Geylang Serai

Malay Magic

Geylang Serai is another predominantly Malay precinct in Singapore, and has been so since the mid-nineteenth century when ethnic Malays and Indonesians arrived here to work at its processing factories and farms.

In the Malay Village, you’ll be able to get your hands on ethnic handicrafts, traditional Malay costumes and various other souvenirs, in addition to being able to enjoy Javanese and Malay performances during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The other landmark is the Geylang Serai Market, which recently replaced its old long-standing predecessor on the same spot with a sparkling new two-floor complex. The market sells some of the freshest produce and poultry in Singapore, and it also has a large selection of hawker stalls selling the best Malay and Indian-Muslim dishes around.

If you’re hungry, have some teh tarik (frothy milk tea), munch on some lovely kuihs (Malay desserts) or have some delicious nasi padang (rice with a mixed selection of dishes) here. There are also a couple of mid-range shopping centres in the area where you can pick up clothes or something for the home; the Tanjong Katong Shopping Complex and City Plaza are just a short walking distance from Paya Lebar MRT station, and the latter is a hub for Indonesians working in Singapore, who throng the place on weekends to lend it a cheery atmosphere. Needless to say, the Indonesian food outlets and eateries here are something worth writing home about.