Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market)

The Basics

Locals and visitors come here for the food, which includes cuisines such as Chinese, Malay, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Western. It’s easy to visit the market independently, but some Singapore sightseeing tours include a stop at the market, along with other popular attractions such as Thian Hock Keng Temple, Merlion Park, Chinatown, Little India, and Marina Bay.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Lau Pa Set is ideal for foodies and first-time visitors to Singapore.
• Bring cash, as not all vendors will take credit cards.
• Some vendors can be quite persistent when trying to attract customers.
• Boon Tat Street is closed to traffic in the evenings when the street market is set up.

How to Get There

The market is located at the intersection of Boon Tat Street and Robinson Road. Take the MRT to Raffles Place Station (exit I), then follow the long tunnel, which will take you to within a few blocks of Lau Pa Sat.

When to Get There

Lau Pa Sat Festival Market is 24 hours a day, though different vendors will have different opening hours. Its proximity to the central business district makes it a popular lunchtime option for office workers. The market is also popular in the evening, when satay vendors set up outside and a whole street market expands along adjacent Boon Tat Street.

Hawker Centers in Singapore

Hawker centers are extremely popular in Singapore, and offer a good variety of food at generally inexpensive prices. Besides Lau Pa Sat, other popular centers include Maxwell Road Hawker Centre, the Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Old Airport Road Food Centre, Chomp Chomp Food Centre, Tekka Centre, and Tiong Bahru Market.

What is Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market), and where is it in Singapore?

Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market) is a popular hawker center, or food market, in a 19th-century Victorian building in Singapore. It’s located at 18 Raffles Quay, at the intersection of Boon Tat Street and Robinson Road in the central business district. The closest MRT stations are Raffles Place and Downtown.

What are the operating hours of Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market), and is it open every day?

Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market) is open 24 hours a day, every day. However, individual stalls have different opening times. Some stalls shut once they have sold out of their items. The Satay Street on Boon Tat Street opens at 7pm (or 3pm on weekends and holidays) and runs until 3am.

What types of food can you expect to find at Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market), and are there any must-try dishes?

Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market) offers a wide range of cuisines, including Chinese, Hong Kong, Malay, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Western-style dishes. Some must-try dishes include Hainanese chicken rice, thunder rice tea, fried kway teow, nasi lemak, Hokkien mee, bak kut teh, and satay.

Are there any vegetarian or halal options available at Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market)?

Yes, Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market) offers vegetarian and halal options. Vegetarian stalls include Maya Veggie Delight (stall 47), Shree Bhaavan Pure Indian Vegetarian (stall 40), and Su Xiang Chinese Vegetarian Cuisine (stall 46). Halal options include A.M. Mohamed Food (stall 54), Ipoh Hainanese Chicken Rice (stall 14), and Turkish Cuisine (stall 70).

What is the best time of the day to visit Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market)?

Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market) is open 24 hours a day, though operating hours of individual stalls will differ. Some stalls close after they sell out, so it’s better to go earlier. Avoid the lunchtime rush during the working week by visiting in the mid-afternoon.

What is the history of Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market)?

Lau Pa Sat means “old market” in Hokkien. Originally, it was Singapore’s first wet market, built in the early 1800s. It was rebuilt in 1894 and retained its iconic octagonal design. It became a hawker center in the 1970s and was listed as a National Monument of Singapore in 1973.