Top 10 Wet Market Shopping Tips

Crowded Wet Market, customers selecting vegetables

Wet markets are no stranger to any Singaporean, it is no surprise to see aunties and uncles undergoing classic bargaining at stores and children tailing behind their parents along the sidewalks of the market. However, shopping in wet markets can appear daunting at times. Not all stall owners are all smiles and friendly during first purchases. Some are loud, and not well-dressed compared to the standardised uniforms adorned by supermarket attendants. As a gen zer/millennial the stark difference between life outside the market and in the market often pose as inertia for some but don't worry because we got you covered with shopping tips to make every wet market visit a pleasant experience.

Tip 1: Buy dried goods first if you do not have small change.

Planning what to buy at every wet market is extremely important. Not convinced? Notes tend to absorb smells from its vicinity very well. Hence if you do not have any small change, dropping by the dry goods stall first is advisable. You could "break" your large notes into smaller denominations so you do not need to handle wet notes and coins from other stalls.

Tip 2: Look for stalls with big open spaces in front of them.

Look for stalls which have larger open spaces in front or beside them. After your purchase from the stall, you could request for ‘free parking’ of your grocery trolley or even bags. Our friendly vendors would be more than happy to help keep a lookout! Overall this will make your shopping experience much easier and faster least you save the chore of pushing the heavy trolley all around the wet market.

Ikan Kurau Salted Fish with Fish Head Sliced

Tip 3: Ask what is in season or items that have just arrive

In season items are always the freshest and cheapest. For instance, if that salted fish was just delivered yesterday, you can have best parts of the salted fish at its freshest!

Tip 4: Bring your shopping bag

If you can bring your own shopping bag, the cost savings of the plastic bag although may seem little, can go a long way to help bring profit up for the stall owners since most do not charge for the bags. This is also a good way to care for the environment .

Wet Market in Early Morning When Sky is Dark

Tip 5: Arrive in the market in the morning

Most stall owners operate in the wee hours of the morning with many starting as early as 5.30am way before you and I first wake up. This is the prime time to shop because food items, like the fish, meat and vegetables are the freshest and available since its the time they first arrive from distributors

Tip 6: Remember to only bring along a small trolley or bag

Since alleyways in the wet market are usually narrow to accommodate more stores, big trolleys are definitely difficult to maneuver around especially if the markets are popular and filled with people. Some stall owners are particularly fussy about this as big trolleys tend to obstruct the way of potential customers as well.

Tip 7: Be polite and open to ask ANY questions

Many stall owners have a deep and diverse range of knowledge from the years of experience and know exactly how to prepare and cook the ingredients sold. Many stall owners are more than happy to offer advice if one is unsure of the quantity to purchase. However, do remember to be polite when asking, they are just like each and every one of us. In Singapore particularly, do remember to address males as "uncle" and females as "auntie"

Potato and onion in shop, customer finger touching potato

Tip 8: Items on display can be touched, but remember not to handle it roughly

The stall owners are apprehensive towards customers poking or handling food ingredients roughly. The reason is simple, such actions may create dents in the food ingredients that may deter following customers from purchasing affecting their already migre income. Hence, do gently handle the items if you need to take a closer look or smell. Once again, do ask nicely, and the stall owners will not hesitate to choose the best one available for you.

Tip 9: Bargaining slightly is definitely possible here in the market, so remember to try!

Since cash transactions are the most common mode of purchase, bargaining to round down certain values is possible. For example if the sum of purchase is $5.10 or $5.20, bargaining down to $5 is possible. Many stall owners are willing to give a discount especially if support has been given! This is the beauty of wet markets. However, this is not guaranteed. Do bare in mind that this is also their sources of income so do not be too down if discounts are not given.

Tip 10: Wear Comfortable Clothes due to the hot weather

Singapore's hot and humid may defer some to visit the Wet Market as there's no air-conditioning. The situation is not as bad as some of us have imagine, as there are multiple fans installed which will help to cool and circulate the air. Nevertheless, please remember to wear comfortable clothes when you visit. A good recommendation is a cotton T-shirt with shorts!