Remember Tekka Centre’s old name, Kandang Kerbau. It meant buffalo pens in Malay. This name reflected the area’s past with slaughterhouses until the 1920s. Today, we know it as Tekka Centre a bustling hub in Little India.
Tekka Centre stands at the corner of Bukit Timah Road and Serangoon Road. It’s conveniently located next to the Little India MRT station. This multi-use complex has a wet market, a food center, and many shops. It is a true landmark.
The history of Tekka Centre is complex. Locals called the original market Tek Kia Kha. This Hokkien term meant foot of the small bamboos. Bamboo plants once grew by the Rochor Canal. Tek Kia Kha then morphed into Tekka Pasar where pasar is Malay for market. The government then renamed it Zhujiao Centre. But in 2000, it officially became Tekka Centre. This name reflects the history of the place.
Tekka Centre is more than just a market. It is a place where different ethnic communities meet. You might find Chinese stallholders speaking Tamil and vice versa. This shows Singapore’s multicultural spirit.
Inside Tekka Centre, you can find a variety of goods. Shops sell traditional Indian costumes and inexpensive casual clothes. Some notable shops offer Taoist and Buddhist items. You can also find hardware shops and tailors who can alter clothes quickly.
The hawker centre on the ground floor offers diverse culinary delights. You can savor Indian vegetarian meals served on banana leaves. Chinese vegetarian, North Indian, and Malay food are also available.
The wet market features fresh seafood, especially crabs from Sri Lanka. You will find many Chinese stalls selling vegetables from India. This mix reflects the global connections of Tekka Centre.
Tekka Centre underwent a significant renovation in 2008 and reopened in 2009. Little India’s first air-conditioned mall, Tekka Mall, opened in 2003 on the original market site.
Allauddin’s Briyani, established in 1968, is a Michelin Guide-selected stall. It offers flavorful basmati rice cooked with ghee, onions, and cashews. Diners can choose chicken, mutton, or fish with their briyani. It comes with pickled cucumbers and vegetable dhal.
Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice is another notable stall. It specializes in Teochew braising. Though goose is no longer served, the stall attracts long queues for its braised duck and pork belly.
Today, Tekka Centre remains a vital part of Little India. It is a place where cultures blend and traditions thrive. The mix of shops, food, and history makes Tekka Centre a unique destination. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history within these walls.