Little India walk: Tekka, Mustafa & Sri Veeramakaliamman
Serangoon Road is the one Singapore neighbourhood that feels like home and runs like Singapore: a 1982 wet market with the city's best biryani and SGD 2 dosai, an 1855 Kali temple that is a national monument, and Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour department store where Indians buy gold, electronics and spices at the same till. It is a free three-hour walk between Little India and Farrer Park MRT, best in the morning or during the Deepavali light-up from October.
Do I need a ticket?Entry is free; one paid option if you want more.
- The walk, Tekka Centre, temple and MustafaFreeFree; temple asks shoes off and covered shoulders
- Indian Heritage Centre₹600SGD 8 tourist adult; free for Singaporeans and PRs; closed Mondays
Checked 26 Oct 2026 against Indian Heritage Centre — official site ↗
When should I go?8–11am: Tekka stalls are all open and the temple's morning pooja is on.
Avoid: sunday evening unless you want the crowd — Serangoon Road is the week's social night for South Asian workers and moves at a shuffle.
Tekka Centre 665 Buffalo Road, daily 6:30am–9pm; stalls set their own hours.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple 141 Serangoon Road: STB lists 5:30am–9:30pm; Time Out lists a 2–4pm break — go before 1pm or after 5pm.
Mustafa Centre 145 Syed Alwi Road, 24 hours daily since Sept 2024.
Deepavali 2026 is 8 Nov — Serangoon Road lights 7pm–midnight from 3 Oct, Festival Village on Campbell Lane 10 Oct–8 Nov.
What should I see?Three things, in this order.
- Tekka CentreAllauddin's biryani and a SGD 2 masala dosai in the same hall — the wet market behind sells banana leaves and jasmine
- Sri Veeramakaliamman TempleKali in a gopuram of Tamil deities; it sheltered the neighbourhood through WWII air raids
- Mustafa Centre at midnightGold counters, saree floors and a forex desk open at 2am — Indians come to shop, not to look
How do I get there?MRT: Little India.
Any tips before I go?Start at Little India MRT (NE7/DT12), exit into Tekka Centre, walk north on Serangoon Road, finish at Mustafa and Farrer Park MRT (NE8).
- Start at Little India MRT (NE7/DT12), exit into Tekka Centre, walk north on Serangoon Road, finish at Mustafa and Farrer Park MRT (NE8).
- Eat at Tekka before 11am; the famous stalls sell out by lunch.
- Shoes off, shoulders and knees covered at the temple; photos are allowed, stay out of the worshippers' line.
- Mustafa prices are fixed and tax is in — claim the tourist GST refund at the airport with your passport if you spend over SGD 100.
What should I carry?Small cash for Tekka stalls.
- Small cash for Tekka stalls — many are cash-only
- Socks or slip-ons for the temple floor
- Passport if you are buying at Mustafa — needed for the GST refund
- A tote bag; Mustafa does not sell sarees in airline-friendly packaging
Where can I eat?For veg food: Tekka Centre.
Everything here is halal or Hindu veg-friendly — Jain travellers should still ask about onion and garlic at Tekka.
Anything else worth knowing?Indian Heritage Centre at 5 Campbell Lane tells the story of the Tamil, Sikh and Sindhi communities that built this street.
- Indian Heritage Centre at 5 Campbell Lane tells the story of the Tamil, Sikh and Sindhi communities that built this street — 10am–6pm, closed Mondays.
- Mustafa's electronics floor is where Singapore-resident Indians buy phones; compare with Indian prices online before you assume a deal.