About Tekka Centre
Tekka Centre is a prominent hawker centre, wet market and shopping complex located at 665 Buffalo Road in Little India, within the Rochor planning area of Singapore. Originally established as Tek Kha Market in 1915 and relocated to its current building in 1982, it is known for its multicultural food stalls offering Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisine, fresh produce and traditional Indian apparel and goods, serving as a central community hub for Little India.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large two-storey complex with a bustling ground-floor wet market selling fresh produce, seafood, meats and spices, a vibrant hawker centre with around 80-90 food stalls serving Indian, Chinese and Malay dishes, and upper-level shops selling traditional Indian clothing, textiles, jewellery and household goods. The environment is lively, colourful and crowded, especially during lunch hours and weekends, reflecting the multicultural character of Little India.
Key highlights
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Large hawker centre with diverse Indian, Chinese and Malay food stalls including biryani, dosa, roti prata and Chinese vegetarian dishes
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Traditional wet market on ground floor selling fresh vegetables, seafood, meats and spices
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Shops selling Indian ethnic wear, sarees, fabrics, jewellery and tailoring services
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Central landmark of Little India and important community gathering place
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Affordable local food and shopping experience in airy, open-plan market halls
History of Tekka Centre
The original Tekka Market was built in 1915 at the corner of Serangoon Road and Buffalo Road. Its name derives from Hokkien 'Tek Kia Kha' meaning 'foot of the small bamboos' referring to bamboo plants that once grew there. The market was demolished in 1982 and vendors moved to the current Tekka Centre building at 665 Buffalo Road, which was officially opened in the 1980s and remains one of Singapore's most well-known traditional markets.
Culture & Context
Tekka Centre is a cultural landmark of Little India and a showcase of Singapore's multicultural hawker heritage. It serves the Indian community with traditional foods, spices, clothing and services, while also hosting Chinese and Malay stalls, reflecting inter-ethnic coexistence. It is recognized as a key community hub for daily shopping, dining and social gathering in Little India.