Backpackers’ Singapore: A 4-Day, 3-Night Easy Metro Adventure

 

The Little India Arcade (Little India Arcade) is packed with all kinds of shops, offering food, drinks, entertainment, and more. Since you're here, you’ve got to embrace your shopping instincts and have a great time browsing. Indian patches, bangles, and saris are must-buys in Little India. But there’s a golden rule when shopping here: don’t be too impulsive. Although prices aren’t steep, there’s actually plenty of room for bargaining. In fact, if you hesitate even slightly, vendors may lower the price on their own. So the shopping strategy is simple—don’t show too much interest.

 

Transportation: Take the MRT North East Line (NE) and get off at Little India Station (NE7, Little India) or Farrer Park Station (NE8, Farrer Park).

Located in Little India, Tekka Market (Tekka Market) is just a short walk from the MRT exit and near the main bus station. The market offers a variety of snacks, and behind it is a traditional wet market selling fresh produce, meats, seafood, and daily necessities. In the hawker center of Tekka Market, you can queue up with locals and try the popular Indian yellow turmeric rice. There are also many stalls selling drinks in plastic bags—that’s Indian yogurt, essentially unsweetened yoghurt. Though quite sour, it’s very healthy.

 

Transportation: Take the MRT North East Line (NE) and get off at Little India Station (NE7, Little India) or Farrer Park Station (NE8, Farrer Park).

Due to poor living conditions in the early days, the only clean water source was from a well on Spring Street. People would use ox carts to transport water home from there—this is how the local Chinatown got its name “Ox Cart Water” (Chinatown).Lined with rows of shophouses in various colors and unique architectural styles, the area presents a distinctive street scene. Strolling through it slowly, you can explore traditional Chinese medicine shops, bakeries, dried meats, and antique stores, immersing yourself in the nostalgic vibes of southern China. Additionally, the nearby Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic temples in Chinatown are a microcosm of the area’s multicultural harmony—definitely not to be missed.

 

Transportation: Take the MRT North East Line (NE) and get off at Chinatown Station (NE4, Chinatown).

Peranakan cuisine, which blends Malay and Chinese flavors, is known for its rich variety of spices, and each dish’s Malay name can be quite dazzling. But one thing is certain—its taste is absolutely delicious. Authentic Peranakan dishes tend to be spicy, often using ingredients like coconut milk, lemongrass, shrimp paste, and old ginger. Restaurants specializing in Peranakan food often feature retro decor, using vintage Chinese ornaments and calligraphy, creating a lively and colorful atmosphere. Blue Ginger is a very traditional and authentic Peranakan restaurant. Though not large in size, the entire restaurant is decorated with wood, giving it a simple and elegant feel. Thanks to its authentic flavors and classic decor, it has been featured in numerous domestic and international media, making it a well-known spot.

 

Address: 97 Tanjong Pagar Rd.

Transportation: Take the MRT East West Line (EW) and get off at Paya Lebar Station (EW8, Paya Lebar).