Page 68 - Our Hawker Stories

Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre is one of
Singapore’s busiest and most culturally rich hawker
centres, making it a lively haven. Opened in 1964, the
market is housed in a traditional malay kampong-style
building, offering visitors a glimpse into malay heritage
and cuisine. Not only that, but did you know Geylang
Serai has a few unique qualities not many hawker
centres have? These include the exclusive and rarely
found malay and middle eastern ingredients used in the
dishes and the authentic festive and vibrant atmosphere
during ramadan. The food centre, which is open from 8
am to 10 pm, houses a wide variety of cuisines and rich
cultural influences.

Examples of foods served at Geylang Serai are: mee
rebus, apam balik, biryani, chendol and roti john. A few
stalls are famous for their food at Geylang Serai. One of
them is Alrahman Kitchen, which is known for its mee “Geylang Serai isn’t just about delicious food
rebus and gado gado. It serves up rich, flavourful malay
dishes that keep customers coming back. Aside from — it’s where spices, stories, and traditions
food, the market has stalls selling batik textiles, songkok, come together to keep Singapore’s Malay
and traditional kebaya dresses - items rarely found in heritage alive.”
other hawker centres. Its historic roots and immersive
malay experience truly make it one of a kind.
Arjun Vibin
Hawker centres like Geylang Serai Market are more than P5 Emerald
just places to eat - they are part of Singapore’s identity. Punggol Cove Primary School
They bring communities together, preserve cultural
traditions, and keep heritage alive through food. As
the city evolves, these places remain a link to the past,
reminding us that food is not just about nourishment,
but about connection and history. So the next time you
visit a hawker centre, remember - it’s more than just
food - it’s a piece of Singapore’s culture and heritage.

64 Our Hawker Stories