Shopping at a wet market in Singapore has never been too difficult for me. I have been a homemaker for over 9 years so sharing a few of those which I have visited could be a great idea.
I have learnt the art of buying at a wet market from my mother. I used to stay in the Queenstown area so naturally, the nearest wet market at Meiling Street makes sense. My mother shows me which stall at this market offers the best in terms of price and quality. I got lost during my first few visits to the wet market but eventually got better. Which stall do I pick? Does it offer the best price? But I notice that most stall owners recognise me by the second time I visit them. Sometimes even pause and call out to me. I have an experience which a fishmonger remembers me after I bought from him just once.
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| A Busy Shop Selling Dry Goods in Meiling Wet Market |
Over time, I have learnt that different wet markets in Singapore offer different prices and even food quality. My husband used to quip, "Just buy from the one closest to us! The petrol which you use to travel to another market would cost more." I tried that but I notice that the prices difference is too much for a big household like mine. I easily spent S$400 to S$600 on the fresh food alone, excluding times when I have guests. The Farrer market at Queens Road sells fresh food (comparable to Tiong bahru market, I will write a bit more later on) but the prices are steep. The white promfret sold in this market costs $20 to $25 as compared to the same one at the Meiling wet market which costs only S$11. Vegetables in the Farrer Market are also fresher but twice the price you pay at the Meiling Street market.
It is a very popular market as it is nestled in an estate of HDB and landed houses. I decided that I will only market there if I need something in a hurry or run out of time. For regular marketing, I still buy from Meiling street market. My neighbour does the same at the Ang Mo Kio market where she used to live.
You can get very fresh food from the popular wet market at Tiong Bahru. I like the fish stalls especially but I need to get up early just to get the best. The cheaper and good fishes will be sold out by 8 or 9am. I notice however that the prices are higher in Tiong Bahru except one fish stall. The pork stall which I like sells pork loin at S$13/kg but the one at Meiling Street sells at S$11/kg (approx figure) in the same season. If you have to travel to it just to get your daily freshies, it might not worth the trip. However, I like to visit it when I host guests at home. I like the best fish for my guests. Travelling a bit further is worth it.
I also have a brief experience to buy at Holland Village wet market (the one next to the carpark). It is a very quiet wet market with few stalls. In the beginning, I was very impressed by the stall selling pork. After a few trips, I notice that she does not like to disclose the itemised prices for me so I stop visiting her. I like to get my fruits there as they are fresh and good. However, I won't make a special trip to do my marketing there now.
It is a very popular market as it is nestled in an estate of HDB and landed houses. I decided that I will only market there if I need something in a hurry or run out of time. For regular marketing, I still buy from Meiling street market. My neighbour does the same at the Ang Mo Kio market where she used to live.
You can get very fresh food from the popular wet market at Tiong Bahru. I like the fish stalls especially but I need to get up early just to get the best. The cheaper and good fishes will be sold out by 8 or 9am. I notice however that the prices are higher in Tiong Bahru except one fish stall. The pork stall which I like sells pork loin at S$13/kg but the one at Meiling Street sells at S$11/kg (approx figure) in the same season. If you have to travel to it just to get your daily freshies, it might not worth the trip. However, I like to visit it when I host guests at home. I like the best fish for my guests. Travelling a bit further is worth it.
I also have a brief experience to buy at Holland Village wet market (the one next to the carpark). It is a very quiet wet market with few stalls. In the beginning, I was very impressed by the stall selling pork. After a few trips, I notice that she does not like to disclose the itemised prices for me so I stop visiting her. I like to get my fruits there as they are fresh and good. However, I won't make a special trip to do my marketing there now.
I have also heard a lot about Tekka market but have never done my marketing there. It is such a popular market for my expatriates friends. I visited the Sheng Siong in Tekka and my experience was fantastic. Loads of fresh food and great pricing. Only a bit too far off from where I stay now.
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