but be warned: it is fiery hot. There are also plenty of Indian staples for the less adventurous. If you really want to fit in with the locals, eat with your hands, wash everything down with a refreshing lime juice and fold your banana leaf in half to signal you have finished. 48 Serangoon Road
#01-32 Little India Arcarde
S (217959)
+65 6297 1595
DINING
PENANG HOKKIEN MEE

Piping hot noodles served with a variety of toppings from sliced meat and pork ribs to fresh prawns soaked in prawn broth, this is a Singapore classic. Open 24 hours, this popular spot will satisfy your noodle needs at any time of the day. Shing Boon Hwa Food Centre
43 Jalan Besar
S (209518)
DINING
KOMALA VILLAS RESTAURANT

This is the best place for an authentic South Indian vegetarian meal in the neighborhood. The original branch along Serangoon Road offers a full range of sweets and savories and is a household name in Singapore. 76/78 Serangoon Road
S (217981)
+65 6293 6980