Singapore/Little India

From Halal Explorer

origin=0.6,0 Little India is, as the name promises and the centre for the large Indian community in Singapore. While a rather sanitized version of the India|real thing, Little India retains its distinct identity without degenerating into a mere tourist attraction and is one of the most colourful and attractive places to visit in Singapore.

Travel to Singapore/Little India

SriVeeramakaliamman_Roof_Detail - Detail of the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple

The North-East MRT line's Little India and Farrer Park stations, near Serangoon Road, are convenient entry points into the area. Bugis station on the East-West line is also within walking distance (see Singapore/Bugis|Bugis). The new Downtown line stops at Little India and Rochor.

Getting taxis in Little India can be difficult, especially at weekends. It's best to either book by phone or head to the major roads on the edges to flag one down.

How to get around in Singapore/Little India

Little India's main drag is Serangoon Road, which starts at Rochor Canal Road and continues northward to Serangoon itself. The action is tightly concentrated a few blocks on either side of the road, and can be easily covered on foot.

What to see in Singapore/Little India

Little India's primary attraction is the neighborhood itself. Here too you can find the gaily painted shophouses that are an icon of Singapore, but now most of the Chinese signs (almost) disappear to be replaced with Tamil, Hindi, Bengali and other Indian scripts. Stores hawk saris and Gold bangles, spices and incense waft in from the doorways and Bollywood's latest soundtracks blare from every other alleyway.

  • Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple - Little India's busiest and oldest temple, dating back to 1881 — although the present structure was completed in 1986. The temple is particularly busy on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays so you should pick other days.

Best things to do in Singapore/Little India

The most extreme thing to do in Little India is to join the festival of Thaipusam, held yearly during the full moon in the lunar month of (Thai) (usually Jan/Feb). Male devotees attach ornate shrines to their flesh with piercing hooks known as kavadi and walk across town in a day-long procession. Female devotees usually just carry a pot of milk on their head and join the procession. The procession starts from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road and proceeds to the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple at Tank Road.

Around Deepavali and the Hindu festival of light, Serangoon Road is festively decorated (with lights, of course!) and open-air markets are set up to sell Deepavali goodies. Like Thaipusam and the exact date is set by the lunar calendar, but it takes place in October/November and is a public holiday. Near the beginning of Deepavali and the fire-walking festival of Thimithi is held, in which many male devotees walk across a platform of burning coal. Although the actual fire-walking takes place at the Sri Mariammam temple in Singapore/Chinatown|Chinatown and the procession starts at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road and makes its way to Chinatown early in the morning where the fire-walking commences.

A more low-key event happens every Sunday evening when a half-million workers from the subcontinent throng the streets of Little India to hang out on their day off. Most of the crowd is friendly enough, but inevitably a few get into drunken fights and there's a heavy police presence about to keep an eye on things.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Singapore/Little India

The central streets of Little India are packed with stalls selling all sorts of Indian goods. Two giant shopping centres, however, are unique not just in Little India but all of Singapore:

Mustafa Centre - Mustafa Centre

  • Mustafa Centre - 145 Syed Alwi Road 1.309722, 103.855833 off Serangoon Rood near Farrer Park MRT ☎ +65 6295 5855 | Singapore's supreme discount department store: floor after floor of absolutely everything at what some say are rock-bottom prices, ranging from Rolex watches and washing machines to fresh mangoes, bags of lentils, tailored suits and airline tickets. Open 24 hours; the exchange counters in front are probably the best place in Singapore to exchange any currency you can think of (and many you can't) at competitive rates. Mustafa Centre also offers travel, hotel reservation and visa assistance services. There are now many mini-Mustafa outlets scattered along Serangoon Road, but the original and by far the largest is the one facing Syed Alwi Rd.
  • Tekka Market - Tekka Centre | Little India is a cacophony of vehicle horns, bicycle bells and the vibrant chatter of its residents. This explosion of sights, smells and sounds in Tekka Market is only a short walk from Little India MRT Station. Tekka (as it is locally known), has a plethora of stalls selling Indian, (Malay) and Chinese food that draws crowds from all over Singapore. There’s also a wet market stocked with the freshest vegetables, Meat, fish, spices and flowers. Also available are souvenirs such as brass oil lamps and pots, or fresh garlands of jasmine, whose scent is signature aroma of Little India.
  • The Verge Shopping Mall - Little India's first air-conditioned shopping mall. In the process of being re-branded as the IT-oriented The Verge in a bid to compete with Sim Lim, just around the junction. Sheng Siong hypermarket occupies the 2 basement levels of the mall and there are travel agencies on the first and second floor. The ground floor houses ethnic Indian wear, F&B outlets and services. The fifth floor houses a collection of craft and florist shops. The retail shops are complemented with service providers. The adjoining block Chill The Verge is largely occupied by nightclub entertainment, a tattoo shop on the ground level and parking facilities on levels 3 to 7.
  • Sim Lim Plaza - Not actually in Little India but right across the street, Sim Lim is Singapore's Tokyo / Akihabara|Akihabara, a giant electronics area squeezed into one building, with hundreds upon hundreds of tightly packed specialist stores. Some competitive prices can be found here on computer parts, but consumer electronics and cameras are not particularly affordable in comparison with large on-line retailers, and a good number of shops on the first and second floors engage in scamming tourists and wrecking their holidays. Upon stepping in, immediately skip the first and second floors (a big tourist trap) and start shopping at floors 4-5, descending to 3 later, not forgetting the back corridors - these are the only places to consider shopping. To reiterate, avoid the first and second floor shops as many of them have a tendency to grossly overcharge or cheat tourists by means of pricing tricks (omitting tax, selling included accessories separately, adding unilateral fees, and similar misleading or deceptive tactics) and the occasional outright substitution fraud; unless you know exactly what you're doing and/or need something unusual, you might want to shop at Mustafa instead. The third floors and above are the real haven for computer geeks looking for affordable bargains and to upgrade or put together a system; grab price lists from the Sim Lim entrance and do your on-line price research. Sim Lim Tower, just across the street, also has a few shops but these focus on electronic components; it pales in comparison sizewise.
  • Little India Arcade | A narrow pathway through a cluster of restored shophouses, filled to the brim with Indian clothing, accessories, incense and a rather good Indian sweet shop at (#01-16).

Halal Restaurants in Singapore/Little India

Waiter and there's a fish head in my curry|One speciality of Little India is fish head curry, a uniquely Singaporean dish. It's one of the stranger-sounding and admittedly stranger-looking dishes around: no, you don't eat the head itself, but there's plenty of Meat to be found inside as the head in question barely fits on a plate! Cooked so long that it falls apart when poked at, just dig in and pile up the bones on your table. Eyeballs are not eaten, but the Chinese think the connective tissue behind it is the best part of the dish.

There are two types of fish head Curries in Singapore, Chinese and Indian. Little India's fish head places unsurprisingly mostly serve the Indian kind, which is usually spicy and hot. Most specialty restaurants are on or near Race Course Rd, conveniently located between the Little India and Farrer Park MRT stations.|}}

The thing to eat Halal in Little India is obviously Indian food. Both southern and northern cuisines are well represented, food is affordable even by Singaporean standards, portions are generous and vegetarians in particular will have a field day. Note that these are authentic Indian places and people around you will be eating the way Indians do, namely India#Eating by hand|by hand — it's best to shed your inhibitions and dig in, although cutlery can be provided on request.

  • Balaji Bhawan - formerly Sagar Ratna | Opened in the second half of 2005. Franchisee of a South Indian restaurant from Delhi, and serves up decent fare for reasonable prices. Set meals ($7-10) are good value, ordering a la carte will cost you more. The rasam (spicy lentil soup) in particular never fails to impress. Strictly pure Vegetarian.
  • Jaggis North Indian Cuisine - Caters to meat-eaters too with a selection of tandoori dishes. Set meals available, or mix and match at the counter.
  • Komala Vilas - A Singaporean institution featuring purely Vegetarian Indian food and the masala dosa here is epic. Downstairs is fast food, head up for restaurant-style seating and serving. Sets start at less than $3 and even the largest platter of breads and dips will cost less than $7. Note that gourmands prefer the original outlet over the many franchised fast-food copies, and that not all dishes are available all day. South Indian set meal upstairs is $6.50 with top-ups.
  • Madras New Woodlands - his restaurant found in a slightly more quieter part of Little India (since it lies on one of the side streets) is a pure south Indian Vegetarian restaurant. Special dishes to try here are the "Keera Adai" (which is a type of South Indian pancake with spinach inside) and sambhar Vadai. Other dishes like the dosa, vadai and idli are also excellent for the price here.
  • Saravana Bhavan - The Singapore branch of a restaurant chain from Chennai, serving up Vegetarian Indian food. Get a massive set lunch for $4.80 or just order your favorites for a few dollars a piece. Try the rava dosa, a steal at $2.60.
  • Banana Leaf Apolo - A well-known place for all sorts of South Indian food; no prizes for guessing what serves as the plate. Most visitors come here for the fish head Curries, even the "small" size is enough for 3-4 and will cost you $18, plus $2.50 a head for Rice, pappadams and dips.
  • Bismillah Biryani - The most famous biryani restaurant in Singapore.
  • Khansama - Cheap coffeeshop-style eats downstairs (under $5) and a midrange air-con restaurant upstairs (mains $5-10). Generous portions if you don't mind their agents. Best known for its tandoori dishes and a wide selection of chaat appetizers.
  • Lagnaa - Delicious Indian food from a very friendly owner. Upstairs is barefoot only with a very relaxed atmosphere. Offers cooking courses and also a "slave" deal: work for 3h to have one wish granted.
  • Muthus Curries - Muthu's has a respectable claim to coming up with the idea of fish head curry; now run by the founder's son, this shop continues to draw the crowds.

Little India has quite a few sarabat stalls offering local drinks, especially teh tarik ("pulled tea", a Malaysian variant of sweet, milky Indian chai), also available in iced. A particularly popular one can be found at the intersection of Perak and Dunlop Rds, next to the mosque.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Singapore/Little India

Singapore/Little India - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Singapore/Little India, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Singapore/Little India. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Singapore/Little India and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Singapore/Little India. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Singapore/Little India. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSingapore/Little India: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Singapore/Little India.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Singapore/Little India: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Singapore/Little India, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Singapore/Little India.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Singapore/Little India, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Singapore/Little India, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Singapore/Little India and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Singapore/Little India, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Singapore/Little India, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Singapore/Little India without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Singapore/Little India is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Singapore/Little India.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Singapore/Little India is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Singapore/Little India, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Singapore/Little India Media: info@ehalal.io


Muslim Friendly Hotels

Sign Barbershop - Barbershop sign in Tamil Along with neighboring Singapore/Bugis|Bugis, Little India is Singapore's backpacker neighborhood and has many hostels offering affordable lodging, as well as some of the most affordable hotels in town. Note that some of the affordable hotels around Desker Road cater to the sex trade.

  • s.ehalal.io//2023-09-08&checkOut=2023-06-09&14085&&The+Claremont+Hotel&hotelId=361656&&.Zz66345636 bc634d2f8a7bdcb-206204 Claremont Hotel - Recently renovated mid-range hotel, around the junction from Mustafa. Worst hotel rated in Singapore and overpriced too for its rating. Chaotic hotel next to Mustapha Centre.


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