Where to get Deepavali snacks in Singapore

Also known as the festival of lights, Deepavali aka Diwali is a time for families to come together to light oil lamps and decorate their houses with colourful rangoli designs. After donning their newest Indian suits and saris, families get ready to welcome or visit extended family members.

And what better way to rekindle ties than over food? Whether you’re stocking up for relatives coming over or need a gift to bring visiting, here are some must-try Deepavali snacks in Singapore and where you can buy them.

1. Adhirasam – Deep-fried sugar donut

Image credit: @onespot3 via Instagram

Made from rice flour and sugar, Adhirasam is a traditional Indian sweet that is deep fried before being seasoned with spices such as garlic, ginger, cardamom, and pepper. Originating as early as the 16th century in southern India, this pastry is often popular with Tamilians during Deepavali.

To get your hands on this sweet treat, you can head down to Bawa’s Delicacy, where it is available in a 10-pack for $3.50. They also stock a wide variety of other snacks, ranging from murukku ($3.50) to mini popiah rolls ($15). 

Address: 3 Lorong Bakar Batu, #01-01 Union Industrial Center, Singapore 348741
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-1.30pm, 3pm-5.30pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 9007 9354 | Bawa’s Delicacy website

2. Chevda –  Kacang puteh-like snack

Image credit: @bbthegardenchef via Instagram

Given the ongoing disputes over the exact location of its origin, it’s no surprise that Chevda goes by different names across different Indian states. Consequently, it has spawned many regional varieties, with ingredients such as flattened rice, nuts, and curry leaves all making an appearance. Do be warned, though, that some variations can be quite spicy.

Chevda is available at Raj Uphaar in 200g packs starting from $2. By shopping here, not only will you be spoiled for choice, you will also be supporting the South Gujarati tribe women who make them.

Address: 2 Broadrick Road, Singapore 439459
Opening hours: 10am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 9783 5687 | Raj Uphaar website

3. Kheer – Ancient recipe unchanged for 2 millennia

Image credit: Dipanjan nath via Wikimedia

Also known as payasam to South Indian communities, kheer hails from the east Indian state of Odisha, where it began life as a temple offering. These days, while still offered to the gods, it’s also commonly fed to children by their mothers before important events, such as exams, for an extra dose of good luck.

The recipe is pretty simple and only requires 3 ingredients to make the base – rice, milk, and sugar. While you can make it on your own at home, ready-made mixes are also easily available from Karthika Supermarket for $2.50 for 200g. It has 2 outlets; 1 in Little India and another in Yishun. Delivery services are also available, starting from $10.

Little India outlet
Address: 34 & 36 Buffalo Road, Singapore 219796
Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6297 7533

Yishun outlet
Address: 101 Yishun Ave 5, #01-61, Singapore 760101
Opening hours: 8.30am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6257 2457 | Karthika Supermart website

4. Rasgulla – Originated as a way to prevent wastage of excess milk

Image credit: PxHere

Rasgulla is derived from the Hindi words “ras”, meaning “juice”, and “gulla”, meaning “ball”. Essentially, these are little balls of milk curds boiled in rosewater syrup. Similar to ondeh ondeh, they also burst in your mouth upon consumption.

Very popular amongst the Indian community in Singapore, Moghul Sweets is often the go-to place to get festive sweets and savoury party snacks. Besides rasgulla ($15), they also offer a wide variety of other traditional Indian sweets and other snacks, such as samosas ($12.50) and burfis ($20).

Address: 48 Serangoon Road, #01-16 Little India Arcade, Singapore 217959
Opening hours: 9.30am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 9230 9400 | Moghul Sweets website

5. Shakarpara – Persian delight spread to India

Image credit: @cookingwithlata187 via Instagram

Derived from a very similar Persian recipe, shakarpara are crispy crackers made from sugar, ghee, flour, and semolina. Much like how popcorn is available either sweet or salted, shakarpara is also available in a savoury variant, known as namakpara. During festive occasions such as Deepavali, it is not uncommon for households to have both snacks, in order to accommodate different taste buds.

One place that stocks shakarpara is Grocery Xpress Minimart, where a 270g packet goes for $3.40. Besides crackers, they carry a wide variety of goods as well, ranging from incense cones to briyani mixes. They also offer delivery services, with a flat fee of $6 for orders under $100.

Address: 732 Bedok Reservoir Road, #B1-11 Waterfront Isle, Singapore 479262
Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 8339 0016 | Grocery Xpress website

6. Mysore Pak – Candy well-loved by royalty

A common sweet featured in weddings and baby showers in Southern India.
Image credit: Vaidehi Pujary via Wikimedia

Named after the city it was created in, mysore pak was born when the Maharaja’s head chef was experimenting in the palace kitchen, wanting to present his highness with something out of the norm. Fast forward to today, and this incredibly sweet and dense candy made from ghee, sugar, cardamom, and gram flour is often eaten during festive occasions.

Along with a wide variety of other snacks, mysore pak is available in 250g packs from Rasool Shop Pte Ltd for $5.50. Conveniently located in Tekka Centre, the store is also known for its unique spice mixes – helpful for those who want to experiment in their own kitchen.

Address: 661 Buffalo Road, #01-30 Tekka Centre, Singapore 210661
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am-10.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6298 8786 | Rasool Shop website

7. Pakoda or Ribbon Murukku – Murukku cut into blocks or strips

Image credit: Kracker King

Despite sharing the same base ingredients of water, salt, chilli powder, rice flour, and lentil flour, pakoda murukku shares little else with its more commonly found spiral brethren. Instead of rolling it into a coil, pakoda murukku is either cut into little blocks or rolled flat, where it is then known as ribbon murukku.

All 3 varieties of murukku are available at KrackerKing, which stocks them in 2 sizes – 150g ($1.65) or 800g ($6). The snacks are available for purchase directly from their website or from major supermarkets.

Contact: KrackerKing website

8. Gathiya – Crunchy & spicy snack

Image credit: Hitesh Vasoya via Facebook

Hailing from the west Indian state of Gujarat, gathiya is a savoury snack that is often served alongside chai at teatime. Essentially deep fried strands of flour flavoured with different spices, different versions of this snack exist, using varied ingredients such as spinach, pickled mangoes, and shredded carrots.

Costa Rhu Indian Supermarket is one place where you can get gathiya, where a 270g packet will set you back $3.40. Besides gathiya, it boasts a wide variety of goods, ranging from briyani mixes to sandalwood incense sticks. Home delivery is also offered at $6 for standard deliveries and $10 for express delivery the next working day. 

Address: 7 Rhu Cross,  #B1-01, Singapore 437435
Opening hours: 8am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 9631 3891 | Costa Rhu Indian Supermart website

9. Shrikhand – Sweet yoghurt served with flatbread or puri

Image credit: @bharathiramasubban via Instagram

Comprising sugar added to strained yoghurt, shrikhand can trace its origins back to 500 BC. Emerging as a way for nomadic herders to transport their yoghurt across long distances, the dish is often eaten with puri, a deep fried bread made from unleavened flour.

This sweet treat can be found in many Indian supermarkets such as Sri Murugan, which carries 3 varieties ranging from $6.60-$6.90. It has 9 outlets strategically located in the north, west and central areas of Singapore. It also offers free delivery services for orders exceeding $60.

Full list of Sri Murugan outlets.

Stock up on desserts & Deepavali snacks in Singapore

As the Festival of Lights draws near, get ready to light up the faces of your family and friends by offering them these Deepavali snacks and sweet treats. Besides the stores mentioned above, most of these sweets and savouries are available at Mustafa Centre too. It’s time to make a trip to Little India.

If you’re into snacks, also check out:

• Thai Supermarket at Aperia Mall
• Old-school snacks
• Kian Seng Chun warehouse store
• Best office snacks

Cover image adapted from: @bharathiramasubban via Instagram, Hitesh Vasoya via Facebook, Kracker King, Vaidehi Pujary via Wikimedia