Here’s some sneaks about the history of Tiong Bahru Market

Have you ever heard of the Tiong Bahru Market? Or even visit the place? If not, this article will help you get to know more about the place and get you going to visit also the market.

There are a lot of wet markets in Singapore. They said that part of their culture is the wet markets and hawker centers. It symbolizes the country’s heartland heritage as different races from stall vendors to customers are all under the same place and the same roof.

The Tiong Bahru Market is located in the community of Tiong Bahru. The district is not just one of the hippest areas in Singapore at the moment, but it is also a district that has a rich history that is intriguing. Because it was once used as a burial site, the area was given the name Tiong Bahru, which Tiong in the Chinese Hokkien dialect means "end," while Bahru in the Malay language means "new." The decade of the 1930s marked the beginning of the transition of the area from a swamp into a swanky neighborhood. Some of the monuments from that period, notably the residential blocks, are still standing today.

One of the oldest destinations in this community is the Tiong Bahru Market. But before this market flourished, there will always be its history. Let’s take a look at how this market evolved throughout the years.

Prior to WWII, two storefronts on Tiong Poh Road had been converted into a temporary wet market for the surrounding neighborhood, which rapidly attracted a variety of vendors selling anything from fresh produce to household goods.

On January 21, 1951, the Seng Poh Road Market, the forerunner of today's Tiong Bahru Market, opened and laid the groundwork for the modern hawker center to flourish. The majority of the building was created out of wood, and the zinc roofing gave it a distinctive look. Merchandise categories determined the layout of the stands.

However, a scarcity of hawker stalls, for example, resulted in the establishment of illicit enterprises outside the market proper, and there were also frequent arguments and brawls during the market's early stages. More problems occurred in the 1970s as the hawker license system was implemented and police began conducting regular raids on illicit hawkers.

Wet markets were there for 50 years, yet throughout that time they changed very little. During this period, it rose to prominence as one of Tiong Bahru's best restaurants. Seng Poh Market was closed for a $16.8 million refurbishment and redesign in 2004. A new two-story building called the Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre was built in its place in 2006.

At this point, the Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre can look back on at least thirty years of operation. It's reasonable to say, though, that it retains all of its old vitality; the place is always alive with activity. A nice afternoon wind blows through the stalls below, where sellers and stall owners selling anything from fresh flowers to colorful apparel converse casually with customers.

The moment you go into the hawker center, you'll be hit with an onslaught of aromas from the wide variety of foods being sold there.

The food court's new fans and sunshades are the results of a three-month makeover that took place between February and May of 2017. But regulars shouldn't be alarmed; the restaurant's familiar buzz remains unchanged, as does the comfort cuisine it serves. The Tiong Bahru Food Centre has been at the top of its game for more than a decade, and with good cause. Still, it's hard to beat this spot for a quick nibble, a chat with coworkers over a cup of kopi, or a satisfying meal of a tried-and-true favorite while basking in the sunshine of a late afternoon.

Now, Tiong Bahru is considered one of the most popular hawker places in Singapore. You may choose from a broad variety of delicious hawker cuisine here, and there is almost always a line out the door on the weekends. If you ask any Singaporean, they will be able to recommend at least two items for you to sample from this culturally-endured place.

Sources:

Your cart is empty.