Most of us would be familiar with the Little India precinct for their cultural temples, art murals and 24-hour supper joints. But that’s not all this buzzing neighbourhood has to offer.
If you’re seeking out new places to gai gai at within the area, Tekka Place has plenty of hidden gems for your next hangout session. From unique Italian-Indian fusion cuisine to affordable beauty services, here’s what you can look forward to at the shopping mall:
Since Tekka Place is located in the Little India area, it’s no surprise that you’ll be able to find unique, custom and traditional Indian handicrafts thanks to Arts & Culture.
Whether for your own home or as a gift for a loved one, you’ll find a wide collection of uniquely-designed decor items from mini statues (from $38) to rosewood jewellery boxes (from $18).
You can also find Indian classical musical instruments (from $35), or shop home accents like marble altars (from $1,200) and vintage lamps (1 pair for $650).
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Unit number: #01-14/15, Main Block
If you’re looking to explore a makeover to take on the rest of 2021, Vanessa Beauty can be your one-stop-shop for nearly all your grooming needs – from getting a haircut to pedicures.
What’s more, you can get traditional henna art (from $5) done in just 10 minutes – a painless inking process to give your hands intricate and beautiful designs.
Eyebrows can also make a whole lot of difference to the way you look, so get yours primped with the threading service available here from $6.
Opening hours: 10AM-8.30PM, Daily
Unit number: #02-03, Main Block
As a fan of both Indian and Italian cuisine, I sometimes wish I could have the best of both worlds when my cravings strike. Bacos the Dine will let me do just that. This newly-opened restaurant offers a unique fusion of Italian and Indian dishes that include pizzas and pastas.
The Tandoori Chicken Pizza ($18.90) was filled with a combination of onions, bell peppers and mozzarella cheese, providing a satisfying kick in every bite, complemented with the right hint of sweetness. For a more traditional dish, give the Lamb Rack Briyani ($18.50) a try – it’s marinated with delicious saffron masala and goes well with Basmati Rice ($3.80).
Fans of fries can also indulge in nine different kinds of fries, my personal favourite being the Sriracha Mayo & Chips Mirchi Flakes ($8.50), that goes well as a side in their Fish and Chips set ($15.90), made with unique curry leaf batter.
Opening hours: 9AM-10PM, Daily
Unit number: #01-12/13, Main Block
If you consider yourself a chocolate aficionado, MLTZ offers a variety of chocolates from Dark Chocolate to Tea Chocolate, specially brought in from across Europe for you to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can even get gift boxes or custom-make your own hamper that will double up as an ideal present for bae.
Those that count their calories can also find comfort in their vegan-friendly options ($7.50 per bar, 3 bars for $18) made without milk and dairy-derived ingredients. Instead, they contain a higher percentage of cocoa for a healthier and heartier taste.
They even have an Italian gelato bar in-house, with popular flavours like Coconut and Chocolate with Rum ($6-$10/cup) for you to cool down from a sweltering day.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs, Sun 10AM-8PM I Fri & Sat 10AM-9PM
Unit number: #01-21, Main Block
For a place to wind down after all your shopping, head to Xin Tekka nestled in the Annex Block. Here, you’ll find a melting pot of different culinary dishes from new generation hawkers, such as Hakka noodles from Pang’s Hakka Noodles and affordable North-Indian fare from RW Express.
Keep your eyes peeled for unique takes on favourite hawker food like Cheesy Floss Carrot Cake (from $6) and the Mala Fried Kway Teow (from $5) from Liang Ji.
If you don’t fancy squeezing in crowd-laden hawker centres just to eat Sambal Stingray, you can also find it at Rong Guang BBQ Seafood from $16, along with one of a kind dishes like Flower Clams in Salted Egg Sauce (from $14).
To wash down your grub, visit PintHouse to grab a glass of beer (from $4) or enjoy a $7 Tiger pint promo if you get food from Xin Tekka. If you’re more of a wine person, check out a variety of wine from $5/glass at Wine & Gourmet Friends. Both stores are located on the mezzanine level of Xin Tekka.
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8AM-9PM | Sat – Sun & Public Holidays 9AM-9PM
Unit number: #01-55 to 59, Annex Block
If you’re looking to uncover new places to fuel upcoming meet-ups so you don’t end up in the same hangout spots all the time, make a beeline for Tekka Place. Not only will you be able to enjoy our favourite pastimes of shopping and dining, but also immerse in culture and heritage at the same time.
In addition to the many F&B spots for foodies on the hunt for unique grub, you can also get your dose of BBT from Kung Fu Tea (#B1-20) to try out innovative brews, or opt for LiHO Tea (#01-05) for a more familiar option.
The ethnic enclave of Little India is ever so exciting, made even better with Tekka Place’s host of shops. In addition, the mall is just a 3-minute walk from Little India MRT Station or Rochor MRT, meaning you can conveniently head over via either the purple or blue lines for your next shopping spree.
This post was brought to you by Tekka Place.
Photography by Huy Pham.
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